REDWOOD CITY, CA - Ferdie and his wife Racquel, together with their daughter, arrived in the US in 1991. Ferdie returned to the Philippines to attend to their small business, but kept making return trips as a tourist to spend time with his family. The first few years proved to be easy, despite the difficulty of being separated, since they got to spend time together when Ferdie came to visit. However, in 1994, Ferdie was stopped at the airport by INS and was not allowed to enter the US. He never understood why, and was simply put on the next flight back to the Philippines. This was the start of the family’s trying moments. No one could explain the reason why Ferdie could not enter. And he was mystified, as he had never done anything illegal.
Eventually, Racquel got her green card in the US, and Ferdie ultimately went to the US Embassy for his immigrant visa through Racquel’s petition. At his interview, he was told that he was banned for life because he was guilty of alien (human) smuggling. But no one could explain who Ferdie had smuggled, and Ferdie knew he had never done anything wrong, especially alien smuggling.
His wife Racquel hired the services of a lawyer who immediately filed a lawsuit against the Embassy and State Department. Racquel paid a huge amount, only to find out that the case was immediately dismissed by the judge, since one cannot sue the US Embassy. The family almost lost all hope. It seemed that the only way for the family to be reunited was for Racquel and daughter to return to the Philippines. They were really desperate, until a friend, a former client of Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel, urged Racquel to try the services of the Law Offices of Michael Gurfinkel. The “Attorney-of-last-hope” Michael J. Gurfinkel did a thorough investigation, research, and evaluation of the case, proving that Ferdie had never smuggled anyone, and convinced the Embassy to lift the lifetime ban. Finally, after 17 long years of separation, Ferdie was issued his visa and the family is now reunited in the US. For Racquel, it feels like she just won the lottery, to be with her husband again.
This Sunday, watch another success story when leading US immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel brings you a brand-new episode of Citizen Pinoy. Atty. Gurfinkel will also answer viewers’ immigration questions on everyone’s favorite segment: Your Tanong, My Sagot. Don’t miss this brand-new episode on an all-new Citizen Pinoy this Sunday at 5:45pm (PST) with a replay the next Sunday, at 12:10am (PST) on TFC.
Citizen Pinoy is made possible with the generous support of sponsors who are also dedicated to giving back to the Filipino community: Asian Journal—with circulation in Northern and Southern California, Nevada, and in the East Coast; and Arko Foods, the oldest existing Filipino-owned business in Southern California. Citizen Pinoy is also supported by ABS-CBN Global’s key product offerings: Star Kargo, Starry Starry Store, and Sarimanok One.
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