FILIPINO GRANDSON OF AMERICAN VET
AWARDED U.S. CITIZENSHIP

     Arnold Price knew that his grandfather was a well-known figure in the Philippines and that there was even a statue erected in his honor, but he did not know that his late grandfather would be his path to American citizenship. Walter Scott Price was an American citizen who came to the Philippines in the 19th Century. His imprint on the history of the Philippines is indelible. At the outbreak of the Spanish American War, Walter Price enlisted in the U.S. Armed Forces and was sent to the Philippines. After the war, he started a large transportation company, the Leyte Land Transportation Company. His home, a large mansion, was used by General MacArthur during WWII, and is now a museum in Tacloban City. Walter Price had a child born in the Philippines, Robert Price. Robert Price father several children in the Philippines including Arnold Price.

     Arnold grew up in Leyte, Philippines, not aware that his father was an American by virtue of his birth to Walter Scott Price. However, after his father died in 1984, Arnold learned more about his famous grandfather and eventually inquired about his chances of obtaining U.S. citizenship. In the late 1990's, Arnold sought American citizenship at the U.S. embassy in Manila as the son of an American born in the Philippines. However, young Arnold was not aware of the requirements to claim American citizenship and his application was rejected.

      Arnold forgot about seeking U.S. citizenship until after he arrived in the U.S. on a tourist visa. Finding it difficult to obtain a work permit or even an extension of his status, Arnold recalled his earlier attempts at claiming American citizenship and thought he would look into it again as a last resort. Having heard about Attorney Philip Abramowitz of ASK Law Group in Sherman Oaks, from friends, he sought his advice. Atty Abramowitz advised Arnold that indeed, he was an American by virtue of his grandfather but proving this fact would be very difficult. Arnold’s grandfather lived in the Philippines over 100 years earlier and many records were missing. However, at the urging of Atty Abramowitz,. young Price submitted a request for a U.S. passport to the passport office in Los Angeles, The officer there questioned the unavailability of his father’s birth certificate and marriage certificate and request further proof that Arnold’s father lived in the U.S. before Arnold’s birth. Since Arnold could not produce these documents, the application was not approved.

     Frustrated and ready to give up, Arnold’s wife insisted that he return to Abramowitz and try again. This time, Abramowitz recommended filing an application for a Certificate of Citizenship with the local USCIS office and reluctantly, Arnold agreed. At the interview before officer Sanchez in Los Angeles, the same documents were once again requested. Leaving the USCIS office empty-handed, Arnold considered returning to the Philippines as he was now out of status in the U.S. Abramowitz consoled him saying that the USCIS could not deport him even if he was illegal as he was an American and was lawfully allowed to live here. After hours brainstorming with his attorney, Arnold sought new avenues to locate evidence of his father’s residence in the Philippines before 1946 when it was a territory of the U.S. Months later, a joyful Price phoned Atty Abramowitz exclaiming “I have found my dad’s school records from La Salle College in the Philippines from the 1920's” proving his dad’s residence in that country.

     Price and Attorney Thomas Stefanski from ASK Law Group hurried over to see officer Sanchez at the USCIS. Reviewing the new documents carefully, officer Sanchez nodded her head in approval. She said, “Congratulations, you are an American. I will have your certificate ready shortly for you to sign.” When the time came to sign and receive the certificate of U.S. citizenship, Arnold was so nervous he could not sign his name without shaking. Holding back tears of joy, Arnold hugged both his attorney and the USCIS officer.

     “I could not believe what was happening. I was so excited and nervous that I almost forgot how to sign my name. My hands were shaking and I was sweating. In one moment I was an illegal alien without even a work permit and the next I was an American. It was a moment I will never forget.”

     Arnold’s immediate plans are to get a social security card, a drivers license and petition his Filipina wife for permanent residence and his children in the Philippines. Thanks to Walter Scott Price, not only Arnold, but his entire family can look forward to a successful life in the U.S.