REFLECTIONS: And so it began...Providing Access To Hope

by Marie Aunio, Special Assistant to the President

And there they were, beautiful bright stars twinkling against the inky black sky. The FALDEF/NaFFAA volunteers, by the light of their hearts, shined as beacons against the darkness of this country’s immigration laws, assisting Filipino nationals seeking to know if they qualified for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals via the PATH For DREAMs Program. 

(The 1^st PATH for DREAMs DACA processing event at the Philippine Center, August 24, 2012)

This is a history making joint initiative not only because of those whose plight are being addressed nor for the organizations that have chosen to band together (PCGNY/FALDEF/NaFFAA) but also, for a very specific possibility it promises and holds.  The Consul General, Mario De Leon, envisions the fulfillment of his long held wish when Filipino nationals will no longer need to show their passports as a means of identification. This makes them vulnerable. He believes the PATH For DREAMs Program will be the beginning, the catalyst for all Filipino nationals to having a Consular I.D. Card. The Mexican community has had it for years. The Filipino nationals deserve no less for themselves. He therefore dares to lead towards this ambitious end as the PATH For DREAMs Program sweeps across the nation---processing one DACA at a time. For those whose family is with them, this is the ideal setting for them to find guidance and answers since it is untainted by any material gain. Ever ready at the Consul General’s side are the soft-spoken Deputy Consul General Ms. Tess Dizon-De Vega and Consul Bong Carino. It was they who coordinated closely with NaFFAA/FALDEF in order to provide a venue at the Consulate which allowed the program to be rolled out in a haven of safety and confidentiality. 

(Volunteers at the 1^st PATH for DREAMs event reviewing DACA documents)

The volunteers came from all walks of life. Lawyers and paralegals from at least five different law firms were there in force. A principal from a catholic school in New York manned one of the tables. A non-for-profit center in Brooklyn was well represented with its two paralegals and, believe it or not, an intern who loves, yes loves, assisting in filling out forms! There was a financial professional, works for Morgan Stanley, who came that Friday night, never having been to any such event before or knowing what it was really about yet stayed to assist all of the three hours of DACA processing. One of the newest FALDEF members, an author of a book that documents exactly the situation of the applicants, a former I.T. professional, has clocked in about 60-70 hours every week making flyers, posters, running the FALDEF website and Facebook page (as if her full time job as a mother, wife and newly published book were not enough!). She wept meeting a family mirroring her own pain and suffering. This family’s situation is exactly why she wrote the book and also why she has been, for weeks, selflessly giving her time and talents. 

The "Tita" table - (left to right) NaFFAA NJ State Chair & member of FALDEF Board, Mrs.Nimfa Du- Tinana, NaFFAA Treasurer, Mrs. Cely Deauna, FALDEF Secretary,  Angie Cruz Ph. D.,  and Mrs. Lilibeth Napolitano all manning the Meet & Greet Table at the PATH For DREAMs Program at the Philippine Consulate on Aug 24. Applicants came in to find out if they are eligible for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

Then there are the ‘old stand-by’s’ (nothing to do with age but reliability!). At the “Tita Table” were four ladies, veterans of FALDEF/NaFFAA volunteer work. They normally put in long hours behind the scenes quietly making sure the organizations have what they need when they need it.  Today they were fully seen for their beauty and expertise as they greeted applicants and volunteers. It was they who made sure everyone had their paperwork ready at the start and complete at the end. To look at them you’d think the job doesn’t match them. Why? They look way too glamorous (one was a beauty queen in her younger days)! In truth they actually do and they cover the not-so-glam part of the job: paperwork! They made sure to have name tags, folders, pens, post-its and a firmness to make sure everything checked off. Oh, did I mention they had a zebra print clip board for applicants to use? Yup, glamorous.

(NaFFAA Region 1 Director of Advocacy, Ivan Gonzales, assisting Filipino nationals during the 1st PATH For DREAMs Program at the Philippine Consulate on Aug 24th. Next to him is NaFFAA Reg 1 Chairman, Atty. Emerito Salud)

The youth were well represented. Eager, good looking, super intelligent and, icing on the cake, superbly dressed. All come from an avant-garde organization well recognized in the nation. Their legal and educational background, social consciousness and passion were an enormous contribution to making a difference for others. They work closely and serve with the Regional Chair of NaFFAA Region 1, Attorney Emerito Salud. 

In all, there were four different nationalities, about nine types of professions, four languages, at least two dialects and an age range from about 23 to 60 years old in the volunteer community. Like a symphony orchestra, all 15 of them, came together beautifully as they officially launched the first of many more PATH For DREAMs Program events.

There was much to be thankful for that evening. Eighteen Filipino nationals came to FALDEF/NaFFAA’s arms to be assisted in this dire situation in their life. In the safety and confidentiality of the room, they shared their fears, heartache and longing. They hoped against hope they would get that Yes at the end. They hoped against hope they could one day be free in the land of the free. Free from hiding and shame. To some that was the case. For others, the Universe, in its great wisdom somehow felt it was not such an easy Yes. To those, PATH For DREAMs Program, at least, serves as a safety net to turn to and get further assistance in what’s next for them. They at least now know there is place where money is not the motivation to serve them. They at least now know that they are NOT ALONE navigating the shark invested waters of corrupt, greedy lawyers and a legal system that has chosen to forget their humanity. We were humbled to serve them.

The great unsung hero in all of this is FALDEF President, Attorney JT Mallonga. His loving and large heart is what draws all these people who have come from far and wide. Only those who work closely with him will know how long his day is, how many emails and calls he gets, crisis he addresses, documents he writes up, family time he gives up, meetings he attends and finally, how he fights for lives from either being executed or inhumanely kept in detention centers. He is the Sun that makes life in this FALDEF/NaFFAA galaxy possible. We thank you, sir, for your dedication and selflessness. May the universe continue to shower you with success, good health, fulfillment and abundance in order to be able to continue to serve our voiceless brothers and sisters.

Legal Team heads to Dallas to Help Adoptee on Death Row

Written by Filipino Reporter Exclusive

Gabriel Paul Hall (extreme right) converses with his lawyers during a court appearance.

The Filipino American Legal Defense and Education Fund (FALDEF) is heading to Dallas, Texas this week to help save a Filipino adoptee from Cebu City, Philippines, who is facing a possible death sentence after allegedly stabbing and shooting to death an elderly man during an alleged burglary before turning to the man’s wheelchair bound wife and slitting her throat and left her to die.

The woman, who managed to call 911 before the teen tried to finish her off, survived.

FALDEF was contacted for mitigation assistance by the Regional Public Defender Office (RCPDO) in Texas to lessen the gravity of the case and save the life of 18-year-old Gabriel Paul Hall from possible lethal injection, FALDEF head and volunteer attorney J.T. Mallonga told the Filipino Reporter.

The suspect, who was 11 years old when he and his two other siblings were adopted seven years ago from Cebu City by a Texas-based couple, reportedly confessed to killing retired Texas A&M oceanography professor Edwin Shaar, 68, who used a walker to get around, in his home garage, and also attacking his wife Linda Shaar, 69, inside their home in College Station, Texas on Oct. 20, 2011, police said.

Mr. Shaar died on the spot, while Mrs. Shaar was covered in blood and was gasping for air when cops arrived, and an ambulance rushed her to the hospital, according to a police report.

Hall was indicted by a grand jury on Dec. 21, 2011 and is being held without bail at the Brazos County Jail.

Mallonga said he will personally meet with Hall, along with Hall’s public defenders and RPDO mitigation specialist Joseph Ward.

Joining Mallonga at his upcoming Texas trip are FALDEF attorney Merit Salud, along with FALDEF director and New Jersey-based Cebuana Nimfa Tinana, who speaks Hall’s dialect and liaison to a Cebu-based attorney, Dorothy Francisco Arcenas, who is also helping FALDEF.

Fil-Am community leader Gus Mercado, who heads the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) in Texas, is also joining the group.

Hall, a senior at A&M Consolidated High School, was reportedly adopted along with his three other siblings from the Philippines to join a brood of 12 adopted children, and seven biological and stepchildren.

The adoptive parents were identified as Wes Hall, an attorney and justice of peace; and Karen Kruse Hall, president of Central Texas Orphan Mission, an organization that “supports orphans across the globe.”

Witness helps ID Hall

College Station Police said they were led to Gabriel Hall after a witness came forward to say that Hall matched the murder suspect’s description.

“He (witness) recognized him and he was provided with a yearbook from A&M Consolidated High School and was able to pick him out of that yearbook,” Officer Rhonda Seaton told a local paper.

Police said on the night of the horrendous crime, the victim Linda Shaar can be heard screaming as a 911 dispatcher answers her desperate call for help.

Seconds later, a shot was heard, killing Mr. Shaar.

“Why are you doing this?” Mrs. Shaar shouted at the intruder before quietly giving her address on Deacon Drive to the dispatcher.

“Get here!”

The dispatcher, according to the Bryan-College Station Eagle, tried to get more information from Mrs. Shaar, who struggled to explain her situation, when the suspect turned to her.

“He’s going to kill me,” Mrs. Shaar cried out between a series of shrieks that faded to silence.

Det. James Webb, one of two state witnesses to testify at a hearing last year, gave a chilling account of an interview with Hall less than 24 hours after the alleged attack.

Not only did Hall confess to the crime, according to Webb, but he answered a question the lead detective hadn’t yet asked:

“He told me he wanted me to know why he did it and he said it wasn’t because of his rage — it was because of his killer instinct.”

Defense attorney Billy Carter didn’t call any witnesses, but cross-examined Webb, suggesting at one point that perhaps Hall suffered from a mental condition.

Webb said he would learn later that Hall ran to a nearby pond park, changed his clothes and returned home to cook and eat a supper of brisket with onions.

Webb added that Hall, a straight-A student who attended classes the day after the murder, initially was questioned by police as a possible witness to the crime, rather than a suspect.

Within 15 minutes of speaking with him in the late afternoon of Oct. 21, Webb said it was clear from Hall’s responses that they had the suspect already in custody.

Suspect confesses, say cops

He said Hall indicated he had been planning a murder for six months and picked the Shaars as targets two months prior.

“He said he didn’t know them and had never had contact with them whatsoever,” Webb testified, adding that when he questioned Hall about why he chose the Shaars, he said “that he liked that location. It was a good location for him to do surveillance.”

During his confession, Hall walked investigators through the crime, describing how he snuck into the couple’s garage just before it was shut.

He stabbed the man in the chest before being shoved to the ground, Hall told Webb.

“He said he liked the fact that Mr. Shaar put up a fight,” Webb said.

“He went to the kitchen...and stabbed [Linda Shaar.] He couldn’t tell me how many times, but multiple. He looked back and saw Mr. Shaar was able to get back up. Mr. Shaar slipped in his own blood and fell down in the garage.”

“At that point, the defendant grabbed his 9 mm and shot him in the forehead point blank,” Webb said.

He then walked back into the house toward Linda Shaar — already suffering from being stabbed in the upper back and still on the 911 call with the dispatcher — and slit her in the throat after his gun jammed, Webb also said.

When the dispatcher attempted to get a response from Shaar, she managed to say, “Get here now. I’m dead. Hurry, hurry,” before going silent until police arrived, according to the recording.

The couple’s dog, which police said was found sitting next Linda Shaar when they arrived, could be heard barking during the attacks but stopped after his owner ceased talking.

At the same hearing, none of Hall’s adoptive parents was present to see their son in an orange jail jumpsuit and handcuffed throughout.

Reports said Hall displayed no emotion during the hearing.

If convicted of capital murder, Hall will be facing life in prison without parole or the death penalty.

Texas has executed (all via lethal injection) more inmates than any other state beginning in 1982.

As of Aug. 7, 2012, a total of 1,235 individuals have been executed — six of them women — under the state’s capital punishment law.

Related Article: GMA News

PCG-NY, Fil-Am associations hold town hall meeting on new US Immigration Policy

Article in Asian Journal

The Philippine Consulate General in New York, in cooperation with the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) and the Filipino-American Legal Defense and Education Fund (FALDEF), held a Town Hall Meeting on August 21 at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center.

The meeting was held on the occasion of the 29th death anniversary of the late Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. in commemoration of the Senator's belief in the promise and potential of the youth.

Focusing on the just implemented Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and Employment Authorization Program (DACA) of the Obama Administration, the event provided an opportunity to enlighten the Filipino-American community on the components of the new policy, the requirements for availment of the DACA, and the ways by which Filipino-Americans can assist members of the Filipino-American community who may be covered by the program.

In welcoming guests to the town hall meeting, Philippine Consul General to New York Mario de Leon stated that this initiative is part of the Consulate's mandate to help in providing timely and responsive information to the Filipino community on this historic immigration initiative. He likewise thanked NaFFAA and FALDEF for lending their expertise and time to this initiative.

FALDEF and NaFFA likewise introduced a platform called Providing Access to Hope for Dreamers (PATH) which would enable Filipino-American community members to either endorse potential DACA applicants or volunteer in helping to pre-process or review potential DACA petitions under the guidance of the FALDEF.

The PATH is a project supported by the Consulate as a means to provide a platform or program where Dreamers will be given accurate, sound, timely, and free legal advice on the filing of their DACA petitions with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This is also to ensure that Filipino DACA petitioners do not fall prey to unscrupulous immigration facilitators.

Atty. Merit Salud, NaFFAA Chair for Region 1, encouraged the Filipino-American community to take part in the PATH initiative as part of a unique community-based approached to helping young Filipinos who may want to avail of the benefits of DACA.

FALDEF president, Atty. JT Mallonga, likewise explained the finer points of the DACA policy including the qualifications, procedures as well as a cost-benefit analysis for all potential applicants.

An open forum followed the presentations on the PATH and the DACA.

FALDEF and NaFFAA with the support of the Consulate issued a call for Filipino community associations to take part in this ground-breaking initiative and to volunteer their respective facilities as possible DACA processing centers.

The initial DACA-PATH processing intake/clinic of FALDEF and NaFFAA will take place at the Philippine Center on August 24. Other Town Hall Meetings and DACA legal clinics are being planned in other areas with a large concentration of potential DACA applicants.

(www.dfa.gov.ph)

Click HERE to read the similar article from Department of Foreign Affairs.

Thank you to our friends at Asian Journal for helping us spread the word - Providing Access To Hope

PATH for DREAMS Town Hall Discussion (TFC Balitang America)

As reported by TFC Telly Award winning journalist, Don Tagala

Other related articles from the event:
The FilAm: DACA and the Filipino DREAMer by Cristina DC Pastor
GMA News:  PHL execs take-up new Obama immigration policy with Fil-Ams
Asian Journal: PCG-NY, Fil-am associations hold town hall meeting on new US immigration policy
Department of Foreign Affairs

PHL execs take up new Obama immigration policy with Fil-Ams

Article in GMA News, Andrei Medina

Philippine officials in the United States discussed with Filipino-Americans in New York the components and requirements of the new Obama immigration policy that would give young undocumented immigrants a chance to reside legally in the US.

According to a news release of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Philippine Consulate General in New York and Fil-Am groups held a Town Hall Meeting on the new immigration policy on August 21, the 29th death anniversary of the late Senator Benigno Aquino, father of the incumbent President Benigno Simeon Aquino III.

The consulate general, along with with the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) and the Filipino-American Legal Defense and Education Fund (FALDEF), held the meeting at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center.

 

The issue tackled during the meeting was the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and Employment Authorization Program (DACA).

The DACA allows illegal immigrants who came to the US as children to stay legally in the US for two years and secure a working permit.

Although the DACA is estimated to benefit around 800,000 illegal immigrants, it does not provide immunity or amnesty, nor permanent legal status.

 

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website said those who may apply for "deferred action" or given temporary legal status are those who:

• were under 31 years old as of June 15, 2012;

• came to the US before reaching their 16th birthday;

• have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present;  

• were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making their request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS;

• entered without inspection before June 15, 2012, or whose lawful immigration status expired as of June 15, 2012;

• are currently studying, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have a general education development (GED) certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States; and

• were not convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, three or more other misdemeanors, and do not pose a threat to national security or public safety.
   

Those who have inquiries are asked to call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 or visit www.uscis.gov.

Finding the right path

Meanwhile, the DFA said during the meeting, NaFFAA and FALDEF introduced a new project — Providing Access to Hope (PATH) — that would let members of the Fil-Am community support a potential DACA candidate by:

• Endorsing a candidate
• Helping review potential DACA petitions.

Backed up by the Consulate, PATH aims to provide sound, accurate, timely and free legal advice for Filipinos who would file DACA petitions with the USCIS.

The first DACA-PATH processing to be handled by the NaFFAA and FALDEF will be held on August 24 at the Philippine Center.

Other meetings and events are being planned in areas where there are large concentrations of potential DACA candidates. - VVP, GMA News

EVENT: Aug 24, 2012 PATH for DREAMS

DACA PROCESSING FREE LEGAL ADVICE and REPRESENTATION for Eligible DREAMers

FALDEF in cooperation with National Federation of Filipino American Associations, Region 1(NaFFAA R1) and the support of the Philippine Consulate General of New York (PCGNY) will hold a series of legal clinics to provide FREE legal advice and representation to young people who qualify  as DREAM Act students.

Click HERE to download a copy of the flyer for August 24 (note: change of venue)

Click HERE to read reflections from the first DACA processing by Marie Aunio, Special Assistant to the President.

Deferred Action is a discretionary determination by the USCIS/ICE to defer removal action (deportation) of an individual as an act of prosecutorial discretion.   Dream Act eligible young people granted 'Deferred Action" are eligible for work authorization. (

Find out if you qualify under the June 15, 2012 President Obama Directive for Deferred Action Status.

WHERE: 

Kalayaan Hall (Annex)
Philippine Center

556 Fifth Ave

New York, NY 10036 

Tel. No.  (212) 221 - 1888

Fax. No. (212) 221 - 7337

website:  www.faldef.org

Contact our office in advance to schedule an appointment at the clinic.

For those already in removal proceedings and/or want to schedule an appointment for one-on-one consultation immediately,  please contact:

1) FALDEF President, JT Mallonga at (212) 221-1888 or email jtmallonga@faldef.org 

2) NaFFAA Region One Chairman, Merit Salud at efsalud@faldef.org

Click HERE to know more if you're eligible deferred action.

Fil-Am Accused of Murder Faces Death Penalty (TFC Balitang America)

Reported by TFC Balitang America, Steve Angeles.

Deferred Action Request Forms Available Online

The Department of Homeland Security officially released the forms to request deferred action for childhood arrivals. Applications can be filed as of today, August 15, 2012.

Immigrants who wish to request consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals must submit 3 forms: (These forms can be downloaded online. However, you'll need to have an updated Adobe Reader software which you can download by clicking HERE. )

• USCIS-I-821D, Consideration for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
• USCIS I-765 Application for Employment Authorization
• USCIS Form I-765 Worksheet, Application for Employment Authorization

Do not forget to read the instructions in filling out the forms. Do not rush your application, read and comprehend every  questions to be answered. For instructions on how to file the  forms:

• USCIS I-821D, Instructions for Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
•  USCIS I-765, Instructions for I-765, Application for Employment Authorization

Click HERE to determine where to mail your application (Form I-821D).

If you want to be notified on the status of your application via email or text messages, you can download the application (Form G-1145 , E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance)

As detailed in the instructions, applicants must submit $465 in fees as well as documentation demonstrating that they satisfy the eligibility requirements.

If you have any questions understanding  the instructions and eligibility requirements, the PATH for DREAMS initiative by the Filipino American Legal Defense & Education Fund (FALDEF) in partnership with National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NAFFAA) and with the support of the Philippine Consulate General of New York (PCGNY) will assist in processing your applications FREE of CHARGE.  The points of contact for the East Coast are as follows:

• Connecticut: Gino Ang (203)606-5162
• New Jersey: Nimfa D. Tinana (908) 494-4014  
• New York: Merit Salud (973) 680-1533  
• Massachusetts : Frank Celoza (617)755-3948 
• Pennsylvania: Aida Rivera (610)416-0746

If you're in the New York Area on Tuesday, August 21st, you should consider attending the town hall discussion at the Philippine Center - Kalayaan Hall.

Visit our EVENTS page for more information.

EVENT: Aug. 21, 2012: ACTION ALERT! PATH for DREAMs Town Hall Discussion

The Philippine Consulate General of New York (PCGNY), the National Federation of Filipino Associations (NaFFAA) and the Filipino American Legal Defense & Education Fund, Inc. (FALDEF) have agreed to collectivvely collaborate on efforts to engage the Filipino American community organizations in providing assistance FREE OF CHARGE to DREAMers relative to the filing of their Deferred Action Status applications.

The town hall discussion is open to ALL especially to the Filipino American organizations and community leaders. There will be a panel of lawyers led by FALDEF President, J.T. Mallonga.

Click HERE to download a copy of the flyer in grey background or HERE to dowload a copy of the flyer in white background.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at pathfordreams@faldef.org .

Fil-Ams urged to register and vote

As posted in the Filipino Reporter : 

Philippine envoy to the U.S. Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. (extreme left) inducting reelected officers of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations in Detroit, Michigan on Aug. 2-5 were Eduard Navarra (national chair), JT Mallonga (national vice-chair), Bart Tubalinal (national treasurer) and Jelly Carandang (national secretary). Also elected were members of a new board of governors, who will, including regional chair, will constitute NaFFAA’s national board: Bing Branigin, Joy Bruce, Gloria Caoile, Willie DeChavez, Romy de la Paz, Rommel De Vera, Jing Espiritu, Brendan Flores, Jon Melegrito, Steven Raga and Rodel Rodis.

DETROIT — Vowing to seize the opportunity made possible by their growing numbers in the United States — 3.4 million, according to the 2010 Census — Filipino-American community leaders reaffirmed their commitment to register their family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and newly-naturalized citizens, and get them to the polls in November.

Convening in the motor city for its 10th Empowerment Conference, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) renewed its long-term goal of mobilizing Filipinos of voting age in the U.S. to go out and vote in local and national elections.

Now in it’s sixth year of operation, NaFFAA’s FilAm Vote project is undertaking aggressive voter education and voter registration, notably in states with large Filipino populations.

In Nevada, for instance, the number of Filipinos grew by 146 percent in 10 years.

Other so-called battleground states, like Virginia and Florida, have drawn the attention of both national parties, noting the dramatic high-rate of growth of Asian Pacific American Islanders in this country.

“This was in the minds of our founding fathers when NaFFAA was formed 15 years ago,” said NaFFAA national chairman Ed Navarra in his keynote address at the opening of the conference on Aug. 3.

“An ethnic community that is able to translate its numbers into political muscle and influence national policies that affect our interests.”

He recalled how NaFFAA’s founding chairman, Alex Esclamado,  rallied the community to press Congres to pass the Filipino Veterans Equity bill.

“Alex believed in harnessing our numbers to correct an historic injustice. It may have been an ‘impossible dream,’ but he knows it takes political action to make it come true.”

Congress eventually passed an equity bill that recognized Filipino World War II veterans as U.S. veterans and provided them a one-time cash compensation.

NaFFAA has fallen short of achieving its goal, however.

“In the 2004 presidential elections, only 594,000 Filipino-Americans voted — a decline of 7 percent because 122,000 registered voters did not cast their ballots,” said Gloria Caoile, former NaFFAA national vice chair and co-chair of FilAm Vote.

“It didn’t get any better in 2008. Potentially, 40 percent of our total number can be mobilized to go to the polls. But we need to register them if they haven’t done so and educate them on issues that directly affect our community so they will appreciate what’s at stake, especially for our children and families.”

Energized by the day’s discussions, delegates caucused separately as Democrats and Republicans, and mapped out strategies to mobilize their base.

“But our common goal is to build political power for our community,” said Caoile.

“So much is at stake that we can’t afford to simply stand by and not be politically engaged.”

Delegates to the three-day conference also addressed immigration reform, the DREAM Act, the SAVE Act, medicare portability, medical and trade missions to the Philippines, pending issues related to Filipino World War II veterans, and the legal defense of Filipinos who need assistance.

The Filipino American Legal Defense and Education Fund (FALDEF), a NAFFAA affiliate, was set up four years ago for this purpose.

It is is providing legal counsel and assistance to Jose Antonio Vargas, the acclaimed Pulitzer-Prize winner who recently disclosed his status as an undocumented immigrant.

FALDEF is helping Vargas in his advocacy of the DREAM Act, a bill that will legalize the status of thousands of young students whose parents came to the U.S. without legal documentation.