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How Filipino WWII Veterans Are Being Reunited With Family Overseas

Left to right, Filipino-American World War II veterans Joaquin Tejada of Washington, Guillermo Rumingan of Arlington, Va., and Celestino Almeda of Alexandria, Va., visit the National World War II Memorial in Washington Thursday, April 29, 2004.
Associated Press
Left to right, Filipino-American World War II veterans Joaquin Tejada of Washington, Guillermo Rumingan of Arlington, Va., and Celestino Almeda of Alexandria, Va., visit the National World War II Memorial in Washington Thursday, April 29, 2004.

Forum set for Tuesday in San Diego to discuss parole program

The federal government is offering a final thank you to Filipino veterans who fought with the U.S. during World War II.

Decades after the war, the veterans were allowed to become U.S. citizens but not their children.

Under the Filipino WWII Veterans Parole Program, which took effect this month, veterans' children are eligible to come to the U.S. before their immigrant visas become available.

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The program will allow relatives of Filipino U.S. veterans or their spouses to reunite with their families, which can be especially important if the children need to care for their parents.

About 250,000 Filipinos fought under the U.S. flag during World War II, including 60,000 who lost their lives.

It's not known how many San Diegans will be affected by the new policy, but San Diego County has about 182,000 Filipinos, according to the 2010 U.S. Census. A forum on the program will be held Tuesday in San Diego.