[COLUMN] When immigrant employees are threatened with deportation
Do threats constitute human trafficking or forced labor? Q: I WAS petitioned by my current employer to work in a residential care facility in the US. I work 6 days…
Category: Immigration
Covering the week’s most noteworthy immigration news impacting the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
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Success story: Triple triumphs scored for client on Citizen Pinoy this Sunday
PATRICK was petitioned for a green card by his aunt as a cook for her restaurant. Interestingly, not many people are aware that family members can petition other family members…
[COLUMN] Getting around the six month residency requirement to file a divorce in California
Generally, you must have resided in California for at least six months in order to file a divorce in this case. Under Family Code Section 2320, a judgment of marriage…
Success story: Triple triumphs scored for client on Citizen Pinoy this Sunday
PATRICK was petitioned for a green card by his aunt as a cook for her restaurant. Interestingly, not many people are aware that family members can petition other family members…
[COLUMN] Success story: Aged-out daughter obtains immigrant visa through CSPA, on Citizen Pinoy this Sunday
MARIVIC, a U.S. citizen, filed a petition for her daughter, Alyssa, in May 2019. However, in January 2021, after filing all paperwork and fees, Marivic was notified by the U.S….
[COLUMN] Success story: A terminated case is reinstated and visa issued, on Citizen Pinoy this Sunday
JOSEPH was petitioned by his mother in 2007 and waited 12 long years for his Nanay Pilar’s petition to become current. Unfortunately, Joseph was in Zurich, Switzerland for work and…
[COLUMN] Can I obtain a divorce if my spouse refuses to sign?
There seems to be a misconception in the general public that you can only obtain a divorce in California if your spouse will sign the divorce papers. I get this…
Suspects in anti-Asian Queens attack arrested; charged with assault as a hate crime
Victims reportedly called ‘Ugly Asian!’ by one of the assailants New York police arrested on Monday, March 6 two suspects wanted for an alleged racially motivated attack on a Filipino-American…
[COLUMN] Success story: Aged-out daughter obtains immigrant visa through CSPA, on Citizen Pinoy this Sunday
MARIVIC, a U.S. citizen, filed a petition for her daughter, Alyssa, in May 2019. However, in January 2021, after filing all paperwork and fees, Marivic was notified by the U.S….
[COLUMN] How to obtain custody and visitation rights for unmarried dads
Establishing parentage rights for moms is a lot easier than establishing one for unmarried Dads. Moms can establish this by simply showing proof of her having given birth to the…
Atty. Gurfinkel answers immigration questions from Kapamilya in Las Vegas in part 2 of Citizen Pinoy’s ‘Your Tanong, My Sagot’
LEADING U.S. Immigration Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel continues to answer immigration questions from Pinoys who made the trek to Radiant Beauty Skincare Med Spa in Las Vegas. It can be…
California explores private insurance for immigrants lacking legal status. But is it affordable?
A doctor found cysts in Lilia Becerril’s right breast five years ago, but the 51-year-old lacks health insurance. She said she can’t afford the imaging to find out if they’re…
California says it can no longer afford aid for COVID testing, vaccinations for migrants
by Don Thompson, Kaiser Health News ALL day and sometimes into the night, buses and vans pull up to three state-funded medical screening centers near California’s southern border with Mexico….
[COLUMN] Writ of Mandamus relief for unreasonable delay in pending immigration filings
A common question that is asked by a person who has a pending immigration petition or application is “how much longer until USCIS makes a decision?” The question is understandable,…
Atty. Gurfinkel answers immigration questions from Kapamilya in Las Vegas on Citizen Pinoy
IN this encore episode, leading U.S. Immigration Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel and the Citizen Pinoy team went to Radiant Beauty Skincare Med Spa, a skincare clinic co-founded by husband-and-wife team…
Success story: A terminated case is reinstated and visa issued, on Citizen Pinoy this Sunday
JOSEPH was petitioned by his mother in 2007 and waited 12 long years for his Nanay Pilar’s petition to become current. Unfortunately, Joseph was in Zurich, Switzerland for work and…
[COLUMN] How courts determine child custody in California
One of the most emotional aspect of a marital dissolution case is dealing with Child custody issues. Sadly enough, this is an area where most parents play games with each…
City of Alameda inaugurates Bohol Circle Immigrant Park
ALAMEDA – Local government officials and the Filipino American community gathered in this Bay Area island-city on January 21 for the official opening of the Bohol Circle Immigrant Park, considered…
[COLUMN] Atty. Gurfinkel answers immigration questions from Kapamilya in Las Vegas in Part 2 of Citizen Pinoy’s ‘Your Tanong, My Sagot’
LEADING U.S. Immigration Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel continues to answer immigration questions from Pinoys who made the trek to Radiant Beauty Skincare Med Spa in Las Vegas. It can be…
The loneliness of immigrant elders
The recent mass shootings in California put a tragic spotlight on the isolation and invisibility of many immigrant elders in the state. Both shooters in the two mass killings in…
[COLUMN] Can I qualify for a green card despite the petitioner’s death?
Consider this common factual situation. You are over 21 years old and your U.S. citizen parent petitions you while you are inside the United States. Since this is a preference…
As long-term care staffing crisis worsens, immigrants can bridge the gaps, experts say
WHEN Margarette Nerette arrived in the United States from Haiti, she sought safety and a new start. The former human rights activist feared for her life in the political turmoil…
Atty. Gurfinkel answers immigration questions from Kapamilya in Las Vegas on Citizen Pinoy
IN this brand-new episode, leading U.S. Immigration Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel and the Citizen Pinoy team went to Radiant Beauty Skincare Med Spa, a skincare clinic co-founded by the husband-and-wife…
[COLUMN] Removing the conditions of your permanent residence without your petitioning spouse’s participation
A person who obtains his/her green card via marriage to a U.S. citizen spouse, and who is married for less than 2 years has conditional permanent resident status. A conditional…
[COLUMN] Atty. Gurfinkel answers immigration questions from Kapamilya during part 2 of the San Diego leg of Citizen Pinoy’s ‘Your Tanong, My Sagot’
LEADING U.S. Immigration Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel visited San Diego, where he answered questions of Kapamilya based locally, and even from some coming from out-of-town. In Part 2 of “Your…
A success story for crewmen!: Overstayed crew-member obtains immigrant visa in Manila, through Obama-era provisional waiver regulation, on CITIZEN PINOY this Sunday, Jan. 15
Julie came to the U.S. as a crew member in 2004 and overstayed, leaving her eight-year-old daughter, Jolina, back in the Philippines. The years of separation broke Julie’s heart, but…
[COLUMN] Reinstatement for surviving beneficiaries of an I-130 petition filed by a deceased relative
Dear Attorney Tan, My U.S. Citizen mother filed an I-130 immigrant petition on my behalf, which has a priority date in February 2000 and which has been approved. She filed…
A success story for crewmen: Overstayed crew member obtains immigrant visa in Manila through Obama-era provisional waiver regulation, on Citizen Pinoy this Sunday
ULIE came to the U.S. as a crew member in 2004 and overstayed, leaving her eight-year-old daughter, Jolina, back in the Philippines. The years of separation broke Julie’s heart, but…
In California, a long and pivotal history of interracial marriage
AS interracial marriage becomes more accepted and common nationally, California stands out. According to PEW, the state exceeds the national average of 17% of newlyweds being interracial couples, while the…
[COLUMN] Atty. Gurfinkel answers immigration questions from Kapamilya in San Diego on part 1 of Citizen Pinoy’s ‘Your Tanong, My Sagot’
LEADING U.S. Immigration Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel visited San Diego, where he answered questions of Kapamilya from the “America’s Finest City” and neighboring areas. In Part 1 of “Your Tanong,…