PH Consulate’s Immigration Forum Provides Filipino Community with Timely Guidance on U.S. Immigration Developments
Atty. Venus Ursos facilitating the questions being fielded by the attendees to the resource speakers, Atty. Cesar Fumar, Atty. Jeanne Serrano and Atty. Flomy Diza. (San Francisco PCG photo)
The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco conducted the “Talakayan sa Konsulado: A Public Forum on 2026 U.S. Immigration Updates and Developments” on 15 May 2026 at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center, bringing together members of the Filipino community both in person and online to discuss recent developments in U.S. immigration policies and procedures.
In his welcome remarks, Consul General Arnel G. Talisayon emphasized the importance of providing Filipinos overseas with timely, accurate, and reliable information amid evolving immigration regulations affecting family reunification, employment pathways, travel, and legal status concerns. He underscored the Consulate’s continuing commitment to promoting the welfare of overseas Filipinos through community engagement, public education, and partnerships with trusted Filipino American professional organizations.
The forum featured immigration law experts from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines – California Chapter, namely Atty. Flomy Diza, Atty. Jeanne Serrano, and Atty. Cesar Fumar, with moderation by Atty. Venus Ursos. Discussions covered current immigration policy developments, family- and employment-based immigration pathways, visa backlogs, travel concerns, denaturalization issues, and practical guidance for Filipino immigrants navigating legal processes in the United States. One of the most relevant topics covered by the legal experts was on special pathways and possible humanitarian reliefs particularly for those who have been victims of trafficking or abuse or those who are undergoing removal proceedings. The forum likewise informed participants that individuals who have a prior record that qualifies them for deportation may wish to consider recent developments in their international or domestic travel plans.
Among the questions raised during the Open Forum was about whether it is safe to become a dual citizen, to which Atty. Diza replied that the pending bill in the US Congress is unlikely to pass. He also stressed that being a dual citizen will accord more benefits to a Filipino. A couple of questions also came from J1 teachers who attended the forum, particularly with regards to the possible transition to other visa categories.
The activity forms part of the Consulate’s continuing “Talakayan sa Konsulado” community engagement series aimed at strengthening awareness, promoting legal literacy, supporting Assistance-to-Nationals initiatives, and empowering Filipinos within the Consulate’s jurisdiction through access to reliable information and professional guidance. END.
Atty. Flomy Diza discusses humanitarian relief under US Immigration Law, as well as U and T visas, and other reliefs available for those undergoing removal proceedings. (San Francisco PCG photo)
Above: Consul General Arnel Talisayon expressed gratitude to the resource speakers and IBP-California through Certificates of Appreciation awarded at the end of the forum.
Below: Members of the audience actively participated and asked questions to the resource speakers. (San Francisco PCG photos)
