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FILAMSPEAK: Thumbs up for Green Light Law
The politically controversial Green Light Law went into effect in New York State on December 16. The legislation paves the way for undocumented immigrants to acquire driver’s licenses. Reports say the law is expected to benefit more than 700,000 immigrants in the state with no legal status. Filipino Americans on both sides of the […]
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Proposed public charge rule change may not apply to many people: research
By Mark Hedin Federal courts have temporarily blocked the public charge rule change from going into effect, but its chilling effects continue to reverberate. The number of immigrants who, fearing the consequences of the rule change, have taken or plan to take steps to drop out of public services for which they are eligible far exceeds the actual number who would […]
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First online Census raises questions about privacy
The U.S. government is set to launch the 2020 online Census, but questions about privacy and confidentiality of information are raised. Census officials answer some of the Frequently Asked Questions. Q: Do you mean that this Census will be digital and we will have to put our information online? A: The census will be […]
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When deportation becomes cruel
By Attorney Johnson Lazaro Desperation can force people to make difficult decisions. There are few situations more desperate than poverty and abuse. This is exactly the scenario in which Eddie spent the first nine years of his life living in the Philippines with his mother and his abusive father. When Eddie’s mother fled her homeland, […]
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Helen Castillo: Shaking things up as PAFCOM president
By Cristina DC Pastor For the coming year, PAFCOM will have a different spectacle for U.S.-Philippine friendship day. There will be no single grand marshal. What incoming President Helen Castillo would like to happen is for all past grand marshals to headline the parade as the Philippine American Friendship Community, Inc. marks its 30th anniversary. […]
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Albany hospital violates anti-trafficking law in hiring of Filipino RNs: union
The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) filed a lawsuit on October 15 against Albany Medical Center (AMC) alleging violations of the human trafficking law in the hiring of Filipino nurses. The federal complaint cites the Philippine Recruitment Program that AMC began in 2002. In the last 17 years, AMC has recruited almost 600 nurses […]
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‘Talambuhay’ exhibit celebrates Linggo ng Samahan
From September 28th to October 5, an art exhibit and discussion exploring issues, such as immigration and displacement, were presented in celebration of Linggo Ng Samahan (Week of Community). The activities were organized by Anakbayan New York (ABNY) and the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) and held at the Living Artist Gallery Space in […]
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The spirituality of lawyering
By Johnson Lazaro Just this week I got a call from a woman whose dad just died from a car accident, a family man whose house was foreclosed, an undocumented worker caught by immigration agents and detained, and another individual nabbed for embezzlement and whose mother was sobbing in my office. These are brand new […]
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On Global Filipinos: Dreamer facing deportation finds solace in country music
By Loida Nicolas Lewis Fifteen years ago, Diane Paragas had the dream of filming the story of a 17-year-old Filipina who grew up in Texas. She loves country music like any Texan teenager does, but because she is an illegal migrant, she encounters all the problems that come with her status especially when her mother […]