No visas for ‘offspring’
Children of derivatives, called “Offspring,” are NOT eligible for immigrant visas. This would include any babies of Derivative Children (or grandchildren of the Primary Beneficiary). DEAR Atty. Gurfinkel: Years ago, I was petitioned by my U.S. citizen parent in the F-3 category (married child of U.S. citizen). The priority date on my petition is now…
From Magic Johnson to Terrell Owens: How a Filipina American designer makes custom looks for athletes’ big events
WITH the commercials, halftime show and the game itself, Super Bowl LIV this Sunday will provide much to watch and talk about. But not to miss are the suits the players will be wearing off the field as professional sports games have unexpectedly become sources of fashion inspiration. There’s one Filipina American designer behind most…
How Kobe Bryant inspired a global community of Filipinos, on and off the court
Filipino-Americans recall the Black Mamba and what made him a standout superstar, philanthropist and ally The air in Los Angeles was still on Sunday, January 26. TMZ first broke the news of Kobe Bryant being killed in a helicopter crash near Calabasas, California, and nobody wanted to believe it. When more details were released and…
Fil-Am pastor among members sworn into Trump’s AAPI advisory commission
A Filipino American pastor was among the 13 members sworn into President Donald Trump’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) by Vice President Mike Pence on Monday, January 27. Herman Martir, a pastor based in Fort Worth, Texas, was present as Pence administered the oath during a Lunar New Year celebration at…
Supreme Court allows ‘public charge’ rule expansion that could impact legal immigration
The United States Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to proceed with enforcing changes to the public charge rule that could deny legal permanent residency status to certain immigrants if they are likely to require government assistance in the future. In a 5-4 vote on Monday, January 27, the conservative-leaning high court ruled in favor…
Duterte may fire more officials over corruption index ranking
THE Philippines’ lower ranking in the latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) has prodded the current administration to fire more corrupt officials. The CPI is released by Transparency International, evaluating countries using a scale of zero to 100 where zero translated to “highly corrupt” while 100 meant “every clean.” In the 2019 index, the Philippines ranked…
Palace explains Duterte’s VFA decision
Malacañang on Monday, January 27, said that President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States was not made on a whim, claiming that the move was due to a series of disrespectful acts by several American senators. The VFA, which came into force in 1999, covers the conduct…
Filipina American basketball coach among victims of Kobe Bryant helicopter crash
A Filipina American coach was one of nine passengers, along with basketball icon Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, killed in the helicopter that crashed outside Los Angeles on Sunday, January 26. Christina Mauser, 38, was an assistant coach for Gianna Bryant’s Mamba Academy basketball team, a job that 41-year-old Bryant hand-selected Mauser for….
Duterte rejects Trump’s invite to US-ASEAN summit
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has decided to reject United States President Donald Trump’s invitation to attend the Southeast Asian leaders’ summit in Las Vegas, Nevada this March, Malacañang said on Friday, January 24. Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s visa cancellation reportedly prompted Duterte to decline the invitation, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo announced. In a chance…
PH gov’t starts termination of Visiting Forces Agreement with US
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the government to begin terminating the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States, Malacañang said on Friday, January 24. Duterte threatened to terminate the VFA on Thursday, following the U.S.’ cancellation of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s visa. Though the U.S. Embassy did not give a…
Trump administration places travel restrictions on pregnant women
New rule would bar pregnant women who are suspected of traveling to the U.S. solely to give birth United States embassies across the globe received a note from the U.S. State Department on Thursday, January 23, ordering consular officials to deny visas to pregnant women whom they suspect are coming to the U.S. to give…
Superfast 5G for cell phones at the Las Vegas CES
THERE’S been a buzzword in cell phone speeds: 5G. Just what is meant by 5G? Our Asian Journal crew of Roger Oriel, Victor Sy, and Byron Sy found out some valuable data at the latest Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas early this month. There are Three Different Versions of 5G with Varying Degrees of…
Intention or the amount? The real essence of giving
I WAS coming home from LA to Manila during the first week of last December when something caught my attention and made me reflect. It was one of my usual trips to the U.S. where I get to meet and talk to people I guide in the California area. After checking in, I proceeded to…
US donates P5.1 million aid for Taal Volcano relief
The United States government will be providing P5.1 million in relief assistance to the communities affected by the Taal Volcano’s continuing activity, the U.S. Embassy in Manila said this week. The announcement was made by U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim during a visit to two evacuation centers in Nasugbu and Calatagan in Batangas…
AAPI organizations in LA launch collaborative for 2020 census outreach
Community organizations in Los Angeles launched a collaborative campaign this week to encourage participation in the 2020 census as Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) risk being undercounted. Led by the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council (A3PCON), the AAPI Census 2020 Collaborative consists of 21 organizations that serve 10 communities in over 20 languages,…
Lunar New Year: Are you ready? Celebrating the Year of the Rat
READY to ring in the Lunar New Year with fun and entertaining event ideas? Take your Lunar New Year Celebration and spruce it up in time for the 2020 Year of the Rat. The long-time celebrated occasion is a time to commemorate prosperity, health, and good fortune with friends and family. Innovate Marketing Group specializes…
More Than Pink Walk™: 23rd annual Susan G. Komen Los Angeles County event
SUSAN G. Komen Los Angeles County will hold its 23rd annual event at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, February 29, its MORE THAN PINK Walk™. Known for raising significant monies to help those with breast health issues in Los Angeles County, the affiliate does so with many activities, the Expo, Hope Village, for survivors and those…
K-1 fiancé(e) visa: Getting your significant other to the United States
SEVERAL options exist for a US citizen to bring his/her foreign-national fiancé(e) to the United States. One popular option is to marry the fiancé(e) in the country in which he/she resides, and file an I-130 immigrant petition, with the fiancé(e) to undergo consular processing for an immigrant visa when the I-130 petition is approved. However,…
Employees injured at work are entitled to reasonable accommodation
VIRGINIA Hoover worked as a radiology technologist for a Dignity Health hospital for 24 years. In December 2012, her arm was injured while she was preparing for a CT scan. The injury resulted in medical restrictions, including the prohibition of lifting more than 15 pounds. She also had to go on a lengthy leave of…
A tale of two seniors in financial distress
THE first senior is 73. He has been separated from his wife for 30 years but not divorced. So, for all intents and purposes, he is single because even if his wife makes a ton of money, her income is irrelevant under the means test since the client does not benefit from that income. Even…
Inadmissibility due to false claim to US citizenship
ANG isang dayuhan na may false claim ng US citizenship upang makakuha ng mga benipisyo sa ilalim ng federal law o state law ay maaaring maging inadmissible. Ang mga sumusunod ang mga elemento ng false claim ng US citizenship: (1) ang dayuhan ay nagsabi at naglinlang na siya ay US citizen; (2) ang kanyang pagsabi…
What is a postnuptial agreement?
A POSTNUPTIAL agreement is a contract between you and your spouse entered into after you get married resolving issues in your marriage. It is similar to a prenuptial agreement except it occurs after your marriage. For couples that get married without a prenuptial agreement, it is not too late to have an agreement dealing with…
On praying to Santo Niño
“ Our spirits and faith should never get old. God should always see this in us.” I’VE often wondered why we Filipinos have a great devotion to Santo Niño. And I’ve heard one thing: that praying to Santo Niño is effective (mabisa) and powerful. For example, a friend shared with me that the people of…
The timeless appeal of Ian Veneracion
IAN Veneracion was at Morongo Casino performing last Saturday, January 18 and I couldn’t help wonder how impressive to how well he’s kept his still relatively youthful looks. Now that he’s being “rediscovered” in a big way, his career in showbiz seems to be soaring high as he is paired with actresses who are 20…
Impeach be with you
Pinoys are punny. When President Joseph “Erap” Estrada was being impeached, the predominantly Catholic Pinoy populace could not resist punning the quintessential Christian greeting, “Peace be with you!” ”Impeach be with you!” was thus added to the glossary of Erap jokes. That greeting — or rather, that wish — has now been added to the…
AAPI communities urged to enroll in health coverage before January 31 deadline
Asian American and Pacific Islander community members have until January 31 to enroll in one of Covered California’s qualified health plans. In a press conference last week, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles (Advancing Justice-LA) joined Covered California, the state’s marketplace created under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, to remind the community…