Filipino immigrants in the United States (U.S.) who are staying in the country without undergoing proper legal processes are urged to consider returning to the Philippines voluntarily before they risk deportation. This sudden news comes from the fact that the new Trump administration will be established after the former president won the 2024 US Elections.
Jose Manuel Romualdez, the Philippine Ambassador to the U.S., issued this warning as he expected stricter immigration policies in the future. This affects an estimated 250,000 to 300,000 undocumented Filipinos in the country. As the situation around immigration enforcement tightens, Filipino U.S. deportation concerns grow, forcing many to rethink their next steps.
The New Immigration Landscape and Filipino Immigrants
With Trump’s main campaign pledge to enforce strict immigration policies while increasing efforts on deportation, Filipino immigrants are now carrying immense pressure to resolve their immigration status before said laws take place. Ambassador Romualdez’s advice was clear: either go home voluntarily or face deportation in the near future. He further stressed that leaving by your own will can help you increase your chances of legal entry in the future. That’s because Deportation could permanently stop you from returning to the U.S. after the process which is the worst possible outcome for those who have built their lives and careers in the country.
Ambassador Romualdez even stated that your chances of being detected have increased because of the advanced exchange of information between U.S. agencies. This has made it challenging for undocumented immigrants of every kind to remain undetected. Not only that, it intensifies the oncoming reality of Filipino U.S. deportation. This is especially true considering that Trump’s administration officially assigned resources to manifest one of the largest deportation efforts in U.S. history, directly impacting not only the lives of Filipino immigrants but others as well.
Options for Undocumented Filipinos
For Filipino “illegals,” the choices you have are scarce. Ambassador Romualdez suggested that those who have legal methods should avail themselves of them as fast as they can in order to formalize their status. Make sure to seek professional legal assistance so that you can have more ideas on the possible routes to legalization. Meanwhile, those who are unable to solve this issue are highly encouraged to go back to the Philippines to avoid legal and social consequences such as deportation. This comes from the fact that some Filipinos also voted for Donald Trump.
The Filipino US deportation threat has motivated the Philippine Embassy to provide resources and guidance for those seeking a solution. Filipinos are advised to go to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) at the embassy in Washington to consult with legal experts who can offer proper counsel on the issue.
Conclusion
With Trump’s commitment to enforcing strict immigration laws, Filipino undocumented immigrants in the U.S. are now in a dilemma. Either go home or risk the chance of not going back to the U.S. ever again after deportation. Although it may sound like giving up, Ambassador Romualdez’s advice offers a way to avoid long-term consequences and have the chance to avail of legal re-entry in the future. For many, this choice may be the first step towards a new chapter in their lives either in the Philippines or back in the U.S.
