PRESS RELEASE - 86 -2019
Commission on Filipinos Overseas Secretary Francisco P. Acosta and (fifth from the left) and Mr. Christopher Robinson, Field Office Director of the Honolulu Office of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), (fifth from right) pose for posterity after their productive discussions
(4 November 2019, Honolulu, Hawaii) - As part of the Ugnayan sa Hawaii from 20 – 27 October 2019, Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Secretary Francisco P. Acosta met with Mr. Christopher Robinson, Field Office Director of the Honolulu Office of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on 22 October 2019 at the USCIS office. Mr. Robinson was accompanied by Mr. Daniel Hall, District Congressional Liaison, District 26 (Hawaii, Guam & The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands), Office of Legislative & Intergovernmental Affairs (OLIA), USCIS, DHS.
Consul Grace Anne Bulos, ATN Officer Rodel Tejada and Protocol Officer Joel C. Bulos assisted and accompanied the CFO delegation during the meeting and tour of the USCIS Field Office.
Secretary Acosta conveyed the Philippine government’s appreciation for the USCIS fair and equitable treatment accorded to Filipino migrants who have made Hawaii their second home. With the Filipino community in Hawaii being the second largest migrant community in the state, it has contributed greatly to enriching the political, economic and social fabric of Hawaii, as well as to strengthening the friendship between the Philippines and Hawaii. He noted that the Filipino community has integrated well in Hawaii and that problems or issues in terms of assistance to nationals are minimal.
The meeting presented the opportunity for the Secretary to brief the USCIS on the CFO’s mandate, and some of their programs, including the conduct of pre-departure orientation seminars (PDOS), the provision of counseling services, strengthening anti-trafficking efforts, promoting investment opportunities, and engaging with Filipino community organizations. He expressed the hope that cooperation between the CFO, and USCIS will strengthen as they come up with ways to support and complement their agencies’ respective missions. END
Mr. Christopher Robinson, Field Office Director of the Honolulu Office of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) explains their operations to the CFO delegation
The CFO delegation discusses possible cooperation with the USCIS
