Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez urged illegal Filipino immigrants to leave voluntarily, warning that deportation under President-elect Donald Trump’s stricter immigration policies would bar reentry.
Around 200,000 Filipinos in the U.S. could face immigration challenges if Trump moves forward with his plan to crack down on undocumented immigrants.
In an interview with NewsWatch Plus, the ambassador acknowledged that while this number is small relative to the overall Filipino population, those with unresolved immigration status should address their issues promptly. Many face delays in visa or permanent residency applications, he explained.
Romualdez stressed that failing to resolve immigration issues could lead to deportation, which would permanently bar return to the U.S.
“Do not let it come to a point where they will deport you because the minute you are deported from the United States, you cannot come back here. I’ve seen that happen. I know people who come to me asking for help, but I cannot help them,” he said.
He also noted that immigration laws are tightening globally, not just in the U.S.
“It would be a problem for them if they get deported. That will close the door on them. They can never come back here anymore to the United States,” Romualdez added.
During his campaign, Trump has pledged to overhaul U.S. immigration policy, including large-scale deportations of undocumented immigrants.
