^
+ Follow HEART TOWER Tag
Array
(
    [results] => Array
        (
            [0] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 308948
                    [Title] => Thanksgiving message
                    [Summary] => During Thanksgiving, we all realize how grateful we should be, especially to those who are especially important in our lives. 


First, I express my sincerest thanks to God Almighty, who has always inspired me to do my job to the best of my ability, and maintain my passion for the law and put it to the best use for my clients.

To my clients and the entire Filipino community.
– Thank you for your trust and confidence in me and my firm. I know how important your immigration matter is to your life and family, and I will never betray your trust in me. [DatePublished] => 2005-11-27 00:00:00 [ColumnID] => 134402 [Focus] => 0 [AuthorID] => 1805111 [AuthorName] => Michael J. Gurfinkel [SectionName] => Opinion [SectionUrl] => opinion [URL] => ) [1] => Array ( [ArticleID] => 264457 [Title] => Beware of adoption fraud [Summary] => Dear Attorney Gurfinkel:

My husband and I are US citizens, and have been trying to have a child for several years now. My unmarried niece in the Philippines is pregnant, and is about to give birth. She is very poor and could not afford to raise the child. I know that I will be able to provide a good life for her child. I was thinking of flying to the Philippines when the child is about to be born, and have the child’s birth certificate registered, showing me as the natural mother.
[DatePublished] => 2004-09-12 00:00:00 [ColumnID] => 134402 [Focus] => 0 [AuthorID] => 1805111 [AuthorName] => Michael J. Gurfinkel [SectionName] => Opinion [SectionUrl] => opinion [URL] => ) [2] => Array ( [ArticleID] => 245740 [Title] => ‘Your secrets are safe with an attorney’ [Summary] => There are a lot of rumors and misinformation going around that attorneys turn their clients in to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Sometimes my office receives telephone calls from people who desperately want to seek legal advice, but are afraid to make appointments. They are worried because they heard that attorneys report clients to the USCIS.

By law, an attorney is required to keep his communications with a client confidential and secret, even if it is only for a legal consultation, and whether or not the attorney is ultimately retained.
[DatePublished] => 2004-04-11 00:00:00 [ColumnID] => 134402 [Focus] => 0 [AuthorID] => 1805111 [AuthorName] => Michael J. Gurfinkel [SectionName] => Opinion [SectionUrl] => opinion [URL] => ) [3] => Array ( [ArticleID] => 245164 [Title] => Can relatives petition family members for labor certification? [Summary] => Dear Atty Gurfinkel:

My American Citizen sister would like to petition me, but it would take many, many years to get a green card through a family petition. She also has a very successful business and would like to petition me as her employee through an employment based petition.

Is there anything wrong or illegal for a relative to petition a family member for a green card through labor certification?

Very truly yours,

SF


Dear SF:

[DatePublished] => 2004-04-04 00:00:00 [ColumnID] => 134402 [Focus] => 0 [AuthorID] => 1805111 [AuthorName] => Michael J. Gurfinkel [SectionName] => Opinion [SectionUrl] => opinion [URL] => ) [4] => Array ( [ArticleID] => 241631 [Title] => How to avoid problems with your case [Summary] =>
(Part 2)
In a previous article, I discussed some items which could be viewed by the Embassy or USCIS as being suspicious, trigger delays, and could possibly result in investigation or administrative review. Here are more items which could help you avoid problems and pitfalls:

4. Late-registered birth certificates
[DatePublished] => 2004-03-07 00:00:00 [ColumnID] => 134402 [Focus] => 0 [AuthorID] => 1805111 [AuthorName] => Michael J. Gurfinkel [SectionName] => Opinion [SectionUrl] => opinion [URL] => ) [5] => Array ( [ArticleID] => 240751 [Title] => How to avoid problems with your case (Part 1) [Summary] => There are some situations which usually raise the Embassy or USCIS’ suspicions about a person’s eligibility for a visa, and could possibly trigger an investigation, causing weeks, months, or even several years, of delay. This article discusses some of the more common situations, which could help you avoid problems with your case.

1. Is your petitioner still alive?

[DatePublished] => 2004-02-29 00:00:00 [ColumnID] => 134402 [Focus] => 0 [AuthorID] => 1805111 [AuthorName] => Michael J. Gurfinkel [SectionName] => Opinion [SectionUrl] => opinion [URL] => ) [6] => Array ( [ArticleID] => 238969 [Title] => DHS withdraws‘zero tolerance’ memo [Summary] => After experiencing several years of "very strict" immigration policies and enforcement, people who are seeking immigration benefits can now hopefully look forward to a "more compassionate" United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). On September 8, 2003, CIS Deputy Director Michael Petrucelli announced the withdrawal of the controversial "zero tolerance memo", that was issued on March 22, 2002 by then INS Commissioner James W. Ziglar.
[DatePublished] => 2004-02-15 00:00:00 [ColumnID] => 134402 [Focus] => 0 [AuthorID] => 1805111 [AuthorName] => Michael J. Gurfinkel [SectionName] => Opinion [SectionUrl] => opinion [URL] => ) [7] => Array ( [ArticleID] => 236354 [Title] => Danger of traveling on advance parole [Summary] => Many Filipinos who are illegal in the U.S. dream of visiting friends and relatives in the Philippines. They heard that if they have an adjustment of status application pending, they could apply for advance parole, which is "permission" by the government to leave the U.S. and return within a certain time period. They mistakenly believe that advance parole "guarantees" that they can return to the U.S. after their trip abroad.
[DatePublished] => 2004-01-25 00:00:00 [ColumnID] => 134402 [Focus] => 0 [AuthorID] => 1805111 [AuthorName] => Michael J. Gurfinkel [SectionName] => Opinion [SectionUrl] => opinion [URL] => ) [8] => Array ( [ArticleID] => 235520 [Title] => IRS imposing new restrictions on ITIN’s [Summary] => The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued new regulations that would make it harder for people to obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and will restrict its use to tax filing and reporting purposes only.
[DatePublished] => 2004-01-18 00:00:00 [ColumnID] => 134402 [Focus] => 0 [AuthorID] => 1805111 [AuthorName] => Michael J. Gurfinkel [SectionName] => Opinion [SectionUrl] => opinion [URL] => ) [9] => Array ( [ArticleID] => 194707 [Title] => New scam: Greencards for caregivers in three months [Summary] => Dear Atty. Gurfinkel:

I am a nurse in the Philippines and would like to immigrate to America. I saw a newspaper ad claiming that greencards were available for caregivers in only a few months. I called and I was told that I needed to enroll in their company’s "caregiver school", after which I would be given a certificate, confirming that I am a qualified caregiver. The person also said they have an office in the US which would petition me, with an assurance that my visa will be issued in only three to four months. Is that possible?
[DatePublished] => 2003-02-09 00:00:00 [ColumnID] => 134402 [Focus] => 0 [AuthorID] => 1805111 [AuthorName] => Michael J. Gurfinkel [SectionName] => Opinion [SectionUrl] => opinion [URL] => ) ) )
HEART TOWER
Array
(
    [results] => Array
        (
            [0] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 308948
                    [Title] => Thanksgiving message
                    [Summary] => During Thanksgiving, we all realize how grateful we should be, especially to those who are especially important in our lives. 


First, I express my sincerest thanks to God Almighty, who has always inspired me to do my job to the best of my ability, and maintain my passion for the law and put it to the best use for my clients.

To my clients and the entire Filipino community.
– Thank you for your trust and confidence in me and my firm. I know how important your immigration matter is to your life and family, and I will never betray your trust in me. [DatePublished] => 2005-11-27 00:00:00 [ColumnID] => 134402 [Focus] => 0 [AuthorID] => 1805111 [AuthorName] => Michael J. Gurfinkel [SectionName] => Opinion [SectionUrl] => opinion [URL] => ) [1] => Array ( [ArticleID] => 264457 [Title] => Beware of adoption fraud [Summary] => Dear Attorney Gurfinkel:

My husband and I are US citizens, and have been trying to have a child for several years now. My unmarried niece in the Philippines is pregnant, and is about to give birth. She is very poor and could not afford to raise the child. I know that I will be able to provide a good life for her child. I was thinking of flying to the Philippines when the child is about to be born, and have the child’s birth certificate registered, showing me as the natural mother.
[DatePublished] => 2004-09-12 00:00:00 [ColumnID] => 134402 [Focus] => 0 [AuthorID] => 1805111 [AuthorName] => Michael J. Gurfinkel [SectionName] => Opinion [SectionUrl] => opinion [URL] => ) [2] => Array ( [ArticleID] => 245740 [Title] => ‘Your secrets are safe with an attorney’ [Summary] => There are a lot of rumors and misinformation going around that attorneys turn their clients in to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Sometimes my office receives telephone calls from people who desperately want to seek legal advice, but are afraid to make appointments. They are worried because they heard that attorneys report clients to the USCIS.

By law, an attorney is required to keep his communications with a client confidential and secret, even if it is only for a legal consultation, and whether or not the attorney is ultimately retained.
[DatePublished] => 2004-04-11 00:00:00 [ColumnID] => 134402 [Focus] => 0 [AuthorID] => 1805111 [AuthorName] => Michael J. Gurfinkel [SectionName] => Opinion [SectionUrl] => opinion [URL] => ) [3] => Array ( [ArticleID] => 245164 [Title] => Can relatives petition family members for labor certification? [Summary] => Dear Atty Gurfinkel:

My American Citizen sister would like to petition me, but it would take many, many years to get a green card through a family petition. She also has a very successful business and would like to petition me as her employee through an employment based petition.

Is there anything wrong or illegal for a relative to petition a family member for a green card through labor certification?

Very truly yours,

SF


Dear SF:

[DatePublished] => 2004-04-04 00:00:00 [ColumnID] => 134402 [Focus] => 0 [AuthorID] => 1805111 [AuthorName] => Michael J. Gurfinkel [SectionName] => Opinion [SectionUrl] => opinion [URL] => ) [4] => Array ( [ArticleID] => 241631 [Title] => How to avoid problems with your case [Summary] =>
(Part 2)
In a previous article, I discussed some items which could be viewed by the Embassy or USCIS as being suspicious, trigger delays, and could possibly result in investigation or administrative review. Here are more items which could help you avoid problems and pitfalls:

4. Late-registered birth certificates
[DatePublished] => 2004-03-07 00:00:00 [ColumnID] => 134402 [Focus] => 0 [AuthorID] => 1805111 [AuthorName] => Michael J. Gurfinkel [SectionName] => Opinion [SectionUrl] => opinion [URL] => ) [5] => Array ( [ArticleID] => 240751 [Title] => How to avoid problems with your case (Part 1) [Summary] => There are some situations which usually raise the Embassy or USCIS’ suspicions about a person’s eligibility for a visa, and could possibly trigger an investigation, causing weeks, months, or even several years, of delay. This article discusses some of the more common situations, which could help you avoid problems with your case.

1. Is your petitioner still alive?

[DatePublished] => 2004-02-29 00:00:00 [ColumnID] => 134402 [Focus] => 0 [AuthorID] => 1805111 [AuthorName] => Michael J. Gurfinkel [SectionName] => Opinion [SectionUrl] => opinion [URL] => ) [6] => Array ( [ArticleID] => 238969 [Title] => DHS withdraws‘zero tolerance’ memo [Summary] => After experiencing several years of "very strict" immigration policies and enforcement, people who are seeking immigration benefits can now hopefully look forward to a "more compassionate" United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). On September 8, 2003, CIS Deputy Director Michael Petrucelli announced the withdrawal of the controversial "zero tolerance memo", that was issued on March 22, 2002 by then INS Commissioner James W. Ziglar.
[DatePublished] => 2004-02-15 00:00:00 [ColumnID] => 134402 [Focus] => 0 [AuthorID] => 1805111 [AuthorName] => Michael J. Gurfinkel [SectionName] => Opinion [SectionUrl] => opinion [URL] => ) [7] => Array ( [ArticleID] => 236354 [Title] => Danger of traveling on advance parole [Summary] => Many Filipinos who are illegal in the U.S. dream of visiting friends and relatives in the Philippines. They heard that if they have an adjustment of status application pending, they could apply for advance parole, which is "permission" by the government to leave the U.S. and return within a certain time period. They mistakenly believe that advance parole "guarantees" that they can return to the U.S. after their trip abroad.
[DatePublished] => 2004-01-25 00:00:00 [ColumnID] => 134402 [Focus] => 0 [AuthorID] => 1805111 [AuthorName] => Michael J. Gurfinkel [SectionName] => Opinion [SectionUrl] => opinion [URL] => ) [8] => Array ( [ArticleID] => 235520 [Title] => IRS imposing new restrictions on ITIN’s [Summary] => The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued new regulations that would make it harder for people to obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and will restrict its use to tax filing and reporting purposes only.
[DatePublished] => 2004-01-18 00:00:00 [ColumnID] => 134402 [Focus] => 0 [AuthorID] => 1805111 [AuthorName] => Michael J. Gurfinkel [SectionName] => Opinion [SectionUrl] => opinion [URL] => ) [9] => Array ( [ArticleID] => 194707 [Title] => New scam: Greencards for caregivers in three months [Summary] => Dear Atty. Gurfinkel:

I am a nurse in the Philippines and would like to immigrate to America. I saw a newspaper ad claiming that greencards were available for caregivers in only a few months. I called and I was told that I needed to enroll in their company’s "caregiver school", after which I would be given a certificate, confirming that I am a qualified caregiver. The person also said they have an office in the US which would petition me, with an assurance that my visa will be issued in only three to four months. Is that possible?
[DatePublished] => 2003-02-09 00:00:00 [ColumnID] => 134402 [Focus] => 0 [AuthorID] => 1805111 [AuthorName] => Michael J. Gurfinkel [SectionName] => Opinion [SectionUrl] => opinion [URL] => ) ) )
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