From Heartbreak, to Hopeless, to Green Card on this Sunday’s CITIZEN PINOY! 

A Broken Heart Finds Renewed Hope on this Sunday’s CITIZEN PINOY! Watch the rollercoaster life of MIGUEL FERNANDEZ (left) – from how he left his charmed life in the Philippines, endured a miserable existence in the US, until fate smiled on him once more, and he is now looking forward to a brighter future in America.  This Sunday, leading US immigration attorney MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL (right) features another success story and answers your (immigration) questions on the most popular immigration talk show on television --- CITIZEN PINOY, which airs every Sunday at 5:40 pm (PST), with replays on Wednesdays at 12:15 am (PST) on TFC. CITIZEN PINOY also airs on ANC-US every Sunday at 1:00 am with replays on Sundays at 9 am and Thursdays at 8 pm, all PST; and on ANC- Philippines every Sunday at 4 pm with replays at 12 midnight on Mondays.

REDWOOD CITY, CA. --- Miguel Fernandez had a charmed life in the Philippines.  He had a good job, a nice car, and before he turned 25 years old, he had his own house.  He even had a girlfriend he loved dearly and hoped to build a family with.  Everything was coming up roses for this young man, until the day his girlfriend left him, and his world crumbled.  Miguel’s heart was broken.

His family decided to send him to the US where they knew a lawyer who promise to get him a working visa.  However, when Miguel’s H1-B visa application was denied, Miguel ended up being out of status.  He became depressed because he couldn’t get a job, and it felt like he no longer had his identity.  Miguel, like many other Filipinos, had become a TNT.

Four years into his seemingly aimless life in the US, Miguel got news that his family was in a serious car accident – his mother was seriously injured and his uncle died.  Less than a year after that, his lolo – whom he was very close to – also passed away.  It was too much pain to bear for Miguel who could not go back to the Philippines to pay his last respects because of his illegal status.  Miguel’s spirit was defeated.

It was at this point that he decided to fix his status and started consulting with immigration lawyers.  After being through six lawyers, who all suggested that since he was still single, the only way was for him to marry a US citizen, Miguel was about to give up.  For him, love cannot be bought.  He ended up spending over $15K on various lawyers, until his friends convinced him to see Atty. Michael Gurfinkel.  Atty. Gurfinkel was Miguel’s seventh lawyer, and the very first one who never told him to marry a US citizen.  Atty. Gurfinkel was very professional in dealing with Miguel’s case.  After much research and exploring his background and circumstances, Atty. Gurfinkel found out about Miguel’s grandfather who served in the US Army. This “lolo” petitioned his son (Miguel’s father) back in 1993, and because of this, Miguel was eligible for a 245(i), which is a law allowing TNTs to get their green cards in the US instead of going back to the Embassy in Manila. There was a bright window of hope for Miguel.  In just a year and a half, Miguel was a proud and happy green card holder. 

This Sunday, watch your favorite immigration program CITIZEN PINOY, and relive the ups and downs of Miguel’s life ---- another success story from “attorney-of-last-hope” MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL.  The leading US immigration attorney will also answer viewers’ immigration questions on everyone’s favorite segment:  Your Tanong, My Sagot. 

Don’t miss this interesting episode on an all-new CITIZEN PINOY this Sunday (August 2nd), at 5:40 pm (PST) with a replay on Wednesday, at 12:15 am (PST) on TFC. 

CITIZEN PINOY is made possible with the support of friends who are committed to giving back to the Filipino community: Asian Journal -- with circulation in Northern and Southern California, Nevada, and in the East Coast; and Arko Foods.  CITIZEN PINOY is also supported by ABS-CBN Global’s key product offerings: Star Kargo, Starry Starry Store, ABS-CBN Telecom and TFCDirect.

Informative.  Entertaining.  Inspiring.  Watch CITIZEN PINOY -- the Filipino American community’s immigration program every Sunday at 5:40 pm (PST), with replays on Wednesdays at 12:15 am (PST) on TFC. CITIZEN PINOY also airs on ANC-US every Sunday at 1:00 am with replays on Sundays at 9 am and Thursdays at 8 pm, all PST; and on ANC- Philippines every Sunday at 4 pm with replays at 12 midnight on Mondays..