National AAPI Enrollment Week of Action Google+ Hangout

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/03/18/national-aapi-enrollment-week-action-google-hangout

Posted by Gautam Raghavan on March 18, 2014 at 09:53 AM EDT

 

Please join the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as well as community leaders from across the country, on Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 5:00 PM ET for our National AAPI Enrollment Week of Action Google+ Hangout!

 

Approximately 1.9 million Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) are projected to benefit from new options for health insurance coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. With the open enrollment period for coverage in 2014 ending on March 31, many are still unaware of the health coverage options available to them through the Affordable Care Act. 

 

We invite you to join Dr. Howard Koh, Assistant Secretary for Health; Meena Seshamani, Deputy Director in the Office of Health Reform; and community leaders as they answer your Affordable Care Act questions. Please join us so you can learn more about the opportunities to improve the health of the AAPI community and find out how to #GetCovered by March 31, 2014.  

Please submit your Affordable Care Act questions for the Google+ Hangout to the Office of Minority Health atinfo@minorityhealth.hhs.gov by Tuesday, March 18, 2014, and join the conversation on Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 5:00 PM ET.

·         DATE: Wednesday, March 19, 2014

·         TIME: 5:00 PM ET

·         LINK: http://bit.ly/AAPIWeekofAction

 

Gautam Raghavan is an Advisor in the White House Office of Public Engagement.

Be Informed Re Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) Before March 31st

The Philippine Consulate General and FALDEF invite you to an informational discussion on the AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.  With the March 31, 2014 enrollment deadline fast approaching, you will need to know:

 

- how to enroll

- what you will need to enroll

- your benefits and rights under the Act (as an individual and/or and employee)

- how your business will be affected (as an employer)

- how your services will be affected (as a provider)

 

Our distinguished panelists will discuss these issues and more. Please join us on;

 

Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at 7 pm

Kalayaan Hall

556 5th Avenue

New York, NY 10036

A Public Forum for TPS - March 1, 2014 | PAAC , FALDEF & PCGNY

Stand Up For Immigrants: A Public Forum on Immigration

 

 

Dear Friends of Immigrants & Migrants,

 

Peace and all good!

 

I am pleased to invite you to take part in a public forum on immigration reform.

 

Stand Up For Immigrants: a public forum on immigration

Saturday, November 2, 2013, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

San Damiano Hall, Church of St. Francis of Assisi

127 West 31st Street, New York, NY 10001

 

At this free public forum, a panel of immigration attorneys will provide an overview of the current state of the U.S. immigration system; an update on the efforts of Congress to pass an immigration reform law; and a proposal for genuine immigration reform.

 

This event will mark the launching of The Migrant Center at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi. The Migrant Center is a church ministry that aims to provide pastoral care and advocate for the protection of the rights of immigrants.

 

Towards the end of the forum, leaders from different immigrant/migrant organizations and institutions will be signing a statement of support for our immigrant/migrant brothers and sisters.  This will be sent to government officials and politicians making them aware of the urgent need for a comprehensive immigration reform bill.

 

Attached are fliers, in English and Spanish, which includes directions to the venue.  Please help publicize the event by forwarding the fliers to your network of contacts and friends.

 

I am looking forward to your participation in this noble effort to support our immigrant sisters and brothers.

 

Very truly yours,

 

Fr. Julian S. Jagudilla, OFM

Director

The Migrant Center at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi

 

15 Year Old Filipino-American New Jersey Resident, Kirby Asunto, Gives Back To The Community

(Kirby Asunto with Rev. Fr. Edgardo P. Jocson, Pastor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Roman Catholic Church in Linden, NJ)

 

Every up and coming singer remembers the first time they realized singing is their passion. For New Jersey based Kirby Asunto, it came when she was but four years old.

 

She first began to warble at the age of 2, even before she started to read!  At 4 years old, she came home from school and announced to her mother that she joined a singing contest at her school. During that time, she learned to sing various songs by listening to the music of Barney, an American children's television show character. Since then, Asunto joined the singing contest every year and also took voice lessons to fulfill her dreams of one day being a professional singer.

 

In 2006, Asunto, together with her family, migrated from the Philippines to the United States. Wanting to further her singing career, she joined singing competitions such as The Access Broadway. She was met with success by becoming the Regional and National champion.

 

She has earned high recognition in the Filipino-American communities in NJ, NY, CT and DC even in her tender age. In addition to performing at various events, she also has, under her belt, the grand champion of the Philippine Fiesta Grand Idol singing competition and a performance at one of the biggest Korean shows in the US. There is the added  highlight of having wowed the crowd in the New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs in Madison Square Garden in 2011.

Live Band Night at Payag featuring Fil-Harmonic for the benefit of FALDEF

by Cecilia R. Mejia

 

 



(Photo booth pictures by Joven Jose)

 

 On Friday, May 17, Payag Restaurant, in Sunnyside Queens, hosted a benefit show for the Filipino American Legal Defense and Education Fund. The show was part of a Live Band Series that the restaurant hosts. The night featured the most popular band of the series, the FilHarmonic Band, who so bigheartedly put on a show in support of the organization. Guest of FALDEF, FilHarmonic and PAYAG joined in a night of music, laughter, and good times.  Thanks to the generous donation of Hocus Focus Inc, there was also a photo booth set up for guests to enjoy. The night was a success in many ways, more importantly the work of FALDEF was brought to the attention of those in the Community, as Payag Manager so adamantly stated, “Every Filipino should be supporting your organization.” 

 

We are proud to announce that there will be another event for the benefit FALDEF at Payag featuring the FilHarmonic Band on Friday, June 21. 



PATH for DREAMs Event: FREE DACA legal clinic in New York - June 7, 2013

 

 

There are tens and thousands of potential Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals (DACA) beneficiaries in New York and New Jersey and various community leaders and organizations have no shortage of enthusiasm and dedication when it comes to helping the undocumented youths of the community.

In August 2012, PATH for DREAMs (Providing Access to Hope) was implemented by National Federation for Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), Filipino American Legal Defense & Education Fund, Inc. (FALDEF) and the Philippine Consulate General of New York (PCGNY) on August 2012. Since it’s launching, various Asian American communities have joined in hosting DACA processing centers that guarantee access to confidential, trustworthy, knowledgeable, reliable and economical resources.

 

However, new data released by USCIS revealed that the number of applicants is decreasing. Due to lack of information, confidence in the process and insufficient funds to seek legal assistance, many potential DACA applicants don't come forward to apply.  Potential DACA applicants are also hesitant to come forward, waiting for the passing of the new immigration reform. PCGNY, NAFFAA, Pilipino American Unity for Progress (UniPro), FALDEF, and South Asian Bar Association of New York (SABANY) come together to answer questions and help process applications, free of charge.

As immigration reform is being debated in Congress, PCGNY, NAFFAA, UniPro, FALDEF and SABANY recommend that DACA-eligible people to apply, and secure temporary work permit authorization.

 

One of the successful beneficiaries of PATH for Dreams program who wished to remain anonymous, said, "The PATH for DREAMS program helped me in my application process. FALDEF was definitely a great choice in helping me fill out my application forms for DACA. I'm very blessed to have found an organization that not only provides pro bono services to assist me in my situation but also a place where the officers are very understanding, helpful, friendly, and supportive. Thank you for the great services that you consistently and graciously provide for the people in need. I would recommend your services to anyone who needs it."

"Getting my application approved is a great relief, not just for me but for my family. I can now go to school and get a job." said another client who received her work permit. " I hope the politicians pass Amnesty or some comprehensive immigration reform but for now, this is opening new opportunities."

 

According to ImmigrationPolicy.org, out of 1.4 Million DACA eligible immigrants, 8% are Asians and over 100,00 reside in New York and New Jersey.

 

We are asking the community for help in making announcements of this free service.  If you can help spread the word, please contact us at legalaid@faldef.org.

 

Who: PCGNY, NaFFAA, UniPro, FALDEF, and SABANY

 

What:  FREE DACA application legal clinic. Education Workshops.

 

Why: To assist in the processing of the DACA applications and provide the immigrant community guidance on what deferred action is.

 

When: Friday, June 7, 2013 6:00pm - 8:30pm

 

Where: Philippine Center,  Kalayaan Hall 556 5th Ave. New York, NY 10036

 Click HERE to download/print the flyer and HERE to download/print the DACA document checklist.

 

State of Undocumented Immigrant Rights and Resources in NYC

 

UniPro, Philippine Consulate of NY, NYC Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs : One NYC One Nation, FALDEF, & NaFFAA are co-sponsoring an event to raise community awareness of the rights and resources for undocumented immigrant resources on Thursday, April 18th at 6pm in the Kalayaan Hall Annex, Philippine Consulate NYC.

 

 Goals of the Event:

  - To educate our public in a manner that is understandable, consistent and relatable

 - To create joint program(s) initiative(s) for 2013 which will, by having these organizations together, create efficiencies in delivering services to the community; in particular Know Your Rights/DACA/Immigration.

The Philippine Consulate wishes to enhance cooperation with the community on immigration reform and on assisting deserving Filipinos who need the correct information on specific legislation and pro bono legal services.

 

 Speakers and Panelist:

 Opening Speaker: Consulate General Mario De Leon Jr.

 

 Esteemed Panelist:

 o Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Special Assistant to Commissioner Fatima Shama Maria Lee
 

 o Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Program Sarah Flatto

 o FALDEF Director Attorney Patricia Astorga

 o NaFFAA Region 1 Executive Director Steven Raga

 

The panel will be moderated by UniPro's Director of Public Policy and Foreign Relations Program, Ivan Gonzales

 Closing Remarks: FALDEF President Attorney J.T. Mallonga


For more information, please visit the Facebook Event Page

 "Tayo Ay May Mga Karapatan | We Have Rights" , a documentary film by Diane Paragas about FALDEF's cases : deportation and immigration.

EVENT: Nov. 15, 2012 DACA Clinic : FALDEF in cooperation with NYIC

DACA Clinic sponsored by the New York Immigration Coalition and Filipino American Legal Defense & Education Fund, Inc.

When: Thursday, November 15, 2012
           3PM - 8PM

Where: Davis Polk & Wardwell, LLP
            450 Lexington Ave
            New York, NY 10017

EVENT: October 20, 2012 at Temple University

Saturday, October 20 10:00 AM- 3:00 PM

sponsored by Temple University Asian Student Association

·        FREE Assistance to Eligible DREAMers under the  Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)* 15-30 year old young undocumented

 ·        Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) for Filipinos

EVENT DETAILS:

WHEN: Saturday, October 20, 2012, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

WHERE: TEMPLE UNIVERSITY Main Campus, Mitten Hall

             1801 North Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19121

       

REGISTER ONLINE:www.tinyurl.com/pathfordreams

Please bring: 

Government issued ID with photo, I-94, Passport, School or employment records

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.

*PATH for DREAMs Program (Providing Access To Hope)

EVENT: October 20 PATH for DREAMS at the Bronx

Saturday, October 20th from 11am - 3pm.
Sponsored by PAGASA SF, Inc. (Philippine American Group of Aging Seniors in America) and Our Lady of Angels Parish. 

•  FREE Assistance to Eligible DREAMers under the  Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) - 15-30 year old undocumented/T.N.T.
•  Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) for Filipinos

WHERE: Our Lady of Angels Parish

               2865 Claflin Ave.

               Bronx, New York 10468

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us via
email or call (718) 847-2300/(212)221-1888.

Click HERE to download the poster.




*PATH for DREAMs Program (Providing Access To Hope)

EVENT: October 13, 2012 - PATH for DREAMs in Queens, NY

PATH for DREAMs

FREE Legal Advice/assistance to eligible DREAMers under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

15-30 year old “undocumented” immigrants (T.N.T.)

Saturday, October 13, 2012

11am-3pm

PAGASA Social Foundation, Inc. (Store Front)

115-03 Atlantic Ave

Richmond Hill, NY 11418

For more information, call or email:

Phone:  (718) 847-2300/ (212) 221-1888

Email: pathfordreams@faldef.org

PATH for DREAMs is a joint initiative  of National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), Filipino American Legal Defense & Education Fund, Inc. (FALDEF), and Philippine Consulate General, New York (PCGNY)

Sponsored by PAGASA SF, Inc.– Philippine American Group of Aging Seniors in America

EVENT: September 22, 2012 PATH for DREAMS

Saturday, September 22 9AM-4PM

sponsored by the Catholic Action of Mary

•  FREE Assistance to Eligible DREAMers under the  Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
•  New Jersey Voter’s Registration Driver
•  Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) for Filipinos

WHERE: St. Mary's Church
             Marian Hall (below the church)

             254 Second St (corner of Erie & Second St.)

             Jersey City, NJ 07302

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Click HERE to download the poster and HERE to download the flyer.

*PATH for DREAMs Program (Providing Access To Hope)

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.

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 .

EVENT: August 2-5, 2012 - NaFFAA's 10th National Empowment Conference in Detroit, Michigan

National Federation of Filipino American Associations  (NaFFAA) is 15 years this year, with a theme: "Celebrating our Identity and Solidarity" . The 10th National Empowerment Conference is scheduled August 2 to 5 at Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center.

For details please visit the NaFFAA Region 1 website at http://www.naffaa-r1.org/ .

EVENT: July 27, 2012 - FREE Legal Clinic

FREE Legal Clinics at the FALDEF office in NY (July, Aug and September). FREE Legal advice and representation to young people who qualify as DREAM Act students under the June 12, 2012 President Obama Directive for Deferred Action Status. Dream Act eligible young people granted 'Deferred Action" are eligible for work authorization.

EVENT: July 6, 2012 Know Your Rights Seminar

6:45PM - 8:30PM

Seminar on your rights as an immigrant in the United States and the DREAMers initiative by Pres. Obama.

St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Damaso Hall, 129 West 31st St. NYC

sponsored by St. Francis of Assisi Parish Community in cooperation with FALDEF and Philippine Consulate General New York.

The Philippine Consulate General in New York presents ‘Immigration Rights"

The Philippine Consulate General in New York, presents “Immigration Rights: The Book Launch of Fil-Am Jen Furer, Author of ‘Out of Status,’ and a Discussion on The Legal Rights of Out of Status Individuals By The Filipino American Legal Defense & Education Fund (FALDEF)”, Friday, May 18 at the Philippine Center, Kalayaan Hall, 556 Fifth Avenue, New York City.  Q&A to follow the presentation. Light refreshments: 6pm; Forum: 7 - 9pm.  Free.  Please register: dasbro@optonline.net.

 

Philippine-American author, Jen Furer, recently released her first book, “Out of Status,” a memoir which tells a story of the American Dream through the struggles, hopes, and tragedies shared by Jen and her family.  Jen’s poignant memoir documents her family’s encounters with a broken US immigration system that tore her family apart because they were “out of status” residents. “Out of Status” chronicles her family’s journey which is shared by tens of millions of Americans who have uprooted their lives, and immigrated to America with the hope of building a better future than they were able to find in their native countries. Such a journey is truly the adventure of a lifetime, but unlike in the movies this adventure does not offer the promise of a happy ending. The only guarantee in the life of an immigrant is that the experience will be challenging, the outcome will be uncertain, and it may take an entire lifetime to feel like you are home again.  Copies of the book will be available during the event.  www.jenfurer.com.

 

The Filipino American Legal Defense & Education Fund, Inc., (FALDEF) is a New York State registered, IRS recognized 501(c)(3) charitable organization that collaborates with different entities such as Filipino-American Community organizations, NGOs, and the Philippine Consulate General in New York.  FALDEF is dedicated to providing pro bono legal aid to such Filipino-American nationals who are suffering legal injustices by reason of their immigrant origins and status and unable to employ and engage legal aid and assistance on account of poverty.  Furthermore, FALDEF is dedicated to providing a forum for education, advocacy and scholarship aimed at educating and advancing the interests of the Filipino American community on issues and matters pertinent to immigrant and civil rights. FALDEF represents a number of “out of status” clients including Pulitzer Prize -winning Filipino journalist Jose Antonio Vargas.  www.faldef.org.

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