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A strange encounter at a fundraising gala
By Cristina DC Pastor My Friend, who shall not be named because of an ongoing federal investigation, called early morning today. He does not usually call at 7 a.m. unless it’s an urgent matter or I phone him and I am expecting a callback. Friend met a couple of a people at the recent Pan […]
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MOIA: ‘No confirmed reports of immigration raids in NYC’
As of January 5, 2016, 121 individuals have been arrested by immigration officials nationwide so far. These raids mostly took place in Georgia, Texas, and North Carolina. There have been no confirmed reports of immigration raids in New York City, according to the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA). “The City of New York […]
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New PAFCOM President Ledy Almadin reaches out to youth, emphasizes inclusivity
By Cristina DC Pastor Beginning January 1, the Philippine American Friendship Committee will welcome its new president: accounting professional, long-time pillar of the community, and mother of two teen daughters Ledy Almadin. Ledy, 47, becomes the 26th president of the Jersey City-based PAFCOM, an organization that seeks to unite Filipinos in the Garden State to […]
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Josie Natori lends support against domestic violence, human trafficking
By Maribelle Biscocho-Omar The New York Asian Women’s Center celebrated 33 years of unifying and empowering women in combating domestic violence. The organization presented the Phoenix Awards to fashion designer and CEO Josie Natori of The Natori Company at a gala event on October 6. “Asian women really end up getting the short end of […]
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For TCK Generation, ‘Where is home’ is a dreaded, ambiguous question
By Maribelle Biscocho-Omar Identity is a concept that sounds simple enough, usually defined by name, ethnicity, hometown, or sexuality. When it comes to cultural identity, a certain ambiguity emerges. One is never just from his or her birth country. A strong sense of belonging, especially for the youth, becomes just as important. There is a […]
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First Filipina worker-owned cleaning cooperative launched
More than two years after Rina Hernandez was rescued from human trafficking from a Middle Eastern family, life has quieted down a little bit for this former school teacher. She now lives in Queens secure in her resolved immigration status and has worked job to job to get by. Some days are hard because her […]
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Filipino veterans to be reunited with families; how to apply for a parole visa
By Attorney Rio Guerrero My father was just a little boy growing up in Bataan during World War II. He believed his life and that of his brothers were spared by the Japanese only because they were too small to be viewed as threats to the soldiers. Eventually, brave Filipino and American soldiers fought side-by-side […]
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Labor leader Maria Castaneda, 2 others honored in immigration gala
About 300 individuals representing community organizations, labor groups, faith organizations, businesses, and government gathered on June 2 to celebrate the accomplishments of the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) at its 2015 Gala. The annual gala held at the Capitale on the Lower East Side, honored organizations and key leaders who have contributed tremendously to improving […]
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Jersey City Council passes resolution allowing driver’s licenses for undocumented residents
The Jersey City Council on May 28 approved a resolution allowing the Motor Vehicle Commission to issue driver’s licenses to undocumented residents. The resolution, urging the state government to enact supporting legislation, was approved unanimously. The vote makes Jersey City the eighth city in New Jersey to pass this type of resolution, following Camden, Elizabeth, […]