Getting US green card to get tougher for Pinoy immigrants

NEW JERSEY, United States—For many Filipino immigrants, applying for a US permanent residency is tough as it is.

With a recent policy change under the administration of President Donald Trump, obtaining a green card or permanent residency just got tougher for those who may be deemed a public charge or public liability.

Immigration lawyer Michael Gurfinkel said applicants for permanent visas who fail to meet income standards or applicants who received public assistance could be rejected.

"Public charge means if a person receives certain public benefits during a 12 month period within the past three years, the Trump administration also expanded the list of benefits that a person applies for or received would make them a public charge," he said.

Among the items considered as public benefit in the Department of Homeland Security's revised definition of public charge are supplemental security income, temporary assistance to needy families, food stamps from the federal SNAP program, government-run health program Medicaid and subsidized housing.

"In the past, if a person had applied for and received those benefits they would not have been considered a public charge, now they may which would disqualify them from receiving a green card, possibly," Gurfinkel added.

For some Filipinos in New Jersey, they believed this policy change is at the center of Trump's efforts to reduce family-based legal immigration, especially for applicants coming from poor countries.

"It’s difficult enough to just come into the US and to give another aspect of difficulty to that policy eh 'di kawawa naman talaga for Filipinos who come to the US," said Lorena Mcrae of Migrante International, a global alliance of Filipino workers overseas.

Jersey City council president Rolando Lavarro said elderly Filipinos, especially war veterans applying for green card, are among those likely affected by the new policy.

"Now we’re saying, if you’re too poor, you’re not welcome here... A lot of immigrants have come here to this country, including Filipinos, through the process of family reunification," he said.

"We’ve never had a litmus test around the idea whether you’re able to pay your own way. It basically allows only the richest be able to come," he added.

If not in challenged in court, this policy change will take effect October 15.

Read more on Balitang America.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Philippines seen as one of best retirement havens for Americans

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines is included in Forbes magazine's list of 20 best foreign retirement havens for Americans.

"For U.S. retirees, the principal appeal of the Philippines is a low cost of living in a tropical environment full of English speakers and outdoor beauty," Forbes said, in a feature titled "20 Best Foreign Retirement Havens For 2015".

Forbes further noted that foreign income is untaxed in the Philippines. Plus Americans can get permanent residency "on a minimal showing of retirement income."

Among the popular locations for American retirees are Tagaytay and Subic.

"Popular locations include Tagaytay, a suburb of Manila, the capital, that is elevated and therefore cooler, and Subic Bay, with an infrastructure from the old U.S. Navy base," Forbes added.

Another advantage is the number on non-stop flights between Manila and the U.S., although the average flight length is 15 hours which may be too far for most Americans.

Although there may be concerns about political stability and security in some of the countries on the list, Forbes noted that these are usually in isolated areas.

"A few countries still have areas with unrest or crime, but they’re easy to stay away from. Examples include cities in Mexico on the border with the U.S. and a far-flung province in the Philippines fighting Moslem rebels," it said.

Aside from the Philippines, two other Asian countries made it to the list, including Thailand and Malaysia.

The Forbes list of retirement havens also includes Canada, Australia, Chile, Ireland, France, Colombia and Costa Rica.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com