WATCH: Atty. Michael Gurfinkel discusses COVID-19’s impact on US immigration
Watch Atty. Gurfinkel’s latest immigration update on COVID 19, where USCIS is cancelling all in-person services until at least April 1, 2020, and Immigration Courts (EOIR) have cancelled all non-detained…
Actress Vanessa Hudgens under fire for coronavirus remarks
Actress Vanessa Hudgens, who is part Filipina, came under fire after making dismissive remarks about the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) during a live video on Instagram. “I’m sorry, but like,…
April 2020 priority dates
EACH month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A…
The Attorney-Client Relationship
AS attorneys, we get frantic or panicked phone calls from our clients worried about their cases. It’s a natural response – nobody wants to be in a place of unknowing…
Robredo calls for assistance, alternatives for vulnerable sectors amid quarantine
MANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo in a video released on Tuesday evening, March 17 called for more social safety nets for the poorest Filipinos affected by a month of quarantine. …
SF Mayor announces moratorium on commercial evictions
SAN FRANCISCO Mayor London N. Breed on Tuesday, March 17 announced a moratorium on commercial evictions for small and medium-sized businesses related to financial impacts caused by COVID-19. The moratorium…
Fil-Ams cope as 7 Bay Area counties issue ‘shelter in place’ order
COUNTY and city officials from seven Bay Area counties issued a “shelter-in-place” order this week for its residents in a bid to stop the spread of the newly-discovered coronavirus (SARS-CoV2),…
DIY strategy vs COVID-19
HERE are some medical facts and practical Do-It-Yourself (DIY) measures to ward off the COVID-19 infection that is now a serious pandemic. CAVEAT: A clean well-ventilated home is our safest…
Bucket list No. 9: Become your own style icon
“… As within, so without…” — Hermes Trismegistus WHILE appearances may deceive, more often than not, what you are is reflected on the outside. Becoming your own style icon does…
COVID-19 cases in PH could reach 75,000 in months if not contained – DOH
The Philippine Department of Health said novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the country could rise to 75,000 in two to three months if the spread of the contagion is not…
How 3 Fil-Am families in New York are coping with coronavirus deaths, infection
NEW YORK-based Filipino American lawyer and legal recruiter David Lat announced on social media this week that he has tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). “Hello everyone. You are…
Casinos, ‘nonessential’ businesses close across Nevada for 30 days
NEVADA Governor Steve Sisolak has announced the closure of ‘nonessential’ businesses, including casinos, throughout the state for at least 30 days to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19),…
LA Mayor Garcetti announces economic relief package for small businesses impacted by coronavirus
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on Wednesday, March 18 announced an $11 million economic relief package for small businesses impacted by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). “Small businesses are the backbone…
LA County now has 46 new cases of coronavirus
Forty-six new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have been confirmed in Los Angeles County, the county Department of Public Health said on Wednesday, March 18. There are now 190…
#WashTheHate: Fil-Am artists AJ Rafael, Shawn Wasabi join social media campaign to raise awareness about coronavirus-related discrimination
With the coronavirus pandemic now declared a national emergency in the United States, uncertainty and fear are breeding acts of discrimination and violence against individuals of Asian descent. To help…
Philippine gov’t lifts 72-hour window for outbound flights
The 72-hour deadline for international travelers to leave the Philippines has been lifted, the government announced on Wednesday, March 18. The updated announcement from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the…
Duterte: PH now under ‘state of calamity’ as COVID-19 cases escalate
President Rodrigo Duterte has placed the Philippines under a state of calamity in an attempt to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). He signed Proclamation 929 on…
Filipino teachers, parents adjust to school shutdowns
Increased virus risk prompts LAUSD to close, open up food banks for students As it continues to spread, the novel coronavirus has prompted large-scale shutdowns of school districts, workplaces, and…
US, DOH partner to combat COVID-19 in the Philippines
THE U.S. Embassy in the Philippines announced on Tuesday, March 17 that the U.S. government has committed more than P139 million ($2.7 million) to support the Philippine Department of Health…
CA Gov. Newsom issues executive order to stop evictions, foreclosures
CALIFORNIA Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Monday night, March 16 halting evictions and foreclosures as the coronavirus pandemic threatens the livelihoods of the state’s renters and homeowners. The…
Tri-state governors set shutdowns and curfews to slow spread of coronavirus
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, and Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont announced on Monday, March 16 a regional approach to combatting the novel coronavirus – or…
No more international flights out of Luzon starting March 20
International airports in Luzon have a 72-hour window to accommodate foreigners seeking to leave the Philippines, the country’s Department of Transportation said on Tuesday, March 17. After that, all gateways…
LA County treasurer and tax collector not accepting in-person property tax payments
THE Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector will not be accepting in-person payments or providing in-person tax or business license services until further notice, following the closure of all…
Cold temperatures expected in parts of Los Angeles County
Los Angeles – The Los Angeles County Health Officer is issuing a Cold Weather Alert due to the National Weather Service’s forecast for low temperatures. Wind chill temperatures are expected…
Southern California Edison responds to COVID-19 emergency, suspends service disconnections
ROSEMEAD, Calif. — Southern California Edison announced that it is suspending service disconnections for nonpayment and waiving late fees, effective immediately, for residential and business customers impacted by the COVID-19…
How Fil-Am businesses in LA County are navigating impact of virus outbreak
EVENT cancellations, work from home, no dining in restaurants, doors shuttering — these are a few ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic that businesses across the country are facing. Here in…
The US is now nearing the tipping point in the coronavirus outbreak: Social distancing, obedience and cooperation may save your life!
Experts monitoring the coronavirus outbreak warn that if we, as a nation and as a people, do not implement and follow drastic measures and preparations for the inevitable surge in…