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22nd December 2004, 15:14
NEW YORK, December 9, 2004 --- A Filipino man who fought 14 years for his US immigration petition was reunited with his mother and brother here.
Lorenzo Delfin, Jr. was eight years old the last time he was with his mother, Teresita, according to a report.
With a complicated petition, Lorenzo’s former lawyer gave up on his case. It was then Teresita sought the help of high-ranking government officials and politicians.
All efforts failed.
Teresita entered the US, in 1988, on a tourist visa, and settled in New York City, where she found a job as a house cleaner, baby sitter and caregiver.
Later on, she found in the city an employer who petitioned her as a babysitter. She got her green card in 1989, and immediately petitioned her sons Lorenzo and Lorendo.
In April 1994, Lorendo’s application was processed, but Lorenzo’s application was nowhere to be found amid the backlogs.
When Lorendo left for the U.S. in July 1994, Lorenzo was devastated, the report added. He was without a mother for 14 years already, and his brother had also left him behind.
In May 2004, Teresita consulted Michael Gurfinkel, an immigration lawyer who has a large base of Filipino clients.
Six months later, Lorenzo, now 32, was given a US visa. He now joined his mother and brother for their first Christmas together after 14 years.
“It was a ‘miracle’ that made my dream come true,” Teresita said.
Lorenzo Delfin, Jr. was eight years old the last time he was with his mother, Teresita, according to a report.
With a complicated petition, Lorenzo’s former lawyer gave up on his case. It was then Teresita sought the help of high-ranking government officials and politicians.
All efforts failed.
Teresita entered the US, in 1988, on a tourist visa, and settled in New York City, where she found a job as a house cleaner, baby sitter and caregiver.
Later on, she found in the city an employer who petitioned her as a babysitter. She got her green card in 1989, and immediately petitioned her sons Lorenzo and Lorendo.
In April 1994, Lorendo’s application was processed, but Lorenzo’s application was nowhere to be found amid the backlogs.
When Lorendo left for the U.S. in July 1994, Lorenzo was devastated, the report added. He was without a mother for 14 years already, and his brother had also left him behind.
In May 2004, Teresita consulted Michael Gurfinkel, an immigration lawyer who has a large base of Filipino clients.
Six months later, Lorenzo, now 32, was given a US visa. He now joined his mother and brother for their first Christmas together after 14 years.
“It was a ‘miracle’ that made my dream come true,” Teresita said.