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An Asian Journal Magazine
Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ
The November 2015 Priority Dates
The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY O c TO b E R 1 6 , 20 1 5
The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows:
EACH month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a visa, meaning immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below. If your priority date was “current,” but later retrogressed (or “moved backwards” and became unavailable) before your immigrant visa was issued (or before you adjusted status in the US), you would have to wait until it becomes current again. Beginning in October 2015, the format of the Visa Bulletin changed, in that a new column was added, called the “Application Filing Date.” If a person’s priority date is earlier than the Application Filing Date, they can already file for adjustment of status and work authorization (provided they are otherwise eligible), even though the Visa Issuance Date (which is the old “priority dates” from previous Visa Bulletins) is not yet current. This allows people to obtain work authorization much sooner than before, where they had to wait for the priority date to be current in order to both file for adjustment and be eligible for a green card. ***
FAMILY CATEGORY:
Application Filing Date
Visa Issuance Date
September 1, 2005
June 1, 2002
First Preference
Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (over 21 years of age)
Second Preference
(2A) Spouse and minor children (below March 1, 2015 21 years old) of green card holder
May 15, 2014
(2B) Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years old or older) of green card holder
May 1, 2005
November 1, 2004
Third Preference
Married sons and daughters of US Citizens.
August 1, 1995 October 8, 1993
Fourth Preference
Brothers and sisters of US Citizens.
January 1, 1993
June 15, 1992
Visa Issuance Date
LABOR CERTIFICATION: Third Preference
Professional/ Skilled Workers
Other Workers
Non-Skilled Workers
Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and reenactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty,
January 1, 2010
June 15, 2007
January 1, 2010
June 15, 2007
guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorneyclient relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
CAN A LONELY WIFE STILL PETITION HER HUSBAND EVEN IF SHE IS UNEMPLOYED? THIS QUESTION AND MORE WILL BE ANSWERED THIS SUNDAY ON “CITIZEN PINOY!” Leading US immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel replies to this question from Jovelle (left). Also, get answers to questions like: Can my mother have a second chance, after being banned from the US for 10 years for overstaying? Can my brother immigrate as “single” since he has been separated from his wife for over 25 years? Get the answers to these questions and more, on a brand new episode of the information-packed, award-winning public service program — “Citizen Pinoy,” this Sunday, October 18 at 6:15pm PST/EST (9:15pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers).
Can son’s ‘secret marriage’ affect mother’s petition for him as ‘single?’ Get the answer to this question on ‘Citizen Pinoy: Your Tanong, My Sagot’ THIS Sunday, leading US immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel continues to answer questions from Kapamilya, oneon-one and face-to-face, at his Law Offices in Glendale, California. Can my mom qualify for a “waiver” and re-enter the US after she was banned for 10 years for overstaying as a tourist?
If I petition my mother, can her 14-year-old adopted daughter be included in the petition? Can a wife petition her husband even if she’s unemployed and not able to provide financial support? Watch an all-new edition of your information-packed, awardwinning public service program
on television – Citizen Pinoy: Your Tanong, My Sagot–on Sunday, October 18 at 6:15 pm PST/EST (9:15 pm EST thru select Cable/ Satellite providers). Also, for latest immigration news and updates, please “like” and “share” our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/gurfinkellaw. (Advertising Supplement)
20 useful tips to prevent stroke AARP launches National by AlixAndrA CAole VilA Philstar.com
MANILA—There is a common misconception that patients always survive their first stroke. But according to Dr. Willie T. Ong, a cardiologist and internist, even first stroke attack can be deadly. A stroke occurs when there is a lack of oxygen supply to the brain, causing some brain cells to die. Ong, who is also a columnist for
The STAR, shares on his blog some of the best ways to prevent a stroke. 1. Keep your blood pressure below or equal to 120 over 80. High blood pressure makes your heart pump and work harder. If your blood pressure is 140 over 90 or higher, consult your doctor. 2. Keep your fasting blood sugar below 120 mg/dL (6.7 mmol/ L) if you are diabetic. However, the normal blood sugar level for nondiabetics is 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L)
and below. Diabetes is very harmful to the arteries of the brain. The longer you have diabetes, the worse the condition of your arteries is. Test your fasting blood sugar and Hemoglobin A1C to find out if you have diabetes. 3. Keep your total cholesterol levels below 200 mg/dL (5.2 mmol/L). Cholesterol plaques can get stuck on your arteries, which can restrict blood flow to the brain. Continued on Page 5
Caregiving Awareness Campaign Show kindness to 40 million caregivers during National Family Caregivers month in November WASHINGTON, DC— November is National Family Caregivers Month and AARP is launching a national campaign to bring awareness to the important role that family caregivers play
in the lives of their loved ones. AARP’s Random Acts of Kindness for Caregivers contest will begin on October 15 with the goal of encouraging people to recognize and reward caregivers – many
of whom spend 18 hours per week providing care like bathing, dressing, preparing meals, administering medications, driving to doctor visits or paying Continued on Page 4