Challenging a marriage fraud charge
INA 204(c) bars the approval of a subsequent immigrant petition for an alien who had tried to obtain benefits under a first petition which was based on a fraudulent marriage….
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The timeless art of Balagtasan
The celebration of “Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa (National Language Month)” is ongoing for the whole month of August, with the theme, “Wika natin ang tuwid na daan.” (Our language is the…
Fil-Ams react to the pork barrel scam: ‘Tuloy ang laban!’
“ENOUGH with politicians pocketing people’s taxes, while the rest of the country are suffering from the devastation of the floods,” Los Angeles- based Fil-Am community leader Art Garcia said in a…
‘Daang matuwid’
THREE days before the scheduled ‘A Million People’s March’ of protest in Luneta [which calls for the abolition of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), more popularly known as “the…
The Race of His Life
Ultramarathoner Ben Gaetos Even the wind felt like a flamethrower was going through your face, he said. Despite the extreme circumstances, the 56-year-old, Manila born Gaetos finished “the world’s toughest…
Your giant debt problems and David & Goliath
GOLIATH was a Philistine giant who was 9 feet tall. The Philistine army had gathered for war against Israel. The two armies faced each other. Israel’s army was led by…
Should you file a tax return even if you are not required to?
LET’S discuss reasons why you should consider filing, even you are not required to: 1. You expect a refund. You have credits that can generate a refund – from taxes…
The advantages of collective action for employees
Q. I AM thinking of filing a wage claim against my former employer for unpaid overtime hours and breaks I was not provided. Some of my fellow employees, who suffered…
Mortgage guidelines set to be easier, foreclosed clients might be able to buy sooner than expected
THE new rules to streamline the mortgage application process might come into effect after this summer. By the end of August, regulators will release a “softer” version of rules overseeing…
On finding God outside our boundaries
IT WAS eight o’clock on a quiet night in the municipality of Izalco in Sonsonate, El Salvador. The parish priest, Padre Napo and his vicar, Padre Jorge, invited me to…
Filner resigns as San Diego Mayor
LOS ANGELES – Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) spokesman Art Garcia for years stood side-by-side with former congressman Bob Filner, fighting for equity for Filipino World War II veterans….
The exhilarating spirit of Fiesta in America lives on
Just like any holiday or traditional event, the fiesta brings forth a festive atmosphere and a nostalgic longing for every bit of sentimental things back home. Fiesta in America diminishes,…
The exhilarating spirit of Fiesta in America lives on
Just like any holiday or traditional event, the fiesta brings forth a festive atmosphere and a nostalgic longing for every bit of sentimental things back home. Fiesta in America diminishes,…
US citizens must file separate petitions for each ‘immediate relative’
When the green card holder naturalizes, the F-2A petition automatically converts from F-2A (spouse/minor child of green card holder) to “immediate relative” (spouse/parent/child of US citizen). Petitions by US citizens…
Actress Megan Young wins 2013 Miss World Philippines
HEAVY favorite Megan Lynn Young from Olongapo City bested 24 other candidates in the 2013 Miss World Philippines pageant last August 18 at the Solaire Resort and Casino in Pasay…
Ang paglilitis ng ‘daang matuwid’
PRESIDENT Noynoy Aquino ran and won on his anti-corruption platform. While not all kababayans were happy about the way his administration pushed for plunder charges against his predecessor and now…
Airlines have a responsibility to keep airfares low and affordable
Three weeks ago, the National Asian American Coalition (NAAC) was among the first, if not the very first minority organization in the nation, to protest the proposed merger of American…
Why file bankruptcy?
LIKE most people, you’ve probably heard a lot of negative things about bankruptcy and that how filing could be the worst mistake you’ll ever make in your life. And like…
DACA: One year later
ONLY a little more than one year into the Obama Administration’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA) more than 550,00 DACA requests accepted for processing, of which over 430,000…
PAL: Going the extra mile
Early this month, flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) announces the turnover of its domestic flights to affiliate airline, PAL Express; and welcomes the arrival of the new flagship aircraft of…
Love your neighbor as yourself
“Judge not that ye be not judged.” It makes me wonder and question. What to judge can be the result of humility and compassion, but even then we must remain…
The politics of Congressman-Boxer Manny Pacquiao
He wears an uneasy crown, as the darling of the fighting world. The odyssey of foibles and fallability starts from the time they were lightweights, who labored in the anonymity…
Dark meat or dead meat?
EVER since a warrant was released by the Department of Justice for the arrest of businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles and her brother Reynaldo Lim, social media has been inundated with feedback…
It’s final: CA same-sex marriages are here to stay
The California Supreme Court justices’ unanimous ruling last Wednesday tossed out a legal challenge by supporters of Proposition 8, a ballot measure passed by voters in 2008, which banned same-sex…
Can the IRS disregard compromise settlement because of bankruptcy?
THE situation we envision in this discussion is where you have an offer in compromise which has been accepted by the IRS then you file for bankruptcy relief. Do you…
10 tips on mortgage debt forgiveness
IF your mortgage loan is forgiven, you end up with income from cancellation of debt. Here are 10 tips to exclude the forgiven debt from your income. • Cancellation of…
2013: The final year of the short sale
LENDERS as I thought are more aggressively helping homeowners modify their mortgages. I have seen more loan balance forbearance lately. Another term for that is a loan modification with a…
10- to 12-hour shift employees must be entitled to additional pay
Q: I WORK as a nurse in a hospital on a 12-hour shift, three days a week. Because of the realities of patient care, we often find ourselves working an…
DOMA and now same-sex immigration petition updates
QUESTION: I am a US citizen or lawful permanent resident in a same-sex marriage to a foreign national. Can I now sponsor my spouse for a family-based immigrant visa? Answer:…