Still no illegal Filipino immigrants arrested during Trump’s crackdown — DFA

No undocumented Filipinos have been arrested yet under the Trump administration, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

In a correspondence with GMA News Online, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega stated that Filipinos who were deported had already been under the custody of United States before U.S. President Donald Trump took office last January 20.

“A handful have been sent home, but their cases were pending and they were under US custody already even before Trump took over,” he said.

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez said that he is now coordinating with Filipino-American lawyers from the Filipino American Legal Defense and Education Fund (FALDEF) for legal assistance.

De Vega further clarified that deportation orders are only conducted against undocumented aliens with criminal cases or records.

“Our Ambassador in DC has already explained that he has contacted Filipino-American lawyers under the Filipino American Legal Defense and Education Fund (FALDEF) to provide illegal Filipinos with pro bono legal services,” said de Vega.

“At present, deportations are being conducted against undocumented aliens with criminal records or pending criminal cases,” he added.

Earlier, Romualdez called for undocumented Filipinos in the US not to lose hope, especially for those who had clean records and have been working in the US for years.

However, he clarified that it might only be possible for Filipinos who overstayed their tourist visas.

“Those people who have been working here and paying taxes probably have a better chance of staying,” he said.

The Department of Labor and Employment stated that they would be preparing assistance for Filipinos who would be deported as a result of the immigration crackdown.

''Ang Department of Labor and Employment ay patuloy na tutulong din sa DMW (Department of Migrant Workers) dahil 'yan naman ang laging tagubilin ng ating Pangulo Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Convergence ng mga ginagawa ng iba't-ibang departamento,'' said DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma.

(The DOLE will help the DMW because that's the guidance of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.: the convergence of the duties of various departments.)

U.S. President Donald Trump’s campaign included the deportation of illegal immigrants in the United States.

Since he was sworn into office, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. authorities have begun intensified crackdowns for undocumented immigrants across all of U.S.

“ICE agents can immediately arrest anyone unable to present valid identification. They will ask about their immigration status. If they cannot produce a green card or immigration papers, such as an employment authorization or approval notices proving their status, they will face problems. Without these documents, they could be detained,” said FALDEF Executive Director and immigration lawyer Licelle Cobrador. — BAP, GMA Integrated News