Posted on Jun 11, 2016
Families of Filipino-American WWII vets may be able to come to U.S.
1.94K
22
5
10
10
0
Certain family members of Filipino World War II veterans may be eligible to come to the United States as they wait for their immigrant visas to become available, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The Filipino World War II Veterans Parole Program begins accepting applications for the first time June 8.
Officials estimate that 2,000 to 6,000 Filipino-American World War II veterans are living in the U.S. By law, the number of family-sponsored immigrant visas available by country of origin is limited, with the exception of immediate relatives of U.S. citizens. This results in long waiting periods. For some Filipino-American families, the wait can exceed 20 years.
The new program means many of these family members will be able to support and care for elderly veterans or their surviving spouses, said USCIS Director Leon Rodriguez, in a statement.
“The Filipino World War II Veterans Parole Program honors the thousands of Filipinos who bravely enlisted to fight for the United States during World War II,” Rodriguez said. “This policy will allow certain Filipino-American family members awaiting immigrant-visa issuance to come to the United States and be with their loved ones.”
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security can "parole" into the U.S. certain individuals, on a case-by-case basis, for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. The parole program is used sparingly, and the policy for this particular program was announced by the White House in July 2015.
Beginning June 8, applications will be accepted for the Filipino World War II Veterans Parole Program, and USCIS officials will review review each application and determine whether to authorize it for that individual. Officials "strongly encourage" eligible individuals interested in the program to apply within five years from June 8.
When each person arrives at a U.S. port of entry, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will also review each case to determine whether to allow the individual to enter under the parole program, according to the USCIS announcement.
For more information about this program, including details about eligibility, see the May 9 Federal Register notice.
The Filipino World War II Veterans Parole Program begins accepting applications for the first time June 8.
Officials estimate that 2,000 to 6,000 Filipino-American World War II veterans are living in the U.S. By law, the number of family-sponsored immigrant visas available by country of origin is limited, with the exception of immediate relatives of U.S. citizens. This results in long waiting periods. For some Filipino-American families, the wait can exceed 20 years.
The new program means many of these family members will be able to support and care for elderly veterans or their surviving spouses, said USCIS Director Leon Rodriguez, in a statement.
“The Filipino World War II Veterans Parole Program honors the thousands of Filipinos who bravely enlisted to fight for the United States during World War II,” Rodriguez said. “This policy will allow certain Filipino-American family members awaiting immigrant-visa issuance to come to the United States and be with their loved ones.”
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security can "parole" into the U.S. certain individuals, on a case-by-case basis, for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. The parole program is used sparingly, and the policy for this particular program was announced by the White House in July 2015.
Beginning June 8, applications will be accepted for the Filipino World War II Veterans Parole Program, and USCIS officials will review review each application and determine whether to authorize it for that individual. Officials "strongly encourage" eligible individuals interested in the program to apply within five years from June 8.
When each person arrives at a U.S. port of entry, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will also review each case to determine whether to allow the individual to enter under the parole program, according to the USCIS announcement.
For more information about this program, including details about eligibility, see the May 9 Federal Register notice.
Families of Filipino-American WWII vets may be able to come to U.S.
Posted from armytimes.comPosted in these groups: 
WWII World War Two
Family
WWII World War Two Family
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
2
2
0
I'm always surprised when I hear things like this. For example, while writing my series of novels, a Gurkha plays an important role in my story and I researched them extensively. Gurkhas served the British Army with great distinction in many wars and yet, they couldn't gain citizenship. Here too, I had always thought that any one who fought for America had some special preference to gain citizenship. However, I hear many tales of Hispanics being deported after serving honorably in the US Marines. Does anyone have any knowledge about all this?
(2)
(0)
LTC (Join to see)
I am sure racism and the planned 1946 independence played a factor. It's sad that as veterans they were turned away and it appears Canada got many of them after WW2.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Thanks for sharing the bittersweet news that Filipino fighters who served under the American flag during World War II have waited for over sixty years to be reunited with the children they left behind after the veterans were allowed to immigrate without their families - that must have been a horrible pill to swallow SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL.
I am thankful that the families are being reunited I would be interested in your thoughts about this news SSgt (Join to see)
I am thankful that the families are being reunited I would be interested in your thoughts about this news SSgt (Join to see)
(1)
(0)
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
LTC Stephen F. thanks once again and always. I like to hear stories of great humanity being served right by our nation. This was the right way forward in my humble opinion.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
what a shame they wereally left behind after their independence from the USA in 1946.
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google