Warning that United States President-elect Donald Trump is “serious” about his deportation plan for illegal immigrants, Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez said on Sunday, Nov. 10, that illegally staying Filipinos in the US are now worried about their status there.
In an interview over Super Radyo dzBB, the envoy confirmed that many Filipinos who are staying illegally in the US are concerned and nervous about Trump’s massive deportation plan.
“Well, of course, marami talaga silang medyo kinakabahan at maraming (many of them are anxious and have) tantrum,” Romualdez said.
Several undocumented Filipinos have been asking about the situation, too, the official added.
Romualdez, who advised Filipinos with illegal status in the US to come home and not wait to be deported, stressed that the President-elect is now “serious” about pushing through with his immigration plans.
“This time, talagang seryoso na talaga ito (this is really serious now),” he said.
The ambassador added that Trump won his comeback term in office after losing the 2020 elections to US President Joe Biden because illegal immigrants is the “main issue” for Americans.
“Talagang masyadong maraming illegal immigrants na pumapasok sa US ngayon (There are really many illegal immigrants now entering the US),” Romualdez explained.
Earlier reports showed that there are between 250,000 and 300,000 illegal Filipinos residing in the US.
Illegal immigrants, the ambassador advised, can get a lawyer to assist them in processing their application for legal status.
One of Trump’s promises during his campaign to win the Nov. 5 US elections is the mass deportation of millions of undocumented immigrants, which reports say can go up to 4.6 million.