The proposed new immigration law was among the 28 priority bills set for approval within the 19th Congress, according to Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco.
In a statement, Tansingco expressed his gratitude to the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) for the inclusion of a new immigration bill in the Common Legislative Agenda (CLA), which is aimed to be passed by June 2025.
Among these is the long-awaited reform to the Philippine Immigration Act, which has remained unchanged since its enactment in 1940.
“We are deeply thankful to LEDAC for recognizing the urgent need to update our immigration laws. The current law has been in place for 84 years, and it is high time for us to modernize it to address the evolving challenges in immigration and border security,” he said.
The proposed new immigration law seeks to provide a more responsive framework for immigration management, enhancing the capacity of the Bureau of Immigration to safeguard the country’s borders and protect the rights of migrants.
Tansingco emphasized the importance of this legislative reform, stating, “Updating our immigration law is crucial for us to effectively combat human trafficking, illegal recruitment, and other transnational crimes. It will also improve our services to both foreign visitors and our fellow Filipinos.”
He added, “The new law will equip the Bureau with the necessary tools and resources to address contemporary issues and ensure the safety and security of our nation.”
The current Philippine Immigration Act was enacted during the Commonwealth era. The proposed new law aims to address the gaps and limitations of the old legislation, aligning it with international standards and best practices.
Tansingco concluded, “We look forward to working closely with both houses of Congress to ensure the swift passage of this important measure. This reform is a significant step towards strengthening our immigration system and enhancing national security.”
The inclusion of the new immigration law in the CLA reflects the government’s commitment to modernizing the country’s legal framework and addressing pressing issues in governance and security.