President-elect Donald Trump

Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo has echoed the call of Philippine Ambassador to the United States (US) Jose Manuel Romualdez for undocumented Filipinos stateside to consider voluntary repatriation if they have no legal options left.

Thus, said Salo as hundreds of thousands of undocumented Filipinos in the US face potential deportation under the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump in January 2025.

“We join Ambassador Romualdez’s call for undocumented Filipinos in the US to consider voluntary repatriation if no legal options remain,” said the veteran solon.

“Returning voluntarily gives them an opportunity to be with their loved ones they may not have seen in years, or even in decades, restart their lives on solid ground, and explore new opportunities here in the Philippines," noted Salo.

Romualdez has estimated that up to 300,000 Filipino nationals, many of whom initially entered the US legally but overstayed their visas, could be affected by the stricter immigration policies under the returning Trump.

He has also cautioned those who will choose to stay to seek counsel only from legitimate legal advisers.

Salo encouraged these affected overstaying Filipinos to view repatriation as a chance to rebuild and start anew.

He added that if these Filipinos still wish to return to the US someday, then repatriation is an opportunity to start right and have better chance of a valid and legal pathway back, free from the anxiety of uncertain status.

“While they may not have the same opportunities in the Philippines with the opportunities they currently have in the US, voluntary repatriation will spare them and their families in the Philippines the mental anguish and anxiety that go with the knowledge that anytime they may be apprehended by immigration authorities,” he further said.

With the expected large number of returning Filipinos from the US, Salo said that a whole-of-government, whole-of-society, and whole-of-nation approach is needed to ensure comprehensive support as they restart their lives in the Philippines.

“The government has existing reintegration programs for returning Filipinos, but we need all agencies of the government particularly the DMW (Department of Migrant Workers), OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration), DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment), DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government), DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) and TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) to collaborate and come up with robust and comprehensive reintegration plans and programs for returning Filipinos from the US," he emphasized.

“We need to ensure that we’re able to assist them to either find jobs or start their businesses, and leverage the skills, competencies and experiences they acquired in the US,” Salo added.

Romualdez has announced plans to meet with the seven Philippine consulates in the US to coordinate immediate legal and repatriation support for Filipinos affected by impending US immigration policy changes.

They plan to ensure that Filipinos at risk of deportation have access to legitimate legal guidance and have clear information about their options, including voluntary repatriation support and assistance in reconnecting with their families in the Philippines.