"Paano Kung Wala Ka Na?"-What Happens to a Petition if the Petitioner Dies? and a Behind the Scenes Tour of Immigration Detention Centers

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A PETITIONER DIES? : Victor Gallardo (left) recounts to Citizen Pinoy hosts Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel and Odette Alcazaren-Keeley the hardship he had to go through when his father\petitioner died, and how he was still able to get his green card through "Humanitarian Revalidation", a form of immigration relief for people whose petitioner had died. Watch it on Citizen Pinoy this Sunday, June 12 at 5:00 pm (PST) on TFC.

It is a fact that hundreds, if not thousands, of Filipinos are waiting for their petitions to come through, or for their priority date to be "current."   But what happens when the unexpected happens?   Picture this:   if your petitioner dies, then, by law, the petition "dies" too.   And this is definitely an immigration nightmare - especially for Filipino families who have waited and sacrificed for so long and endured the pain of many years of separation... all for naught?

This Sunday, June 12, CITIZEN PINOY features the true-life story of Victor Gallardo, who had to face the bitter tragedy of the passing away of his father (and petitioner) just as Victor's priority date was current, and his visa was available.

Gallardo recounts the many hardships he had to face in order to pursue all possibilities of "reviving" his petition.   When all seemed lost, Gallardo learned about HUMANITARIAN REVALIDATION, and he was able to get his green card, even though the petitioner had died.  

Tune in to Citizen Pinoy and see for yourself the circumstances under which humanitarian revalidation is available.   Who may avail of it? What are the requirements needed to establish that one is qualified for this form of relief?

In this Sunday's episode, viewers will also be given a sneak peek at the San Pedro Detention Center in San Pedro, CA. After all, so many Filipinos wonder what happens when one is "picked up" by Immigration enforcement officers. For example, a wife whose husband was suddenly picked up, after being ordered deported many years ago, frantically wonders if there are beds that her husband would be able to sleep on at the detention center. Horrible images of tiny cells with dirty toilets haunt families of detainees. They have real and valid concerns if their loved ones would be fed or treated right. These questions will be addressed, and you will be able to see for yourself what a detention center really looks like.

Paul Santos, Assistant Officer in Charge of Detention & Removal Operations, provides Atty. Gurfinkel and our viewers with a unique opportunity to tour the San Pedro detention facility.   So don't miss this Sunday's episode of CITIZEN PINOY!

CITIZEN PINOY is a one-hour public service talk show that provides information on the various possibilities, issues and problems regarding US immigration. --- hosted by Atty. Mike Guingona, Ms. Odette Alcazaren-Keeley, and leading immigration lawyer Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel.

CITIZEN PINOY airs on TFC every Sunday at 5 p.m., with replays every Monday at 4 a.m. , and on ANC-USA every Friday at 8 p.m. (all Pacific Standard Time).    In the Philippines, the show airs every Saturday at 11 a.m. on ANC (ABS-CBN News Channel).

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