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Graphic novel for young readers features FilAm history from the 1700s to today
The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) and Third State Books have released Fighting to Belong! Volume III, the final installment of a three-part graphic novel series that brings to life the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) history that is largely absent from textbooks and classrooms. Written by bestselling comics writer Amy Chu (Wonder Woman, Deadpool) […]
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BEYOND THE VISA No more RFE: A slight error on your application or a mail delay can trigger outright denial
By Licelle Cobrador Although issued last August, the USCIS “Denial Without RFE” policy is now profoundly impacting immigration practitioners and applicants alike. The Denial Without RFE policy gives USCIS officers the wide discretion to deny applications outright rather than issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) if the initial submission lacks sufficient evidence. Here […]
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Raul Raagas is granted bond; judge cites 30 years of paying taxes as a factor
Raul Raagas, 62, a longtime Jersey City resident who has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since July 24 was granted bond on September 30, 2026. This was according to a statement issued by Jersey City Councilman-at-Large Rolando Lavarro Jr. and New York State Assemblymember Steven Raga. The two officials released the […]
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Raul Raagas now in Mississippi, as families of detained Filipinos condemn PHL government’s alleged inaction
By Cristina DC Pastor Detained Jersey City man Raul Raagas has been transferred to the County Detention Center in Mississippi on August 22, 2026 the Philippine Consulate in New York told The FilAm. “He is now being handled by our consulate in Houston,” said Rovald Valdez, consular officer of the consulate’s Assistance to Nationals (ATN) […]
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BEYOND THE VISA New DHS guidelines for international students, journalists: maximum stay capped at 4 years
Starting September 15, 2026, the era of open-ended timelines for international students, exchange visitors, and journalists will be officially over. F-1 Under the new Department of Homeland Security guidelines, F-1 students will be admitted for their specific program period up to a strict maximum of four (4) years. If a student is on optional practical […]
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Attorney Maybelle Francisco: A compassionate approach to immigration
By Cristina DC Pastor For immigration lawyer Maybelle Ocampo Francisco, every case tells a human story. It could be a family longing to reunite, a professional pursuing a career, an entrepreneur chasing opportunity, or an immigrant hoping for security in a new country. It is with this understanding that she formed her own law practice […]
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Community leaders, elected officials call for release of Raul Raagas detained by ICE in N.J.
Community organizations, labor advocates, and elected officials are calling for the immediate release of Filipino immigrant Raul Raagas, a 63-year-old Jersey City resident who is being held at the Elizabeth Detention Center after his arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Raagas was detained on July 24 after he was stopped while driving to […]
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BEYOND THE VISA Stricter public charge rules effective September; be sure to get your I-485 ready
By Licelle Cobrador On July 20, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) repealed the Biden Administration public charge rule, effective September 18, 2026. This will allow the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) to deny green cards to anyone deemed likely to rely on government assistance, such as SNAP or food stamps, […]
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Beyond the Visa: Judge blocks H-1B filing fee of $100,000; gov’t to appeal
By Licelle Cobrador In September 2025, President Trump issued Proclamation 10973 introducing a $100,000 supplemental fee for new, first-time H-1B visa petitions filed from abroad. That proclamation was in effect for several months although on June 8, 2025, a federal judge vacated the order and nullified the $100,000 fee. Judge Leo Sorokin said President Trump […]