Legalize stay, Pinoy illegals in U.S. told

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez has renewed his call for undocumented Filipinos to take immediate steps to address their immigration status as mass deportations intensify across the US.

Speaking in a radio interview on Sunday, Romualdez urged the more than 300,000 Filipinos living in the US without proper documentation to consult immigration lawyers and begin the process of legalizing their stay.

“I always say that Filipinos whose status is uncertain —meaning they are working and paying taxes but lack clear legal status — should go to an immigration lawyer and start fixing their situation now. There is still a chance for them to legalize their status,” he said.

“If there is no chance for them to legalize their status, authorities will eventually find out one way or another, and they will have to leave. If they are deported, they won’t be able to return to America,” he added.

Romualdez’s remarks came as US President Donald Trump intensified his administration’s crackdown on immigration. Recently, Trump revoked the temporary legal status of 530,000 immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela and Nicaragua, effective 24 April.

The ambassador explained that anyone who entered the US illegally, regardless of nationality, could face deportation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He emphasized the importance of acting quickly to avoid such consequences.

“If your status in America is illegal, you can definitely be included in those being deported. It’s crucial for Filipinos to carefully assess their actual status,” he said.

“Based on my conversations with immigration lawyers, as long as you are working and paying taxes, there is hope. While it may not be a guarantee, a legal pathway might still be possible,” he added.

Up to 80 going home

Romualdez revealed that a number of undocumented Filipinos are set for deportation in the coming months, though he did not disclose specific figures. Last month, he noted that around 60 to 80 Filipinos in the US were scheduled for deportation.

The current wave of deportations is part of what is being called the largest deportation campaign in US history.

President Trump, who promised to deport an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants while campaigning, has set a goal of expelling at least 1 million undocumented immigrants annually.

Since returning to office, President Trump has doubled down on his hardline immigration policies, prioritizing border security and mass deportations.

His administration recently invoked wartime legislation to deport over 200 alleged Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador’s mega-prison, a move that has drawn international criticism due to the facility’s harsh conditions.