ON JAN. 6, 2012, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) posted a notice of intent in the Federal Register outlining its plan to reduce the time that US citizens are separated from their spouses and children under certain circumstances while those family members go through the process of becoming legal immigrants to the United States….
AS WE celebrate Palm Sunday this year, to commemorate the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem before his Passion, Death, and Resurrection, I invite you to reflect on the words of the Holy Father, Benedict XVI, to the people of Cuba as he entered their county, a truly impressive and historic visit: “I carry in my…
Alarmed by the report of the International Labor Organization (ILO) that approximately 2.4 million minors aged nine to 17 are already working in the country, the Philippine government has recently expressed interest in focusing on one of poverty’s alarming repercussions-child labor. Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano recently called upon concerned government agencies to come…
ONE of the easiest to catch infectious diseases is pulmonary tuberculosis. And most often than not, people get infected without even knowing they have it and who and where they got it from. The so-called open lesion and infectious tuberculosisA recent WHO report on the regular form of tuberculosis states that this infectious airborne illness…
WITH all the ballyhoo surrounding the North Korean rocket launch (expected to take place between April 12 and 16), the safety and security of the 50,000 Filipinos living in South Korea remains to be the Philippine government’s foremost priority. Last week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) issued a statement, calling North Korea’s planned satellite…
WASHINGTON — US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced that it will begin accepting H-1B petitions subject to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 cap on Monday April 2, 2012. Cases will be considered accepted on the date that USCIS takes possession of a properly filed petition with the correct fee. USCIS will not rely…
ON A typical Tuesday during this tax season, I’ve had three new tax clients (who were previously with other preparers) – all of them have just recently been audited on two or three prior year tax returns. Due to the rigidity and stress that these tax audits brought to them, all of whom now don’t…
IT would be dishonest for us to say that we wouldn’t want an easy life. Who wants to be poor? Who wants to struggle all the time? Who does not want to enjoy some pleasures of life? Even the poor nun who ministers to people living in squatter areas desires comfort and release from seeing…
THE Philippine government has recently expressed optimism that growth is finally within reach, citing the recent improvements in the Philippine economy. In a recent interview with the press after the Foreign Loan Approval and Registration System (FLAReS), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. expressed elation over the fact that the Philippines has…
“JOURNALISTS are NOT the story. We tell the story. We merely chronicle our country’s comings and goings in the best way we can. This is how we serve the country.” – Marites Dañguilan-Vitug In a report from Rappler.com, The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) has opposed the request of Chief Justice Renato Corona’s defense team…
Question: My mother is a lawful permanent resident and she petitioned my father. However, by time the visa number became current, I had aged out and was over 21 years old. Is there anything that I can do? Answer: In this particular case, you are able to fall under what is known as the Child…
Marriage for many persons is the culmination of one’s life. Getting married signifies the beginning of a new phase in life, both socially and economically. For those persons who lack permanent residency in the United States and have married a United States citizen, marriage also presents an opportunity to obtain permanent residency. However, although the…
What is Phlebitis? Phlebitis (also called thrombophlebitis) is a condition where there is inflammation in the walls of the veins, most commonly the leg veins, and usually clots form in the walls and valves of the veins. DVT (Deep Venous Thrombosis) is when the veins in the deeper areas of the legs, groins and pelvis…
WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today the availability of a competitive grant opportunity designed to promote immigrant civic integration and prepare permanent residents for citizenship. This year’s program will offer approximately $5 million in funding for citizenship preparation programs in communities across the country. Through this grant opportunity, USCIS seeks to…
EVERYONE’S life will always be beset by some trials and difficulties, however prosperous, successful and pleasurable it is. We cannot run away from the Cross; it will always be a part of us. That’s the reality of life. As we often hear, “it is for what it is.” Now, this may be sound pessimistic for…
QUESTION: I have someone who wants to petition me for an H-1B, but am confused as to whether it will qualify. Can you help? Answer: The H-1B regulations currently require that a United States employer establish that it has an employer-employee relationship with respect to the beneficiary, as indicated by the fact that it may…
Good news for those with reflux esophagitis! A recent open, parallel-group, multicenter randomized controlled study in Sweden (LOTUS – Long-Term Usage of Acid Suppression Versus Anti-reflux Surgery) showed that drug (Esomeprazole) is equally effective, if not more, than surgery for reflux, according to the September 2008 issue of GUT. What is Reflux Heartburns? Reflux Heartburns…
Good news for those with reflux esophagitis! A recent open, parallel-group, multicenter randomized controlled study in Sweden (LOTUS – Long-Term Usage of Acid Suppression Versus Anti-reflux Surgery) showed that drug (Esomeprazole) is equally effective, if not more, than surgery for reflux, according to the September 2008 issue of GUT. What is Reflux Heartburns? Reflux Heartburns…
While the image of a puffy-cheeked ball player might first come to mind when mentioning chewing (“spit”) tobacco, the reality is that smokeless tobacco is also a daily habit to millions of everyday North Americans, both young and old. It’s important to know that, just because chewing tobacco is smokeless, it’s far from harmless. In…
NORMAN is a 19-year-old high school senior and a legal permanent resident for 4 years. One evening, he and his friends decided to go on a “dare,” and his friends dared him to go inside a Target store and “pick up” a video game and a packet of gum. He was charged with, and pled…
WE SEE these too often among our kababayans in the home care or home health business. Receiving 1099-Misc seems to be the overwhelming means of income reporting in this field of work. If you are an independent contractor or a self-employed person, the company or the employer whom you provided your services will issue you Form 1099-Misc,…
BEING blind is absolutely a terrible fate that one can have. Imagine one’s self not being able to see the world – its life and colors. Imagine not being able to see the faces of loved ones especially those of one’s children or one’s spouse. Imagine not being able to see one’s features – one’s…
Considered as the living heroes of the Philippines, Filipino migrant workers all over the world have long been contributing to the economic growth of the country. With their families as their inspirations, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) have also suffered a great deal of emotional and physical pain just to be able send money back at…
QUESTION: I have been sponsored for the PERM. I’m not sure what must be done with the recruitment. Can you specify. What exactly is recruitment? Answer: Recruitment is necessary in order to submit the PERM electronically. It shows that you advertised for the position in question. Question: What is the SWA? Answer: This means State…
One medication present in almost every household around the world is a wonder drug called acetylsalicylic acid, popularly know as aspirin. Besides acting as a mild blood thinner, taken by millions to help minimize the risk of blood clot formation in heart arteries and the chances of a heart attack, aspirin has been found to…
One medication present in almost every household around the world is a wonder drug called acetylsalicylic acid, popularly know as aspirin. Besides acting as a mild blood thinner, taken by millions to help minimize the risk of blood clot formation in heart arteries and the chances of a heart attack, aspirin has been found to…
IN his interview with David Letterman last week, actor Taylor Kitsch shared having a “moment” with a local customs official, when he (supposedly) came to the Philippines to shoot scenes for his upcoming film, Savages. According to the Canadian actor, the official almost didn’t let him through, just because the there were “not enough pages”…
During the commemoration of the 26th year of the EDSA People Power Revolution last February 25, President Benigno Aquino III disproved speculations that his administration is going lax on leading the country towards economic progress. Aquino was proud to say that during the 19 months of service as President, things have started to look up…
WASHINGTON — On March 30, 2012, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register outlining its plan to reduce the time U.S. citizens are separated from their immediate relatives (spouses, children, parents) while those family members are in the process of obtaining an immigrant visa to…
Sylvia came to America carrying her hopes and dreams for a better life. Sadly, those dreams quickly turned into a nightmare. While working as a volunteer back in the Philippines she met Gordo who was the nephew of one of her patients at the hospital. Gordo was a US citizen who having been laid off…
