PH Embassy, consuls general in US vow to help Pinoys regardless of immigration status

The Philippine Embassy and consuls general in the United States vowed to intensify their engagement with US officials in order to ensure the welfare of Filipinos living there amid the expected immigration policy changes under President-elect Donald Trump.

In a statement on Thursday, the Philippine ambassador and consuls general made a commitment that they would continue to provide consular services to Filipinos regardless of their immigration status.

They met on December 10 and 11 to tackle a wide range of issues related to the regulations that will be enforced by the Trump administration, particularly its immigration policies.

"The Heads of Posts understand the uncertainty felt by certain segments of the Filipino community in the United States following recent pronouncements by the incoming administration," they said.

[READ] STATEMENT OF THE PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR AND CONSULS GENERAL
IN THE UNITED STATES pic.twitter.com/pz5USy1rYr

— Philippine Embassy in the USA (@philippinesusa) December 11, 2024

They also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting and providing appropriate consular aid to Filipino nationals while respecting the laws in the US.

The meeting was an important step, they said, in ensuring a unified, coordinated, and effective response.

Earlier, Trump said he aims to deport all illegal immigrants in the US over his four-year term, but wants a deal to protect so-called "Dreamer" immigrants.

Trump, a Republican who will make a comeback at the White House, is expected to declare illegal immigration a national emergency when he takes office on January 20 of next year.

He plans to draw on resources from across the federal government to support a wide-ranging crackdown against illegal immigration.

Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez earlier said many of the Filipinos who are illegally staying in the US have been worried as Trump is expected to fulfill his campaign promise of launching a mass deportation of immigrants. — VDV, GMA Integrated News