The Tonog Family: NJ couple's deportation stopped, a new beginning

(Rica and Gideon Tonog with their daughter)

We were blessed with FALDEF's intervention in our legal battle.  Atty. Mallonga gave us hope and was able to develop a thoughtful, effective and thorough plan to address our problem. He took time to understand our fears, concerns and answered our legal questions.  He was a good listener, committed to help us, compassionate and accompanied us in all our court hearings which achieved our objectives and resolved our deportation order. 

With Atty. Mallonga's recommendation to involve our Filipino-American Community in Ocean County, we were able to stay. We are at peace as we  continue to hope for a better future. We also became the voice of our kababayans who are also having immigration problems.  We are grateful to FALDEF and its members for giving us hope and courage to our immigration concerns.

To our kababayans who may be in a similar situation, there is hope – thanks to the services unselfishly provided by competent professionals who comprise this noble organization - FALDEF.

~ Gideon and Rica Tonog

Please help us help others. Click HERE to donate. 

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FALDEF is good peeps: Salsa night: a fund-raising event sponsored by FALDEF volunteers

There’s a saying, “Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer.”

Last night reflects such passion.  

We stepped on each other’s toes (literally), laughed, supported one another but most of all, people came because they were curious on who the people are behind the organization.

One editor of a blog (on-line magazine) magazine offered to feature our event, a few friends who came to say hello donated monies and joined in on the fun. A systems person who works with a law firm offered to work with FALDEF’s President, Atty. J.T. Mallonga, in putting together a legal case management system. BUT what touched me the most came from one of the comments from one of the attendees,

“We had a lot of fun. I like the FALDEF volunteers. Glad I met them. We had fun in the class. Let us know if there’s another class or fund-raiser. FALDEF is good peeps.”

We’re getting the word out: baby steps or 1-2-3…5-6-7.

Here are few pictures:

(only because it's for a great cause...)

(meeting new friends and connections)

(Friends came to support the volunteers)

(volunteers, members and supporter in action: 1,2,3...5,6,7)

 (stella & dot.50% of the profits go to FALDEF)

You can still shop and 50% of the profits will be donated to FALDEF. Click HERE.

Join next time. I guarantee, you’ll make friends and will have a wonderful night!

You can still show your support by going on our website:

FALDEF: Providing Access To Hope.

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John Quidilla, Texas DREAMer deportation case closed

I was picked up by ICE on the way to classes and was held at the detention center at Dallas, Texas. I was released on bail when my brother in law and sister came to pick me up.  I have faced many obstacles in my life, but nothing quite like this. I was worried, scared, and lost in words to say when I got home and talked to my mother face to face. She was frantically looking for someone that could help me and found FALDEF as the number one search result from Google. My mother got a hold of Atty. Merit Salud at first and then talked to Atty. J.T. Mallonga. My mother and I talked to both of them to see if they were able to help us seeing that they were in New Jersey and we were in Plano, an area of Texas that they have never heard of before. We eventually got a call back from them and received good news that they were able to help us.

From that day on FALDEF has given me hope that I would be able to live my life normally day by day. They have given me a chance to fulfill my dreams and goals that would have been otherwise missed. I know that they have given it their all on helping me win my case and without them I wouldn’t be here today. They have brought the “New York way” to Texas and helped me stay with my family and friends.  They have given me the opportunity to care for my young brother and be a father figure for him, see him grow and help my family.

I thank Atty. Mallonga and Atty. Salud, all the people at FALDEF, and their supporters for all of their hard work for me and the other DREAMERS out there without them I don’t know where I’d be.

Please help us help others. Click HERE to donate. 

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FALDEF Team Back from Cebu - (Filipino Reporter)

A Filipino Reporter exclusive

(The New York and Texas delegation visiting Cebu on behalf of Fil-Am teenager Gabriel Espinosa Cañada Hall convicted of murder. In photo are (from left) Ramon Tinana, Nimfa Tinana (FALDEF), Atty. Dorothy Arcenas (FALDEF local lawyer), Atty. Mariano Tan (FALDEF local lawyer), Rob Cowie (mitigation specialist, Texas RPDO), Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Joe Ward (head of RPDO mission in Cebu), Eralyn Hall (sister of Gabriel Hall) and JTS Mallonga, Esq. (FALDEF).  (Photo by Ryan Echevarria)

New York and Texas lawyers working together to save the life of a convicted Filipino-American teen from possible capital punishment are back in the U.S. from Cebu City with mitigating evidence that hopefully could convince the court to give the boy a life sentence rather than lethal injection.

The state of Texas is seeking the death penalty against Gabriel Espinosa Cañada Hall, a kid adopted from Cebu City and who is now 19, for stabbing and shooting to death an elderly man during a burglary, before turning to the man’s wheelchair bound wife and slitting her throat and left her to die.

The wife, who managed to call 911, survived.

Atty. J.T. Mallonga of the New York-based Filipino American Legal Defense and Education Fund (FALDEF) told the Filipino Reporter that his team — composed of FALDEF lawyer Merit Salud and board member Nimfa Du-Tinana (a Cebuana) — managed to gather information on the character and previous history of Hall, as well as the circumstances that led him to commit the offense.

Mallonga, however, requested that details of mitigating information be withheld and treated as “confidential” for the meantime until the probe is completed and presented to the court.

He said a total of nine Cebu-based lawyers, all Ateneo law graduates, have volunteered to continue digging for information for the next three months.

“At the moment, they’re collating pieces of evidence, documents and testimonies from witnesses to help shed light on the early childhood of Gabriel,” Mallonga told the Reporter.

“These data would explain the boy’s psychological profile that led him to commit the crime.”

With FALDEF in Cebu for almost three weeks was the Texas legal team headed by Joseph D. Ward, a mitigation specialist with the Regional Public Defender’s Office (RPDO) for Capital Cases in Texas and appointed by court to represent Hall.

Lawyer Anthony Odiorne, mitigation specialist Rob Cowie, and investigator Kirk Noaker are also part of the RPDO team.

One of Hall’s female siblings, who was adopted with him in Cebu by an American couple, joined the trip to help in her brother’s case.

Assisting RPDO are NaFFAA Texas leaders Gus and Ethel Mercado of the Philippine-American Chamber of Commerce; and Dorothy Arcenas, liaison counsel of FALDEF and RPDO who has a special power of attorney for Gabriel Hall in the Philippines. 
 
The delegation arrived in Cebu City Sept. 18 and was immediately met by local leaders headed by Mayor Michael Rama.

“Mayor Rama promised utmost cooperation in the endeavor of the lawyers from Texas RPDO to obtain any and all pertinent documents, and to assist in every which way,” Mallonga said.

Among the people the U.S. legal team managed to interview personally were the biological parents of Hall.

What transpired during the meeting is also “confidential” as of the moment, Mallonga said.

Hall, a high school student from College Point, Texas, reportedly confessed to killing retired Texas A&M oceanography professor Edwin Shaar, 68, who used a walker to get around, in his home garage, and also attacking his wife Linda Shaar, 69, inside their home in College Station, Texas on Oct. 20, 2011, police said.

Shaar died on the spot, while Mrs. Shaar was covered in blood and was gasping for air when cops arrived, and an ambulance rushed her to the hospital, according to a police report.

Hall was indicted with capital murder by a grand jury on Dec. 21, 2011 and is being held without bail at the Brazos County Jail.

His adoptive parents were identified as Wes Hall, an attorney and justice of peace; and Karen Kruse Hall, president of Central Texas Orphan Mission, an organization that “supports orphans across the globe.”

Few Pinoy dreamers avail of free service (Filipino Reporter)

As published in the Filipino Reporter. Volunteers of the free legal services offered for eligible Pinoy Dreamers. 

Venue was at St. Mary’s Church in Jersey City, N.J. on Sept. 22. 

JERSEY CITY — The turnout fell short of the expected number as only a handful showed up on Sept. 22 to avail of the free legal services offered for eligible Pinoy Dreamers under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) directive of President Barack Obama.

The campaign held at St. Mary’s Church on Second Street is part of the PATH for DREAMs initiative of the Filipino-American Legal Defense and Education Fund (FALDEF), in cooperation with the Philippine Consulate General New York and the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA).

Some applicants from out of state were accompanied by a parent and presented their documents ready for filing.

Others came to just to inquire about the requirements to qualify.

About 15 cheerful people volunteered to assist in the community endeavor from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“The beauty of the American social tapestry and all the communities that made up this social weave is their propensity to assist one another in times of need, regardless of ethnicity or social status,” said lawyer Merit Salud, NAFFAA Region 1 chair.

“Fil-Ams made themselves available to serve others, even the non–Fil-Ams.”

During the free assistance program, both FALDEF and NaFFAA also conducted a New Jersey Voter Registration Drive for the Nov. 6 elections, while the Philippine Consulate successfully registered a number of Filipinos in its Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) program.

“The newly registered voters will be able to voice their choice in the future of their land of birth,” according to FALDEF communications director Jen Furer.

“As one of the volunteers uttered, ‘one vote, one voice.’”

The next PATH for DREAMs clinic is scheduled Oct. 13 and 20 in Queens and the Bronx.

For details, please visit the FALDEF website at www.faldef.org.

Related article: GMA News

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)

In Jersey City, fewer DACA applicants did not deter volunteers

As published in FilAm, courtesy of Cristina Dc Pastor.  

Tireless DACA volunteers with lawyer Merit Salud (standing, 2nd from right)

In the heart of Jersey City, on September 22th, St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Jersey City welcomed the DREAM Act youth, the lawyers and the volunteers who vowed to assist the youngsters legalize their status via the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative of President Obama.

Within the church’s hallowed halls, the staff from the Philippine Consulate, members of the National Association of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) and lawyers and paralegals from the Filipino American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc. (FALDEF) set up tables as the DREAMers and their families began trickling in. The clinic was organized through the Catholic Action of Mary.

Outside, the sun shone brightly while the cool breeze blew; it was a perfect Fall weather. But what made this day even more remarkable was that instead of welcoming the new season riding a bike or taking a stroll in a park, 15 volunteers chose to be in a church basement, patiently waiting for people who needed assistance. The volunteers were cheerful and showed eagerness. They paid no mind to what they were missing outside. They were committed to being there for the community from morning to afternoon.

Perhaps it was the weather or maybe there were other reasons but there were fewer than expected DACA applicants that day. It mattered little. This is not a numbers game. Volunteers were clear on what to expect and they committed to be present even for one person!

Most out-of-status immigrants commented that the turnout would have been bigger if the flyers and posters stated “assistance to illegal aliens or TNTs.” A parent of three DACA-eligible teens said there’s no PATH for DREAMs program in California. What the state has, he said, was plenty of scammers/lawyers who were offering assistance for a high legal fee.

The PATH for DREAMs program is an initiative of the Consulate, NaFFAA and FALDEF to assist applicants of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. A father came with inquiries regarding his children who live in another state. He was happy to know he had access to information and free assistance for them. A father and son came all the way from another state. Both looked extremely pleased as they gathered their paperwork ready for filing. Some only came to see and get a sense of what they needed in order to apply. The consulate used the opportunity to register them to the Overseas Absentee Voter Registration. Feeling empowered, the new registrants said they would now be able to voice their choice of leaders in the land of their birth.

As the day came to a close, the volunteers and lawyers pondered how it all turned out.

“The day was made more remarkable by the presence of volunteers,” summed up Merit Salud, NaFFAA Region 1 chairperson. “The brilliance and beauty of the American social tapestry and all the communities that made up this social weave is their propensity to assist one another in times of need, regardless of ethnicity or social status. FilAms made themselves available to serve others.”

Relater articles: GMA NEWS

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

REFLECTIONS: PATH for DREAMS in Jersey City: Legal clinic, Voter Registration and Overseas Absentee Voter Registraton

In the heart of Jersey City, on September 22th, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, through the Catholic Action of Mary (CAM), opened her arms, this time, to serve her children in a political capacity.  Within her hallowed halls, the Philippine Consulate General of New York, National Association of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) and Filipino American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc. (FALDEF) gathered together to assist in Overseas Absentee Voter Registration (OAV), Voter Registration for the Nov 6 election and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The Deacon blessed the day and the people who came to serve and of course,  he prayed for their divine guidance in their work !

(Members and volunteers: Catholic Action of Mary, National Federation of Filipino American Associations, Philippine Consulate General, New York, and Filipino American Legal Defense & Education Fund, Inc.)

Outside, the sun shone brightly, intruding in every open nook and corner that kind of soft warmth every one expects from a burgeoning Indian summer. All the while, a cool breeze blew steadily, creating a lazy weekend kind of day. The weather was truly perfect for the city’s first taste of fall this year. But what rather made this day even more palpably remarkable is the fact that instead of being outside in a park riding a bike or taking a stroll in the city, 15 people chose to be in a large church basement, patiently waiting for people who needed assistance! The volunteers were cheerful and oozing with eagerness. They paid no mind to what they were missing outside. They were committed to being there for their community from 9:00am to 4:00pm that day. Among those were a group of young men who could have been playing hoops, skateboarding or playing video games. Instead they were there, in full force, ready, willing and able!

(The Filipino youth volunteers)

Perhaps it was the weather or maybe there were other reasons why those who came to be served were less than expected. It mattered little. However, this is not a numbers game. Volunteers were clear that this was a possibility but regardless of that, they would gladly come for one person. The PATH for DREAMs Program, actually, had more than one person who availed of its services. This program is the joint initiative of PCGNY, NaFFAA and FALDEF to assist applicants of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. A father came with inquiries regarding his children who live in another state. He was happy that he had access to information and free assistance for them. A father and son came all the way from another state. Both looked extremely pleased in the end as they gathered their paperwork ready for filing. Some only came to see and get a sense of what they needed in order to qualify and apply. The Consulate was able to register successfully more than a handful. Newly empowered, the newly registered voters will be able to voice their choice in the future of their land of birth. As one of the volunteers commented, “one vote, one voice.” 

As the day came to a close, one ponders how it all turned out. True, the responses could be as different as perspectives vary from one person to another. But we are all one, as they say. Collectively, it can be seen nothing but successful when those in need and vulnerable are able to find a truly secure and safe place where they find answers and assistance that could empower them to live their lives even more fully than before.

The next PATH for DREAMs clinic is scheduled on October 13 and October 20 at Queens and the Bronx. For details, please visit the FALDEF website at www.faldef.org.

by: Marie Aunio, FALDEF - Special Assistant to the President