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Filipinos in US Urged to Seek Legal Status Amid Immigration Crackdown

Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo Jose De Vega

MANILA — The Philippine government is advising undocumented Filipino immigrants in the United States to “keep a low profile” and actively pursue legal pathways to residency, as the Trump administration signals potential immigration policy changes.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo Jose De Vega told reporters Saturday that an estimated 300,000 undocumented Filipino nationals should strategically work towards legalizing their status, emphasizing that most originally entered the U.S. with valid visas that subsequently expired.

“Our primary recommendation is to minimize visibility while simultaneously exploring legal mechanisms for regularization,” De Vega said during a news forum in Quezon City.

The official suggested that President Donald Trump’s recent statements indicate potential flexibility for “productive” undocumented immigrants who do not fall under criminal categories. He noted that during Trump’s first presidency, monthly Filipino deportations were relatively low, numbering “only a few hundred.”

De Vega cautioned against premature panic, urging Filipinos to await comprehensive immigration data over the next six to eight months. He stressed that the Philippine government stands prepared to support its nationals, with both the Department of Foreign Affairs and Department of Migrant Workers maintaining assistance funds for potential interventions.

The government recommends that potentially vulnerable immigrants consult immigration lawyers and explore legal strategies to contest deportation proceedings, highlighting potential arguments demonstrating their productive contributions to U.S. society.

Philippine officials remain hopeful that mass deportations can be mitigated through strategic engagement and individual legal defenses.