No joyous Christmas for illegals

What does Christmas mean to Filipinos? A child’s eyes glowing upon the sight of beautifully wrapped Christmas gifts under a well-lit Christmas tree; the family gathered around the festive table for noche buena; gifts being exchanged; and laughter. In a word, Christmas is having the family together.

Christmas is not just a one-day affair for Filipinos. Preparation for the holidays starts as early as September. The Christmas season starts with the traditional celebration of simbang gabi on December 16, nine days before Christmas Day. People buy bibingka and puto bumbong. At nighttime, children would go carolling, singing Christmas songs, accompanied by music from makeshift instruments made from tin cans, bamboo, and coconut husks. Midnight of Christmas Eve on noche buena, the family gathers at the dinner table, and shares a sumptuous feast. On Christmas Day, everyone is present, from the great grandparents to the youngest child. Members of the extended family gather for the exchange of gifts, the merrymaking, and the picture taking. The season goes on until the fireworks fun and Media Noche on New Year’s Eve, and another huge family gathering on New Year’s Day.

You may ask why I am writing about Christmas in an immigration column? Because there are so many people in America who, because of their illegal status, have been denied the joy and pleasure of being able to visit the Philippines to once again experience "Philippine" Christmas. They know that if they leave the United States, they may not be able to return. Christmas is just a distant memory to these unfortunate people, who wonder if they will ever have the chance to celebrate Christmas in the Philippines.

To them, because of their illegal status, Christmas means packing a balikbayan box of clothes, toys, chocolates and other goodies for their children or loved ones back home. But they will not see their children’s expressions of joy upon opening the balikbayan box. They will not have a Noche Buena with their family. Instead, they must settle for a telephone call to their family, offering their holiday greetings.

When these parents call home, and ask their child what the child wants for Christmas, the child usually responds, "All I want is to be with you again". What was intended to be a happy episode becomes a painful interaction. For these people in the U.S., they feel very powerless and helpless to make that Christmas wish become a reality.

That is why it is truly rewarding to me whenever I am able to help a client legalize his or her status. Almost without exception, their first thoughts are that they will now be able to go home to spend Christmas with their relatives and friends after many years of absence.

As the year comes to a close, I remain committed to my goal of "Bringing Families Together" and "Helping Make the American Dream Come True". My wish for all of the people who, because of their immigration status, are denied the joy of celebrating Christmas in the Philippines, is that you be able to experience again Christmas first hand in your home country.

On behalf of my family and staff, "MALIGAYANG PASKO AT MASAGANANG BAGONG TAON SA INYONG LAHAT. MARAMING SALAMAT PO SA INYONG PATULOY NA PAGTANGKILIK ."

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