Filipina Saved From Removal One Day Before Being Sent Home, on this Sunday’s CITIZEN PINOY!

"HOW DO YOU SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE MARIA?" on this Sunday's CITIZEN PINOY! Maria (2nd from left) arrived in the US in 1992 dreaming of a better life. Her dreams were immediately shattered when she was taken into custody as soon as she set foot on American soil! For more than 10 years, Maria was in the dark. Even her marriage to US citizen Rick (2nd from right), was not enough to legalize her stay. This couple and their children faced one obstacle after another while she was about to be sent back to the Philippines. Find out how hope was restored and the sun came smiling down on the Tuck family when hosts -- attorney-of-last-hope MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL (left) and broadcast personality GEL SANTOS-RELOS (right) bring you 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 Mondays.

REDWOOD CITY, CA. --- In April 1992, Maria entered the US hoping for a better life in the land of milk and honey. Yet everything fell apart when, as soon as she landed, she was taken into custody by immigration officers and detained for one month at the San Pedro Detention Center. It was not exactly how one would imagine the start of a new life in America.

When Maria was released, she was told to report to an Immigration Judge, but she failed to show up for this hearing because she had morning sickness due to her difficult pregnancy. Maria was then ordered excluded “in absentia” due to her non-appearance. Since that time, Maria somehow managed to survive life in the USA, living in the shadows, as a “TNT.” This risky situation continued for 10 years, when Maria met, fell in love with, and married US citizen Rick. Since she was now married to a US citizen, Maria thought it was about time to get her green card, by having Rick petitioned her. Apparently, this move was like opening Pandora’s Box – it opened up the issues of Maria’s arrival in the US, especially her “in absentia” court order. Her green card application was denied, as was her appeal to Washington, leaving Maria in a state of misery and uncertainty.

With the denials, she was also required to report to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office on a regular basis. On one of these scheduled report dates, she was taken into custody, without being able to hug her kids goodbye. Thanksgiving passed, and then Christmas, and New Year’s. During this long and trying period, she was separated from her husband and children. Her family came for visits, and they would talk through a glass window, where Maria could not even hold nor embrace her loved ones. Thoughts that she could be sent back to the Philippines at any time, made these “family reunions-through-a-glass-window” even more heart wrenching and painful. Also, things were falling apart at home. Her husband Rick had fallen into a deep depression. Time was running out for Maria and family. Leading immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel took on Maria’s case, all while ICE was making arrangements to put her on the “next plane” back to the Philippines.

Find out how Maria was able to beat the clock, one day before her scheduled flight home, and overcome the mounting obstacles, when “miracle-worker” Atty. MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL and broadcast personality GEL SANTOS-RELOS bring you another brand-new episode of CITIZEN PINOY this Sunday, at 6:10 pm (PST) with a replay on Tuesday, at 11:20 pm (PST) on TFC.

CITIZEN PINOY is made possible with the generous support of sponsors who are also dedicated to giving back to the Filipino community: Asian Journal -- with circulation in Northern and Southern California, Nevada, and in the East Coast; and Guiding Star Realty, with its latest investment opportunity at the Flamingo Resort in Miami Beach, Florida. CITIZEN PINOY is also supported by ABS-CBN Global’s key product offerings: Star Kargo, Starry Starry Store, and TFC Direct.

Informative. Entertaining. Inspiring. Watch CITIZEN PINOY -- the Filipino American community’s immigration program every Sunday at 6:10 pm (PST), with replays on Tuesdays at 11:20 pm (PST) on TFC. CITIZEN PINOY also airs on ANC-US every Saturday at 5:20 pm with replays on Sundays at 9 am, all PST; and on ANC- Philippines every Sunday at 8 am with replays at 12 midnight on Mondays.