Going to America is Now Easy: US Immigration Drops “Show Money Policy” for Filipino Immigrants

11/27/2014 – Manila |Luningning Campus has been waiting for her visa approval since 2009. She is a mother of two and everyone in her family has been living in US for at least five years. Since she is already married, her family could not sponsor her according to what she told us. She has to assure the US government that she is not going to hide upon arriving in US through a visitor’s visa, that’s why she is required to raise at least 1.2M Pesos or $26,750.

But even after declaring the needed money by sending her loaded bank book to Bureau of Consular Affairs, the office keeps denying her application.

Her plan is not really to live and work in US but just to visit her family. She’s the only family member who hasn’t visited US – thanks to her marriage and her own family at an early age.

Luningning has the money, the family in US to feed her during her one month stay, and all necessary documents, but still the Consular Office did not allow her to leave. The main reason – the office is not convinced that her purpose is just to visit her family.

A week ago after hearing President Obama’s Immigration Speech, Luningning became hopeful again. Her mother in US had her contacted by their immigration lawyer, and the attorney told her that she can now begin processing her papers again without minding the “show money”, which she borrowed before from other family members just to fill her bank.

It might be just a coincidence but within three days since Obama’s speech, she received a priority mail from American Embassy in Manila asking her to attend an interview – a chance she never had before. Her interview is schedule on December 2 next month but she is already full of hope.

Filipino applicants who are already in other counties like Israel, Arabian Peninsula, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, NZ, and UK have the easier path according to the new policy.

If you are from Philippines, the only must-passed requirement is ESL, your educational background, work experience related to the job you are applying too, certificates, and letters from character references. Money is not an issue anymore although you need to have your own pocket money.

The new law is expected to take effect on January in relation to Obama’s promise that he will make sure every illegal Filipinos living in US must be naturalized before his term ends.

 /Nela Llamas/ Assisted Press Manila

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