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 CONCERT
STAR GETS BACK U.S. VISA
by Anne Stephanie Cruz
 Singer
Regine Velasquez poses with "Attorney to the Stars"
Michael Grufinkel. Regine is all smiles at Atty. GurfinkelÕs
excellent work, which earned for her a B-1 US visa after the Embassy
issued a lifetime ban on her. This means she could start planning
for concert tours in America again.
JULY 6, 2000 is a day singer Regine Velasquez will
never forget. That day, upon stepping out of the US Embassy in
Manila, she realized how a simple mistake could turn her life
upside down.
It took Regine, dubbed as "AsiaÕs Songbird,"
many years to reach the pinnacle of her career. From small singing
stints in her hometown in Bulacan, she has become one of the PhilippinesÕ
most sought-after divas. She had fame, she had fortune, and everybody
loved her.
But her career and much-cared-for reputation threatened
to disappear in the blink of an eye. Months of planning and preparations
for a five-city US tour melted with the EmbassyÕs decision not
only to deny her an entertainer visa, but to revoke her US visa
and permanently ban her for attempting to "smuggle"
an alien into America.
Regine was caught unaware, but there was nothing
she could do. The stamp barred her from ever setting foot in US
soil as long as she lives.
In an instant Regine went from a superstar to an
individual accused of "smuggling" Filipinos for a fee.
Nasty rumors spread like wildfire about her and her family, which
caused Regine to slip into depression.
Patty Mayoralgo, RegineÕs friend and personal manager,
recounts how the singer holed up in her room for weeks after the
incident.
"She did not want to go out, she wouldnÕt speak
to anyone. She just stayed there in her room feeling depressed.
Her family was so concerned," Patty said.
RegineÕs tragedy was caused by an unintentional
fib during her interview at the Embassy.
She explains: "For that tour, the concert producers
told us that they were including a "wardrobe assistant,"
in the entourage. Thinking nothing of it, I let it pass. IÕm just
like that, I am more concerned with my music and promoting sales
and tickets. But when I was asked at the Embassy how long I knew
the person, and I really didnÕt know her at all, I just said Ōthree
yearsÕ out of nervousness and for lack of anything better to say".
But that one, unplanned lie had rippling consequences.
As it turned out, the wardrobe assistant admitted to the Embassy
during her interview, that once she arrived in America, she intended
to remain in the US and would be proceeding to California to work
as personal secretary for one of the producers.
Because this person had not previously worked with
Regine as a wardrobe assistant like she told the Embassy, Regine
was denied her visa under Section 212(a)(6)(E) of the Immigration
and Nationality Act, for knowingly assisting, aiding and abetting
"any other alien to enter or to try to enter the United States
in violation of law."
"It was my mistake and I admit it. I shouldnÕt
have lied just because I did not know how to respond to the question.
I really could not believe that this had happened. I was worried
about my producers in the US who lost money out of this and I
was concerned about what people were saying about me" Regine
said.
But while the 31-year-old singer was wallowing in
sadness, numerous people offered advice, help and suggestions.
Many suggested that Regine challenge the ConsulÕs decision or
sue the Embassy, which would have been a futile exercise since
US laws do not allow any challenge to the decisions handed down
by Consuls.
Others promised to sneak through the backdoor and
get Regine her visa through their "connections".
"Nothing worked. Politicians, people with connections
didnÕt work. I realized that Filipinos believe in this system
so much, but it doesnÕt cut in the real world, especially at the
US Embassy where they play by the book and follow rules and regulations.
After that, I thought my case was impossible, I mean it was a
lifetime ban. After two months, all efforts from well-meaning
friends and acquaintances failed. I then turned to Atty. Michael
Gurfinkel, whom Boss Vic del Rosario said was the best attorney
around," explained Regine.
The immigration lawyer, who was in Europe at that
time, knew RegineÕs case was impossible but welcomed the challenge.
He cautioned her though against having too many people mixing
in her case.
"Too many cooks spoil the broth," Gurfinkel
said, noting he wanted to implement his own strategies and didnÕt
want other people coming in with conflicting advice or suggestions.
"He did not promise me anything. He was very
sincere and told me he would work as hard as he could for my case,
but it would take time. But then, that was good enough for me
after hearing about his impressive track record in impossible
cases like mine," added Regine.
"I told her there is no reversing the EmbassyÕs
ban for alien smuggling. ConsulÕs decisions are first and final.
Once stamped there, itÕs there forever. But there was a possibility
of getting a waiver on that ban under Section 212(d)(3) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act of the USA," Gurfinkel explained.
A few short months after Gurfinkel accepted the
case, Regine walked out of the US Embassy with a B-1 visa. This
means she could now travel to the US on official business. She
could talk to producers and plan concerts, which she admitted
missing very much during her year-long hiatus.
Regine has no ill-will against the Embassy. It was
clear to Regine that she committed a mistake and that in revoking
her visa, the Embassy was only doing its job.
All things said and done, Regine said she emerged
from this tragedy a better and more matured person. She also asked
her fellow artists (and kababayans) to learn from her mistakes
and be wary of people who might want to try to take advantage
of them.
Atty. Gurfinkel on the other hand, reminded everyone
that telling a lie during visa interviews, no matter how small,
is of no help. He stressed that RegineÕs case is an example of
how serious the penalties for fraud are and that the US Embassy
really means business in implementing its immigration laws.
The lawyer, who has helped numerous celebrities
get entertainer visas, also said he is pleased to have been able
to help Regine. Through the years, Gurfinkel has reunited families
and made "American dreams" come true. This time, he
has helped Regine revive her career in the US.
"I canÕt thank him enough for what heÕs done
for me and my family. He truly is a miracle worker," Regine
said.
After traveling the world, Regine confesses she
is excited about her upcoming trip to the US.
"I guess the old saying is true that you fail
to appreciate the value of things until itÕs taken away from you.
In my case, my US visa," the singer adds.
Regine loves autumn in New York, the light breeze
and the dazzling display of natureÕs colors makes her forget the
hustle and bustle of life. Regine says she never liked stifling
air or cramped spacesŃjust like a songbird who longs to spread
her wings and fly without territorial boundaries.
More
press release on Regine's case
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