Filipinos illegally staying in the United States are at risk of deportation as President Donald Trump pushes forward with his stringent anti-immigration policies. Philippine Ambassador to the US, Jose Manuel Romualdez, revealed on ANC’s Headstart that approximately 350,000 Filipinos could be affected by what he described as the “largest deportation program in US history.”
Romualdez expressed concern over the impact on Filipinos who have built lives in the US, establishing families and careers over the years. In response, the Philippine Embassy plans to initiate a program providing legal assistance to help affected Filipinos understand their options and rights.
“There are certain rights many will have, and Filipino-American community groups are stepping up to offer guidance on legal pathways for those impacted,” Romualdez explained.
However, he noted that individuals with criminal records or those who have failed to regularize their status face the greatest risk of deportation. “The advice is simple: do what is correct to achieve peace of mind,” he added.
Trump, in his inaugural address, emphasized that his administration will take immediate action to curb illegal immigration, including deploying troops to secure the southern border. He also aims to invoke the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to target non-citizens deemed a threat to national security.
The Philippine Embassy is seeking to arrange a meeting between Trump and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to address this issue. Meanwhile, Filipinos in the US are encouraged to explore legal pathways, such as naturalization or spousal citizenship, to secure their status in the country.
