Pinoy illegals in US urged to seek help

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AMID the hardline immigration policy of the Trump administration, Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez yesterday urged Filipinos illegally staying in the United States to reach out to Philippine offices there.

He also said Filipinos illegally staying in the US who have had criminal records are in danger of getting caught by US authorities and deported to Manila.

“I think it is those with criminal records or those who have totally ignored the idea of even filing to try to become legal here in the US, those are the people na namemeligro at pwedeng (in danger and may be), they can be deported,” Romualdez said, adding that those who have come to the US with tourist visas and have overstayed will likely get deported.

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Romualdez issued the statements a day after Donald Trump formally took his oath as the 47th US President when he also made a series of announcements meant to drastically reduce the number of immigrants in the country.

“The major concern is those who have been here (US) for many, many years and already have families, jobs and everything. But as I said, there are certain rights that many will have and that’s why we’re asking many groups from Fil-Am community that are prepared to have some good advice on how to proceed on taking a legal path. These are the people we would like to help,” Romualdez told ABS-CBN News Channel.

There are over 4.6 million Filipinos in the US, according to records. Many Filipinos and Filipino Americans are living in California, Hawaii, New Jersey, Texas, Illinois and Washington, DC.

American authorities have said there are at least 300,000 Filipinos illegally staying in the US, making them the fifth largest group of undocumented immigrants.

Romualdez earlier met with Philippine consul generals to map out plans on how to assist undocumented Filipinos in the US.

Romualdez said embassy and consulate officials will also further intensify their engagement with US officials to advocate and ensure the protection of the rights of Filipinos in the US.

Aside from the embassy in Washington, the Philippines also maintains consulates in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Honolulu and Guam.

Last month, the Philippine Consulate in New York said the Department of Foreign Affairs has allotted funds to cover the plane fare of undocumented Filipinos who want to return to Manila.

Romualdez yesterday also expressed confidence that the country and its interests are not at risk even with Trump back in Washington. He said bilateral relations are borne out of treaties and agreements and the long partnership between the Filipinos and Americans. The two countries are also bound by the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty pledging each other to come to its aid in case of a foreign invasion or an armed attack.

“We are not at risk. We have a mutual defense treaty, and it is very important for the US that we are there because we are at the forefront now because of the West Philippine Sea, the South China Sea,” he said in mixed Filipino and English.

“The US needs us too,” he added.

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