IMMIGRATION CORNER
By Michael J. Gurfinkel, Esq.

FILIPINOS suffer, yet they endure. They face the unknown with prayer, and willingly sacrifice for the hope of a brighter future. Never did I see this strength of character more evident than when it comes to Filipinos seeking “greener pastures” in America.

For many Filipinos, their story of coming to America is like this: Years ago, you decided that it was time to “plan” for your family’s future, and a better life for your children. You believed that America was the answer to your dreams.

So, you decided to go to America, leaving behind your spouse and children, determined that “some day” you would all be together again in America.
Upon arriving in the U.S., your first priority was to find work, so you could remit money to your family. Your kids need good schools and enough for food and clothing. But how could you work legally?

You started seeking advice from well-meaning friends and relatives, as well as from unscrupulous immigration consultants: “Apply for asylum and get a work permit”; “Apply for CSS/LULAC,” were some of the advice you received. Or, you were simply told to sign a blank form, pay thousands of dollars, and the person promised that with “inside connections” he would take care of everything.

You didn’t know better, and didn’t quite understand what it was you were applying for. But if it meant a work permit, to enable you to send money back to your family, you thought it was worth it.

Then the weeks of separation turned into months, and the months turned into years. You worked two or three jobs at a time, sometimes working six to seven days a week, with no time for yourself.

The only “vacation” you had was when you used your phone card to call your children back home. The sound of their small voices was the only joy in your life. But, it was hard being a long-distance parent, trying to raise your children by telephone. All you could do was listen over the phone about how they were doing in school, growing up, etc., but you could not be a part of their lives in person. You were stuck in the U.S., and could not even take a vacation to see them, out of fear you could not return to the U.S.

Although you felt all alone, you never gave up hope. The sacrifices you were making would all be worth it when, some day, you and your family would all be “legal” in America. This is what keeps so many Filipinos going: A brighter future for their family.

Other Filipinos were more fortunate, and were able to have their family with them in America. While their children were young, they were able to hide from their kids their illegal status. But now the kids want to get their drivers’ licenses. They want to go to college.

However, you could not reveal the truth that although you had lived in the U.S. for so many years, you had done nothing about legalizing your status. So, your children’s future college education is in doubt, and you say to yourself: “But wasn’t this the whole reason I came to America? Wasn’t it so that my kids could receive a better education?” But your illegal status is like a roadblock to your American Dream.

Legal status does not happen by itself. It also does not happen through “hocus-pocus,” quick-fixes or shortcuts. The only way to legalize your status is to do it legally.

With legal status, you could be reunited with your family, work in a well-paying job that is equal to your education or experience, send your kids to college, enable your kids to get drivers’ licenses, be able to travel to the Philippines and return safely to the U.S.

Most importantly, you live without the fear of having to look over your shoulder or get nervous when there is an early morning or late night knock at the door or phone call, thinking that it may be the government coming after you, because some “balimbing” reported you.

That is why I strongly advise people who have endured and sacrificed so much, to seek the advice of a reputable attorney, who can analyze your situation, and perhaps offer the best options or solutions to your problems, so that your “American Dream,” could hopefully become a “reality.”