A Night of Hope: Friday, March 1, 2013

The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) and US Pinoys 4 Good Governance (USP4GG) present "A Night of Hope", a charity reception on behalf of the Filipino American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc. (FALDEF) on Friday, March 1, 2013 at the residence of Consul General Mario de Leon, Jr.

 

The Filipino American Legal Defense and Education Fund (FALDEF) is a registered 501 (c)(3) not-for profit organization that provides pro-bono legal services to Immigrants in distress due to their origin, status and financial situation. FALDEF was founded in 2008 by a group of lawyers, professionals and community leaders working towards the same cause. After collectively working on a case involving Filipino Immigrants, suffering injustices, they decided to create an organization that was dedicated to serving the migrant community, in particular the Filipino Migrant Community.

 

(Victory Bolden, Sanford Rubenstein, Diane Paragas)

 Attorney Victor Bolden, Corporation Counsel of the City of New Haven, Connecticut is the evening's special guest speaker. An expert and advocate of civil rights, when Bolden chose to begin his post as New Haven's acting corporation counsel on Rev. Martin Luther

King, Jr.'s birthday, he said:

“A day of significance ... a day of new possibilities."

As Corporation Counsel, Bolden serves as the chief legal advisor of and the attorney for the City and all City officers and departments in matters relating to their official duties. Bolden was formerly General Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund. He served on the Counsel with the law firm of Wiggin and Dana LLP in New Haven, Connecticut. He also served as a Karpatkin Fellow and Staff Attorney at the ACLU, from1989-1994. Bolden completed his undergraduate studies, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Columbia University. He graduated from Harvard Law School in 1989.

 Mr. Bolden has been a supporter of the Filipino-American community, even prior to the

actual incorporation of FALDEF. When the community needed help in defending 10 Filipino nurses who were wrongly sued, Bolden graciously offered the legal services of NAACP-LDF.

 

 

 

Attorney Sanford A. Rubenstein, senior partner at the Brooklyn law firm of Rubenstein & Rynecki, is one of the evening's guest speakers. He is one of New York's most sought after advocates for victim's rights in personal injury and civic rights matters. Described by the Melvin M. Belli Society of the American Trial Lawyers Association as one of the Nation's 25 top trial lawyers, described by New York Post's Page Six as "a high powered personal injury lawyer" and a "famed attorney" by the New York Daily News.

Rubenstein's career has been punctuated by high profile cases in which he represented victims in many tragic occurrences in New York City.

Mr. Rubenstein appears frequently on national and local T.V. news advocating for victims rights. He has appeared as a legal analyst on CNN, MSNBC and Fox News. Mr. Rubenstein has lectured and participated in panels for the New York Sate Trial Lawyers, The Harvard Law School Criminal Justice Institute, Brooklyn Law School and the Melvin M. Belli Society of the American Trial Lawyers Association.

Mr. Rubenstein is also an author of a new book entitled, "The Outrageous Rubenstein" , in which he writes about his experience as a media savvy trial lawyer fighting for justice and change.

The evening also features the premiere of a short documentary film by Diane Paragas.

Over the course of the last three months Ms. Paragas has been documenting candid interviews from FALDEF clients and Board Members. What started out as a public service announcement, has turned into a short documentary.

 

 

Ms. Diane Paragas is an award-winning documentary film director and commercial director.  Her films have appeared on Showtime, BET, Discovery, MTV, Bravo and PBS. . In 2012, Paragas produced and directed the feature documentary, "Brooklyn Boheme", which premiered in February on SHOWTIME networks and features Spike Lee, Chris Rock, to name a few. "Brooklyn Boheme" recently won Outstanding TV Documentary at the Black Reel awards.

 

Ms. Paragas is also the founder and owner of NYC based Civilian Studios. Ms. Paragas is a supporter of FALDEF and has lent her talent by offering to do a short documentary about the organization. She is currently working on her first feature film Yellow Rose, a film loosely based on her life growing up as the only Filipina-American in her small Texas town. For details visit www.yellowrosefilm.com .

 

"A Night of Hope" charity reception begins at 6:30pm and ends at 9:00 p.m. A suggested donation of two hundred dollars,  made out to "FALDEF", will be appreciated and accepted at the door, by mail or online. The event has limited seating and RSVP is required by February 20, 2013. For details please email hope@faldef.org or visit the website at www.faldef.org.

 

 

(FALDEF directors with Hon. Judge Lorna G. Schofield)

 

FALDEF is also hosting a press club meet and greet event with Hon. Judge Lorna G. Schofield, the first Filipino-American in the history of the United States to serve as an Article III federal judge.

RELATED LINKS: GMA Network.com International
                                 Asian Journal:  NaFFAA and USP4GG present "A Night of Hope"

 



DACA approved through PATH for DREAMS initiative

"The PATH for DREAMS program at the Philippine Consulate 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." ~ S. M.

FALDEF vows to help root out human trafficking : Filipino Reporter

      

Saturday, 02 February 2013 17:10

Written by Edmund M. Silvestre                  

 

J.T. Mallonga, Esq. (standing) addresses the Fil-Am media at the Philippine Consulate Monday. With him in photo are (from left) Dr. Angie Cruz, Diane Paragas, Emerito Salud and Consul General Mario de Leon, Jr.  (Filipino Reporter photo)
 

The Filipino American Legal Defense and Education Fund (FALDEF) has officially partnered with the Philippine Consulate General in New York and the United States Embassy in Manila to nip in the bud the rising trend of alleged trafficking of Filipinos into the U.S. by setting sights on the “source” of the problem.

In its first ever press conference since its inception in 2009, FALDEF president J.T. Mallonga, Esq. said the biggest export of the Philippines to the world is manpower, and the issue of trafficking and other forms of labor abuse usually originate back home.

“We intend to set up a legal defense fund to prosecute cases from the source,” said Mallonga, announcing the creation of a Philippine Legal Defense and Education Fund (PHILDEF) in Manila.

The idea of PHILDEF was approved by U.S. ambassador to the Philippines Harry K. Thomas and will be formalized during a special reception to be hosted by Thomas himself for FALDEF officials at the embassy in Manila this Feb. 27.
Mallonga said the U.S. Embassy will play a major role in finding an end to the problem since all visas used by Filipinos to legally enter the U.S. are issued by the embassy.

“We may have strong partnership with all the Philippine consulates in the U.S. and we may have a strong legal representation in the Philippines (through PHILDEF), but without the U.S. Embassy helping us put a stop to this, by blacklisting the agencies involved in trafficking, then all of the efforts will go to waste,” Mallonga noted.

In its upcoming meeting with Thomas in Manila, FALDEF is hoping to seek an audience with representatives of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to obtain funding for PHILDEF.

Mallonga said assistance from USAID will give PHILDEF the proper logistics to bring the guilty parties to justice.
USAID is primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid to provide economic, development and humanitarian assistance to people overseas struggling to make a better life in a free and democratic country, and in support of the foreign policy goals of the U.S.

USAID has been giving millions of dollars to various non-government agencies in the Philippines, but none of those NGOs or any other entity go after the perpetrators of trafficking and bring them to justice, Mallonga noted.
Aside from trafficking and labor-related matters, PHILDEF can also help look at cases of Filipino workers facing the death penalty overseas, particularly in China and the Middle East.

Consul General Mario de Leon, Jr. said the Philippine Consulate’s team up with FALDEF is the “first public-private partnership to assist our nationals.”

“We have broadened and deepened our relationship with FALDEF,” said de Leon, as he cited FALDEF’s solid track record in helping numerous Filipino nationals in distress.

Aside from stopping the deportation of several Filipinos and solving immigration-related matters, FALDEF is also helping save from the death row two Filipino nationals in Texas.

De Leon will host FALDEF’s dinner fund-raiser on March 1 at the consul general’s official residence on 63rd Street in Manhattan, in cooperation with the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) and the US Pinoys for Good Governance (USP4GG).

 

FALDEF short documentary excerpt directed by Diane Paragas

( An excerpt from the FALDEF short documentary directed by Diane Paragas of Civilian Studios)

Over the course of the last three months Diane Paragas has been documenting candid interviews from FALDEF clients and Board Members. What started out as a public service announcement, has turned into a short documentary. A short preview will be shown today and the final product will be premiered at the "Night of Hope" benefit dinner on March 1.

            

Diane Paragas is an award-winning documentary film director and commercial director.  Her films have appeared on Showtime, BET, Discovery, MTV, Bravo and PBS. Paragas started her career in advertising then went on to work at MTV and for Discovery Asia.  Ms Paragas is also the founder and owner of NYC based Civilian Studios. She has directed award winning commercials for Fortune 500 companies and is repped by the prestigious Rascal Films. In 2012, Ms Paragas produced and directed the feature documentary Brooklyn Boheme which premiered in February on SHOWTIME networks. The documentary which was co-directed and co-produced with Nelson George celebrates the post-civil rights artistic movement of Fort Greene Brooklyn and features Spike Lee, Chris Rock, Rosie Perez and Saul Williams to name a few. Diane is a supporter of FALDEF and has lent her talent by offering to do a short documentary about the organization. She is currently working on her first feature film Yellow Rose.



FALDEF working to combat human trafficking between the Philippines and the USA

(L-R: Atty. Merit Salud, Atty. J.T. Mallonga, Loida Nicolas Lewis, Ambassador Harry K. Thomas, Jr., Dr. Angie Cruz, Atty. Patricia Astorga, Atty. Lindy Lachica)

The officers and supporters of the Filipino American Legal Defense & Education Fund, Inc. (FALDEF) met with the US Ambassador to the Philippines, Harry K. Thomas, Jr. on January 16, 2013, to discuss means and ways to combat human trafficking in the Philippines. The dinner event was hosted by community leader and FALDEF supported, Loida Nicolas Lewis.

Photo as twitted by Ambassado Thomas : 

Reporting human trafficking activities in your area is now just a text away: ABS-CBNnews

ABS-CBNnews.com

Posted at 01/25/2013 7:23 PM | Updated as of 01/25/2013 7:23 PM

MANILA, Philippines - Reporting human trafficking activities is your area is now just a text away.

The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and Globe/Touch Mobile recently launched the short message service or SMS-based Action Line 1343 Against Human Trafficking.

The new service will respond to requests for assistance, inquiries and referrals involving suspected human trafficking activities.

The CFO said that the text-based 1343 Action Line is also deemed to fast-track the referral and follow-up of cases, efficiently direct immediate assistance to human trafficking victims and disseminate information on human trafficking through text messages.

Globe and Touch Mobile subscribers who want to know how to access the service can text  <1343(space)HELP> or <help(space)1343> then send to 1343 free of charge.

"It is hoped that by making 1343 Action Line available through texts, more cases of human trafficking will be reported and resolved," the CFO said.

Meanwhile, the 1343 call-based Actionline against Human Trafficking began operations in March 2011.

For 2012, a total of 7,762 calls were received from the Action Line involving 198 actual cases with 130 victims, 19 of which were minors.

Secretary Napolitano Announces Final Rule to Support Family Unity During Waiver Process

From USCIS.gov.

Released: Jan. 2, 2013
Contact: DHS Press Office, (202) 282-8010

WASHINGTON— Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today announced the posting of a final rule in the Federal Register that reduces the time U.S. citizens are separated from their immediate relatives (spouse, children and parents), who are in the process of obtaining visas to become lawful permanent residents of the United States under certain circumstances. The final rule establishes a process that allows certain individuals to apply for a provisional unlawful presence waiver before they depart the United States to attend immigrant visa interviews in their countries of origin. The process will be effective on March 4, 2013 and more information about the filing process will be made available in the coming weeks at www.uscis.gov.

“This final rule facilitates the legal immigration process and reduces the amount of time that U.S. citizens are separated from their immediate relatives who are in the process of obtaining an immigrant visa,” said Secretary Napolitano.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) received more than 4,000 comments in response to the April 2, 2012 proposed rule and considered all of them in preparing the final rule.  

“The law is designed to avoid extreme hardship to U.S. citizens, which is precisely what this rule achieves,” USCIS Director Mayorkas said. “The change will have a significant impact on American families by greatly reducing the time family members are separated from those they rely upon.”

Under current law, immediate relatives of U.S. citizens who are not eligible to adjust status in the United States to become lawful permanent residents must leave the U.S. and obtain an immigrant visa abroad. Individuals who have accrued more than six months of unlawful presence while in the United States must obtain a waiver to overcome the unlawful presence inadmissibility bar before they can return to the United States after departing to obtain an immigrant visa. Under the existing waiver process, which remains available to those who do not qualify for the new process, immediate relatives cannot file a waiver application until after they have appeared for an immigrant visa interview abroad and the Department of State has determined that they are inadmissible.

In order to obtain a provisional unlawful presence waiver, the applicant must be an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen, inadmissible only on account of unlawful presence, and demonstrate the denial of the waiver would result in extreme hardship to his or her U.S. citizen spouse or parent. USCIS will publish a new form, Form I-601A, Application for a Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver, for individuals to use when applying for a provisional unlawful presence waiver under the new process.

Under the new provisional waiver process, immediate relatives must still depart the United States for the consular immigrant visa process; however, they can apply for a provisional waiver before they depart for their immigrant visa interview abroad. Individuals who file the Form I-601A must notify the Department of State’s National Visa Center that they are or will be seeking a provisional waiver from USCIS. The new process will reduce the amount of time U.S. citizen are separated from their qualifying immediate relatives. Details on the process changes are available atwww.regulations.gov.

FALDEF in review: a message from FALDEF President, Atty. J.T. Mallonga

A message from FALDEF President, Atty. J.T. MallongaFALDEF 2012 in Review

A message from FALDEF President, Atty. JT Mallonga

December 2012

Dear Friends:

Former Philippine Senator and activist the late Benigno ‘Ninoy’ S. Aquino Jr., while imprisoned, wrote this powerful statement, “In this age of darkness, there are two ways of spreading light. You may either be a candle, or the mirror that reflects its light.”

We are choosing to be both.

This has been a banner year for FALDEF. A few weeks ago we were able to successfully close a deportation case for Texas DREAMer, John Quidilla. He was picked up by ICE on his way to classes and detained just a few months shy of his college graduation. His mother found FALDEF by chance and contacted us immediately. We are proud to say that we made every effort to help this young man whose “American Dream” was to graduate from college and support his family-a dream that has successfully been fulfilled.

When we founded FALDEF, three years ago, we provided timely access to pro-bono legal services to the immigrant sector. We sought to empower them so that they could achieve their full potential as productive contributors to their families and communities. Bound by a common desire to help one of the currently most vulnerable groups in our society, volunteers from both legal and non-legal professions have devoted their time and efforts to extend relevant assistance where they are most needed.

Last month, we were able to obtain an approval for permanent residency, under the Violence Against Women Act, for Carina Barsotti. She is now able to fight for custody of her child without the threat of being deported. This is just one of the many cases we have successfully taken on this past year.

In August, immediately following the release of the Deferred Action for early Childhood Arrivals (DACA) form, we created a joint initiative with all the Philippine Consulates in the United States called PATH for Dreams. We hosted our first event at the Philippine Consulate here in New York, which was open to ALL eligible applicants. Since then we have successfully held 6 events (including one at Temple University and one with the NYIC) and there are more being planned in the next few months. In addition, we held educational training programs and workshops concerning DACA.

During this past election, we partnered with the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) in poll monitoring for voter protection rights. The importance of educating immigrants about their civic rights and duties is one of our fundamental beliefs.

Though we have been successful, we are painfully aware that the fight is far from over. We know there are many more immigrants who are suffering injustices all over this country. We know we can make a real difference.

“It is not enough to understand, or to see clearly. The future will be shaped in the arena of human activity, by those willing to commit their minds and their bodies to the task.” -Robert F. Kennedy

Since the birth of FALDEF, we have always set out to DEFEND, SERVE, and EDUCATE. It was primarily established because we personally experienced and saw the unique and urgent need for creating an organization such as ours to serve the community. Our decision and insight to take this upon ourselves was guided and motivated by none other than late John Payton, former President of the NAACP-LDF- a legend in his own right.

We are made up of dedicated volunteers from attorneys to financial experts-amongst others. We are a diverse group. We come from all walks of life but we are bound by our passion, strong belief and dedication in giving a voice and empowering the most vulnerable members of our community. It is what keeps us going. As our aforementioned successes come to fruition, it has meant a greater need for our services has been growing.  Certainly we are excited and committed to making every effort to maintain and further expand our services to all those who reach out to us. This, dear friends, is where we need your help.

A donation from you will help us not only continue our services but to expand them to more pressing needs.

It is a known fact that Human Trafficking is fast becoming one of the largest criminal industries in the world. Over 11 million Filipinos work overseas (an estimated 10 percent of the country’s population). By population, the Philippines exports more overseas foreign workers than any other country. Sadly in 2011, the United States in Persons Report on the Philippines indicated that the country is a prime source for men, women, and children who are subjected to human trafficking. Many fall victim to forced labor in harsh working conditions. Their desperation, poverty and ignorance of their rights and privileges make them all nothing less than slaves of the 21st century. It is no surprise that a significant number of women and children continue to face being raped and physically abused in numbers too shocking and difficult to comprehend. 

"There can be no tyrants where there are no slaves." - Jose Rizal, National Hero of the Philippines

FALDEF has every intention, and has in fact begun making efforts, of doing all that we are capable of to fight this tyranny and address this long overdue issue. First and foremost, we must educate the people so we can ensure that they do not fall victim to these heinous crimes. We can do that with your help.

At the start of the New Year we will release our three year strategic plan. Our goals include:

●        Creating a safe and capable environment for all Filipino Immigrants, and other immigrants, who suffer injustices due to their origin and status and are unable to afford legal representation.

●        Opening up our offices on a daily basis by hiring and offering a modest salary to a staff that is dedicated to our mission.

●        Partnering with other non-profit organizations locally, nationally, and internationally.

●        Sending representatives to our clients nationally and internationally.

●        Holding “know your rights” educational programs and forums (via Public Service Announcements and also videos to be posted on-line for all to have access to).

We have the attention and the support of the community, of long-standing organizations, and of civic leaders. This ranges anywhere from the Philippine Consulates in the United States to Senators and also to DREAMers like  Jose Antonio Vargas.

We have the dedication of our volunteers and our team.

We have our mission, our vision and our goals.

We have YOU. And you have the opportunity to be a part of our successes and, most    importantly, to help us forge the fight against one of the most marginalized members of the world, overseas foreign workers who live far from loved ones, toiling tirelessly and without voices. We need to keep our momentum going. Now would be a great opportunity for you to get involved in assisting us with our dreams, so that we can continue to help people like John Quidilla. We can be instrumental in creating a world where people like the Gulfins and the Tonogs can find hope when injustices arise.

Please support us in this valiant and worthwhile effort. We invite you to join us in making this happen and know you will find it fulfilling as you see the results of your contribution to our cause. Help us be both the candle that lights the way and the mirror that reflects that light for those to follow. DONATE.

                                                                                                Sincerely,

                                

JTS Mallonga, Esq - President

SCHUMER ANNOUNCES CONFIRMATION OF LORNA G. SCHOFIELD AS FEDERAL JUDGE FOR SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK - Filipino Reporter

SCHUMER ANNOUNCES CONFIRMATION OF LORNA G. SCHOFIELD AS FEDERAL JUDGE FOR SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK

(Lorna Schofield , photo courtesy of thefilam.net)

 Schumer Recommended Schofield to President Obama in January; Schofield is an NYU Law Grad, Assistant US Attorney and Lawyer At Debevoise & Plimpton

...
Schofield is First-Ever Filipina American on the Federal Bench

Schumer: Schofield’s Experience and Devotion to Public Service Confirm That She is Going to Be an Excellent Judge

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) announced today that Lorna G. Schofield, whom Schumer recommended to President Obama in January, has been confirmed to serve as a judge on the prestigious United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. As a graduate of NYU Law School, former Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and a partner at one of the nation’s most prestigious law firms, Ms. Schofield, who is of Filipino heritage, was also the first Asian-American to be elected chair of the ABA Section of Litigation. Ms. Schofield is the first ever Filipina on the federal bench.

“Ms. Schofield’s wealth of experience and devotion to public services make it clear that she will be an excellent judge,” said Schumer. “Ms. Schofield has proven time and again that she is a leader and I have every confidence that she will serve her jurisdiction well. As the first Filipina on the federal bench, Ms. Schofield’s personal background and life experience will help broaden the perspective of the federal bench”

Schofield, 56, graduated from Indiana University magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, and from NYU Law School, where she served as staff editor and note-and-comment editor of the NYU Law Review. Schofield then went to work at the law firm of Clearly, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton. She then left to work as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Criminal Division of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, where she worked as a prosecutor on cases involving domestic terrorism, arms smuggling and tax fraud. After four years, Schofield left to work at Debevoise & Plimpton, where she made partner in 1991. At the firm, she worked on civil cases as well as white collar crime.

Since 2006, Schofield has been a Director of Rosie’s for All Kids Foundation, which provides non-profit organizations funding for at-risk children, parents, care-givers and teachers.

Below are Schumer’s remarks, as prepared, given before the vote:

• Mr./Madam President, I am extremely pleased to rise today in enthusiastic support the nomination of Lorna Schofield to the federal bench in the Southern District of New York.

• I have had the privilege to recommend a number of truly outstanding nominees to become judges in New York—in fact, 15 nominees—and Ms. Schofield is among the best. She is the embodiment of the three qualities I always search for in a judge: excellence, moderation, and diversity.

• First, excellence: her professional resume puts her right at the top of her field. She went to Indiana University for her undergraduate studies, and then came to New York to study law at one of the nation’s best schools, NYU Law School, where she graduated as one of the top 15 students in her class.

• She went on to serve the public as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York, and then to join the top law firm of Debevoise and Plimpton, where she’s been in private practice for nearly 25 years.

• Ms. Schofield has a wealth of practical experience, having represented and advised all manner of clients in the “real world” of New York City—businesses large and small, as well as individuals.

• As a true generalist, she’s tried a wide array of cases, and her professional accomplishments and accolades are numerous, including serving as the head of the litigation section—the largest section -- of the American Bar Association. Ms. Schofield was, in fact, a pioneer in this position, as the first Asian-American to hold the prestigious post.

• Second, on the point of moderation: When I met with Ms. Schofield, I was struck by the fact that she has one, singular agenda – the preservation of the rule of law.

• Indeed, her professional work has been devoted to the general improvement of the practice of law, and to zealously representing her clients in the best and most ethical traditions of the profession. Evidence of her moderation can be found in the support she has across the political spectrum – both Democrats and Republicans have called me to tell me what a great judge she’d make. She has done everything from teaching trial advocacy to performing pro bono work for the Women’s Prison Association.

• Finally, to address diversity: Ms. Schofield’s personal background and life experience will help broaden the perspective of the federal bench. Most notably, if confirmed, she will be the first Filipina judge (man or woman) to sit on the federal bench.

• In conclusion, I believe Ms. Schofield will make a terrific judge, and I look forward to her confirmation vote today.


Related Articles: Filipino Reporter: Fil-Am Will Address PH Forum
                            GMA News: Fil-Am Judge Lorna G. Schofield: A Genius, earnest, larger than life