GMA News: Fil-Am leaders meet US State Dep't officials on Temporary Protected Status for PH

As reported in GMA News

WASHINGTON D.C. - Fil-Am leaders from the Migrant Heritage Commission (MHC), NAFFAA, FALDEF, US Pinoys for Good Governance, US Medicare Philippines, PNA   and other groups presented arguments to US Department of State officials on the objective and subjective conditions that justify the granting of a Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for the Philippines.  

Tens of thousands of Filipinos in the United States who are undocumented and have lost their immigration status will obtain work authorization and the right to travel if TPS will be granted to the Philippines, thereby ensuring a lifeline of support for their families, relatives and “kababayans”  in the provision of material and financial donations and remittances.

A TPS recommendation for the Philippines by the US Department of State carries heavy weight as the United States Department of Homeland Security by statute (no need for congressional legislation) makes the final decision and official declaration of TPS designation. 

The US Department of Homeland Security, through its over-all Director Alejandro Mayorkas in his response to MHC's letter last November 11, 2013, stated that it is considering all factors in reviewing the TPS request for the Philippines. President Benigno Aquino III has also requested the US Government for TPS designation. US senators and congressmen, both Republicans and Democrats, have endorsed the granting of the TPS to  US President Barack Obama.

MHC thanked all Fil-Am national organizations and their leadership, including those from other countries, who express solidarity with the cause and are continuously campaigning for the TPS designation. MHC's Atty. Arnedo Valera presented all the legal and humanitarian arguments on why TPS should be granted while FALDEF's Atty. JT Malonga gave additional arguments. Atty. Loida Nicolas Lewis mobilized the Fil-Am New York delegation and joined forces with the  Fil-Am DC delegation in presenting a unified stand on the TPS.

Read more at >>  GMANetwork

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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