Shaped by Queens: Where Responsibility Begins Early

Dashan Maddox was raised in Far Rockaway, Queens, New York—an environment he describes as challenging, but formative. Growing up in a household of eight children, raised by a single mother, he learned early that life does not pause to make things easy.

“I grew up in the projects… I’ve seen a lot, been around a lot,” he shares. “But I try not to adapt to that environment. I try to stay focused.”

That focus was not inherited—it was chosen.

In a home where resources were stretched and demands were constant, what stood out most was not hardship, but resilience. And at the center of that resilience was his mother.

A Mother Who Became Both Anchor and Example

When Dashan speaks about his mother, it is with deep respect—almost reverence. She was not only a caregiver; she was the foundation that held everything together.

“My mom raised all eight of us as the mom and the dad,” he says. “She made sure we were good—food on the tab, school, clothes, everything.”

What stayed with him was not just what she provided, but how she endured.

Watching her navigate life with strength and grace reshaped how he sees women, responsibility, and sacrifice. More importantly, it instilled in him the understanding that love is often expressed through consistency rather than words.

Fatherhood: The Moment Purpose Became Personal

Today, Dashan is a father of two, with another child on the way. But he does not describe fatherhood as an achievement. To him, it is responsibility—daily, grounding, and deeply personal.

“Being a dad is my number one priority,” he says. “When I hear my kids call me ‘Dad,’ it reminds me why I’m doing everything I’m doing.”

For him, purpose is no longer abstract. It now has a face, a voice, and small hands that depend on him.

Fatherhood did not simply add meaning to his life—it sharpened it.

A Leap Into the Unknown: Leaving New York for Houston

Leaving New York was not an escape. It was a decision made in pursuit of growth.

Dashan moved to Houston, Texas, stepping into unfamiliar ground with his children and his dreams.

“I moved for opportunity… for something fresh,” he explains. “It felt like a breath of fresh air. A chance to start again.”

But new beginnings are rarely smooth.

“There are moments where it’s hard,” he admits. “You’re building from nothing. But I took that step, and I’m committed to it.”

Within that commitment is a quiet kind of courage—the kind that does not demand attention, but continues forward anyway.

The Beginning of an Actor: A Gift Recognized Early

Dashan’s relationship with acting began long before it became a profession. It started in middle school, when a teacher recognized something in him that he had not yet recognized in himself.

“I had a teacher tell me I had a gift for acting,” he recalls. “At first I didn’t take it seriously.”

But inspiration has a way of returning.

As he grew older, watching performers like Denzel Washington and Will Smith, something clicked. What once felt distant began to feel possible.

“I started thinking—why not me? I can do this too.”

After high school, he began pursuing acting with greater intention, eventually receiving professional training through an agency.

Acting as Expression, Not Just Performance

For Dashan, acting is not just a career path, it is a form of release.

“It’s like therapy,” he says. “You get to express yourself while becoming someone else.”

The craft demands discipline: memorization, timing, emotional control, and presence. It requires showing up fully, even on days when you feel unprepared.

One of his most meaningful roles came in a project titled Brotherhood, where he stepped into a character that challenged him and expanded his confidence.

“That role showed me I can really do this,” he reflects.

Not because it was easy, but because he committed himself to the process.

Discipline, Faith, and the Work Behind the Work

Behind every role and audition is a quieter rhythm that defines Dashan’s life: structure.

His mornings begin with prayer. His days begin with intention. His mindset is shaped by affirmation rather than doubt.

“I talk to God every day,” he says. “I remind myself I’m blessed, I’m capable, I’m grateful.”

Discipline, for him, is not performance—it is foundation.

“Being on time shows respect,” he adds. “It shows you’re serious about what you’re building.”

Defining Influence: Lifting Others While You Rise

When asked what influence means, Dashan does not talk about popularity or recognition. He talks about impact.

“It’s when you speak life into somebody,” he says. “When you remind them not to give up.”

That belief extends into his podcast, where he creates space for creators, entrepreneurs, and individuals whose stories deserve to be heard.

“I want people to see themselves in other people’s journeys,” he says. “To know it’s possible.”

Faith Through Uncertainty

Like many who pursue creative paths, Dashan has faced rejection, uncertainty, and moments of doubt. But his response remains rooted in faith rather than frustration.

“If something isn’t meant for me, it’s not meant for me,” he says simply. “But I keep going.”

That commitment to “keep going” is more than motivation—it is a mindset he returns to repeatedly.

Still Becoming: A Story in Motion

When asked what he hopes people remember about him, Dashan does not present a finished version of himself. Instead, he offers something still unfolding.

“I want people to know I kept going,” he says. “That I never stopped trying.”

Perhaps that is what makes his story resonate—not arrival, but endurance.

From Queens to Houston, from son to father, from student actor to working creative, Dashan Maddox is still becoming.

And within that becoming lies his quiet message to others:

Purpose is not something you find once. It is something you choose—again and again.

For Dr. Carly Dee — nurse leader, educator, mother, and advocate — life has never followed an easy path. But through every setback, she has learned to transform pain into purpose, and survival into something far more powerful: impact. “I had a great determination to succeed,” she says. “Hunger can do that to you.”

Raised in Manhattan, New York, as the eighth of nine children, Dr. Carly Dee grew up in a faith-centered household led by her father, a preacher. Her early life was grounded in family, church, and structure—until everything shifted. At 17, she lost her father, the anchor who held their family together, and suddenly found herself stepping into responsibility at a young age. What followed was a period marked by extreme poverty, hunger, and uncertainty.

“We didn’t have a lot of money, we didn’t have a lot of anything,” she recalls. Yet even in those moments, she made a quiet but powerful decision: she would not let her circumstances define her future.

She worked relentlessly to put herself through college, sometimes holding multiple jobs just to get by. That experience shaped her discipline and her mindset. Hunger, she explains, does more than create need — it creates drive. After earning her degree in nursing, she began building a career that finally brought a sense of stability. For the first time, there were steady paychecks and glimpses of comfort. But even then, something inside her pushed for more.

“I still knew that I was destined for more,” she says.

Redefining Success and Self-Worth

Her path forward was not without setbacks. A marriage that ended led her back to her mother’s home, forcing her to start again. Looking back, she recognizes how much of her early adulthood had been shaped by external expectations. “I spent a lot of my life chasing the ring… seeking validation from outside,” she reflects. It was in her 30s, as she became a mother, that her perspective shifted. She returned to school, pursued her master’s degree, and eventually her doctorate in nursing leadership –determined to build a life rooted in purpose rather than approval.

During this time, she gave birth to her two daughters, Carah and Corah, who would become her greatest source of strength. But even as she pursued her education, life presented another challenge. She found herself in an abusive relationship that she ultimately chose to leave. What followed was one of the most difficult chapters of her life — raising two young children while continuing her studies, working, and at one point, living on the couch in her mother’s home.

“I was working late nights on my papers, going to work during the day, and taking care of my babies in the middle of the night,” she recalls. The exhaustion was constant, and the pressure was overwhelming. A treacherous legal battle with the father of her children stretched on for years, draining her emotionally and mentally. Yet through it all, she held on to one thing: determination. “I didn’t want to fail because I knew I had two little ones relying on me.”

Turning Pain Into Purpose

She finished what she started. She earned her doctorate. And soon after, a new opportunity opened in Houston — one she describes as nothing short of divine provision. “I said, ‘God, if you want me to move, you have to provide the way,’ and He did,” she shares. That move marked the beginning of a new chapter not just for her, but for her entire family.

Today, Dr. Carly Dee serves as an advocate, educator, speaker, and host of Pink Table Talk, a platform she created to foster honest, meaningful conversations. Through it, she brings together stories of resilience, healing, and growth—creating space for voices that are often unheard. For her, these conversations matter now more than ever. They remind people that they are not alone, and that their struggles can become sources of strength.

Her advocacy work, particularly in Black maternal healthcare, is deeply personal. Having nearly lost her life during both pregnancies due to complications, she understands firsthand the gaps that exist, even for those with medical knowledge. “I almost died… and I had knowledge. Imagine those who don’t,” she says. That realization drives her to speak, educate, and push for change, ensuring that more women are heard, supported, and protected.

A Legacy of Advocacy and Impact

Advocacy, she says, is not just important — it is part of who she is. Coming from a lineage of pastors and community leaders, she sees her work as a continuation of that legacy. “My role in advocacy is for healthcare for women. That is my mantle to hold.”

Despite the weight of her responsibilities, Dr. Carly Dee has learned the importance of balance. She starts her days early, using quiet moments to write, reflect, and prepare. Prayer grounds her. Pausing before reacting keeps her centered. And even in the midst of a full schedule, she makes space to live: to connect with others, to grow, and to appreciate how far she has come. “You have to utilize your time well,” she says, emphasizing that discipline creates the space for purpose to thrive.

Her definition of success has also evolved. It is no longer about titles or achievements, but about stability, impact, and gratitude. “Having a roof over my head, food in my refrigerator—that’s success,” she says. It is a perspective shaped by experience, one that keeps her grounded even as her platform continues to grow.

From Survival to Strength

Later this year, she will share her story more deeply through her upcoming book, From Shadows to Strength: My Journey of Resilience, Faith, and Healing. Writing it has been a transformative process — one that forced her to revisit painful moments, but also allowed her to heal from them. “It was very cathartic,” she says. “It felt like a burden was lifted.” Her hope is that readers will not only see her story, but also recognize their own strength within it.

When asked what keeps her going, her answer is simple: purpose. Every message from someone she has inspired, every person who shares how her story helped them keep going, those moments remind her why she continues. Because for Dr. Carly Dee, this journey was never just about making it through. It was about reaching back and helping others do the same.

Her message to those still finding their way is both honest and empowering. “Do not be afraid. Use what you have gone through.” What you struggle through, she says, can become your testimony.

In the end, Dr. Carly Dee’s story is not just about overcoming adversity — it is about redefining it. It is about understanding that pain can produce purpose, that setbacks can shape strength, and that even in the darkest moments, there is still a path forward.

And sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is keep going, and trust that your story is still unfolding.

If your spouse or parent is a U.S. permanent resident and you have been waiting to file for your green card, April brings you good news.

The visa bulletin

The Visa Bulletin uses two charts. The Final Action Dates chart controls when USCIS can actually approve and issue a green card. The Dates for Filing chart governs when you may submit your I‑485 Adjustment of Status application ahead of final action. 

When F2A is current on the Dates for Filing chart, any qualified spouse or unmarried child under 21 of a lawful permanent resident may file an I‑485 regardless of priority date — provided USCIS authorizes that chart for the month.

The good news

For April 2026, F2A is current for all countries of chargeability, including India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines. That means no priority date cutoff is blocking eligible applicants this month if USCIS permits use of the Dates for Filing chart. Always confirm authorization at www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo before submitting.

Who benefits

This applies to F2A beneficiaries such as spouses and unmarried children under 21 of green card holders. If the sponsoring relative has filed an I‑130 (approved or pending), you may now be able to submit your I‑485 depending on your facts. This does not apply to F2B beneficiaries (unmarried sons and daughters 21 or older), which follows a separate schedule.

Timing and strategy 

USCIS processes adjustment cases in the order received, but filing now lets you obtain employment authorization (EAD) and advance parole earlier. Concurrent filing, which means submitting Form I‑130 and Form I‑485 together, can streamline cases when an immigrant petition has not yet been approved. If your priority date is current, don’t wait for further bulletin updates. Assemble a complete application and file. Missing documents or errors delay adjudication.

The Department of State cautioned that advances in several immigrant visa categories reflect slower visa issuance for some countries under current policies. Because demand and issuance can shift, dates that are current now may retrogress later in FY2026. In addition, USCIS must explicitly authorize the Dates for Filing chart each month. That authorization is not automatic.

Act now 

If you or a family member fits F2A and hasn’t filed, this is a key month. With F2A current in April 2026, eligible spouses and children can move forward now. Filing Form I‑485 gives families access to work authorization and a clearer path to lawful permanent residence.

Prepare carefully, follow USCIS instructions precisely, and consult a qualified immigration attorney.

Love is not soft.

Love is not passive.

Love is bold.

To love boldly is to choose courage over fear, grace over resentment, and hope over past hurt. It is a daily decision—sometimes quiet, sometimes uncomfortable—but always powerful.

Love Starts With the Hardest Relationship: Yourself

One of the boldest acts of love is learning to love yourself fully—not the polished version, not the accomplished version, but the real you.

Self-love means honoring your journey, even the chapters that were painful. It means forgiving yourself for what you didn’t know then and celebrating how far you’ve come now. It means setting boundaries without guilt and walking away from anything that diminishes your God-given worth.

When you love yourself boldly, you stop asking for permission to take up space. You stop shrinking your dreams to make others comfortable. You begin to rebuild what was broken, rise from what tried to defeat you, and rule your life with clarity and intention.

Love Is Action, Not Just Emotion

Bold love is not measured by words alone—it is proven through action.

It shows up when it would be easier to walk away.

It listens when emotions run high.

It stays when things become uncomfortable.

Love is found in the everyday choices:

• Choosing patience over frustration
• Speaking life instead of criticism
• Showing up even when you are tired
• Extending grace without expecting anything in return

These moments may seem small, but they shape relationships, restore trust, and build lasting impact.

Loving When It’s Hard Is the True Test

Let’s be honest—loving is not always easy. There are moments when trust has been broken, expectations have fallen short, and disappointment lingers.

But bold love does not quit at the first sign of difficulty.

It remains rooted in faith.

It chooses understanding over judgment.

It believes growth is possible—even after failure.

Loving boldly does not mean tolerating disrespect or accepting less than you deserve. It means loving with wisdom, strength, and discernment—knowing when to hold on and when to let go.

Love Is Leadership

Love is leadership.

When you lead with love, you inspire instead of intimidate. You empower instead of control. You create spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued.

Whether in family, friendship, business, healthcare, or community leadership—love is your greatest influence. People may forget what you said or what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.

A Bold Invitation This February

This month, don’t just celebrate love—live it boldly.

Love yourself enough to heal.

Love others enough to forgive.

Love deeply enough to grow.

Love courageously enough to lead.

Because love—when chosen daily and lived intentionally—has the power to restore hope, strengthen communities, and rewrite stories.

Be bold in love.

Let faith guide your heart.

And never be afraid to love out loud.

For some, that milestone might signal a moment to slow down. For Rimando, it marked the start of a new chapter –one defined not by checklists, but by purpose, impact, and legacy.

“Everything I dreamed of when I was younger, I’ve already done,” she says. “Everything now is just the cherry on top.”

A Life Built Without a Safety Net

Born in Quezon City, Philippines, to parents from Baguio and Pampanga, Rimando immigrated to the United States at just eight months old. She grew up in Chicago, far from extended family, learning early what independence looked like.

“I never really had a safety net,” she reflects. “A lot of my courage came from having to figure things out on my own.”

After earning degrees in finance and marketing from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Rimando entered the workforce with a clear vision: build a stable career, grow into leadership, and give back to the community that shaped her.

What she didn’t plan on was how quickly she would reach those goals.

Succeeding Where Few Filipinas Are Seen

In 2015, Rimando was recruited into the construction industry, an overwhelmingly male-dominated field where women made up only a fraction of the workforce.

“I didn’t even know what a blueprint was,” she admits. “But I was willing to learn.”

That willingness paid off. Over the next decade, Rimando rose from an entry-level inside sales role to training sales teams nationwide and overseeing projects across the United States. Today, she works for a commercial sign company managing dozens of large-scale projects simultaneously, while still holding her day job alongside multiple leadership roles.

By her early 30s, she had already achieved what many consider lifetime career goals.

“I’m challenging myself to see how further I can go and then encouraging other people, specifically women, to go out and take positions and leadership roles because oftentimes we’re not in those spaces,” she says.

Leadership Achieved Earlier Than Expected

Rimando once believed leadership, especially nonprofit leadership would come much later in life.

“My mindset was when I was younger, I’m going to be on a non-profit in my 50s, I’ll probably be a president of a non-profit in my 60s. But I accomplished that at the age of 30 and then became president at the age of 31 or 32,” she says.

She became the first Filipina president of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) San Antonio Chapter in her early 30s—during one of the most challenging periods in the organization’s history as it emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic.

During her presidency, membership grew from 20 to 80 members, finances shifted from uncertainty to surplus, and the chapter won both regional and national awards for marketing excellence and diversity, equity, and inclusion, two years in a row.

That success led to another milestone: her induction into the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce (PACC), where she later became the Region Chair for Greater San Antonio, a role she holds through 2027.

By 33, Rimando had already surpassed the leadership timeline she once imagined.

Service, Loss, and Perspective

A defining factor in Rimando’s urgency to live fully came from loss. In 2019, her sister passed away from pancreatic cancer at just 47 years old.

“That changed how I saw time,” she says. “I started asking myself: if I only had ten years left, how would I live?”

That question fueled her long-standing involvement with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, where she serves as Affiliate Chair, helping connect patients and families to research, resources, and support. Since then, survival rates have slowly increased from 9 percent to 13 percent, the progress she considers deeply personal.

It also reframed success.

“For me, success isn’t money,” Rimando explains. “It’s how many people I can help using what I’ve learned from my struggles.”

Goals Met—and New Ones Created

By 33, Rimando had:

• Built a decade-long career in construction
• Led national and regional organizations
• Launched a wellness business after graduating with honors from massage therapy school
• Become a public speaker, emcee, and community advocate
• Achieved the personal and professional goals she once thought would take a lifetime

Rather than stopping, she expanded.

She founded Radiantly Rimando, emcees major cultural events, works as a voice actress, and is developing a fashion line, with future plans for a beauty line and books.

“I don’t rush anymore,” she says. “I take things one day at a time—but I still dream big.”

Living Beyond the Finish Line

Rimando credits her ability to sustain momentum to reflection and discipline: prayer journaling, meditation, delegation, and a deep respect for time.

“I reread journals from years ago and realize I’m living in prayers I once wrote,” she says.

She also believes versatility is essential in today’s world—especially as AI reshapes industries. While she uses technology to automate and organize, she emphasizes that human leadership, adaptability, and mentorship remain irreplaceable.

By the time she reached 33, Shenel Rimando had already checked every box she once set for herself. What comes next is no longer about achievement—but about impact.

“I’m not done,” she says with a smile. “I’m just getting started.”

For too long, many of us have rehearsed the safe version of ourselves: the polite “yes but maybe later,” the carefully curated opinion, the dream kept in a private notes app. Boldness isn’t about becoming reckless or loud. It’s about deciding that your voice, your desires, and your presence deserve space—full, unedited space.

Why 2026? Because the world has spent recent years teaching us how quickly everything can change. Stability is an illusion we can no longer afford to worship. The people who thrive now aren’t the ones waiting for permission; they’re the ones moving before the path is fully lit.

Boldness Is a Daily Decision, Not a Personality Type

You don’t need to be naturally outgoing to live boldly. You simply need to choose discomfort over regret more often than you choose comfort over growth.

Here are powerful, practical ways to build that muscle in 2026:

1. Speak before you’re 100% ready
   That meeting comment, that DM to someone you admire, that boundary you’ve been meaning to set—say it this quarter, not “someday.” Imperfect expression beats perfect silence every time.
2. Audit your life for quiet concessions
   Where are you dimming yourself to keep the peace? The extra workload you accept, the opinion you swallow, the goal you’ve downsized—list them. Then choose one to stop tolerating this month.
3. Ask for the bigger version
   Salary negotiation. Project scope. Date expectations. Partnership terms. The world rarely gives you the upgraded version unless you explicitly request it. Practice asking for 20–30% more than feels comfortable.
4. Collect small proofs of courage
   Send the vulnerable text. Post the unfiltered thought. Walk into the room like you belong (because you do). Each micro-act rewires your nervous system to register “I survived → I can do harder things.”
5. Curate a bolder environment
   Surround yourself with people who are already living audaciously. Unfollow accounts that normalize shrinking. Follow creators who make boldness look normal, even joyful. 0 “LARGE”

(Imagine the chains—literal or emotional—that once held you back. 2026 is the year you shatter them for good.)

Iconic Words to Anchor Your Year

Carry these quotes like pocket talismans:

• “Man cannot discover new oceans until he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” — André Gide
• “Leap and the net will appear.” — John Burroughs (often attributed)
• “You must be bold, brave, and courageous and find a way… to get in the way.” — Representative John Lewis
• “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston Churchill
• “Replace fear of the unknown with curiosity.” — Unknown

Print one. Make it your phone lock screen. Whisper it before big moments. 3 “LARGE”

(Bold typography to remind you daily: the energy of 2026 is decisive, unafraid, and entirely yours to shape.)

Your 2026 Boldness Manifesto

Finish this sentence ten different ways and pick the one that makes your chest tighten (in a good way):

In 2026, I will finally…

• ask for the raise/raise my rates without apology
• launch before it’s perfect
• end the relationship/ dynamic that drains me
• say “no” without explaining myself
• take up space in rooms that used to intimidate me
• pitch the dream collaboration
• wear/ say/ do the thing I’ve always wanted but feared judgment about
• invest in myself (therapy, coaching, course, travel, rest) without guilt

Write your sentence somewhere permanent. Speak it aloud. Let it scare you a little. That’s how you know it’s the right size.

The truth is simple:
The version of you that 2025-you is afraid of becoming is probably the version 2030-you will thank endlessly.

So go ahead—be bolder in 2026.
Not because the world is ready for it.
But because you are done waiting for the world to catch up.

Here’s to claiming your full volume.
The future is listening. Make sure it hears you.

A client called me this week worried about the new mandatory biometric checks for all non‑U.S. citizens, including green‑card holders. He’s planning a quick two‑week trip abroad and fears the policy might make returning to the U.S. more complicated.

Of course, knowing what to expect helps you prepare in advance. Avoid getting tangled in complications at the airport or when reentering the U.S. Prevention is always better than cure.

So here’s what you need to know

The Department of Homeland Security rolled out biometric entry‑exit screening for all foreign travelers nationwide. The rollout that began in December 2025 and builds on pilots at select airports and land ports. It aims to make identity checks more accurate, curb fraud, and better track visa overstays. Quick scans. Shorter lines.

What’s changing at the border under the expanded program, most foreign nationals arriving or departing the United States will have their biometric data captured and checked. That means a quick fingerprint scan or a touchless facial image at many ports of entry.

If you’ve been traveling lately, you’ve probably noticed touchless facial‑recognition gates at many airports, and more facilities are adding scanning lanes. So you know what I am talking about.

My December flight

I’d already noticed touchless biometric gates at many major airports. Last December I flew to Washington, D.C., running late. Picture me sprinting through the terminal with a suitcase and a backpack, silently praying the security line won’t be unbearably long. I was racing to make the flight with ten minutes to spare.

Reaching the checkpoint felt like finding an open checkout lane at the grocery store. Pure bliss. For some reason I felt proud, as if I’d just won a game. Anyway, the point is that the line was short and moving fast. I handed my driver’s license to the officer, was told to look at the camera for the facial scan, and that was it. No questions, no delay. I hadn’t even decided whether to smile for the camera before the scan finished. Oh, well. Not that it mattered. 

What DHS is saying

DHS says automation and increased processing capacity have kept wait times from growing even as biometric screening expands. So overall lines should move faster. 

Officials say the system improves identification accuracy, helps prevent identity fraud, and aids efforts to identify people who overstay visas or otherwise violate entry conditions. 

DHS also expects the program to strengthen public‑safety screening by matching travelers against criminal and national‑security databases more reliably.

What travelers should be thinking

The change means routine biometric scans at arrival and departure in addition to the usual passport and visa checks. Travelers should bring all travel documents, keep digital and paper copies of passports and visas, and allow extra time at the airport in case of crowds or unexpected delays.

Why are we talking about this

Biometrics raise reasonable privacy concerns. DHS says it operates under existing privacy and data‑protection rules, but questions remain about data retention, who can access the data, and oversight. 

For complex issues, like prior immigration complications, questions about data sharing, or legal sensitivities, get legal advice before you travel.

Recently I’ve received many inquiries about naturalization from people who cannot speak English. They mainly ask how this affects their eligibility to naturalize. The surge in questions may stem from the new naturalization test rules that took effect for applications filed on or after October 20, 2025. The rules expanded the civics question bank from 100 to 128, require 12 correct answers out of 20 (up from 6 out of 10), and add more U.S. history and principles content. The English requirement itself did not change, but these updates have created uncertainty.

Many lawful permanent residents worry the English requirement could change. Let’s review the current rules. I’ll explain the existing requirements and the limited exemptions available to applicants who file before any changes take effect.

The English test

During initial consultation, I pay particular attention on the applicant’s ability to speak and understand English. That matters because, at the interview, a USCIS officer will assess the applicant’s ability to speak, read, and write basic English.

The English test has three parts that measure language skills. Speaking comes first. The officer assesses your ability to understand and respond to questions about your application and eligibility throughout the interview. For reading, you will see sentences on a digital tablet and must read aloud correctly. For writing, an officer reads a sentence aloud and you must write it correctly on the tablet.

Who must demonstrate English ability

Generally, most applicants for naturalization must demonstrate an ability to read, write, and speak basic English during the naturalization interview. The civics test is generally given in English as well, although exceptions for language exist.

You are exempt from the English language requirement but must still take the civics test if you meet either of these conditions: first, you are age 50 or older at the time of filing and have been a permanent resident for at least 20 years (the “50/20” exception), or second, you are age 55 or older at the time of filing and have been a permanent resident for at least 15 years (the “55/15” exception).

50/20 Rule 

Scenario: María is 62 and received her green card in 1999. When she files her application for naturalization, she qualifies under the “50/20” rule (over 50 and LPR at least 20 years). She cannot speak English well. At her interview, USCIS allows her to take the civics test in Spanish with an interpreter. She prepares for the civics test in Spanish and passes. USCIS waives the English-speaking requirement.

55/15 Rule

Scenario: Li is 56 and became an LPR in 2010 (14 years). He doesn’t meet the 55/15 rule but is close. Li has chronic severe hearing loss. His audiologist completes Form N-648 explaining that written and spoken English testing would be inappropriate, and Li submits medical records. USCIS evaluates the medical evidence. Depending on the documentation, USCIS may grant accommodations or a full exemption. If granted a medical exemption from civics but not English, Li may still need to show basic English speaking ability or receive reasonable testing modifications.

65/20 Rule

Even if you qualify for the “50/20” or “55/15” English exemptions, you still must take the civics test. You may take that test in your native language, but you must bring an interpreter to your interview. The interpreter must be fluent in both English and your native language. Applicants who are 65 or older and have been permanent residents for at least 20 years at the time of filing receive special consideration for the civics requirement.

Consult an immigration attorney

Not speaking English does not automatically block naturalization. Many applicants qualify for exemptions based on age plus years as an LPR or medical disabilities.

Can family members interpret for me? Yes, a family member may interpret if they meet USCIS rules for interpreters, but USCIS often prefers a qualified, neutral interpreter. If you are seeking the age-based exemption, USCIS typically allows the civics test in your language via an interpreter. Check local field office procedures.

Exemptions are not automatic. USCIS reviews each claim and may request additional evidence or a medical re-evaluation. Consult an immigration attorney to help determine your eligibility for exemptions and to assist with preparing and filing your naturalization application.

“Is it true they’re no longer admitting anyone with diabetes? What about my brother, I think he’s obese?” a U.S. citizen client asked during a recent consultation about filing an immigration petition for her brother.

Familiar story? I’ve heard this question repeatedly since the administration issued guidance directing consular and immigration officers to broaden how they apply medical inadmissibility rules. The guidance requires officers to consider applicants’ health during visa reviews. It applies to most visa categories but will mainly affect people seeking permanent residence in the United States.

Traditionally, officials barred applicants only for communicable diseases of public-health significance or conditions that made them likely to become a “public charge.” There are more to consider now. The new administration guidance instructs consular officers to scrutinize more health conditions when deciding admissibility.

The new approach directs officials to weigh a wider range of health conditions, including chronic, treatable, and noncommunicable illnesses such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, cancers, diabetes and metabolic disorders, neurological disorders, and mental health conditions. They must also consider whether those conditions might require medical treatment or use public resources in the United States. The applicant bears the burden of proof. They must show they are unlikely to become primarily dependent on government assistance for subsistence.

How it works

Consular officers review medical exams and case files when determining admissibility. Under the new guidance, they must consider whether an applicant’s condition could foreseeably burden public-health programs, emergency services, or the healthcare system. Officials may also weigh an applicant’s financial capacity and access to insurance. As a result, more applicants with disabilities, chronic conditions, or otherwise manageable illnesses could face visa denials if those conditions are judged likely to generate significant public costs.

Medical Exam

Applicants undergo a medical exam where a doctor assesses their health and notes conditions like obesity.

Consular Office Review

The officer considers the exam results, the applicant’s financial situation, and the new guidance to decide if they’re likely to need public assistance.

Potential impact

While not an automatic denial, obesity can raise red flags, prompting deeper questions about treatment costs and employment prospects, potentially affecting visa approval. 

Why people are concerned

Advocates and health groups say the policy risks excluding many immigrants who pose little contagion risk and who could live, work, and obtain care in the U.S. They warn it could separate families, deter migrants from seeking preventive care, and stigmatize disability and illness. Civil-rights and immigration lawyers predict lawsuits challenging the guidance’s legal basis and its application, arguing that it expands inadmissibility beyond Congress’s intent and lacks clear standards.

What supporters say

Proponents argue the guidance protects public resources and ensures that immigration decisions account for foreseeable costs to government-funded health programs.

What public needs to watch

Because the guidance gives officers greater discretion, the public must watch how they use it. A narrow interpretation would limit denials to extreme cases. A broad one could bar many people with manageable conditions. To prevent abuse, officials should publish clear criteria, track outcomes, and implement safeguards so discretion doesn’t become a blunt instrument that harms vulnerable people.

Born and raised in Pasig City, Michelle’s beginnings were simple but full of resilience. Her father worked in a paper-recycling company; her mother juggled homemaking with side jobs such as babysitting neighborhood children to earn extra income. As a young girl, Michelle helped her mom sell items—a small but early training in courage and hard work.

“I wasn’t the best in school,” she shares with a laugh, recalling how traditional expectations pushed her toward nursing. Life, however, led her toward work and hands-on learning early on. She held her first job in the service industry as a teenager—an experience that planted the seeds of discipline and grit.

And then came the opportunity to move to the United States, a chapter of her life marked by courage, uncertainty, and big decisions made at a young age. Landing in America meant starting from scratch. It meant reinventing herself. It meant building a future one challenge at a time.

Creating a New Life Through Challenges

Adjusting to American life was both overwhelming and transformative. “Homesickness was the hardest. I missed my mom so much,” she says. Far from the automatic support system she enjoyed in the Philippines, Michelle had to build new friendships and communities.

Professionally, she faced the challenge of learning a new system while pushing through moments of self-doubt. Culturally, she had to navigate communication barriers and differences in directness. “I’m very straight—sometimes too straight!” she jokes, recalling how she had to adapt her communication style.

But Michelle is quick to point out what carried her through:
“People who understood my journey,” she says. Friends who became family. Mentors who guided her. Organizations that welcomed her.

A Leader Who Serves with Heart

Today, more than 15 years since arriving in the U.S., Michelle proudly stands as a realtor, notary public, entrepreneur, community volunteer, member of the Philippine Community Center Inc. (PCCI) International and board member of the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce – Texas.

Each role is an extension of her desire to help others—especially Filipino Americans seeking to build stable lives in Texas.

As a realtor, she puts her whole heart into guiding families through the often intimidating experience of buying a home. “Every time a client gets their keys, I feel the same excitement I felt when we got our first home. It’s butterflies in my stomach. That feeling never gets old.”

She and her cousin also run M&M Native Bags, a handmade-products venture that allows her to stay connected to Filipino culture and creativity.

Through civic and cultural organizations, Michelle supports fiestas, Philippine Independence Day celebrations, charity programs, and outreach missions. As Mrs. Philippines North Texas of PCCI International, she plans to return to the Philippines with her team to distribute school supplies, support local children, and join medical missions.

“Honor where you came from,” she says. “Love your family. Be proud of who you are. And stay humble.”

Her Leadership Philosophy

Michelle believes that being a leader today is not about titles or recognition.
“Being a leader means lifting people. Helping them grow, not just chasing your own goals.”

She emphasizes the importance of resilience—bouncing back from setbacks—and of establishing healthy boundaries. “Before, I didn’t know how to say no. Now I do. I have to take care of myself so I can help others.”

Her life mantra is simple and powerful: “Focus on what matters and let go of the rest.”

Advice for the Next Generation

For young Filipino Americans or new arrivals to the U.S., Michelle encourages community involvement.
“Join organizations. Look for groups. Attend events. Build friendships. You don’t have to do it alone.”

Her story is proof that community is not just where you come from, but also the people you choose to walk with.

Movers, Shakers, and Heartmakers

Michelle may wear a crown, but it’s her generosity that does the heavy lifting. She uses her platform to help, her time to serve, and her story to inspire.

A title made her Mrs. Philippines North Texas.
Her heart made her a true leader.