Filipinos of NY

08/07/2025

Looking for a way to enhance your home life? Consider hiring a professional husband-and-wife caretaker team! With personalized care and expertise, they can transform your living space into a haven. Discover more about their benefits here: https://wix.to/RN6TXEr

Why Hiring a Filipino Couple Caretaker is the Smartest Move You’ll Make for Your HomeIf you're a busy professional, retiree, or seasonal homeowner seeking seamless, high-quality household support, a Filipino Couple Caretaker Team may be the perfect solution.At our agency, we specialize in placing ...

07/29/2025

This special film screening aims to highlight the rich diversity of Filipino languages and cultural identity through the powerful medium of cinema.

📅 Wednesday, 20 August 2025
🕒 Screening Times: 6:00 PM, 6:30 PM, and 7:00 PM
🏢 Kalayaan Hall, Philippine Center
556 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10036

🎟️ Admission is free!
Seats are limited. Reserve your spot by registering here:
👉 https://tinyurl.com/SinehansaKonsulado

07/18/2025

Here’s What Filipinos (Residents & Visiting) Will Pay Under the One Big Beautiful Bill

Additional Fees in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Affecting Filipinos in the U.S. and Visitors
Apart from the $250 Visa Integrity Fee, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) introduces several other significant fees impacting Filipinos living in the United States and those visiting from abroad. Here’s a structured summary of the key fees to be aware of:

1. Remittance Tax
1% or 3.5% excise tax on remittances: The OBBBA imposes a tax on all cash and bank remittances sent overseas. While some sources report a 1% rate, others cite a higher 3.5% rate. This tax will directly impact Filipinos in the U.S. who regularly send money to family and friends in the Philippines, reducing the amount received on the other end.

2. Asylum, Humanitarian, and Immigration Application Fees
Asylum Application Fee: A new, non-waivable $100 fee is imposed for an initial asylum application, plus an additional $100 for every year the application remains pending. There is also a $550 initial fee for work authorization and $275 for each renewal.

Humanitarian Parole Fee: Individuals seeking humanitarian parole must pay at least $1,000 to apply, with additional work authorization fees of $550 (initial) and $275 (renewal), with no waivers permitted.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Fees: TPS registration requires a $500 fee, $550 for initial employment authorization, and $275 for renewals.

3. Immigration Court and Relief Application Fees
Fees for Immigration Court Applications, Motions, and Appeals: New fees apply to filings in immigration court, though some may be waivable. For example, requests to adjust status or for cancellation of removal have minimum fees starting at $600 and rising to $1,500, depending on the relief sought.

4. Visa and Border-Related Fees for Visitors
$250 Visa Integrity Fee: Already mentioned but worth noting for visitors.

Visa Bond: All nonimmigrant visa applicants (e.g., tourists, students, exchange visitors, workers) must pay a $250 refundable “visa bond,” which is only reimbursed if visa conditions are fully met and the visitor leaves the U.S. as required. This is assessed on top of existing visa fees.

I-94 Arrival/Departure Fee: A new $24 fee for application of Form I-94, required for most nonimmigrants.

ESTA and EVUS Fees: Travelers eligible for the Visa Waiver Program face a $40 ESTA fee. Chinese B-1/B-2 visa holders require a $30 EVUS fee.

5. Border Violation Penalties
$5,000 Border Crossing Penalty: If an individual is apprehended entering the country between ports of entry, a minimum penalty fee of $5,000 is imposed, which can overlap with other criminal or administrative penalties.

6. Public Benefit Restrictions and Tax Credit Changes
Restrictions on Tax Credits: The Child Tax Credit and certain education credits now require a valid Social Security number. Many U.S.-born children of Filipino parents lacking SSNs will no longer be eligible for these credits, directly impacting mixed-status Filipino families.

Limits on Access to Federal Benefits: Non-citizens’ access to health care, nutrition programs, and tax benefits is further restricted, affecting some Filipinos and their families already living in the U.S..

The OBBBA layers multiple new and increased fees on top of existing requirements, making it significantly more costly for Filipinos—both those living in the U.S. and those visiting—to travel, send money home, seek humanitarian relief, or apply for critical benefits. Many of these fees are indexed to inflation, meaning they will rise annually, adding a mounting financial burden. Waivers and exemptions have been largely eliminated, so these costs will be unavoidable for most.

05/20/2025

The Filipino community in the United States is one of the largest and most vibrant Asian American groups, with significant population concentration in key states. Based on 2025 data, the top 10 U.S. states with the largest Filipino populations (by number of residents) are:
California – 1,705,090
Hawaii – 369,479
Texas – 231,992
Washington – 194,965
Nevada – 184,225
Florida – 178,012
Illinois – 174,442
New York – 160,566
New Jersey – 152,507
Virginia – 119,497

California leads by a wide margin, followed by Hawaii and Texas, with the rest of the top ten spread across the West Coast, South, and Northeast
https://wix.to/vmKoceJ

Cebu City and Province is widely recognized as one of the leading sources of Filipino migrants to the United States, outside of Metro Manila. Cebu has a long history of overseas migration, with many residents moving to the U.S. for work, family reunification, and educational opportunities. The provi...

04/08/2025

The Alien Enemies Act, passed in 1798 as part of the U.S. Alien and Sedition Acts, allows the President to detain, relocate, or deport non-citizens from countries with which the United States is at war. It applies only during wartime and targets citizens of hostile nations who may pose a threat to national security.

Unlike the other Alien and Sedition Acts, the Alien Enemies Act was never repealed and is still in effect today. It was notably used during World War II to detain and relocate Japanese, German, and Italian nationals living in the U.S.

President Trump has said he plans to use the Alien Enemies Act to detain and deport millions of immigrants.The act was last used during World War II to impri...

03/19/2025

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/is-the-philippines-the-key-to-understanding-our-future/vi-BB1rn7Tn?ocid=msedgntp&pc=DCTS&cvid=59cb70e0eb92442a881d2a1beeb3f607&ei=18

With 115 million people and a booming economy, the Philippines stands out in Asia’s growth story. Could this overlooked country hold the key to understanding the next decade? Explore its journey and what it means for the world

03/17/2025

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/who-ruled-the-philippines-complete-timeline-of-leaders/vi-AA1B5cmk?ocid=socialshare&pc=DCTS&cvid=bc987a73de244e0d8fd089bf91a6d9d4&ei=65

The Philippines has experienced centuries of shifting power — from colonial governors to revolutionary leaders, military rulers, and elected presidents. In this video, we take you through every person who has ruled the Philippines, from the Spanish colonial era to the present-day republic. It’s ...

03/14/2025

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/americans-guide-for-moving-to-the-philippines-for-expats/ar-AA1AVaY1?ocid=msedgntp&pc=DCTS&cvid=13fd8c7262cb41288ce1c397d7d6f487&ei=116

My family explored the Philippines on a tourist visa. We spent half our trip in Manilla and the other half in Cebu while we pondered moving to the Philippines. If you …

12/11/2024

🎉 Congratulations, Mr. Sofronio Vasquez! 🎉
Your incredible achievement fills our hearts with pride and joy! 🇵🇭✨ You’re not just an inspiration to our Filipino community but a shining example of what dedication and excellence can achieve.
We are so proud of you and all that you represent. Here’s to more success and making the Philippines proud! 🙌💖

Exclusive: The Voice's Michael Bublé praises Season 26 winner Sofronio Vasquez's ability to "bend songs to his will."

11/26/2024

Black Friday 15% Off NYC's largest Holiday Festival with Igloos, Cocktails, Kids Games + Santa. Info at watermarkny.com