Jamaine Punzalan

US President-elect Donald Trump, Nov. 6, 2024. Jim Watson, AFP/File

Article (news)

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/173432841377020241106-trump=elections-us-AFP-2 (1).jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="US President-elect Donald Trump, Nov. 6, 2024. Jim Watson, AFP/File "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">US President-elect Donald Trump, Nov. 6, 2024. Jim Watson, AFP/File </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — A Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) official on Monday assured Filipinos that their “law-abiding” kin in the United States are not the target of President-elect Donald Trump’s mass deportation policy.</p><p>The returning Trump administration is looking to deport illegal immigrants who are either involved in criminal activity or are not contributing to the US economy, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega told state television PTV.</p><p>“Hindi tina-target ni President-elect Trump yung mga law-abiding Filipinos,” De Vega said.</p><p>“Ang tina-target niya ay yung mga pinasok ni President Biden sa kaniyan administrasyon… Ilang milyon yun na pinapasok na hindi naman nagtratrabaho, dumating lang sa Amerika para tumanggap ng social welfare,” he said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2024/12/8/trump-touts-tariffs-mass-deportations-and-nato-skepticism-in-tv-interview-0051">Trump touts tariffs, mass deportations and NATO skepticism in TV interview</a></div><p>The Philippine government does not want to cause undue panic, but the best advice is to always keep in touch with the embassy or consulate, the DFA undersecretary said.</p><p>“Ayaw naman naming maging alarmist kasi mahal naman tayo ng US. Kahit sino maging presidente diyan, maganda naman yung ating relations,” he said.</p><p>“Just be law abiding kahit wala kayong papeles… at most likely hindi po kayo made-deport,” he said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/overseas/02/03/18/us-immigration-agents-crack-down-on-sanctuary-state-california">US immigration agents crack down on &#x27;sanctuary state&#x27; California</a></div><p>Filipinos who are wary of the status of their stay in the US should not hesitate approaching Philippine embassy officials for any questions or concerns, De Vega said.</p><p>“Wala sa aming magkukulong [ng Filipino illegal immigrant] kasi hindi naman kami law enforcement ng United States,” he said.</p><p>“Mas lalong hindi kami magsusumbong. Hindi kami mga marites… Obligasyon ng pamahalaan na protektahan lahat ng kababayan natin sa ibang bansa,” he said.</p><p>The DFA estimates that there are 300,000 to 350,000 Filipinos who are overstaying in the United States, De Vega said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/world/2024/11/11/ramaswamy-trump-will-carry-out-largest-mass-deportation-in-us-history-1636">Ramaswamy: Trump will carry out largest mass deportation in US history</a></div><p>Trump is expected to take his oath as US President on January 20, 2025.</p><p>Should the new administration decide to deport any Filipino, the Department of Migrant Workers is ready to provide financial aid and educational assistance for their dependents to ensure that they can have a fresh start in the Philippines, De Vega said.</p><p>“Kung kaya naman nila, kusang umuwi na sila. Bumili na sila ng ticket,” he said.</p><p>“Kasi kung umuwi na sila, baka makabalik pa. Kasi kung i-deport sila, hindi na makakabalik yan. Yung mga dinedeport, banned na from returning to the US,” he said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/world/2024/11/18/trump-confirms-plan-to-use-military-for-mass-deportation-606">Trump confirms plan to use military for mass deportation</a></div>

<p>A Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) official on Monday assured Filipinos that their “law-abiding” kin in the United States are not the target of President-elect Donald Trump’s mass deportation policy.</p>

A Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) official on Monday assured Filipinos that their “law-abiding” kin in the United States are not the target of President-elect Donald Trump’s mass deportation policy.

‘Law-abiding’ Filipinos in US not target of Trump’s deportation policy: DFA exec

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‘Law-abiding’ Filipinos in US not target of Trump’s deportation policy: DFA exec

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 16, 2024 01:58 PM PHT

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