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True Citizen Pinoy Success Story: An Audience Question results in Green card for aged-out child two months later, despite Embassy Denial --- on this Sunday’s CITIZEN PINOY!
A TRUE CITIZEN PINOY SUCCESS STORY! After 15 years of being away from her son, Blessie (2nd from left) is finally reunited with oldest child Errol (3rd from left). After the Embassy turned them down because Errol aged out, Blessie was able to ask her question on Citizen Pinoy during its New York taping. Two months later, Atty Gurfinkel convinced the Embassy to reconsider, and Errol’s visa was issued. Listen to their touching family story and see how persistence and prayer worked miracles in their lives when hosts broadcast personality GEL SANTOS-RELOS (left) and leading immigration attorney MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL bring you this week's episode of CITIZEN PINOY on Sunday, at 6:10 pm (PST) with a replay on Tuesday, at 11:20 pm (PST) on TFC. CITIZEN PINOY also airs on ANC-US every Saturday at 5:00 pm with replays on Sunday at 9 am, all PST; and on ANC- Philippines every Sunday at 8 am with replays at 12 midnight on the same day..
REDWOOD CITY , CA. --- In 1992, Ike and Blessie Gabriel took a big leap of faith by coming to the US as tourists, and staying until they eventually went out of status and TNTs. It was a period of anxiety and pain, especially since the youngest of their three children was barely two years old when they left. But such is the emotional struggle that most immigrants endure when they decide to try their luck and seek their fortune in a country far away from their loved ones. Throughout that period, Ike and Blessie went to church daily, seeking solace in prayer, patiently waiting for a miracle that would reunite them with their children.
Fortunately, the couple met Jay Kirshner – employer, sponsor and friend. Kirshner empathizes with the Gabriels – “For a child not to be with their parents for 15 years I cannot imagine. I have three children of my own so my heart pours out for that family.” Kirshner petitioned Ike for a green card, and he and Blessie eventually adjusted status in the US.
The case was transferred to Manila to process their children, and in 2002, they were able to get their two daughters Erika and Eukane from the Philippines. Their eldest son, Errol, was supposed to be included, but he was turning 21. He was initially told he was covered by the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) and the Patriot Act (which gives a 45 day grace period for 21 year olds), but after his 21st birthday, the Embassy then said Errol could not come with his sisters. Errol felt so abandoned and alone, and the rest of the family in the US could not fully rejoice as yet, because they were not yet complete. Letters from congressmen could not get the Embassy to reconsider. Errol would now have to wait 9 more years to join his family. Erika recounts how the prayers never stopped, “Dasal. Puro dasal. Every night talagang pinagdarasal namin na sana maging isang family na kami.” (Prayers. Lots of prayers. Every night we would pray so that our family becomes one again.)
In April 2007, there was a glimmer of hope when the family went to the taping of CITIZEN PINOY in New York earlier this year. Blessie’s audience question was picked, and she had the chance to ask her question to leading immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel. He told her he thought there was hope for Errol. The next week, she formally retained Atty Gurfinkel to handle the case, and in June 2007, two months after that fortuitous encounter with CITIZEN PINOY, Errol was coming out of the US Embassy in Manila with his visa in-hand. A miracle indeed!
Faith truly moves mountains. Find out how the rest of the Gabriel family story unfolds when hosts “attorney-of-last-hope” MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL and broadcast personality GEL SANTOS-RELOS bring you CITIZEN PINOY on Sunday, October 21st on The Filipino Channel (TFC).
Readers and viewers are encouraged to send their questions and requests to citizenpinoy.com
CITIZEN PINOY is made possible with the support of friends who are also dedicated in giving back to the Filipino community: Asian Journal -- with circulation in Northern and Southern California, Nevada, and the New York; and Mango Tours – providing the cheapest fares to Manila and beyond; and Red Ribbon – opening 9 more branches in the U.S. The added support of the show's sponsors manifests the growing popularity and the success of CITIZEN PINOY within the Filipino-American community.
CITIZEN PINOY is also backed by ABS-CBN Global’s key product offerings: Star Kargo, Starry Starry Store, ABS-CBNnow, Sarimanok One and TFCDirect.
Informative. Entertaining. Inspiring. Watch CITIZEN PINOY every Sunday on ABS-CBN Global’s The Filipino Channel (TFC).
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