Impressions of a balikbayan
I left the Philippines for the U.S. 50 years ago and had my last vacation five years ago. Things have changed for the better — especially in the area of…
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Different nations, a shared destiny (Part 3)
(Part 3 of 3) *Remarks of Hon. Jose de Venecia – Former Speaker, Philippine House of Representatives; Founding Chairman and Chairman of Standing Committee, International Conference of Asian Political Parties…
An overwhelming majority of Americans want stricter gun laws and a ban on assault rifles
ENOUGH! This is the battle cry of Americans following the massacre of 14 students and three staff members in Parkland, Florida — one of the worst in U.S. history —…
Senior seeks Chapter 13 protection for fully paid house from $15K in credit card debt
THE client is a young senior in his early 60s who took an early retirement last year. He owes $15,000 of credit card debt and nothing else. He has a…
Illegal work discrimination based on sex orientation
JAMES Pearl was hired in 2002 by the Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation. In 2006, he was promoted as a wastewater collection supervisor. In 2011, he was transferred to an…
20 individual tax provisions
HERE’S a list of tax provisions of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act affecting individuals like you and me. 1. The new Tax Cut and Jobs Act keeps seven tax…
What immigration benefits are available to same-sex marriages post DOMA?
ON June 26, 2013, the US Supreme Court struck down section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) as unconstitutional in the landmark case US. V. Windsor. The BIA…
Do you have more debt than you can handle?
MOST people don’t talk about their debts because they find that conversation embarrassing. They can talk to their friends and family about everything else but when it comes to the…
The travails of a presidential spokesperson
IN a moment of pique, I recently posted on social media that I always thought Harry Roque, spokesman of President Rodrigo Duterte, was “marunong” (intelligent). And I added: “Bobo pala.”…
Trump’s solution to gun violence and mass shootings in schools: Arm teachers with guns
IN the wake of one of the deadliest mass shootings in the United States — committed by a white 19-year-old with an AR-15 assault rifle, killing 14 students and three…
The challenge and the promise of trust in God
Trust in God is what we need to face the hardships and incomprehensibility of life. It’s what Abraham in this Sunday’s First Reading manifested to us. He trusted in God’s…
Why did the embassy cancel my interview?
DEAR Attorney Gurfinkel: I was petitioned in November 2006 as a single adult child of my immigrant (green card) parent, in the F-2B category. I waited many years, and in…
Immigration updates
“ Moreover, USCIS will not accept or approve applications for Advance Parole request from DACA recipients” DEFERRED Action (DACA) renewals. Due to a Federal Court order, the U.S. Immigration and…
Self-induced cancer
In the book on disease prevention at the cellular (DNA) level, entitled, Let’s Stop “Killing” our Children, I have highlighted tobacco and alcohol as the two major causes of most…
7th Annual CNY in the Desert: Ushering in the Year of the Dog
ONCE again, Las Vegas has become the place to ring in the Lunar New Year. On Friday, February 16, guests were treated for dinner, a show and a one-of-a-kind shopping…
Different nations, a shared destiny (Part 2)
(Part 2 of 3) *Remarks of Hon. Jose de Venecia – Former Speaker, Philippine House of Representatives; Founding Chairman and Chairman of Standing Committee, International Conference of Asian Political Parties…
Political experts: Donald Trump is the worst president in US history
AMERICA celebrated Presidents’ Day last Monday, February 19, but there was something, someone missing — a real president with moral leadership in the White House. The events leading up to…
The March 2018 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…
Clarifying California’s rules on breaks
Q: I have just entered the work force and I work in the service industry on 12-hour shifts. My supervisor says I am entitled to one 30-minute lunch break and…
K-1 visa: Fiance visa to marry US citizen
IN previous editions of this article, the process of obtaining permanent residence through marriage was explored. Discussion of that procedure began with the supposition that the couple was married, and…
Education provisions
THE Tax Cuts and Jobs Act saves the student loan interest deduction and keeps tuition waivers for graduate students tax-free. It also expands 529 savings accounts to include private K-12 education….
What really causes people to file bankruptcy?
A LOT of people who don’t have a clue about how bankruptcy works are sometimes too quick to judge others who find bankruptcy as their only option to get out…
US Congressional Gold Medal for Filipino WWII veterans
On April 7, at the historic Presidio in San Francisco, surviving Filipino World War II veterans or their next of kin living in Northern California, will receive bronze replicas of…
‘THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS’ WON’T SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF GUN VIOLENCE
Work on gun control laws, Pres. Trump and Republican lawmakers PICTURE your self even just for a while, and imagine how you would feel if you are among the grieving…
Lent as Kairos
“This is the sign that I am giving for all ages to come, of the covenant between me and you and every living creature with you: I set a bow…
The tragedy of Valentine
Love is still thick in after Valentine’s Day, and as powerful and triumphant as ever, inspiring people around the globe, as different societies celebrated it according to their own tradition…
Ways to make Valentine’s Day special even when you’re apart
For most couples, it’s easier to think about Valentine’s Day when you and your significant other are at close proximity compared to those who are far apart. While couples who…
What you need to know about pretax plans
THE only means an employer can offer employees between taxable and nontaxable benefits is through section 125 plan. What are a section 125 plan, a cafeteria plan, and the IRS…
Different nations, a shared destiny (Part 1)
(Part 1 of 3) *Remarks of Hon. Jose de Venecia – Former Speaker, Philippine House of Representatives; Founding Chairman and Chairman of Standing Committee, International Conference of Asian Political Parties…
An abused wife’s story that men like her husband Porter and Trump dismiss and marginalize
PRESIDENT Donald Trump faced the press people and even tweeted about his praises for his former White House Staff Secretary Rob Porter, who resigned last week when allegations against him…