What is a Conviction?
For immigration purposes, INA 101(a)(48)(A) defines a conviction as: (1) a formal adjudication of guilt entered by a court; or, (2) if adjudication of guilt is withheld: (a) a judge…
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Case denied despite eligibility
RECENTLY, a person came into my office in a panic, after his adjustment of status had been denied. With the denial, he faced the prospect of being placed in removal…
Orange County conference spotlights power of women, hurdles in business and leadership
TO be a good leader, Filipino American Loretta Adrian, president of Coastline Community College in Orange County, says one must be open to criticism, be a good listener, and love…
The immigration effect of false claims to us citizenship
FALSELY claiming to be a US citizen can be a fatal mistake for non-citizens hoping to one day enter the US or obtain/maintain US resident status. Alongside fake marriages, drug…
Senior opts for chapter 7 to discharge $50K credit cards
Court allows postpetition creditor client to deny discharge of debtor Client No. 1 CLIENT is 74. She was married to her husband for 30 years. Husband was a lot older…
U-Visas for victims of criminal activity
THE U-Visa program was created several years ago by Congress in order to encourage immigrant victims of criminal activity to cooperate with police and prosecutors in their investigation of the…
Should you employ your children this summer?
IF you run your own business, consider employing your children this summer vacation. Employing your children gives you a triple benefit: 1. It teaches your children the virtue of work…
Empowering an employee to serve as Private Attorney General
Q. I WANT to file a wage claim against my employer for unpaid overtime hours and missed breaks. Some of my fellow employees, who also have unpaid overtime and missed…
Is money stress making your life miserable?
ARE your finances stressing you out? For a lot of people, financial concerns can be their number one cause of stress. We are living in difficult financial times and a…
Have a crime? You should have a Deportation Attorney evaluate your case for immigration purposes
QUESTION: I have a past crime. Do I need to consult an immigration attorney before I apply for immigration status? Answer: As you might know, the deportation attorney can help…
#IAm Campaign highlights Asian American success stories
IN what Korean-American comedian Paul PK Kim called an “Oprah style” interview, three Asian American YouTubers and three restaurant founders shared their journeys to success, as well as random details…
Celebrating 117th Independence Day Ball
June finds the Fil Am community gearing up for graduations, weddings, Father’s Day, vacation plans and the ubiquitous Grand Independence Day Ball—five of them, within almost a fortnight. At the…
Vice Ganda campaigns against bullying on Showtime
I WAS quite touched by popular Showtime host Vice Ganda’s effort to use his celebrity status to help a 16-year-old student who has been a victim of bullying. As Balitang…
Farmers Insurance to provide protection for Uber, Lyft drivers
With emerging smartphone app technology, the demand for ride-hailing services around the country has continued to increase for business and personal travel. In California, many of these ride-sharing services, such…
Metro partners with Zipcar for more car-sharing locations on transit lines
IN an effort to help enhance mobility and provide Los Angeles commuters with more transportation options, Zipcar, the world’s leading car sharing network, and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation…
Racial profiling bill passes legislative hurdle in California
THE recent deaths of unarmed citizens, often of minorities, at the hands of white police officers have broken hearts and sparked a national uprising about issues involving race, social justice,…
Garcetti approves 2015-16 budget for Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES Mayor Eric Garcetti on Wednesday, May 27, signed an $8.6-billion budget for 2015-16, following unanimous approval by the City Council on May 21. The budget boosts funding for…
Sal Malaki: Ensnared in a cocoon of classical ingenuity
“Music gives soul to the universe…wings to the mind…flight to the imagination…and life to everything!” – Plato WHEN prolific German composer Ludwig Van Beethoven said “Music should strike fire from…
Metro partners with Zipcar for more car-sharing locations on transit lines
IN an effort to help enhance mobility and provide Los Angeles commuters with more transportation options, Zipcar, the world’s leading car sharing network, and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation…
Do I need a premarital agreement before getting married?
IN the absence of a premarital agreement, the general community property presumption under California family code section 760 controls which provides “ ….all property, real or personal, wherever situated, acquired…
Seniors see no benefit in keeping credit card debts
One seeks to discharge $20K and another $30K WE all go through different stages in life. When you are in your twenties, your whole life is ahead of you. You…
Fil-Ams vote: Will you boycott goods made in China to protest bullying in the West Philippine Sea?
THE United States has stepped up its support in favor of the Philippines in the escalating tension in the West Philippine Sea, amid China’s alleged bullying of smaller claimants in…
More than 100,000 taxpayers affected in IRS breach
Cyber criminals gained access to information from more than 100,000 taxpayer accounts by hacking into an online service the Internal Revenue Service uses to grant Americans access to previous tax…
Obama urges Senate to renew phone records program
President Barack Obama called the Senate on Tuesday, May 26 to extend provisions of the key Patriot Act before they expire within the week, including the federal government’s ability to…
White House announces new rule limiting water pollution
The White House said that it had finalized a major clean water regulation on Wednesday, May 27 that would restore the federal government’s authority to limit pollution in the nation’s…
Found Coffee starts brewing with the help of SIPA
Situated along Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock, a coffee shop has become the spot to “find” local, artisanal roasts and a sense of community. Stop by Found Coffee and you’ll…
Calif. state assembly unanimously advances bill to legalize paid carpooling
THE California Assembly approved 69-0 a bill that allows companies like Uber, Lyft and Sidecar to offer shared rides to passengers with similar pickup and drop-off locations. However, each person’s…
Twisters and flash floods rip through Texas and Oklahoma
TORNADOES, thunderstorms and flash floods struck the south-central region over the weekend in parts of Texas and Oklahoma, killing nine people and sending rescuers searching for 12 missing, including several…
‘One person, one vote’ principle to be considered by High Court
The Supreme Court agreed on Tuesday, May 26 to decide on whether state legislative districts must have roughly equal numbers of legal voters rather than overall populations. The challenge, brought…