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.
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 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