L and E visas for entrepreneurs
THE debate over the United States economy and dearth of high-tech workers has spotlighted the H-1B professional working visa in the press. Congress raised the number of visas available in…
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Once more, with feelings
The shock waves of Manny Pacquiao’s loss to equally-prized fighter, Juan Manuel Marquez, still continues to be felt all over, especially in the Philippines. Even the Donaire win over Jorge…
Should Obama seize the moment to push for stricter gun control laws?
AMERICA deeply mourns the death of 20 innocent young children (between six and seven years old) and the 7 adults, who were ruthlessly gunned down by one deranged young man…
Last-minute antagonists
AFTER weeks of excruciating debates, the Philippine Congress reached a verdict to pass the Reproductive Health (RH) bill on Dec. 17. Voting 13-8 in favor of the bill, the Senate…
Do you need to find a way out of debt?
IF YOU are searching for debt reduction solutions, no doubt you’ve been inundated with advertisements for various debt management programs, companies and solutions. The choices seem confusing to the average…
Pepsi, Chevron and JP Morgan Chase Should Not Invest in Burma Unless they are Committed to the Burmese People
Consistent with President Obama’s historic visit to Burma (Myanmar) on November 19th and Burmese opposition leader Aung San SuuKyi’s call for responsible investments in Burma, the National Asian American Coalition…
The Risks of Traveling Abroad for LPRs with Crimes
A lawful permanent resident (LPR) is authorized to live and work in the US on a permanent basis. An LPR is allowed automatic entry into the US after short trips…
‘Follow your dream and make it happen’
FILIPINO fashionistas know all about Filipino-American clothing designer, Josie Natori and her iconic Natori brand. However, only few know how she accomplished the American Dream. Recently, Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine…
Employer time-shaving practice steals money from employees
NICODEMUS Plumbing, a company in Cypress, California was ordered to pay its 44 employees $858,840.20 in wages and $230,050 in fines for violations of California’s laws concerning overtime pay and…
Avoid being suspected of marriage fraud
MARIA came to the United States 10 years ago after divorcing her husband in the Philippines. She came to the United States as a tourist, but decided to stay because…
When to start receiving Social Security benefits
ANY individual who has worked and contributed to the FICA/Social Security System for 10 years (40 quarters) can start receiving Social Security Retirement benefits at age 67. You may elect…
Real estate showing strength, but overall pessimism with top analyst
“ The only reason why the Real Estate Market is better is because banks have kept interest rates low but he claims that those rates are bound to move up and…
Readers’ feedback: Pacquiao’s knock-out loss to Marquez
TWO successive losses for our Pambansang Kamao have knocked down the morale of many kababayans around the world, who have looked up to Manny Pacquiao as the modern-day hero of Filipinos. His recent knock-out…
Is Social Security part of disposable income in Chapter 13?
IMAGINE that you are a Chapter 13 debtor. You owe $100,000 of credit card debt. You receive a pension of $1,000, $1,500 from a part time job, and $1,500 from…
Because of you!
“ As we celebrate Gaudate Sunday this Third Week of Advent, let’s heed to the call of St. Paul in his Letter to the Philippians to “rejoice in the Lord”, to…
The immigration bond
Question: My husband is in detention and deportation proceedings. Can he get out? Answer: For noncitizens and their families, nothing is more important than the noncitizen’s release from jail. These…
Lifetime ban for filing 'frivolous' asylum claim
Recently, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the deportation/removal of a person who had filed a “frivolous” asylum claim, in which the person had stated that he was persecuted…
The Braganza trademark of creative excellence
Film demands a fundamentally different kind of performance with several nuances, while theater requires exaggerated body movements and expansive gestures to effectively convey emotion. Choreographer-singer-stage performer Miguel Braganza II can…
The Braganza trademark of creative excellence
Film demands a fundamentally different kind of performance with several nuances, while theater requires exaggerated body movements and expansive gestures to effectively convey emotion. Choreographer-singer-stage performer Miguel Braganza II can…
Amazing food medicine
In this issue, we shall devote our column to exalting the “medicinal values or therapeutic effects” of regular, ordinary food that people all over the world eat as a part…
And so it goes
The country is in a state of shock. Thousands are still reeling from a typhoon that ravaged the provinces of Visayas and Mindanao claiming a great number of lives while…
Retention of priority dates for ‘aged-out’ children
THE USCIS is processing adjustment of status applications filed by “aged-out” Beneficiaries of preference petitions relying on the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) as interpreted by the US Courts of…
The intelligent Pinoy voters
THIS is one of the few instances where I am agreeing with Miriam Defensor-Santiago. In a recent speech at Far Eastern University, she declared, “Let me summarize the problem with…
Pacquiao and the intersection of religion, politics and metaphysics
IF THERE is anyone who still has doubts about the powerful influence of our Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao, particularly among Filipinos in every corner of the world, then the fourth…
Rise above
NO one would blame Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao if he suddenly decides to call it a career and walk away from the ring for good after being knocked out…
The Affidavit of Support: Do I need it?
Question: I have already worked in the United States for some time. Does my sponsor still need to submit the affidavit of support? Answer: Under INA §212(a)(4)(C), an alien who…
I don't need $1,000,000 for the Green Card?
QUESTION: I heard that there is a type of visa whereby I don’t need to invest $1,000,000 to get the Green Card, but rather can use my business knowledge and…
DACA Program secure as Obama wins re-election
THE Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program was introduced in June 2012 and was implemented August 15, 2012. Within just one month of the program’s start date, the USCIS…
Can you get a Green Card even if you're over 21 years old?
Question: My auntie petitioned my mother when I was 3 years old. However, the visa process is so slow that it took 22 years for the visa number to become…