Arizona continues to attract immigrants from the Philippines who have dreams and goals. Whether it is to join family members who are already living here or to start a new career in a new country, immigrating to the United States will require you to go through a lengthy, sometimes complicated process.
That is why hiring a caring attorney who can explain the law and each step in the process is a must. Errors on paperwork, or filing the incorrect forms can lead to your immigration application, for whatever status you are seeking, to be denied. But if you hire an attorney, you will not only experience less stress and confusion, but may also prevent delays in your application, or the application of a loved one, being processed.
Statistics On The Filipino Community in Arizona
In the United States, the Asian population has grown more than any other racial group. In the Western United States, according to a 2010 census, Asians constituted the largest population of people in that region. The Filipino population comprises the largest Asian population in the state of Arizona. That same census found that there were 2,555,923 Filipinos who responded to the census and 94,050 who claimed to be of both Filipino and at least one other Asian descent.
Understanding Filipino culture is vital to understanding why there is a burgeoning population. Family is the priority in Filipino culture, with relatives in the United States working hard to bring siblings, parents, grandparents, and even more distant family members stateside, such as aunts, uncles, and cousins. According to the chair of the Council of Filipino Organizations of Arizona, Filipinos began coming to Arizona the 1920s as migrant farmworkers, but the population quickly grew in part because of the need for teachers and health professionals, who began to come to the U.S. in droves. This increased not only the population in numbers, but also strengthened the connection to their culture and ties to their homeland.
This close bond is seen in Filipino communities, where whole families come together to celebrate holidays and continue traditions. Much of the migration to the United States has been in an effort to reunite families. A Filipino immigration lawyer can help others in Scottsdale to bring their families to the United States to enjoy a new life here.
Immigration Statistics
Over 57,000 Filipino-born immigrants were granted a green card in 2011, which made them legal permanent residents of the United States. Filipinos also constituted percent of the total population of immigrants who were granted U.S. legal permanent residency that year. Of those, 87 percent gained their status through family connections in reunification efforts. 13 percent gained their legal status through their employment. Less than 1 percent enter as asylum-seekers or as refugees.
Immigration Services Available
Globals Hearts United offers a full range of immigration services including:
- Fiance visas
- Spousals visas
- Visas for people identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ), or any other gender expression or sexual identity
- Work visas
- Green card applications
We offer additional immigration services as well. If you do not see the service you are looking for, or have additional questions, then call our office today to speak to one of our compassionate and knowledgeable attorneys. We also offer a free consultation with our Filipino immigration lawyer.
Compassion in Practice
The best immigration lawyers in Arizona know that connecting families, making the process transparent and understandable, and having empathy is what builds a practice that the community learns to trust. A deep connection to any community is achievable by being a member of it. An attorney of Filipino descent himself, Lemuel A. Carlos has compassion for all immigrant families. Not only is he Filipino himself, but he is actively interested in issues that relate to Asian immigration. Conveniently located in Scottsdale, AZ, he is a graduate of the University of California Berkeley’s Law School at Boalt Hall, where he was a clerk with the Asian Law Caucus. He has a team of paralegals and law clerks who share his values and can speak Spanish as well. Immigration law is the medium through which he practices his human compassion and cultural sensitivity. Call now to speak to an immigration attorney, and to schedule your free consultation.