Should you appeal or re-file?
Sometimes, a person’s case is denied, whether it is a hardship/fraud waiver, employment or family based petition, or other type of filing. In most denials, the person is given the…
Read More
Is hair coloring safe?
In this day and age of social consciousness, where youth and inner and outer beauty are revered, where image is considered very important, hair coloring has become a widely accepted…
Home at last
Thousands of Filipinos will venture out into the Rizal Memorial Stadium this Saturday. The crowds will come in full regalia, their faces painted blue with all the adornments. Personalities will…
Visa alternatives in the H1-B off season
THE debate over the United States economy and dearth of qualified Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) graduates has reignited the debate over employment-based immigration reforms. Even though Congress raised…
Vote for Balitang America’s ‘Newsmaker of the Year’
IN A few days, we will be bidding goodbye to 2012 and welcoming 2013. As many of us do in our personal life, The Filipino Channel’s daily newscast Balitang America also looks…
Professionalizing the family business
“THE family company is an inheritance to be protected and handed in the outcome of the last geeration and each generation’s commitment to the next” – Gianni Agnelli Late President…
Survey says
THIS year’s Philippine economic report is a mixed bag. Last week, the domestic economy picked up more steam by expanding its growth to 7.1 percent in the third quarter, as…
Why Would an Immigration Judge Reopen a Case After 20 Years?
In October 2012, an Immigration Judge (IJ) reopened my client’s exclusion proceedings more 20 years after another IJ ordered her exclusion from the US in 1991. In October 1999, she…
Strippers misclassified as independent contractors win $12.9 million
IN an effort to keep labor costs down, some companies take shortcuts and break the law. One of these shortcuts is to classify workers as “independent contractors” so that they…
What’s happening with Immigration Reform?
Question: Is there any movement on new Immigration Bills since President Obama was re-elected? Answer: The House voted on a STEM bill — standing for science, technology, engineering and mathematics…
CA home prices going up in double digits
HERE’S a bit of good news for a change, for homeowners in California. More than 22,000 homes sold in Southern California in August, showing a 14 percent increase from a…
Halfway there
TODAY, I celebrate a milestone in my blessed life. I am halfway there… I took off from work for a long personal weekend to map out where I had been,…
Automatic temporary restraining orders that are in effect upon commencement of divorce
It is typical, if not natural, for Parties to a divorce case to start hiding assets and income from each other as soon as divorce is anticipated. Spouse’s are thinking…
Growth spurt
WHILE Europe continues to struggle with an economic crisis and the Republicans and Democrats in the House of Representatives are still locking horns over what to do with the looming…
Is $193,000 worker’s comp received one day post-bankruptcy exempt?
SUPPOSE that you lost your finger in a work related accident. You filed a worker’s compensation claim for that, then you filed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. A day after you…
Advent: A yearning for solitude and peace
THERE are times when I need to be alone and to be quiet, away from the noises and the busyness of life. There are times when I prefer to stay…
The Hawaiian Punch’s kick is still there
With the days leading up to Pacquiao-Marquez IV ( and hopefully this will resoundingly end) the boxing world saw another classy fight courtesy of Filipino-American and World Boxing Organization flyweight…
Republicans introduce limited immigration reform in House of Representatives
IN the wake of Mitt Romney’s devastating loss in the Presidential election, House Republicans will introduce a Bill to expand visa availability to foreign science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)…
Human rights in PH: An appraisal
On the third anniversary of the Maguindanao Massacre on November 23rd, we might as well remember all those who perished in the Philippines, as the continued human rights violations goes…
Readers’ feedback: Should Christmas displays be banned in public places?
LAST week, US District Judge Audrey B. Collins ruled against churches that tried to keep a 60-year Nativity tradition alive, “after atheists stole the show with anti-God messages.” She rejected…
Open for business
THE Philippines was ranked 87 out of 141 countries, in Forbes’ annual look at the Best Countries for Business. With a 3.7 percent GDP growth and inflation rate of 4.8…
Where’s my second mortgage debt forgiveness?
FOR about 150,000 homeowners with a second mortgage held by Bank of America, it seemed too good to be true. In the last couple of months, a lot of my…
Are you being paid for all your 'work time?'
EMPLOYEES who are “on the clock” know that the employer must pay for work performed during this time. However, there are situations where it is not quite clear whether a…
Debt Relief Act helping struggling homeowners with tax breaks still up in the air
IF CONGRESS does not extend the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 by the end of the year, homeowners will have to start paying income taxes on the portion…
Should Christmas displays be banned in public places?
ONE of the rituals many Fil-Am families enjoy doing during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend is putting up a Christmas tree and decorations, for that early Christmas feeling. Our friends and…
How long must records be kept?
HOW long should you retain records? I have some clients who throw away everything instantly. Can’t stand records. I also have clients who keep records forever. Rat packs. There must…
Malacanang says passage of Sin Tax Bill is a vital step in expanding health safety nets for Filipinos
The move of the Senate to pass the Sin Tax Bill is a vital step forward in improving and expanding public health safety nets for all Filipinos, a Palace official…
"Give A Hand" to Families in Need This Holiday Season at McDonald's Restaurants
Through the annual “Give A Hand” in-restaurant fundraiser can help raise funds to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities® Oak Brook, Ill. (November, 10, 2012) – Today, McDonald’s® are celebrating McHappy…
Enjoy Thanksgiving Day Breakfast Buffet at Goldilocks
Get a head start on Thanksgiving Day festivities by treating your family and guests to Goldilocks’ special Thanksgiving Day Breakfast Buffet on Thursday, November 22, 2012 from 8-11am. The sumptuous…