PH envoy: US to deport first illegal immigrants considered security risk

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez on Thursday said the US government would first deport illegal immigrants who have criminal records and those who are involved in terrorist activities. 

In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, Romualdez said he obtained the information from American law enforcers. The envoy said the Trump administration would prioritize the deportation of illegal immigrants who are considered a security problem to different states. 

''Uunahin nila talaga 'yung mga merong criminal record at saka terrorist activities (They will deport first those with criminal record and involved in terrorist activities),'' Romualdez said. 

In November last year, Romualdez advised Filipinos illegally staying in the US to not wait to be deported following the victory of President-elect Donald Trump. The Republican leader has said he aims to deport all illegal immigrants over his four-year term but wants a deal to protect so-called "Dreamer" immigrants. 

Romualdez advised Filipinos illegally staying in the US to get a good lawyer to help them in their case. He added that there are Filipino-American legal counsels who are willing to help illegal immigrants with their cases. 

''Para makita if pwede ka dito sa Amerika (To see if you can stay here in America),'' he said. 

According to Romualdez, an estimate of 300,000 to 350,000 Filipinos are illegally staying in the US. 

He expressed concern that illegal immigrants could end up as slave employees in order to stay in the US. 

''Meron diyan kinukuha sila magtrabaho sa kanila, di sila bibigyan ng tamang wages (They will be hired but they won't be paid the correct wages),'' the ambassador said.

Meanwhile, Romualdez also shared his brief talk with Trump in which he personally congratulated the latter over his White House comeback. The two met at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida

Had the honor and opportunity to personally congratulate President-elect @realDonaldTrump at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. I am looking forward to working once again with President Trump’s administration. pic.twitter.com/FR5tFabd0E

— Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez (@PHLAmbUSA) December 31, 2024

''Sabi ko, it's an honor for me to congratulate you, Mr. President. Sabi ko sa kanya,sabi ko maraming Pilipino ang bumoto sa inyo. 'Ah yeah, we love Filipinos, we love Filipinos.' Very cordial 'yung salita namin... (I told him, it's an honor for me to congratulate you, Mr President. I told him that many Filipinos voted for him to which he replied 'Ah yeah, we love Filipinos.' Our talk was very cordial),'' he said.—AOL, GMA Integrated News