Lifting for blocklist

To reverse the immigration order, promptly file a written appeal with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) attaching proof of your father‑in‑law’s lawful status—marriage certificate to a Filipino citizen, a valid visa or Alien Certificate of Registration, proof of residence, and passport copies—and request a stay of execution while the appeal is reviewed; if the BI denies the appeal, you must within 30 days file a petition for certiorari (judicial review) in the Regional Trial Court of the BI’s jurisdiction, again submitting all supporting documents, and you can also pursue a family‑reunification/spouse visa application (13(a) or 13(b)) to regularize his stay; throughout, keep every receipt and correspondence, avoid letting him leave the country until the matter is resolved, and consider consulting with us for assistance with the appeal and any court filing.

Sincerely,
A-i-c

Hello: Atty. Jofre here. I understand how upsetting and confusing this situation is for your family, especially when it involves parents, immigration, and a conflict that seems to have triggered serious consequences. Let me address this calmly and clearly, based on Philippine law and practice.

Firstly, let us separate the issues, because immigration matters must be handled carefully and logically.

From what you shared, your father in law had an argument with a homeowners association president while defending your mother. Then shortly after, he received a notice from immigration requiring him to leave or return to his country. The timing is understandably alarming, but timing alone does not automatically mean the argument legally caused the immigration order. Immigration actions must still be based on lawful grounds.

Secondly, on your parents in law’s marital status. Since your mother and father in law are already legally married and their marriage has been registered in the Philippines, this is very important. Marriage to a Filipino citizen gives a foreign spouse strong immigration options, but it does not automatically cancel or override visa issues. Immigration status still depends on what visa your father in law held at the time and whether there were any alleged violations.

If your father in law was on a tourist visa, overstayed, or had a visa condition issue, the Bureau of Immigration may issue a notice to leave. However, this does not mean he is permanently banned or blacklisted.

Thirdly, on whether this could be harassment or retaliation. If the homeowners association president or any private individual reported your father in law to immigration out of spite, that alone is not enough to justify deportation. Immigration still has to conduct its own evaluation. That said, malicious reporting does happen, and when it does, the remedy is legal representation and proper filings, not silence or panic.

Fourthly, on how they can legally return to the Philippines. Your father in law has lawful pathways to come back, especially because he is married to a Filipino.

a.) He may apply for a 13(a) Non Quota Immigrant Visa as the spouse of a Filipino citizen. This allows long term residence in the Philippines.

b.) If he was required to leave first, he may still re enter once visa issues are clarified, unless there is an official blacklist or hold departure order.

c.) If there is a blacklist, this can be challenged through a Motion for Lifting of Blacklist or a Motion for Reconsideration before the Bureau of Immigration.

The key is to first determine the exact nature of the immigration notice he received. Was it a simple order to leave, a visa downgrade, or a blacklist order. Each one has a different remedy.

Fifthly, on what you should do now. You are allowed, and I strongly advise this, to a.) secure a copy of the immigration letter or order, b.) check his exact visa history and status, c.) confirm whether any blacklist or derogatory record exists, and d.) prepare a proper legal filing with the Bureau of Immigration.

Do not attempt shortcuts or rely on verbal assurances. Immigration matters are document driven.

My candid opinion, Atty. Jofre speaking, is this. The marriage registration works in your favor, but it must be matched with the correct immigration action. Many families assume marriage alone solves everything, then get stuck for months or years because no formal visa conversion or petition was filed. This is fixable, but only if handled properly and early.

I am the owner and Managing Partner of Recososa Law Firm, based in the Philippines, with offices in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. We assist families in immigration matters, visa applications, blacklist lifting, and Bureau of Immigration representation. We can assess the documents, explain the exact problem, and map out the fastest legal way for your parents to return to the Philippines so your family can be together again. We can do this via Google Meet or Zoom, or through a physical consultation.

If this answers your question to your satisfaction, we would truly appreciate a 5 star review on our LawZana page.

Sincerely,

ATTY. JOFRE B. RECOSOSA
Owner and Managing Partner
Recososa Law Firm