Christmas is a time for families to be together

For many Filipinos living in the United States, Christmas is a time to get together with family and friends, to share the joys of the season and the blessings of the past year. Christmas means having bountiful meals of Filipino food, endless reminiscing of Christmasses spent in the Philippines, and exchanging of gifts.

But for some Filipinos, who were forced to leave their children behind, as they pursue better opportunities in America, Christmas becomes a time for lonely remembrances. Without a family to share the joys of Christmas, they spend the day remembering past holiday seasons with their loved ones in the Philippines —- the daily trek to and from the church for the simbang gabi (dawn masses) amid the crisp, cool December air; the smell of bibingka and puto bumbong; the sight of shivering and giggling girls and boys; and the romance blossoming between teenage boys and girls under the moonlit sky; the nightly Christmas carolling by children; the crowded malls, with everyone hoping to get the best bargains for Christmas gifts and clothes; the traditional Christmas family reunions with the lolos, lolas, tatays, nanays, tiyos, tiyas, anaks, and apos, and, of course, the ninongs and the ninangs, enjoying a meal of lechon, pansit, dinuguan, kare-kare, and leche flan; the parols and Christmas lights adorning every home; the noche buenas; and the overwhelming festive spirit pervading the air.

As they recall these joyful Christmas celebrations, the Holiday Season becomes a especially lonely and painful time for these people. They miss their family at this time more than any other time of the year. They wish they could do more than make a brief telephone call to their family back home, with a quick "Merry Christmas" to their children and other family members.

The real reason why these people are lonely and sad during Christmas time is because they have not acted on their immigration status. Most of them are out of status. Others may be in status, but have not been able to bring their family members to the U.S. for some reason. As long as they remain out of status, or as long as their family remains in the Philippines, they will continue to celebrate lonely Christmases, year after year. They will continue to be away from their families, and their Holiday "celebration" will continue to consist of that brief telephone call back home.

These people have to finally resolve to do something about their immigration situation. For those who are out of status, they should start moving to legalize their status. And for those who are in status, but are still separated from their loved ones, they have to start the process of petitioning or bringing in their family members legally.

There are many ways to solve your immigration problems. But the first step you have to do is go to a reputable immigration attorney for consultation. The attorney could analyze your situation, and give you available options to legalize your status, or properly petition your loved ones.

My law office stands ready to assist you in legalizing your status, and in helping bring families together. It gives my office endless joy to be a part of our clients’ joyful family reunions, to see families together, especially during the Holiday Season.

Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon sa inyong lahat!!!

Michael J. Gurfinkel has been a licensed attorney in California for 21 years. He has always excelled in school: Valedictorian in High School; Cum Laude at UCLA; and Law Degree Honors and academic scholar at Loyola Law School, which is one of the top law schools in California. He is also an active member of the State Bar of California, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, and the Immigration Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. All immigration services are provided by an active member of the State Bar of California and/or by a person under the supervision of an active member of the State Bar.

His offices are located at 219 North Brand Boulevard, Glendale, California, 91203 Telephone: (818) 543-5800. His Makati office is located at Heart Tower, Unit 701, 108 Valero Street, Salcedo Village, Makati, Philippines; Telephone: 894-0258 or 894-0239. For more information about the Law Offices of Michael J. Gurfinkel, and to read previously published articles, please visit our website at www.gurfinkel.com

(This is for informational purposes only, and reflects the firm’s opinions and views on general issues. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of a particular case. No prediction, warranty or guarantee can be made about the results of any case. Should you need or want legal advice, you should consult with and retain counsel of your own choice.)