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OPINION
AND COMMENTARIES |
more..
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ERNESTO G. RAMOS
THE ROAD AHEAD
Mar 2004
The very first town hall meeting initiated by the NaFFAA Florida
Chair begun auspiciously on a cloudy Saturday afternoon, January 31,
starting at 1:00 pm at the Rapha Health Center located at 767 SR7 in
Plantation, Florida.
Dr. Enriquez, the
Center's owner and medical director, and his able assistant Jennifer
served as gracious hosts to some 40 Filipinos and Filipino Americans
who made it their business to attend our first forum verging on U.S.
immigration laws and procedures, as well as obtain updated
information on the mechanics surrounding the filing of petitions for
immigrant and non-immigrant visas.
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As Dr. Enriquez led us in
prayer, we all sensed deep relief that the presence of Almighty God
enveloped us in a manner that bespeaks of the biblical comfort: "... where
two or three are gathered together in My Name, there I am in the midst of
them." Certainly, this NaFFAA initiative is symbolic of our mission to
reach out to our kababayan who find themselves in an unfamiliar limbo
surrounding their immigration status as it impacts their lives and
livelihood. We discussed the various nuances of a rather complicated US
Immigration and Nationality Act and its current provisions and procedures.
Against the
backdrop of two immigration laws, i.e. the IIRAIRA of 1996 (Illegal
Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act) and the USA PATRIOT
ACT of 2001 (Unifying and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate
Tools Required to Inhibit and Obstruct Terrorism), Filipinos and
Filipino-Americans find themselves in a vulnerable situation, especially
when they lack an understanding of how these two laws are being
implemented via our government's vigilant stance toward protecting the
nation against potential terrorist attacks at home and abroad.
The presence of South Florida Consul General Angelo Macatangay, MD, and
Ms. Maria Barrameda, publisher of Basta Pinoy News and Joel Cruz, NaFFAA
Florida PR man was rather reassuring. Indeed, their commitment to helping
our kababayan with their many and varied questions surrounding their jobs
and loved ones symbolizes their genuine public service to uplift their
lives.
___________________
Mr. Ernesto G. Ramos is
the Senior Deputy Director and Speechwriter of U.S. Congressman
Kendrick B. Meek, 17th District, Florida. Mr. Ramos is a member of the
Congressional Leadership Council, United States Congress. Mr. Ramos was a
long-time Senior Aide of former U.S. Congresswoman and former key member
of the House Appropriations Committee Carrie Meek. Mr. Ramos is also
the Florida State Chairman of National Federation of Filipino American
Associations (NaFFAA). Mr. Ramos is a Member of the NaFFAA Southern Region
Board.
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