[COLUMN] Can I get a green card if I had a previous marriage petition denied based on fraud?
Dear Attorney Tan, I recently married a U.S. Citizen, who is my second husband. He has filed an immigrant visa petition and green card application for me. My husband recently received from USCIS a Notice of Intent to Deny the petition that he filed on my behalf. The Notice indicated that the immigrant visa petition…
[COLUMN] Client gets his green card even after aging out and before the Child Status Protection Act became law, on an encore episode success story on ‘Citizen Pinoy’ this Sunday
TWENTY-FIVE years ago, San Diego area’s “King of Lechon” was denied his green card because he aged-out before his case was approved. The family was heartbroken, but leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel was persistent to the point of filing a lawsuit against the INS for failing to expedite Michael’s case. Although the Federal…
‘Brown Girls’: Fil-Am author Daphne Andreades’ debut inspired by a quote, then a question
Daphne Palasi Andreades was a second-year graduate student pursuing an MFA in fiction writing at Columbia University when she first heard a quote by the author Toni Morrison: “If there is a book you want to read, but it has not been written yet, then you must be the one to write it.” “My workshop…
Meet the Fil-Am candidates who won their races in SoCal
Last week, the Asian Journal reported which Filipino candidates in races across Southern California would win their races in the 2022 midterm election. With nearly all the results accounted for, several races across SoCal have been called with many Filipino incumbents, community leaders, and first-time candidates winning their races. As of Friday, Nov. 18, several…
CA aims to maximize health insurance subsidies for workers during labor disputes
This spring, Chevron workers testified that the company revoked health coverage for hundreds of members of the United Steelworkers Local 5 at the Richmond, California, refinery during a strike that ultimately lasted two months. Thousands of nurses at Stanford Health Care were told in April they would lose their health insurance if they did not…
Online platform becomes essential tool in fight against hate incidents
In February of 2020, Covid-19 had not yet hit American shores. But even before the pandemic emerged in the U.S., Manju Kulkarni, executive director of the AAPI Equity Alliance, noticed a menacing trend: the rise in hate-motivated violence and speech targeting Asian Americans, fueled by former President Donald Trump’s xenophobic remarks on the origins of the…
[COLUMN] Caregivers must be paid overtime by Los Angeles County as joint employer
THE State of California, in partnership with various counties throughout the state, administers an In-Home Supportive Services (“IHSS”) program to allow low-income elderly, blind, or disabled individuals to hire a caregiver to help them with daily activities, such as housework, meal preparation, and personal care. The recipients of IHSS assistance retain the right to hire,…
P-Pop kings SB19 visit Sentro Rizal SF, engages Bay Area community in CalligraFilipino activity
SAN FRANCISCO – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco threw a warm reception to global Pinoy Pop (P-Pop) sensation SB19 during their visit on Thursday, November 17, ahead of their concert in Redwood City, California on Friday, November 18. SB19 members Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin visited the Consulate to pay a courtesy…
Consul General Ferrer calls on Vallejo City Mayor, commits to mutual promotion of trade and investment
THE Philippines’ Consul General to San Francisco Neil Frank Ferrer paid a courtesy call on Vallejo City Mayor Robert H. McConnell on October 26. During the meeting, the Consul General held discussions on promoting mutual trade and investment, enhancing people-to-people ties, and engaging with the sizable number of Filipino Americans in the City of Vallejo….
[COLUMN] Pops, Sharon put retirement decisions on hold
IT’S never an easy decision to stay away from the limelight, especially when you have experienced success on a grand scale. Concert Queen Pops Fernandez and Megastar Sharon Cuneta in recent weeks revealed that they had considered stepping away from their careers. Both artists ultimately decided to put that decision on hold. For Pops, recent…
City of San Diego recognized as top digital city in the country
San Diego ranked first among major US cities in 2022 Digital Cities Survey by the Center for Digital Government SAN DIEGO – The City of San Diego on Thursday, November 10 won the No. 1 ranking in the Center for Digital Government’s 2022 Digital Cities Survey, recognizing cities using technology to tackle social problems, enhance…
[COLUMN] Prayers for world leaders
“You shall shepherd my people Israel and shall be commander of Israel.” (2 Samuel 5:2) In my prayerful moment, I often think of our political leaders and those running for government offices. Is their leadership motivated by the genuine call of God to serve our people, especially the poor and marginalized, and not on any…
[COLUMN] Senior seeks Chapter 7 relief for $20K credit cards
THE client is 66. He says he is now old all of a sudden. He migrated here in 2004. He says he has been working hard since he arrived, but hasn’t really been able to amass any wealth. He worked various jobs paying $10 to $15 per hour and never bought a car. He only…
Sumalee Montano on creating her ‘dream project’ The Deal
THE Deal (currently streaming on The Roku Channel) is a dystopian film that deals with the universal theme of a mother-and-daughter relationship. Fil-Am actress Sumalee Montano, who created and co-produced the movie – considered it her dream project. Since she started acting, her dream has always been to keep working with uber-talented people for as…
[COLUMN] Battered wife gets green card through self-petition on a brand-new success story in Citizen Pinoy this Sunday
LANCE came to the U.S. in 2017, and then married his U.S. citizen girlfriend in a same-sex marriage. His wife petitioned Lance for his green card, but their marriage turned sour, and the wife kept postponing their immigration interviews. The American wife also started abusing Lance physically and verbally, stole money from him, and even…
Attorney Gen. Rob Bonta investigates hospital algorithms for racial bias
By Mark Kreidler/Kaiser Health News SACRAMENTO — California Attorney General Rob Bonta sailed to victory in the Nov. 8 election, riding his progressive record on reproductive rights, gun control, and social justice reform. As he charts a course for his next four years, the 50-year-old Democrat wants to target racial discrimination in health care, including through…
VP Harris to discuss South China Sea with Marcos, Duterte-Carpio during PH trip
ON Monday, Nov. 21, United States Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to meet with Philippine President Bongbong Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio. According to a White House senior official, Harris will attend a bilateral conference with Marcos centering around “strengthening our security alliance and economic relationship,” focusing on reaffirming “peace and stability in…
[COLUMN] Filing bankruptcy again? What you need to know
IF you’ve ever had to file bankruptcy in the past for whatever reason, you probably told yourself that hopefully, you never have to do it again ever. But sometimes you never know where life takes you and if you ever find yourself in a financial bind where bankruptcy becomes necessary again, fear not. It is…
[COLUMN] Fil-Am engineer Dr. Cris Liban awarded for industry advancement at the American Society of Civil Engineers convention
“Society works best when we can take its functions for granted. It works best when we can trust that our personal safety is never in doubt. Trust, often unseen, is indispensable for a healthy, functioning society. And, in the absence of trust, nothing that works can work well.” — Pete Buttigieg, Trust: America’s Best Chance,…
[COLUMN] Can I file a divorce in California if my spouse resides outside California?
This is a common question among people contemplating divorce in California when the other spouse does not live in the state. The California Courts has the power to grant a divorce, annulment, or legal separation if either party is domiciled in the state. Domicile is where a person lives and intends to remain. However, there…
San Diegans encouraged to vote on new name for 100% electric mini street sweeper
Social media campaign solicited over 300 possible names, San Diegans to choose favorite among top three finalists SAN DIEGO – To raise public awareness of the importance of street sweeping to neighborhood quality of life, the City of San Diego last month asked San Diegans for their help in naming the new 100% electric mini…
[COLUMN] What type of insurance do you need for your business
Starting a business is no joke. It’s not for everyone. If someone says starting a business is a walk in the park, they are lying to you. From idea to implementation, the journey involves a lot of moving parts. Lot of questions to be answered and intense planning is required. Some examples of questions to…
[COLUMN] Billy Crawford is grand champion of ‘Danse avec les stars’
FILIPINO dancer, singer, actor and TV host Billy Crawford was adjudged the season 12 champion of the French edition of “Dancing with The Stars” on Friday, November 11, along with dancing partner Fauve Hautot. The competition’s first episode was shown on September 9. The multi-hyphen talent expressed his joy and thanks in an Instagram post…
City of San Diego pledges to stand united against hate
Mayor Gloria joins city’s Human Relations Commission to issue proclamation against hate in San Diego SAN DIEGO – As part of United Against Hate Week, the City of San Diego has issued a proclamation to stop hate and biases that pose a threat to the safety and civility of our community. On Wednesday, November 16…