DREAMers warned against scammers

Officials at the “Know Your Rights” seminar at St. Francis of Assisi Parish on 33rd Street in Manhattan on July 6.

(photo credit: Filipino Reporter)

More and more DREAMers, the young immigrants covered by the administrative relief announced last month by President Barack Obama, are reportedly being taken advantage of by unscrupulous immigration attorneys and notary public telling them they must pay as much as $4,000 to move ahead with deferred action.

Various stories and reports are running rampant across the country.

Know Your Rights Seminar at St. Francis of Assisi - July 5, 2012

“Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible."

(photo credit: Steven Raga)

In these words of the patron saint of peacemakers, The Church and Friary of St. Francis of Assisi hosted a forum on July 5^th that honored their mission of being a “WITNESS to our faith by ministering to everyone, especially those who are poor, alienated or oppressed”. The Philippine Consulate General of New York (PCGNY www.pcgny.org ), in cooperation with the Fil-Am Defense Fund (FALDEF www.faldef.org ) presented a “Know Your Rights Seminar” immediately after the weekday evening mass.

It was a resounding success. It was a perfect melding of the Consul’s mission of assisting and protecting its citizens in another country and FALDEF’s pro-bono mission of educating and defending the rights of those marginalized by society, particularly with regards to immigration. The attendance overflowed as benches were brought into the hall and yet some, who came later, had to stand while the young ones sat comfortably on the floor. Handouts disseminated by FALDEF gave basic information on the Obama Directive on Dreamers as well as dates for legal clinics at their FALDEF office (see below for details).

(photo credit: Dino Villa-Real)

A powerful and informative presentation by FALDEF President Atty. JT Mallonga allowed people to get a summarized idea of the Obama Executive Order on Dream Act. Being the lead attorney of the Dreamer, Jose Antonio Vargas who was on the cover of Time Magazine recently (www.dreamact.info ), it gave those in the room the sense of empowerment for them to ask questions anonymously during the Open Forum segment of the seminar. It was Consul Felipe Carino III who read the collected questions from the audience some of which were fielded by Atty. Mallonga, the Deputy Consul General Theresa Dizon de Vega and by Atty. Rio Guerrero of Guerrero Yee LLP who gave a presentation on Labor Rights. A delicious dinner was also served to those present thereby feeding not only their spirit but bodies as well.

In support of FALDEF, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) had its Executive Director Steve Raga, Director of Advocacy, and State of NJ Chair, Nimfa Tinana were present. They, along with other FALDEF members Angie Cruz, Phd, Joe Ramos and other volunteers, helped make the seminar the success that it was.

The ministering act of four organizations come together to serve the voiceless in the community is the kind of work that will one day achieve the impossible: the humane treatment of our brothers and sisters who are out of status. After all, though this was but one event, St. Francis life exemplifies that he lived what he believed, “All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.”

For those who are interested, the following are the pertinent information for the FALDEF & NaFFAA legal clinic sessions:

WHERE:      FALDEF office, Lovin Life Center, 4 West 43^rd St, Suite 505, NY, NY 10038

WHEN:         JUL 27, AUG 24, SEPT 28, 3-8PM

CONTACT: (212) 221-1888, Atty. JT Mallonga @ jtmallonga@faldef.org, Atty. Merit Salud efsalud@aol.com

*submitted by Marie Aunio, FALDEF's Special Assistant to the President

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.

Immigration Forum and Out-of-Status Book Launch

Deportation and Rights of an “Out of Status” Immigrant discussed at the Immigration Forum and Book Launch at the Philippine Consulate of New York, May 2012

Immigration is arguably one of the hottest topics in the minds of Filipino-Americans, and immigrants of all origins. Many immigrants are not aware of the rights they possess and who to turn to for assistance.

On Friday, May 18, 2012, the Filipino American Legal Defense & Education Fund (FALDEF) officers Robert C. Rivas, JT Mallonga and Steven S. Siegel presented the services of their non-profit organization at the Philippine Center’s Kalayaan Hall in New York during the “Immigration Rights” event sponsored by the Philippine Consulate General Mario de Leon, Jr.  The event also featured the book launch of “Out of Status”, a memoir by author, Jen Furer.

Phl Consulate in New York Holds Book Launch of “Out of Status”and Forum on Immigration Rights

22 May 2012 - The Philippine Consulate General in New York, in cooperation with Ms. Jen Furer and the Filipino American Legal Defense and Education Fund (FALDEF), held a book launch of Ms. Furer's book "Out of Status" and a forum on Immigration Rights of Migrants last May 18 at the Philippine Center's Kalayaan Hall.

Philippine Consul General to New York Mario L. de Leon, Jr., in his welcome remarks, congratulated Jen for bravely sharing her and her family's story with the rest of the world. He noted that her story presents the human face of migration and should also inspire others to learn more about their rights. He stressed that the book launch and immigration forum is part of the Consulate's continuing commitment to inform the Filipino-American Community about their rights and obligations.

Filipino-American Jen Furer's first-ever book traces Jen's story of migrating to the United States in her early 20s to pursue the proverbial "American Dream". Her struggles, challenges, adjustments, and triumphs formed the backbone of her moving memoir which likewise chronicled her family's heartbreaking encounter with the U.S. Immigration System.

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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