Jose Antonio Vargas Featured in Time Magazine

"Inside the world of an ILLEGAL immigrant." - Jose Antonio Vargas

Jose Antonio Vargas as featured in Time Magazine, June 14, 2012

Click HERE to read the story.

Department of Homeland Security Updates

Secretary Napolitano Announces Deferred Action Process for Young People Who Are Low  Enforcement Priorities

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010

WASHINGTON— Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today announced that effective immediately, certain young people who were brought to the United States as young children, do not present a risk to national security or public safety, and meet several key criteria will be considered for relief from removal from the country or from entering into removal proceedings. Those who demonstrate that they meet the criteria will be eligible to receive deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal, and will be eligible to apply for work authorization.

Transcript of Pres. Obama's Speech on Immigration

Remarks by the President on Immigration

Rose Garden

Click here for video. 

2:09 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, everybody.  This morning, Secretary Napolitano announced new actions my administration will take to mend our nation’s immigration policy, to make it more fair, more efficient, and more just -- specifically for certain young people sometimes called “Dreamers.”

These are young people who study in our schools, they play in our neighborhoods, they’re friends with our kids, they pledge allegiance to our flag.  They are Americans in their heart, in their minds, in every single way but one:  on paper.  They were brought to this country by their parents -- sometimes even as infants -- and often have no idea that they’re undocumented until they apply for a job or a driver’s license, or a college scholarship. 

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.

Filipino Couple Gets Temporary Relief

by Don Tagala, ABS-CBN North America Bureau

The couple joined by community leaders and heads of various organizations.

Standing (L-R): Joji Babuschak, Fred Mariano, Dr. Ramon Suatengco, Atty. JTS Mallonga (FALDEF), Nimfa Tinana (NaFFAA), Dr. Renato Ynaya

Seated (L-R): Nancy Ynaya, Larnie Dosono, Rica, Gideon, Dr. Elena Buenviaje

TOMS RIVER, NJ - Filipino couple Gideon and Rica Tonog appealed to the Department of Homeland Security to defer their deportation last year.

Because Rica is undergoing long-term uterine cancer treatment, an immigration judge stopped the deportation last week and has allowed them to stay in America for on humanitarian grounds.

Rica said, “I prayed and thanked the Lord for the answered prayer. Our victory is the community’s victory.”

But the Tonogs’ fight to stay in America is not over.

Filipino American Legal Defense Fund (FALDEF) President and legal counsel to the Tonogs, JT Mallonga said, “It will not solve the problem because it will not give them work authorization. But the primary purpose of the legal defense coming to play is to stop the deportation proceedings.”

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.

Related Articles: Asian Journal

Couple’s bid to stave off removal supported

The Filipino - American Legal Defense and Education Fund (FALDEF) has formally appealed to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to defer for humanitarian reasons the deportation of a New Jersey couple as the wife undergoes a long-term treatment of uterine cancer.

The application for deferred action status on behalf of Gideon and Rica Tonog, of Toms River, N.J., was filed this week by FALDEF president J.T. Mallonga

Along with that application is a petition letter bearing nearly 2,000 signatures of community residents — many of them non-Filipinos, including three mayors from Ocean County, N.J. — citing the extensive volunteer work and community service of the couple to benefit the large Filipino-American community in the area.

Balitang America Top News Story#10: FALDEF Case Pinoy Family Fights Deportion

(Photo credit: TFC Balitang America Don Tagala)

Just when the Gulfin family thought they’d be spending Christmas in the Philippines, away from their adopted home in Tinton Falls in New Jersey, their deportation order was stayed.

The Gulfin family founded The Servants of the Lord organization at a Christian church in Eatontown, New Jersey.

Carmelo, 63 and Aurelia, 66, run a family-owned car repair shop in Tinton Falls, New Jersey. Their son, Miguel, finished an automotive technology program in college to join his father’s business.

Gulfins won't board plane to Philippines

The Gulfin family of Tinton Falls, N.J. will not board the flight that will send them back to the Philippines on Sept. 30, as the Filipino American Legal Defense and Education Fund (FALDEF) asked U.S. immigration to hold in abeyance the deportation until it decides the fate of the Filipino family in light of a new federal policy ordering authorities to exercise “prosecutorial discretion” on removal proceedings and suspend deportations of those who pose no threat to national security or public safety.

“We’re not defying the U.S. immigration,” declares the Gulfins’ counsel J.T. Mallonga, who heads FALDEF.

GULFINS’ PRAYER WARRIORS: Part of the large crowd at Sunday’s prayer rally in in Eatontown, N.J. to save the Gulfin family from being deported.  (Photo by Matty Morallos)

“We’re simply requesting authorities to provide us answer on our request for deferred action status on the basis of the memo of (Immigration and Customs Enforcement chief) John Morton, and endorsed by President Barack Obama.”

Mallonga said the Gulfins — Carmelo and Aurelia and their son Miguel Rodrigo — will report at JFK International Airport for their scheduled departure on Sept. 30.