Filipino community organizations in Washington state are demanding that the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco outline specific measures being implemented to support Filipinos facing deportation and other pressing immigration issues in the US.
In a publicly issued letter, Migrante Seattle and Migrante sa University of Washington Medical Center announced their intention to raise these concerns directly with consulate representatives during an upcoming outreach event in Washington state this weekend.
The groups highlighted a recent surge in the number of Filipino migrants being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), noting that Washington state is home to a significant detention center where Filipinos are acutely aware of the reportedly inhumane conditions.
The groups stated that detained Filipinos they have visited have reported minimal or no response from the Philippine Consulate, alleging that they have received only unsubstantiated assurances or repeated advice to seek legal counsel after numerous unanswered calls.
Migrante Seattle and Migrante sa University of Washington Medical Center emphasized their intent to press the consulate for tangible plans to assist Filipinos currently in detention, as well as those who have already been deported or repatriated.
They questioned the consulate’s strategy for proactively informing all registered Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), Filipino nationals, and their families in Washington State about their rights and the specific support services the consulate can provide.
Recent data from Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez in January indicated that 24 Filipinos had already been deported by the US, with approximately 80 more facing imminent repatriation. In response to a heightened crackdown on undocumented migrants, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs had previously advised Filipinos in the US to maintain a low profile and prioritize legalizing their immigration status. The Philippine Embassy in the United States had also established round-the-clock hotlines for Filipinos and affirmed that all Filipinos in the US possess rights regardless of their immigration status.
The community groups stressed that while initial concerns centered on the deportation of undocumented individuals, legal residents have also been affected by detention and repatriation. In their open letter, Migrante Seattle and Migrante sa University of Washington Medical Center asserted that Filipino overseas workers, often recognized as the country’s “new heroes,” are entitled to prompt, meaningful, and concrete support from their government in navigating these challenging immigration circumstances.