06 August 2013 – The first Know Your Rights seminar in 2013 featuring a legal clinic to benefit young Filipino Americans qualified for relief under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) was held last June 7 at the Kalayaan Hall Annex co-sponsored by the Consulate General in cooperation with the Filipino American Legal Defense and Education Fund (FALDEF) and National Federation of Filipino American Association Region I (NaFAA) and supported by volunteers from South Asian Bar Association of New York (SABANY) and the Pilipino American Unity for Progress (UNIPRO).

About 20 lawyers and interns of different nationalities attended or volunteered for the legal clinic which accepted both appointed and walk-in applicants who intend to submit their application to qualify for relief under DACA.  If qualified, an applicant is qualified to a work permit and stay in deportation proceeding for two years under an executive issuance by President Barack Obama in July 2012. 

Consul General Mario De Leon emphasized that “the Filipino Americans will benefit from the legal expertise of volunteer lawyers who provide their services free of charge in a safe and secure environment.  The Consulate is pleased to be part of an event that promotes a community spirit centered on inclusivity and volunteerism that directly benefits the youth.”

He added that “as a community, we must be prepared to support the continuation of the conversation on immigration reform.”

FALDEF President, Atty. JT Mallonga welcomed the participants and briefed the volunteers and interns who were responsible for the uptake and assistance rendered to DACA applicants who attended.  He emphasized the important role played by DACA and by volunteers who willingly share their time and resources to assist Filipino-Americans and other nationalities during the two-hour clinic.

The DACA clinic is a public service measure by the Consulate General in cooperation with Filipino lawyers’ organization and other Filipino community organization to provide legal and immigration relief to Filipino-Americans who are qualified under DACA, but are limited by lack of information or are intimidated by administrative or legal costs.

Last 2012, the Consulate General spearheaded efforts to conduct Know Your Rights seminars in the Consulate, Jersey City and Philadelphia.  This year, the Consulate General intends to promote DACA in areas where Filipinos reside in partnership with local Filipino communities.  The community concerned will be informed of the schedule in advance to promote the activity.  END