Oct 27, 2014
What is FALDEF
� Is a national organization that provides pro bono legal
services to members of the Filipino American community who are suffering legal injustices by reason of their
immigrant origins and status and unable to engage legal
aid and assistance on account of poverty.
� Is dedicated to providing a forum for education,
advocacy, and scholarships aimed at educating and advancing the interests of the Filipino American
community on issues and matters pertinent to immigrant
and civil rights.
How We Started: FALDEF in perspective
Filipinos in Diaspora
Manpower: Philippines’ greatest contribution to the world economy:
Consequently, problems ensue:
� Labor Trafficking and Illegal Recruitment
� Immigration Problems: Fraud, Overstays, Deportation, and Detention
� Big undocumented population due to a broken Immigration System
There is NO single legal defense fund committed to the handling of any and all cases relative to the injustice resulting from a broken Immigration System.
Hence, the creation of the ONLY first Filipino American Legal Defense and Education Fund in October 2009. FALDEF was envisioned as a law firm: Lawyers are covered by malpractice insurance and members are covered by liability insurance.
FALDEF with NAACP Legal Defense Fund Pres. John Payton
WHAT WE DO.
� Providing gratuitous legal assistance to indigent Filipino American nationals who are in deportation proceedings and/or are being held in detention for violation of immigration laws.
� Providing information on immigrant and civil rights, issues related to voting and other forms of civic and political participation.
� Monitoring legislation, providing advocacy, and building coalitions with related organizations.
� Hosting speakers, debates and conferences on current immigration issues and issues related to voting and other forms of civic and political participation.
� Assisting and supporting the creation and passage of laws that promote welfare of all immigrants in general and, of the Filipino American community in particular.
� Conducting educational events such as information tables and video screenings on pertinent issues affecting the Filipino American community
� Assisting other Filipino American organizations in educating their members on immigrant and civic issues.
PROGRAMS/SERVICES
�Advocacy (legislation, issues)
�Pro Bono Legal Services
�Voter Education
�Citizenship Education
� Immigrant Rights
�Free Legal Clinics
�Community Outreach
ADVOCACY (Legislation, Issues)
� Comprehensive Immigration Reform
� DREAM Act
� Immigrant Rights
� SAVE Our Industries Act
FALDEF Directors JT. Mallonga and Merit Salud with New York Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx) and ConGen Mario De Leon.
New York Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx) reaffirmed his solid support to two major causes being pushed today by the Filipino-American communities across the United States — the passage of the SAVE Our Industries Act and the DREAM Act.
FALDEF with Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ) and ConGen Mario De Leon.
FALDEF MOU with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas
PRO-BONO LEGAL SERVICES
Tonogs from Toms River, NJ.
Deportation Deferred: Hardship due
to severe medical condition.
DREAMer John Quidilla of Dallas, Texas
VOTER EDUCATION
Voter Protection
Campaign with
AALDEF
(Asian American
Legal Defense &
Education Fund).
CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION
FALDEF with Jen Furer, Author of “Out of Status” at the PCGNY, May 2012
FALDEF at St. Francis of Assisi Parish – San Damazo Hall,
NYC, July 2012
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
Know Your Rights Seminar with
Philippine Consul General of New York 2011
IMMIGRANT RIGHTS
FREE LEGAL CLINICS
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
UGNAYAN sa FALDEF
TYPES OF CASES HANDLED
� Immigration (Deportation & Detention)
�Labor Trafficking/Illegal Recruitment
�VAWA (Violence Against Women Act)
�Labor/Employment
�Death Penalty (Texas)
�DREAMers
Illegal Recruitment Labor Trafficking
40 Seasonal Workers
recruited in the
Philippines, all resided in a
3BR house.
FALDEF provided HOPE.
800 Filipino Teachers in
Maryland Labor Case: Loss of
Immigration Status and Loss of
Employment.
VAWA VAWA VAWA VAWA
(Violence Against Women Act)
LABOR EMPLOYMENTLABOR EMPLOYMENTLABOR EMPLOYMENTLABOR EMPLOYMENT
CASES
�Texas: Death Row case
�Nevada: Korean under deportation
�Jamaican in Detention Center
representation requested by NJ Sen.
Melendez
� Immigration: Citizen Assistance for
Disabled Applicant.
SUCCESS STORIES
�Defend
�Serve
�Educate
Stopped DeportationSecured Deferred Action Status
Dr. Servano at Radio Pinoy rallying
the community for support.
Dr. and Mrs. Servano at the
Philippine Consulate.
DREAMers
24 year-old from Plano, Texas’ deportation was stopped by FALDEF.
photo credit: Filipino Reporter
DREAMer John Quidilla of Texas with the
support of his community.
RELEASED from
Detention Center!
Immigration: Deportation & Detention
Expired work visas. Renewal Application Denied.
Deportation Deferred due to hardship (medical condition).
NJ Couple’s (the Tonogs) deportation was stopped.
The Gulfin Family
� Released from Elizabeth
Detention Center after
being detained for 7
months.
� Deportation postponed.
� DREAMer eligible for the
June 2012 Deferred
Action Directive.
photo credit: Filipino Reporter
DREAMer
1st Meeting – April 2011
photo credit: NY Times
Pulitzer Prize Winner and undocumented alien, Jose Antonio Vargas.
Represented by FALDEF.Photo credit: Time Magazine
Why We Need Your Help
OUR mission is YOUR mission
SUPPORT EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE
FALDEF is a 501 (c) non-profit organization. Your gift is highly appreciated as a charitable donation and is tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.