PHILIPPINE CONSULATE AND IBP CALIFORNIA CHAPTER HOST FORUM ON U.S. IMMIGRATION UPDATES FOR FILIPINOS
The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, in partnership with IBP-California, successfully hosted the Forum on U.S. Immigration Updates, providing essential legal insights to Filipinos in the U.S. The forum empowered in-person and online attendees with up-to-date immigration policies, legal rights, and pathways to navigate their status with confidence.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, USA – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, in partnership with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines – California Chapter (IBP CA), successfully hosted the Forum on U.S. Immigration Updates on March 7, 2025, at Kalayaan Hall, Philippine Center, San Francisco. The event welcomed 46 participants and provided valuable insights into immigration policies, legal rights, and pathways available to Filipinos in the United States.
Attended by members of the Filipino-American community, the forum featured top immigration lawyers from IBP-CA, including Atty. Flomy Diza, Atty. Evelyn Alfonso, Atty. Cesar Fumar, and moderator Atty. Jean Serrano. The panel covered critical topics such as the latest U.S. immigration policy updates, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) encounters, deportation defense, and legal options for Filipinos in the U.S.
In his welcome remarks, Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer emphasized the Consulate’s commitment to empowering the Filipino community with accurate legal information. “We understand that immigration challenges can be overwhelming, but through forums like this, we equip our kababayans with knowledge and resources to make informed decisions,” he said.
The event also included a Q&A session, where attendees had the opportunity to seek legal advice directly from the experts. Additionally, free legal consultations were made available after the forum, reinforcing the community-centered approach of the Consulate’s public service initiatives.
Consul Maria Paz G. Cortes, in her closing remarks, thanked the IBP CA Chapter and the speakers for their unwavering commitment to the Filipino community. “Legal awareness is key to protecting our rights and securing a better future. We are grateful to our legal experts for guiding our community through these complex immigration matters,” she said.
The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco encourages the Filipino community to stay informed about upcoming forums and services by following Consulate’s official Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram pages. END
The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, led by Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer and Consul Maria Paz G. Cortes, proudly presented Certificates of Appreciation to the esteemed speakers and moderator, Atty. Flomy Diza, Atty. Evelyn Alfonso, Atty. Cesar Fumar, and Atty. Jean Serrano, for their invaluable contributions to the Forum on U.S. Immigration Updates.