NY consulate, migrant workers’ group hold know-your-rights seminar

Consul Tate of the Consulate’s Assistance-to-Nationals Section opens the program with Consul General Dizon-De Vega, Melanie Zuch and Linda Oalican of Damayan. CONTRIBUTED

NEW YORK – A “Know Your Rights” seminar on Immigration Matters was held at the Philippine Center lobby last Saturday, November 4 by the Philippine Consulate General here in partnership with the DAMAYAN Migrant Workers Association.

The seminar is part of Consulate’s efforts to reach out to the Filipino community, particularly those who are anxious or apprehensive about the US government’s new immigration rules and regulations.

Lawyer Melanie Zuch of the Urban Justice Center. CONTRIBUTED

The seminar is also part of the initiatives under the recently concluded Memorandum of Understanding between the Consulate General and the DAMAYAN Migrant Worker’s Association, which is actively campaigning against human and labor trafficking in the US Northeast.

Participants at the well-attended seminar listened to presentations by Melanie Zuch, a lawyer-advocate of the Urban Justice Center, and Christine Zhou, of the Mayor’s Office on Immigrant Affairs.

The two speakers explained the rights of immigrants, new arrivals, and residents living in the United States when it comes to immigration arrests and detentions, as well as the benefits and services available for immigrants in the city and state of New York.

Christine Zhou of the New York Mayor’s Office on Immigration Affairs. CONTRIBUTED

DAMAYAN likewise presented various scenarios, providing helpful guidelines for migrants facing immigration-related situations. Updates on pending human and labor trafficking cases involving Filipino complainants were likewise provided.

Many of the attendees also took the opportunity to consult with the many lawyer-volunteers who came that afternoon. A contingent from the Filipino American Legal Defense and Education Fund (FALDEF) were on hand along with other private practitioners.

The Consulate’s next Know Your Rights Session is on the Rights and Protection of the Elderly/Aging Community on November 18 again with resource speakers from the legal community, NY Police Department and the Mayor’s Office.