Fil-Ams’ strong support for Trump boosts goodwill amid mass deportation threat

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. assured Filipino immigrants, documented or otherwise, in the United States of his administration’s focus on their concerns following a phone conversation with US President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday.

Mr. Marcos noted many Filipino-Americans supported Trump in the elections, which he believes could enhance goodwill between the two countries and foster collaboration on key issues affecting undocumented Filipinos in the US.

“Filipino-Americans played a major role in the US elections, and it’s something we can build upon to strengthen our relationship further,” Mr. Marcos said, describing the conversation as a “productive congratulatory call.”

“The overwhelming support of Filipinos in the United States on your triumphant win is a testament to the deep and enduring friendship between our nations,” Mr. Marcos said in a separate post on Facebook.

While the call did not delve into Trump’s immigration policies or specific concerns about Filipino illegal immigrants, the President said his administration is taking proactive steps to address these matters.

“We didn’t talk about that. It was just a congratulatory call. But, of course, our ambassador is already working on that,” he said. “It’s a priority for us to ensure that the needs and welfare of Filipino immigrants are addressed.

“Our relationship with the US is built on decades of cooperation, and it’s one we will continue to cultivate,” he added.

Mr. Marcos shared that his mother, former first lady Imelda Marcos, was fondly remembered by Trump, who the president-elect described as a friend.

“He asked, ‘How is Imelda?’ and I told him she sends her regards,” Mr. Marcos said.

The two leaders also discussed plans to meet in person, with Trump suggesting their meeting could take place after his inauguration.

On Monday, Trump confirmed he plans to declare a national emergency on border security and use the US military to carry out a mass deportation of undocumented migrants.

Immigration was a top issue in the election campaign, and Trump has promised to deport millions and stabilize the border with Mexico after record numbers of migrants crossed illegally during President Joe Biden’s administration.

On his social media platform Truth Social, Trump amplified a recent post by a conservative activist that said the president-elect was “prepared to declare a national emergency and will use military assets to reverse the Biden invasion through a mass deportation program.”

Alongside the repost, Trump commented: “True!”

He has been announcing a Cabinet featuring immigration hardliners, naming former Immigration and Customs Enforcement acting chief Tom Homan as his “border czar.”

Homan appeared at the Republican National Convention in July, telling supporters: “I got a message to the millions of illegal immigrants that Joe Biden’s released in our country: You better start packing now.”

Authorities estimate that some 11 million people are living in the United States illegally. Trump’s deportation plan is expected directly to impact around 20 million families.

Earlier, the Department of Migrant Workers and the Philippine embassy in Washington said they are ramping up support for an estimated 370,000 undocumented Filipino immigrants (commonly known as TNTs) who may face mass deportation from the United States.

“The DMW is prepared to assist our OFWs, whether they are documented or undocumented OFWs. Under the directives of our President, a whole-of-government team is here to provide support to possible deportees,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said.

“The Philippine Embassy has scheduled a planning session with the consulates in the first week of December to discuss how we can assist Filipinos,” added Philippine Ambassador to the US Babe Romualdez.

Romualdez said the Philippine embassy is waiting for the details of the mass deportation policy.

“As soon as details are available, it will be passed on to our immigration lawyers. They will go through it and assess who are qualified to take the legal path and stay in the US. But if there is no legal pathway for you to stay, it is better to depart because if you are deported, you can never come back. Once you are deported, you are blacklisted,” Romualdez said.

Cacdac said in collaboration with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Department of Foreign Affairs, financial, medical, and legal assistance will be given to affected Filipinos. With AFP

Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Marcos confirms phone call with Trump, says no immigration talks yet.”