Over 900 Filipinos in Greenland could be affected by US plans
US President Donald Trump waves to the press while walking from the South Lawn upon arrival at the White House in Washington, DC on January 22, 2026. Trump returned from the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland where he backed down on threats to seize Greenland by force from ally Denmark, announcing a vague deal aimed at ensuring security of the Arctic territory on January 21, 2026.
Alex WROBLEWSKI / AFP
If the United States pushes through with any move to take control of Greenland, at least 921 Filipinos currently residing there could be affected.
Data from Statista in 2024 show that Filipinos make up the largest group of immigrants in Greenland, aside from Danes or Danish nationals.
The same data indicate that 349 Thai nationals live in Greenland, followed by 148 Polish residents and 122 Icelanders.
U.S. President Donald Trump has floated the idea of acquiring Greenland since his first term and has revived the initiative as part of his current political agenda.
However, the “framework of a future deal,” a preliminary agreement announced on 21 January 2026, suggests that an “Arctic security strategy” is being pursued instead of outright acquisition. The approach was discussed between Trump and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
The strategy, initially proposed by NATO allies and Arctic stakeholders, emphasizes cooperation on defense and the strengthening of each participating nation, rather than territorial expansion.
During his second term, Trump has also shifted focus toward immigration enforcement, highlighting deportations of migrants living in the United States.
Since then, thousands of migrants have been arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with critics raising concerns over measures that have fueled fear among immigrant communities.
According to the Pew Research Center, 4.6 million Filipinos currently reside in the United States.