“USAPANG IMMIGRATION: Talakayan at Immigration Clinic” at Seasons Marketplace Milpitas was a success!

MILPITAS, CA – A panel of Fil-Am experts on immigration and community advocacy discussed the latest updates on immigration at Seasons Marketplace last July 19^th.  “Usapang Immigration”, a program that was launched in February 2015 under the Global Filipino Network (GFN)’s community development track, focuses on reaching out to the Filipino Community and educate them about the latest immigration-related issues and policies.  The event is organized in collaboration with other GFN partner organizations.

Our guest speakers were Atty. Lou Tancinco (Principal at Tancinco Law Offices), Mr. Robert Yabes (Program Director, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County) and Atty. Garry Barbadillo (Attorney at Law and Member of Milpitas City Council).  Atty. Johnson Lazaro (Vice-President and General Counsel of Global Filipino Network) was the event moderator.

The program started with opening remarks from Consul Reggie Bernabe (San Francisco Philippine Consulate Office), Arnold Pedrigal (GFN President and Founder) and Mayor Jose Esteves (Milpitas Mayor). Among the topics discussed by the panelists include President Obama’s executive action, the future of immigration and how it affects the community. The event drew a large crowd and the guest speakers were able to give light to our fellow Pinoys.  “It looks like most of our panelists and I concur that the best action by our ‘kababayans’ now is to stand united and support each other as we wait for the immigration reform to clear the courts. And if or when the Obama executive actions become law we can move forward and rebuild and thrive as a community,” said Atty. Johnson Lazaro.

GFN President and Founder, Arnold Pedrigal said, “The great turn-out today shows that there is indeed a need for these kinds of events which aim at educating Filipinos in immigration issues and policies. I am glad the Global Filipino Network is able to help our fellow ‘kababayans’ through these events that we regularly organize.”

The panel discussion was followed by an immigration clinic where attendees received free advice from the panelists pertaining to their own immigration issues. The July forum is co-organized by GFN and Tancinco Law Offices with support from other participating groups which include the SF Philippine Consulate, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County and the City of Milpitas. The venue is sponsored by Seafood City Supermarket-Milpitas.

The date for this month’s event was chosen to coincide with the “Consulate-on-Wheels” which was also held at Season’s Marketplace. COW is a regular outreach program organized by the SF Philippine Consulate general in partnership with Seafood City to bring the various consular services closer to the community.

Atty. Lou Tancinco (Principal at Tancinco Law Offices) answers questions from the crowd.

Mr. Robert Yabes (Program Director, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County) sharing his knowledge and expertise to the crowd.

Atty. Garry Barbadillo (Attorney at Law and Member of Milpitas City Council) during the Q&A portion.

Mayor Jose Esteves (Milpitas Mayor) giving his closing remarks.

(L-R) Guest speakers Atty. Lou Tancinco (Principal at Tancinco Law Offices), Mr. Robert Yabes (Program Director, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County), Atty. Garry Barbadillo (Attorney at Law and Member of Milpitas City Council), event moderator Atty. Johnson Lazaro (Vice-President and General Counsel of Global Filipino Network) and guest of honor, Mayor Jose Esteves (Milpitas Mayor).

(L-R) The GFN Team: Eleanore Fernandez, Katrina Soledad, Ferdie Perez, Chris Alberto, Greg Gonzales, Arnold Pedrigal and Atty. Johnson Lazaro.