PH consulates in US to assist undocumented Pinoys at risk of deportation

LOS ANGELES, CA — A month before the start of Donald Trump’s second presidential term, the nine Philippine consulates across the United States have prepared to assist undocumented Filipinos who wish to return to the Philippines.

New York Consul General Senen Mangalile told GMA Integrated News that they are ready to help Filipinos who may be affected by mass deportations and the new immigration policies expected to be implemented by the incoming US administration under President Trump.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has allocated funds through the Assistance to Nationals (ATN) section of each consulate in the US to cover plane tickets for undocumented Filipinos who want to go back to the Philippines.

“Filipino citizens in the US who need help for repatriation may be eligible to access the ATN Fund. Once they have made the decision to go home, they may visit our Assistance to Nationals Section, which is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. They can also consult via email at newyorkpcg.atn@dfa.gov.ph. In cases of urgent need, our mobile hotline is (917) 294-0196.”

Consul General Mangalile added that their staff is ready to process the necessary documentation for Filipinos to return home.

He assured undocumented Filipinos that they have no reason to fear approaching the consulate, emphasizing that they will not face detention for seeking assistance.

“We want to reassure our kababayan that the Consulate, as an agency of the Philippine government, is committed to assisting Filipino citizens regardless of their immigration status.

We will assist within the bounds of what we can legally do, as far as the resources that the DFA can make available to us will allow, and with due respect to US laws.”

According to the Department of Migrant Workers, there are approximately 370,000 undocumented Filipinos currently residing in the US. Many Filipinos and Filipino Americans are concentrated in six states: California, Hawaii, New Jersey, Texas, Illinois and Washington DC.  —RF, GMA Integrated News