Faldef presentation2

FILIPINO AMERICANLEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATION FUND

DEFEND. SERVE. EDUCATE

www.faldef.org

“In this age of darkness, there are two ways of spreading light. You may either be a candle, or the mirror that reflects its light.”-Benigno ‘Ninoy’ S. Aquino Jr.,

We are choosing to be both.

FILIPINO AMERICAN LEGAL DEFENSE and EDUCATION FUND

FALDEF is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that provides pro bono legal services to members of the Filipino-American Community. It was founded in 2008 by a group of lawyers, professionals and community leaders working towards the same goal.

FALDEF

OUR MISSIONFALDEF is committed to achieve the realization of the full potential of the Filipino American Community as an integral part of the immigrant community in the United States through impact litigation, education,

and advocacy.

OUR VISIONA vibrant Filipino American community whose members can freely share

their knowledge, talents and resources to fully advance the welfare of their family and society without fear of unjust treatment due to their

heritage.

WHY THE NEED?Asians recently surpassed Hispanics as the largest immigrant group in the United States

"Asian Americans are the highest-income, best-educated and fastest-growing racial group in the United States“ PEW Research Center Study

Filipinos are the second largest Asian group in the United States

There needs to be a platform, a resource, an organization for the Filipino American Community to go to when they are suffering injustices

“Pinoy couple fights deportation order.”

“Fil-Am accused of murder faces death penalty.”

“Undocumented Pinoys in US worry about work and deportation.”

OUR PROGRAMS EDUCATIONAL:Know your rightsTown Hall Forums

LEGAL CLINICS:DACA

Know your rights

Employment for teachers in New YorkImmigration and Employment in New York and Pennsylvania

Legal Clinics

Free one on one consultation with clients and lawyers held in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and other states throughout the east coast.

DACADeferred Action forChildhood Arrivals

PATH (Providing Access to Hope) for DREAMSAn initiative with PCGNY (Philippine Consulate General of New York and

NaFFAA (National Federation for Filipino American Associations)at Temple University, New York, New Jersey

Town Hall Forums

Panel discussions on important initiatives and policies that directly affect the Filipino American community.

VOTER EDUCATIONPartnership with AALDEF (Asian American Legal Defense and Education

Fund) for Asian American Election Protection and Poll Monitoring

OUR CASESImmigration

LaborHumanitarian

CriminalDomestic ViolenceHuman Trafficking

ImmigrationThe DREAMers: John Quidilla, Miguel Gulfin

The most recognizable undocumented immigrant: Jose Antonio VargasCommunity leaders facing deportation: The Servanos, The Gulfins

Labor

1400 teachers whose contracts were not renewed prohibiting them from extending their visas: Maryland Teachers

Humanitarian

New Jersey couple facing deportation while wife was suffering from cancer: The Tonogs

Criminal

Filipino Adoptee on death row in Texas : Gabriel Hall

Domestic ViolenceVAWA (Violence Against Women Act)

A battered Filipina fighting for custody of her “sex abused” daughter: Carina Barsotti

Human Trafficking

Filipina in distress rescued from her employers: Rina Hernandez

THE DEMANDFilipino Americans and other members of the migrant community from all over the United States, who find themselves in distress, reach out to

us everyday for assistance.

OUR PLANSWe developed a three year Strategic Plan 2012-2015

Our goals are to be able to meet the demand for our services by:Securing funding

Collaborative effortsExpanding our offices and hiring a full time staff

ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING INITITAVE

There are over 11 million Filipino overseas workers all over the world.

The United States in Persons Report on the Philippines indicated that the country is a prime source for men, women, and children who are subjected to human trafficking.

Government and non-governmental organizations estimate 300,000 to 400,00 women and 60,000 to 100,000 children are trafficked from the Philippines every year.

We have to protect our people.

PHILDECPhilippine Legal Defense and Education Center

An independent agency in the Philippines set to primarily engage in human trafficking injustices with FALDEF, government agencies, and

other NGOSs.

“If you got them by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow.” – Theodore Roosevelt