On February 28, 2014, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) issued its decision in Matter of Abdelghany, 26 I&N Dec. 254 (BIA 2014), which clarifies the scope of INA 212(c). This is the most recent decision in a long line of cases that has tried to define, limit or extend this relief. What’s interesting is…
THE United States and the Philippines have expressed alarm over China’s recent move. On Wednesday, China announced a 12.2 percent increase in its military spending, amounting to $132 billion — “likely a considerable underestimate of actual spending, but still far less than the $600.4 billion the US spent last year,” reports the Associated Press. US…
AS world leaders discuss options to de-escalate the growing tension between Russia and Ukraine, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made some controversial statements — comparing Putin’s recent move to issue Russian passports to Ukrainians with ties to Russia to Hitler’s efforts to resettle Germans in the late 1930s. “It’s what Hitler did back in…
GETTING your green card is a wonderful accomplishment. When we represent a client at their adjustment of status interview, the room is filled with smiles and happy tears when their application is approved and the officer shakes the client’s hand and says “Congratulations, welcome to America.” It feels great to know you can finally travel…
1. YOU may deduct donations to qualified organizations. Qualified organizations have tax-exempt status from the IRS. These include corporations or foundations organized in the U.S. for religious, charitable, educational, scientific, literary, or prevention of cruelty to children and animals. 2. You cannot deduct contributions made to specific individuals – priests, nuns, victims, and political organizations…
ON April 27, 2007, Jessica Manosa hosted a party at a vacant residence owned by her parents. Manosa and most of the attendees of the party were under 21 years of age. She and some friends pooled money together to buy alcohol for the party, then charged people $3 to $5 to enter the party….
I KNOW we’ve never met. But there’s a common concern we all share. As a debt relief attorney, I hear it from people who consult with me everyday. It is this: The possibility of losing what we’ve worked hard for all our lives…our homes, our savings, our retirement money, our business, etc. Why is this…
LOS ANGELES – A Kickstarter campaign was recently launched for a documentary project. The project aims to tell the story of World War II veterans, who fought in the Philippines. The Valor Project: World War II Stories from the Philippines is a storytelling endeavor that presents narratives through different mediumst: a documentary film, photography, fiction inspired…
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors bid farewell to Consul General Maria Hellen Barber De La Vega with a presentation of a plaque in recognition of her dedication and leadership in strengthening ties between the Philippines and Southern California during her tenure. The plaque was presented during a Board Meeting held…
LOS ANGELES – Six aspiring candidates for the California Secretary of State position shared their platforms in the first California Secretary of State candidate forum on Monday night, March 3, at The California Endowment headquarters in Downtown Los Angeles. Six contenders – Democratic candidates Derek Cressman, Alex Padilla and CA State Senator Leland Yee, Republican…
Receives hero’s welcome in LAX LOS ANGELES – Arriving in Southern California on March 1, Filipino figure skater and Olympian Christian Martinez is now back on the ice. After a hectic and grueling month (beginning in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia) of making numerous public appearances, attending hero’s parades and making trips to…
Farewells are always simultaneously sad and bright, like sunshine after the rain. Braving the rain and howling wind, the guests poured into Double Tree by Hilton in Norwalk: Fil-Am officials, community and business leaders, the media, diplomats, and friends. Some were soggy and shimmering, but in a collective display of respect and affection for outgoing…
ASCESIS is another term for self-discipline. It comes from the Greek word, askesis, which literally means exercise. During this Lenten season, God calls us to a period of ascesis. The term can make us fearful or hesitant because it calls us to give up our appetites for pleasure and material things. It calls us to curb…
The bustling thoroughfares of NYC leave no space for some cool and idle moments especially for someone like the lanky Asian guy who works in a well-patronized Japanese buffet restaurant somewhere along east 32nd Street. Donned in an unmistakable kitchen uniform he tirelessly goes on with his daily rounds of running an overly active kitchen…
Many individuals entering the United States on a visitor’s visa wonder whether they can adjust status on the basis of a petition from an immediate family member (spouse, parent, child). This is an area of immigration law that is a source of significant confusion, which we will demystify in this article. As many B-1/B-2 visa…
A petition for nullity of a marriage is based on an allegation that an impediment existed at the time of the marriage that prevented the marriage from ever existing. Whereas a petition for dissolution of a marriage typically alleges that some issue arose during the marriage that precludes it from continuing further (i.e. “irreconcilable differences”),…
The online fashion retailer to offer independent fashion designers and sellers access to their millions of customers ZALORA, Asia’s leading online fashion destination, has announced it will be launching ZALORA Marketplace in the first half of this year. With over 15 million visits per month to ZALORA, Marketplace will give independent fashion designers and sellers…
The much-loved Spanish fashion brand makes its debut at ZALORA ZALORA, Asia’s leading online fashion destination, has expanded its assortment with the addition of international fashion brand Mango. ZALORA will make it easier than ever to access the popular and well-loved brand with 3 – 5 day delivery time, free and easy returns within 30 days, and multiple…
BRUSHING: It’s the foundation for keeping your mouth clean and healthy. In fact, it’s so basic that most people don’t think about it very much—they just do it. If you’re brushing twice a day that’s wonderful! It makes our job (helping keep your smile beautiful and healthy) a lot easier! But all of us can…
Recently, a young woman came to my office for a consultation after USCIS denied her naturalization application. The reason? Her mother immigrated to the US as “single” but was secretly married. The mother concealed this marriage to the US Embassy years ago, when she (and this child) applied for their immigrant visas, and the mother…
JUST like in politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies in show business – just permanent interests. For actress/model and Kapuso talent Sarah Lahbati and GMA Films President Annette Gozon-Abrogar, that is just what exactly came to be. After a year of legal suits against each other, the two sides have finally settled their…
Unless otherwise disciplined, children in general would be glued on television hours on end. This is a part of their natural curiosity and playful instinct. If allowed, they would lose their interest in all other things, including eating and school work. The negative impact of undisciplined and unsupervised television viewing by children has been an…
The US and President Obama should be key partners with the Philippines and President Aquino in demonstrating the benefits of democracy. With one exception, all the Arab nations that have moved towards democracy in the last three years have failed such as Egypt and Libya. Other Middle Eastern nations, with the exception of Israel, operate…
MARCH is International Women’s Month. It has been designated to acknowledge and celebrate the many achievements and contributions of women around the world. With the theme: “Celebrating Women of Character, Courage, and Commitment,” people are encouraged to examine the changing cultural perceptions of women in society, and to honor their contributions to all aspects of…
WHEN news broke that Russia deployed troops to Ukraine, most Americans (including kababayans) cried “ENOUGH” to wars. They do not want the US to act us “Big Brother” or “Global Police” and help Ukraine. “Americans are more likely than not to say that the United States has no responsibility to get involved in Ukraine, even…
OVER a week ago, Kit Tatad, in his column in Manila Standard Today, wrote about the newly launched program of Malacañang to repair the 2016 presidential bandwagon of Mar Roxas which had experienced engine trouble on Noynoy Aquino’s Daang Baku-Baku. According to Tatad, no less than Aquino himself is heading a special task force whose…
CEBU, hailed as the Queen City of the South, is among the country’s most visited places. The main draw of this vibrant city is the harmonious co-existence of the vibrant urban lifestyle, and rich cultural heritage. However, Cebu isn’t just about the historic Magellan’s Cross or the lip-smacking lechon, but it is also a perfect…
AB 503 Creates Transparency, Accountability; Inspired by Greenlining Institute Report Contact: Bruce Mirken, Greenlining Institute Media Relations Director, 510-926-4022; 415-846-7758 (cell) SACRAMENTO – Inspired in part by a report issued last year by The Greenlining Institute, Assembly members Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) and Rob Bonta (D-Oakland) have renewed their effort to ensure that the public knows how not-for-profit hospitals…
LOS ANGELES – The Philippine Consulate General commemorated the 28th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution with the theme “Kapit Bisig Tungo Sa Pagbangon” with a Mass and feature presentation on the Peace Project held at the Community Hall of the Consulate General on February 25, 2014. Consul General Maria Hellen Barber De La…
CELEBRATING the Academy Awards (nicknamed The Oscars) is as old as a man’s knowledge of entertainment, music, laughter and despair. It is as fresh as a child’s first taste of make-believe — the magic splendor of filmmaking has always been a part of our lives. The movie industry matters because it measures more than just…
