www.faldef.org

1. FILIPINO AMERICAN
LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATION FUND
DEFEND. SERVE. EDUCATE
www.faldef.org

2. “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.

3. 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

4. OUR MISSION
FALDEF 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.

5. OUR VISION
A 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.

6. 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.”

7. OUR PROGRAMS
EDUCATIONAL:
Know your rights
Town Hall Forums
LEGAL CLINICS:
DACA

8. Know your rights
Employment for teachers in New York
Immigration and Employment in New York and Pennsylvania

9. 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.

10. DACA
Deferred Action forChildhood Arrivals
PATH (Providing Access to Hope) for DREAMS
An initiative with PCGNY (Philippine Consulate General of New York and
NaFFAA (National Federation for Filipino American Associations)
at Temple University, New York, New Jersey

11. Town Hall Forums
Panel discussions on important initiatives and policies that directly
affect the Filipino American community.

12. VOTER EDUCATION
Partnership with AALDEF (Asian American Legal Defense and Education
Fund) for Asian American Election Protection and Poll Monitoring

13. OUR CASES
Immigration
Labor
Humanitarian
Criminal
Domestic Violence
Human Trafficking

14. Immigration
The DREAMers: John Quidilla, Miguel Gulfin
The most recognizable undocumented immigrant: Jose Antonio Vargas
Community leaders facing deportation: The Servanos, The Gulfins

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

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

17. Criminal
Filipino Adoptee on death row in Texas :
Gabriel Hall

18. Domestic Violence
VAWA (Violence Against Women Act)
A battered Filipina fighting for custody of her “sex abused” daughter:
Carina Barsotti

19. Human Trafficking
Filipina in distress rescued from her employers: Rina Hernandez

20. THE DEMAND
Filipino 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.

21. OUR PLANS
We 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 efforts
Expanding our offices and hiring a full time staff

22. 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.

23. PHILDEC
Philippine 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.

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