The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Philippines has issued guidance to Filipinos residing illegally or overstaying in the United States, recommending they maintain a low profile and pursue legal status amid the Trump administration’s stringent immigration policies. This advice was shared by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo Jose De Vega during a news forum in Quezon City. De Vega emphasized that the DFA is prepared to assist Filipinos who contact the Philippine Embassy or consulates in the US.
De Vega highlighted that President Trump has expressed willingness to collaborate with Democrats on the issue of illegal immigrants who are not categorized as criminals or terrorists, suggesting a potential pathway for these individuals to legalize their status. He pointed out that all Filipinos in the US, even those undocumented, initially entered the country with a visa, which may have since expired.
The undersecretary also addressed the feasibility of mass deportations, stating it would be ‘almost impossible’ to deport the estimated 300,000 Filipinos without legal status before the end of Trump’s term. He advised that those targeted for deportation have legal options to challenge their removal and potentially extend their stay.
De Vega noted that during Trump’s first term, the deportation numbers of undocumented Filipinos were lower compared to the Obama administration, with only a few hundred deportations per month. He suggested monitoring deportation figures over the next six to eight months before drawing conclusions about any increase.
The Philippine government, according to De Vega, is ready to respond to any mass deportation efforts affecting Filipinos, with resources like the DFA Assistance-to-Nationals fund and the Department of Migrant Workers’ Aksyon Fund available for legal, medical, financial, and other forms of assistance, including repatriation and rights protection.