Filipino migrants in US appeal for gov’t help
(Last of two parts)
Having lived in the United States for a decade, Jhong Delacruz, a Filipino nurse based in Washington, DC, has long been aware of labor rights violations against Filipinos, including wage theft, low pay and delayed overtime payments.
These recurring problems, he noted, have worsened due to a growing “anti-immigrant” culture fueled by the Trump administration’s policies and rhetoric, which he said are now shifting the blame for the country’s economic woes to immigrants.
“Even though I’m a US citizen, I still have fear because of the strong anti-immigrant sentiment being promoted here,” Delacruz, press liaison of advocacy group Migrante USA, told the Inquirer.
After winning a fresh term as US president, alongside his fellow Republicans taking control of the US Congress, Donald Trump immediately declared illegal immigration a national emergency, signing a series of policies ordering the military to assist in border security, suspending refugee admission program, and denying citizenship even to US-born children whose parents are not US citizens or lawful permanent residents.
In an executive order dated Jan. 20, titled “Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” Trump ordered the immediate removal of individuals in the US without legal status, instructed agencies to enforce deportation orders, criminalized unauthorized entry and continued unlawful presence, expanded the Department of Homeland Security’s presence nationwide, and the construction of detention facilities for those awaiting deportation proceedings.
The following day, he announced the rescission of a policy by his predecessor Joe Biden that limited federal immigration arrests near “sensitive locations” such as schools, hospitals and churches.
‘Collateral arrests’
While these policies outline specific targets, Delacruz said the reality on the ground has led to arrests even in previously designated “protected” locations, along with “collateral arrests” of innocent individuals legally residing in the US.
Civil society groups, including Migrante, have mobilized advocates to support affected Filipino migrant communities, but they are hoping that the Philippine government will take a more proactive role in providing assistance.
In cases of collateral arrests, Delacruz explained that if authorities target an individual with a criminal case, that person’s roommate or neighbor with unresolved immigration issues could also be arrested.
He cited a case in New Jersey where someone was taken into custody and questioned because their coworker was undocumented and they “didn’t fit the typical American profile.”
“Even though they were US citizens, they were still detained. They were eventually released, but this goes to show that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations are not limited to those with criminal records—others are also being harassed and arrested,” he said.
Undocumented Filipinos
With the lifting of protections for sanctuary cities and other sensitive locations, Nerissa Allegretti, president of the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns, expressed fears that the next round of raids could happen in churches.
In late January, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez reported that 24 Filipinos had been deported, allegedly for involvement in illegal activities.
At a Feb. 6 press conference, Allegretti said they received a report about eight Filipino caregivers arrested at their workplace on Jan. 24.
Two were reportedly released after providing proper documentation, but six were deported, she said.
The Philippine government estimates about 300,000 undocumented Filipinos in the US, while Migrante estimates the figure could range from 300,000 to one million.
As early as December 2024, Allegretti said their group, along with other immigrant rights advocates, labor movements, and faith-based organizations in Chicago, formed an alliance and conducted rights training for volunteers and affected families, particularly for those undocumented parents whose children were born in the US.
They now have around 50 trained volunteers handling various aspects such as rapid response and community support and forming mutual aid groups for affected families.
Allegretti added that they are working closely with local politicians, city councilors, state senators and congressional representatives.
She noted that volunteers are monitoring the situation almost 24/7, while protests are ongoing in Chicago, with “strong unity” between Black and Brown communities and various advocacy groups.
“The hope is there. We are organizing to face the situation, but for me, and for us, we really want the Philippine government to take action,” Allegretti said.
Excessive paperwork
Delacruz cited the need for the Philippine government’s help through the Assistance to Nationals services for all Philippine nationals and the Aksyon Fund for registered overseas Filipino workers—which are handled by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
He noted, however, that accessing these funds, especially for legal cases in the US, remains extremely difficult due to excessive paperwork, making it feel like “passing through the eye of a needle.”
The DFA had earlier advised Filipino immigrants to “keep a low profile” and actively work toward regularizing their legal status in the United States.
Foreign Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega, speaking at a January news conference, recalled Trump’s comments that he can work with Democrats to address undocumented immigrants who do not fall under such deportation priority categories as “criminals and terrorists.”
“That means they will create legal avenues to encourage productive overstaying aliens to become fully legalized. So, take advantage of that,” De Vega said.
He also stressed that immigrants targeted for deportation still have legal options so they could remain in the US for at least several months.
