Senator Risa Hontiveros urged the government to assist Filipinos at risk of deportation from the U.S. following the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
“The Philippine government has an obligation to protect all Filipino nationals, wherever they are in the world. Kung may mga Pilipinong tuluyang ma-deport pabalik ng Pilipinas, dapat handa narin ang gobyerno para tanggapin at suportahan sila,” said Hontiveros.
She called on the Philippine Embassy and consulates in the U.S. to allocate funds through the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Migrant Workers to prepare for possible repatriations.
Hontiveros issued the statement after meeting with the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), which raised concerns about undocumented Filipinos in the U.S. APALA noted that while legal remedies exist, many lack access to proper legal aid and may be deported without due process.
“Huwag nating hayaang maabuso ang mga kababayan natin sa Amerika. Their rights under US immigration laws should be made known to them and the PH government should help them exercise those rights,” the senator said.
“It is the Constitutional duty of the Philippines to safeguard the welfare and wellbeing of overseas Filipinos. Sa panahong talamak ang mga pagbabanta at pananakot sa mga foreigner sa Amerika, sana huwag talikuran ng ating gobyerno ang ating kapwa Pilipino,” she concluded.IMT
