Ferdinand G. Suba

I don't claim to know the circumstances of a client's angry diatribe here. He may be disappointed that his case with the UCIS did not prosper or he simply wants to project his anger to a most logical target. Suffice it to say that the lawyer he's referring to is the complete opposite of what he has d...escribed. Let me relate my case with Atty. Ferdinand Suba: I am what you call a beneficiary of 245(i) when I filed my I-130 with the UCIS on April 30, 2001 (with a postmark date of close to midnight on that day--this becomes relevant as I'll explain later). For some inexplicable reason, UCIS marked my priority date, May 6, 2001 instead of the sunset date of April 30, 2001) . Unaware of this, I waited patiently as required (since I'm from the Philippines) while out of status in the US until October of last year (2013) when a visa became available. After reviewing my case and consulting with my sister's lawyer, she told me that I won't be allowed to become a permanent resident because my priority date (May 6, 2001) shows that I filed after the sunset date of April 30, 2001. She claimed that there was nothing she can do for me. Nor would other lawyers, for that matter. Out of desperation, I lodged my case with Atty. Suba who gave me hope when I stated under oath that I postmarked my I-130 petition on April 30, 2001--he said he'll take my case, as well as defend it in front of immigration authorities, if it came to that. He discussed every detail of my case with me, envisioning scenarios/possible outcomes and entertaining every question with patience well over the allotted time of my scheduled appointment. Atty. Suba was very meticulous when it came to my documents--identity, financial support, proof of residence in the United States on/around December 21, 2000 ( a compulsary prerequisite to be grandfathered under 245(i))-- a preponderance of evidence that marks an excellent attorney! He even took pains to monitor my progress in its collection, slacker, that I am ;-) As soon as everything was in, we started the process during the last week of January, filing an application for Permanent Residence (I-485), as well as Employment Authorization (I-765). We received notice of the receipt(s) first week of February. Within the week , UCIS scheduled my biometrics processing for February, 28, 2014; less than two weeks later, a notice was received for my initial interview scheduled on April 15, 2014. While awaiting that date, my Employment Authorization Document ID card arrived through the mail around the second week of April. Come the day of the interview, I was a nervous wreck though I'm good at hiding it, plus the presence of Atty. Suba reassured me somewhat during the long, agonizing wait. During the interview, I let my attorney do most of the talking and I was impressed with the way he handled some of the agent's questions. All in all, the interview session breezed by, taking less than 15 minutes with a resultant letter informing us to await a decision within 180 days . All through this process, Atty. Ferdinand Suba went out of his way to stay on top of my case---from the gathering of documents to calling me personally upon receipt of UCIS notices, to reminding me about important dates relevant to my case. And never did he make empty promises of a satisfactory outcome in my case; only that he would do the best that he can. For this dedicated service, I would have gladly paid double his fees, which are very reasonable, to say the least, considering his extensive experience and being a graduate of one of the most prestigious universities in the Philippines (Ateneo de Manila University), if not, one of the top 500, worldwide. The fact, too, that it is run by the Jesuits makes me assured of his lawyering skills. ADDENDUM: On May 5, 2014, I secured my Green Card (PRC notice date: 04/29/2014). From the application of my I-145 to being a permanent resident of the USA, 3 months--swift, considering..and only with a capable lawyer behind me.