FALDEF is a national organization that provides pro bono legal services to members of the Filipino American community who are suffering legal injustices by reason of their immigrant origins and status and unable to engage legal aid and assistance on account of poverty.
FALDEF is dedicated to providing pro bono legal aid to such Filipino-American nationals who are suffering legal injustices by reason of their immigrant origins and status and unable to employ and engage legal aid and assistance on account of poverty.
FALDEF is dedicated to providing a forum for...
The Philippine Consulate General in NY Presents: “Immigration Rights:
Thursday, 10 May 2012 00:32
The Philippine Consulate General in NY Presents: “Immigration Rights: The Book Launch of Fil-Am Jen Furer, Author of ‘Out of Status,’ and A Discussion on the Legal Rights of Out of Status Individuals by FALDEF”
NEW YORK CITY (APRIL 30, 2012) – The Philippine Consulate General in New York, presents “Immigration Rights: The Book Launch of Fil-Am Jen Furer, Author of ‘Out of Status,’ and a Discussion on The Legal Rights of Out of Status Individuals By The Filipino American Legal Defense & Education Fund (FALDEF)”, Friday, May 18, 2012, The Philippine Center, Kalayaan Hall, 556 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Q&A to follow the presentation. Light refreshments: 6:00 pm; Forum: 7:00-9:00 pm. Free. Please register:
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BALITANG AMERICA TOP NEWS STORY #10: FALDEF CASE:PINOY FAMILY FIGHTS DEPORTATION
Thursday, 10 May 2012 00:57
Just when the Gulfin family thought they’d be spending Christmas in the Philippines, away from their adopted home in Tinton Falls in New Jersey, their deportation order was stayed.
The Gulfin family founded The Servants of the Lord organization at a Christian church in Eatontown, New Jersey.
Carmelo, 63 and Aurelia, 66, run a family-owned car repair shop in Tinton Falls, New Jersey. Their son, Miguel, finished an automotive technology program in college to join his father’s business.
The Gulfins came to U.S. on a tourist visa in 1991 but the Gulfins lost their legal status after their asylum bid and a fifth preference petition overlapped and jeopardized their applications to become legal U.S. residents.
The Gulfins received a final deportation order and were scheduled to voluntarily leave the United States on September 30. Immigration officials later granted the family a temporary reprieve from deportation.
Several Filipino-Americans often ask where to get legal services that do not cost much.
Well, try to get in touch with FALDEP, which means Filipino- American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc.
Contact its office especially if you are a Filipino as it protects the rights of every Filipino, Filipino-American, and even other minorities.
Yes, it is pro bono legal services to Filipinos and members of the Filipino-American community who are victims of injustices. It is a non-profit organization (501 c 3) that is supported primarily with contributions by kind-hearted individuals.
FALDEF is assisting people with immigration problems (detention and deportation defense). It helps those accused of human and labor trafficking, violence against women, and educates voters about their rights. It conducts free legal clinics, informs people of their rights in connection with key issues, and implements other community outreach programs.
The Gulfin family of Tinton Falls, N.J. will not board the flight that will send them back to the Philippines on Sept. 30, as the Filipino American Legal Defense and Education Fund (FALDEF) asked U.S. immigration to hold in abeyance the deportation until it decides the fate of the Filipino family in light of a new federal policy ordering authorities to exercise “prosecutorial discretion” on removal proceedings and suspend deportations of those who pose no threat to national security or public safety.
“We’re not defying the U.S. immigration,” declares the Gulfins’ counsel J.T. Mallonga, who heads FALDEF.
“We’re simply requesting authorities to provide us answer on our request for deferred action status on the basis of the memo of (Immigration and Customs Enforcement chief) John Morton, and endorsed by President Barack Obama.”
Mallonga said the Gulfins — Carmelo and Aurelia and their son Miguel Rodrigo — will report at JFK International Airport for their scheduled departure on Sept. 30.
The Gulfins have purchased their tickets early August upon their immigration officer’s order.
But the three deportees won’t board the plane and will stay behind with supporters from Couples for Christ, and officials of FALDEF and the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), said Mallonga, whose FALDEF is coordinating with the New York Immigration Coalition.
“We will present the Gulfins at the airport on the 30th but we will protest their departure,” Mallonga said, adding that the U.S. immigration will be notified this week about the plan.
“We will request to hold the departure of the Gulfins until there is a decision on application for deferred action status.”
Mallonga said the Gulfins may be arrested for not leaving, but they cannot be forced to board the plane.
“However, they can be arrested and detained until they (authorities) change their minds,” he said.
“The Gulfins, and all of us, are willing to take the risk.”
Jose Antonio Vargas, the acclaimed multi-media journalist, has retained the Filipino American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc.(FALDEF) to help him in his advocacy of the DREAM Act as well as to render legal assistance on his quest and that of thousands of fellow DREAMers to pursue the American Dream.
In the June 22 article posted on the New York Times entitled My Life as an Undocumented Immigrant, Vargas tells his story which is representative of all DREAMers. They came to the US at a tender age, went to high school and college, got gainfully employed but for the unfortunate incident of not having the right immigration papers, find themselves unable to fully integrate into American society.
“Jose Antonio Vargas’ story and thousands of young people like him has gone beyond legal, it has now become a moral issue,” comments J.T. Mallonga, founder of FALDEF.
New York lawyer Merit Salud put it bluntly at a meeting of FilAm community leaders in Tampa, Florida: “We can no longer ignore what is happening in the Philippines. If we get involved in US politics but not in the choice of leaders back there, we will not be doing our duty.
