Three Filipinos facing criminal charges in the United States have chosen to leave the country through voluntary departure, with Philippine consulates in New York and San Francisco closely monitoring their cases, according to a report by Inquirer.net.
Voluntary departure—often called self-deportation—allows eligible migrants to exit the US at their own expense before a formal removal order is issued. The recent cases involve a 29-year-old Massachusetts resident with a prior rape conviction, an individual in Philadelphia charged with terrorism-related offenses, and a detainee at the Denver Contract Detention Facility.
Their decisions come as the Filipino community grapples with high-profile arrests, including that of 28-year-old green-card holder Mark Lorenzo Villanueva, who was taken into FBI custody in Los Angeles for allegedly sending funds to self-identified ISIS fighters abroad.
US lawmakers, including Rep. Grace Meng of New York, have expressed alarm over reports of lawful permanent residents and even US citizens—many of them Asian or Asian American—being detained without legal representation. Advocates warn such practices undermine constitutional protections.
Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez has advised undocumented Filipinos to consider voluntary departure as a way to preserve eligibility for future entry. “Once you’re deported you can never come back to the United States,” he said, stressing the difference between voluntary departure and forced removal.
However, Filipino-American immigration lawyer Flomy Diza cautioned that leaving under programs like “Project Homecoming” could trigger reentry bans lasting three to 10 years, depending on unlawful presence. “Do not self-deport without getting individualized legal advice first,” Diza warned, noting that timing, documentation, and legal strategy are critical to avoid long-term consequences.
Ohio mayor and Fil-Am legal expert Ron Falconi echoed the warning, urging immigrants not to make irreversible decisions out of fear. “Fear is a poor guide for life-changing choices. Facts, sound legal advice, and a clear plan are what keep doors open,” he said.
