Senators urge assistance for undocumented Filipinos in US

At least three senators on Tuesday urged government agencies to provide logistical support and prepare livelihood contingencies for undocumented Filipinos staying in the United States who might be subjected to deportation following the victory of President-elect Donald Trump.

Senator Imee Marcos, chairperson of the Senate foreign relations committee, reiterated her concern about the possible substantial shifts in US policies, particularly in immigration, defense, and geopolitical interests.

“Let’s not wait for the hammer to fall—prepare now,” Marcos said.

Marcos noted that there are over 200,000 undocumented Filipinos who are now under the threat of mass deportation.

"We need a plan for these families who may be forced to come home,” she said, emphasizing the need for a plan for expanded reintegration programs, including skills training, livelihood support, and direct assistance for deportees, from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Labor and Employment, and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

She noted that under the 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP), the DSWD has only sufficient funding for 4,152 distressed and undocumented overseas Filipinos next year, while last year, the DFA was able to assist only 72,206 overseas Filipinos using the Assistance to Nationals Fund and the Legal Assistance Fund.

"What will happen if the number of distressed overseas Filipinos suddenly triples? Are the government agencies prepared to rapidly and adequately respond to their needs?" she asked.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada likewise asked the government to focus on creating a comprehensive contingency plan for Filipinos who might be affected by Trump's immigration policy, "instead of sounding alarmist."

Apart from the efforts of concerned government agencies to create logistical support plans for the eventual repatriation of undocumented Filipinos in the US, Estrada said authorities should also help returning Filipinos by providing them with jobs or other means of livelihood.

"Madaling sabihin na sana piliin na lang na umuwi ng mga undocumented nating kababayan na sa US kesa antayin pa nilang mai-deport... Our government should be prepared to offer financial assistance programs to help families affected by the loss of a financial lifeline," he pointed out.

For his part, Senator Joel Villanueva called on the DMW and the DFA to ensure that the welfare of every Filipino in the US is protected.

He noted that in the proposed 2025 budget, the DMW has P1.3 billion for the Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFW na Nangangailangan (AKSYON) Fund, which aims to provide legal, medical, financial, and other forms of assistance to our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and P1.287 billion for Emergency Repatriation Fund in case there is a need to repatriate them.

"The DMW, together with the DOLE, must ensure that the government has clear and effective full-cycle reintegration programs that are tailored to the specific needs, skills, and backgrounds of each of our kababayans should they need to return home. It is crucial that we establish a coordinated repatriation mechanism to facilitate a smooth transition for our fellow Filipinos," Villanueva said.

Last week, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel "Babes" Romualdez advised Filipinos illegally staying in the US not to wait to be deported following the victory of President-elect Donald Trump.

"I can see that the administration of President Trump is really going to be very strict with the immigration policy that he intends to put in place because that is the promise he made to the American public," he stressed.

Last Monday, Romualdez said Philippine consuls in the United States are set to hold a meeting to find ways to help thousands of Filipinos who are illegally staying there.

Data gathered by the GMA Integrated News Research showed that there are 4,640,313 Filipinos in the US as of last year, according to the latest figures by the US Census Bureau.

Further, data from the US Department of Homeland Security stated that Filipinos are the fifth largest unauthorized immigrant population in the US with 350,000 in 2022. —LDF, GMA Integrated News