Newsletter • First Edition • November 2025

A MESSAGE FROM OUR TEAM

Welcome to the first edition of the Onor Immigration Law Newsletter!

This marks an exciting milestone for us. This newsletter is a new platform to keep our clients, partners, and community informed about important immigration developments, firm updates, and helpful resources.

At Onor Immigration Law, we believe that every immigration journey is a story of courage and opportunity. Whether you are reuniting with loved ones, pursuing a career abroad, or beginning a new chapter in the United States, our mission is to guide you every step of the way with clarity, integrity, and compassion.

We look forward to making this newsletter your trusted source for practical immigration insights and news that matter.

Warm regards,
The Onor Immigration Law Team

WHO WE ARE

Onor Immigration Law is a full-service U.S. immigration law firm dedicated to providing personalized and professional legal assistance to individuals, families, and organizations navigating the complex immigration process.

ONOR Immigration Law was founded on both law and lived experience. We know the migrant’s journey not as an abstract case file, but as a reality — leaving home, crossing oceans, and rebuilding from scratch.

We are a New York–registered law firm guided by three principles: clarity in process, care in practice, and credibility in advocacy. Every petition, every filing, every case represents more than a transaction. It is a story of courage, of family, of ambition — and every story deserves to be honored.

Our name reflects our commitment:
ONOR — honoring the courage it takes to move across borders.
IMMIGRATION LAW — grounded in the authority and responsibility of licensed U.S. practice.

With a global perspective and client-focused service, ONOR Immigration Law delivers high-quality immigration legal assistance that is accessible, efficient, and humane — wherever your journey begins.

With a deep understanding of U.S. immigration policies and procedures, our team is committed to delivering reliable and compassionate legal representation to clients across the globe.

Our Lawyer

Novie is a U.S. immigration attorney licensed in New York and Australia and a registered nurse in New York, Australia and the Philippines. With professional and lived experience across the Philippines, New Zealand, Australia, France, Germany, and the United States, he understands the immigration journey from both a legal and personal lens.

Novie is dedicated to helping individuals and businesses thrive across borders, applying legal precision, cultural understanding and global insight to every matter. He holds an LLB from Queensland University of Technology and an LLM from Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne in France.

Nora Harlow - Business Manager

Nora supports ONOR’s financial operations with a strong foundation in accounting, financial reporting and business administration. With experience living in both the Philippines and the United States, she brings firsthand perspective on the immigrant journey to her role.

Nora plays a key role in maintaining fiscal clarity and supporting our mission of serving clients with integrity, transparency and care. She holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines.

Francis Onor - Operations Manager

Francis brings extensive leadership experience from the global business process outsourcing industry, including expertise in workflow optimization, client support, analytics and team development. His strong technology and operations background strengthens ONOR’s systems and client experience.

Having built his career across international environments, Francis understands the challenges and aspirations of global mobility and contributes to our client-centered, culturally aware approach. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from the University of the Immaculate Conception in the Philippines.

Paolo Javier - Law Clerk

Paolo is a law graduate from Cor Jesu College in the Philippines and supports ONOR’s work on U.S. immigration matters. He assists with case research, document preparation and client communication for employment-based and family-based immigration pathways.

With strong attention to detail and a commitment to client service, Paolo helps ensure smooth case progression and a supportive experience for individuals and families navigating complex immigration processes.

Antonio Gemarino - Law Clerk

Antonio is a law graduate from the University of London and is now based in Canada, supporting cross-border immigration cases for clients pursuing U.S. visas, permanent residency and family reunification.

With international training and personal migration experience, Antonio brings diligence, cultural awareness and a client-focused approach to every case. He supports legal preparation, case coordination and client communication, helping clients move forward with clarity and confidence.

Family-Based Immigration

We assist U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents in sponsoring their loved ones to live in the United States. Services include:
• Marriage-based petitions and spouse visas
• Fiancé visas (K-1)
• Green cards for children, parents, and immediate relatives

We help families stay connected and build their lives together.

Employment-Based Immigration and Work Visas

We support employers, skilled professionals, and entrepreneurs across employment-based pathways, including:
• EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 categories
• PERM labor certification
• Multinational manager and executive petitions

We work closely with employers and talent to navigate long-term immigration goals.

Non-Immigrant Visas (Temporary Work and Travel)

We represent individuals and organizations across temporary visa classifications, such as:
• B-1 and B-2 business and visitor visas
• H-1B specialty occupation
• E-3 Australian specialty occupation
• TN professionals under USMCA
• O-1 individuals of extraordinary ability
• L-1 intracompany transferees
• E-1 and E-2 treaty trader and investor visas
• J-1 exchange visitor visas

Whether you are pursuing professional opportunities, exploring business ventures, or traveling to the United States for a temporary purpose, we guide each step with strategic precision.

Adjustment of Status and Consular Processing

We assist clients filing from within the United States or abroad. Our representation covers:
• Adjustment of Status
• Consular processing
• Interview preparation
• Case monitoring and follow-through

We work to ensure your process is organized, compliant, and stress-managed from start to finish.

Naturalization and Citizenship

We guide lawful permanent residents through naturalization and citizenship preparation. Our service includes:
• Eligibility review
• Application filing
• Interview and civics exam preparation

We help you take your final step in the immigration journey with confidence.

General NY Law Services

We support clients navigating select New York legal matters connected to relocation, business setup, and professional transition. Our services include:
• New York entity formation and compliance
• Contract drafting and review
• Affidavits and notarized legal documents
• Professional licensing and regulatory guidance
We provide clear, strategic, and compliant support so your move into New York life and business is smooth, informed, and protected.

Washington DC

Washington D.C. will always be special.
It was the first U.S. city I visited in 2016, the seed of my American dream.

That year was a trilogy:
Brazil for sport, Poland for faith, and D.C. for communication at the Toastmasters World Conference.
Mohammed Qahtani’s winning speech, “The Power of Words,” reminded me that speaking is not about impressing people, but connecting with them.

D.C. is also close to my sister Nora’s home in Virginia.
Family dinners, sinigang on the stove, nieces growing up, sakura along the Mall.
Those moments anchor me, reminding me where I come from.

I returned in 2023 for the MPRE.
This time I explored Capitol Hill and embassy streets, watching global life unfold in real time.
America has a way of turning distant dreams into something you can touch.
That exam was more than a requirement.
It was a quiet finish line on the road to the New York Bar, proof that persistence eventually opens the door.

New York City

New York in the morning. The light hits the skyline just right, reflecting off the glass and brick like ambition itself. I’m standing on Ninth Avenue, watching the city come alive. The air buzzes with movement and purpose. Street vendors serve breakfast to early risers, taxis blur through intersections, and tourists look up in wonder as if the city itself were a living monument.

You can feel the pulse of the world here. Every voice, every flavor, every stride carries the weight of a story. The smell of bagels, dumplings, and halal wraps fills the air like a global feast. People from every corner of the earth are here, each chasing something — stability, opportunity, belonging. This is New York, the great migration story.

Every block is built on someone’s dream. Germans, Italians, Irish, Jews, Filipinos, Indians, West Africans, Mexicans, and so many others arrived with courage as their only currency. They built neighborhoods, legacies, and lives that reshaped the city — and in turn, reshaped the world.

Houston, Texas

Houston, Texas is the vibrant heart of the Lone Star State. It's a place that breaks stereotypes: an economic powerhouse built on oil, health and innovation. Texas is not only America’s premier oil producer, but also an emerging frontier in technology and a hub for healthcare professionals around the world. And with a big advantage: there’s no state income tax, making it an attractive destination for professionals, families, and entrepreneurs looking to build a solid future.

Walk through their streets and you'll see the whole world reflected in one city: Filipinos, Mexicans, African Americans and white Texans, all living in harmony. This is the true spirit of migration: people from different places, united by ambition and desire for a better life.

Sometimes the news only shows the division, but if you really know Houston, you'll find opportunity, effort, and genuine kindness. The Texas spirit is one of self-sufficiency and generosity, not just in words, but in deeds.

Policy Spotlight: Navigating Changes in US Immigration

The U.S. immigration landscape continues to evolve, from shifts in visa processing to expanded digital tools and filing options. At ONOR Immigration Law, we stay ahead of these changes so our clients always receive accurate, timely guidance. We monitor official USCIS updates, State Department bulletins, and regulatory notices, and we are proud members of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), ensuring we remain connected to the most current legal developments and best-practice strategies.

Recently, for example, USCIS expanded online filing access for certain employment-related applications such as the I-765, allowing eligible applicants to file and track cases more efficiently through secure online accounts. Improvements like these reflect a growing shift toward digital processing — and when understood and used correctly, they can streamline parts of the immigration journey.

Stay tuned for our next update, where we will break down the 2026 USCIS fee changes and what they mean for family and employment-based filings. At ONOR, we combine legal precision, up-to-date immigration intelligence, and compassionate advocacy to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

More USCIS News

Immigration processes can take time — but preparation makes all the difference.

Here are three practical steps to help you stay on track:

Start early. Document collection and eligibility checks can take longer than expected.
Keep copies. Always store both digital and printed copies of your immigration records.
Stay updated. Regularly check USCIS announcements and communicate with your legal representative for any new developments.

Being proactive ensures fewer delays and greater peace of mind.

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU

At Onor Immigration Law, we are more than a legal service provider. We are your partner in every step of your immigration journey.

We are committed to delivering:

Responsive Communication – Prompt updates and answers to your questions.

Transparent Guidance – Clear explanations of every process and option.

Personalized Support – A team that listens, understands, and works toward your goals.

Our vision is simple: to make the immigration process easier, clearer, and more human.

ONOR IMMIGRATION LAW