The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is set to coordinate with the Philippine Embassy in the United States in response to the immigration policies under the Trump administration according to DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia. 

In a statement on Friday, 31 January, Olalia said the agency is working on several programs with the Embassy to assist undocumented Filipino workers (or the so-called tago-ng-tago or TNTs) in the US. He also added that reintegration programs are in place for those affected, in coordination with the Migrant Workers Offices (MWO) in Washington and Los Angeles. 

“We have a reintegration program for all returning overseas Filipino workers, both documented and undocumented. The DMW, through its coordination with the Migrant Workers Offices, provides them with livelihood assistance and training,” the undersecretary said. 

Legal support available

Legal assistance is also available for workers facing deportation proceedings.

Olalia reminded Filipinos seeking to work or migrate abroad to follow regular labor migration channels. Those leaving for employment must undergo documentation at the DMW, while Filipinos planning to live permanently in another country should register with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas. 

‘We have a reintegration program for all returning overseas Filipino workers, both documented and undocumented.’

Despite concerns among Filipinos in the US, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) sees potential opportunities, provided that the government can properly reintegrate the affected Filipinos. National Economic and Development Authority Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon attributed the “positive side” to the Filipinos’ high-level skills in the local job market. 

“What is important here is to be able to place them, that is mutually beneficial to them and to us,” Edillon said. 

To date, 24 Filipinos have been deported between 1 October and 18 January during the final months of Joe Biden’s administration. No deportations among Filipinos have been recorded from 20 to 27 January. 

Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez previously stated that 80 more Filipinos were awaiting deportation. However, the Embassy later clarified that as of 16 January, 16 Filipino nationals are in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.