MANILA – The Trump administration’s aggressive campaign against illegal immigrants in the United States has put an unspecified number of Filipinos at risk of deportation. Philippine Ambassador to the US, Jose Manuel Romualdez, disclosed in a recent interview that several newly arrived Filipinos have been notified of their impending deportation, marking them as the initial group to be deported under the second term of President Trump. This move aligns with the administration’s promise to intensify arrests and deportations of undocumented immigrants.
While specific details such as the exact number of affected Filipinos, their current status, and the scheduled dates of deportation remain undisclosed, it is known that the majority of these individuals are located in California, New York, and New Jersey. Ambassador Romualdez emphasized the uncertainty surrounding their situation, advising those without a legal path to consider voluntary departure. For those who might have a legal basis to stay, he recommended seeking the assistance of an immigration lawyer to explore their rights and potential legal avenues.
The urgency of the situation was underscored by the US Department of Homeland Security’s recent launch of a nationwide advertising campaign. This campaign explicitly warns illegal immigrants to leave the country voluntarily or face deportation, with the added consequence of being barred from returning to the US. This development has heightened concerns among Filipino communities in the US and prompted a response from the Philippine government.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed relevant government agencies to extend support to Filipinos facing deportation. In response, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) are preparing to utilize their respective funds to assist these individuals. The DFA’s Assistance to Nationals fund and the DMW’s Aksyon Fund are set to provide legal, medical, financial, and other necessary support to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the deportation threat.
The DFA has also advised undocumented Filipinos in the US to maintain a low profile and to take steps to legalize their stay if possible. This guidance comes in light of the increasing enforcement actions and the potential for more Filipinos to be targeted in the coming months. The situation remains fluid, and the Philippine government continues to monitor developments closely, ready to offer further assistance as needed.