24 Filipinos deported, more being processed

Twenty-four Filipino nationals were recently deported for alleged illegal activities, according to Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez.

Most of them, however, were only involved in petty crimes. Their cases had also been processed during former President Joe Biden’s final months, with deportations occurring between Oct. 1, 2024 and Jan. 18.

As of Monday, there are 16 Filipinos in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, though their cases were also processed during Biden’s time. So far, there have been no reports of Filipinos being arrested or detained since President Donald Trump resumed office, Romualdez noted.

Of those currently in ICE custody, 15 already have deportation orders, while one has a pending case. Meanwhile, 80 additional cases are being processed for potential deportation.

With an estimated 350,000 undocumented Filipinos in the U.S., community leaders are advising caution. Foreign Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega noted that most Filipinos entered the country legally, even if their visas have since expired.

Support is being mobilized. Filipino American lawyers are volunteering at consulates, while some employers are helping undocumented workers secure legal status. The Department of Foreign Affairs, on the other hand, advises keeping a “low profile” while pursuing legal pathways.

More deportations are expected. Since taking office, Trump has declared a “national emergency” at the southern border, begun using military aircraft for deportation flights and prioritized booting out individuals with criminal records.

“We’re getting the bad, hard criminals out,” Trump told reporters on Friday. “These are murderers. These are people that have been as bad as you get. As bad as anybody you’ve seen. We’re taking them out first.”

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