Failed relationships of fiance visa beneficiaries
One advantage in filing a fiancé visa petition is that the fiancé beneficiary will be able to enter the United States faster compared to a spousal immigrant petition to be…
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Post-holiday ‘damage control’
The holidays may be behind us but their physical effects, among others, will linger for a while. Medically speaking, it is actually a time for “damage control” for those of…
The necessity of being represented by an immigration attorney
The ability to lawfully live and work in the United States is a dream of so many people. The fulfillment of this dream requires the aspiring immigrant to navigate the…
Will incorporating a separate property business during marriage make it community property?
You own a successful business, as a sole proprietor, prior to marriage. You later meet the love of your life and decide to marry her. Years into the marriage, you…
Signs that you will you need bankruptcy relief in 2017
Best wishes to all readers for the new year! Mr. Trump has made filing for bankruptcy relief as a sign that he’s smart. He’s smart he says because his companies…
How bankruptcy can get rid of financial stress
Being in debt can be one of the most stressful situations you will ever face in life. It happens to everyone although you may feel like you’re the only person…
Do you feel optimistic and excited about US politics in 2017?
CRYSTAL BALL — what do you reveal? After a divisive, toxic and confusing election season in 2016, will it be an enlightening, hopeful and promising year for U.S. politics in…
The poetry of Dr. Jose Rizal
His country absorbed him as affectionately. His poems are easy to read — perhaps to sing — to take to heart and put to meaning on its ability to bring…
From politics to entertainment: A look back at the personalities who made it to the cover of MDWK Magazine
Another year is past us and following tradition, the Asian Journal editorial team lists the top MDWK Magazine covers from 2016. Each week, the MDWK Magazine is a platform to…
Filipino American participants celebrate history, promote heart health awareness at 2017 Rose Parade
Cloudy skies could not hamper the high spirits of thousands of cheering spectators who lined the five-and-a-half mile route of the 128th Tournament of Roses Parade in the City of…
A New Year’s Day message
Another year has gone by and another year is before us. As we get older we feel the rapidness of life and its brevity. We become more contemplative about life’s…
Five benefits of establishing a revocable living trust
THERE is never the perfect time to think about who you would like to inherit from your estate in case you pass away or at least who among your closest…
Pay equality & rights of domestic workers & immigrants strengthened under new laws
This is our yearly wrap-up of some of the new laws created in California this year to continue to protect employees: Gender Pay Equality Law Expanded Beginning January 2016, an…
Murphy’s Law 2: A somber side of life
WHILE my columns usually focus on the serious subject of IRS audits, let’s end this year with more somber versions of Murphy’s Law: Law of IRS Audits If you are…
Letting go and letting God into 2017
In response to my previous article, one reader asked me about how one can possibly let go of worries, anger and pain brought about by the past when these are…
Every day is New Year’s Eve
A NEW Year’s Day is that from which all dated their time and count upon what is left. Enjoying New Year’s Day is the knack of knowing how to live….
A personal perspective and retrospection of the year that was
In life, the greatest well-taught experiences come packaged in seemingly very ordinary encounters but surreptitiously tagged with lessons learned the hard way…through mistakes, failures, oversights, and disappointments. As the year…
Non-crewman C-1 transits can adjust status in the US
DEAR Atty. Gurfinkel: I entered the U.S. on a C–1 transit visa, but I am not a crewman, nor was I joining any ship. I was simply passing through the…
Panic mode
Even if every immigration attorney has a crystal ball and is able to read ‘mumbo jumbo’ or perform magic, they are unable to forecast the future for undocumented aliens (imagine…
Medical myths and facts
MEN’S sweat is good for women Don’t laugh. This is true. Biologists at the University of Pennsylvania found that men’s perspiration has beneficial effects on women’s mood, reduces stress and…
Seniors want bankruptcy relief for $100K credit cards: Chapter 13 or Chapter 7
Best wishes to all readers for Christmas! HUSBAND and wife are both 66. They were my clients 15 years ago. I do not remember how much credit cards were discharged…
Why would your employer lie about the reason for firing you?
Q: I WAS diagnosed with early stage cancer a few weeks ago. I can still do my job but I will need about 5 hours off from work every week…
ABCs of foreclosures, short sales, and deeds in lieu
THE loss of our homes to foreclosure, short sale, or deed in lieu of foreclosure is akin to adding insult to injury – after losing our homes, we also have…
Dealing with debt: Are there other options besides bankruptcy?
FOR people who are considering bankruptcy as a way to get out of debt, some questions constantly arise. Am I doing the right thing? What other options are available? If…
Trivia questions you can use in your Christmas parties
ASIDE from the Christmas feast, Christmas carols, and gift giving, one of the highly anticipated parts of our family Christmas celebration are the games — particularly the Christmas trivia. Those…
Financial goals for the New Year
Among the top resolutions people make when the new year comes around is getting their finances on the right track. The promise of new beginnings and the burden of self-improvement…
The best Christmas gift
In both fiction and reportage, I’ve always made known that the winding down of autumn and ushering of winter puts me in a heavy and philosophical mood. I’m thinking about…
Goodbye, 2016. Welcome, 2017!
I HAVE read a lot of posts on social media bidding 2016 goodbye in the context of “good riddance” to all the challenges, losses, disappointments the year that is about…
When malls start playing Christmas songs all day long, you know Christmas is knocking at your door
ONE of the holiday anthems often played is the song, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Judy Garland. But not everyone knows the story behind this song. TIME magazine…
A Christmas message
A BLESSED and Merry Christmas and New Year to all of you! For my column this Christmas, I’d like to quote Bishop Robert Baron in one of his Advent reflections….