The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is ramping up its support for an estimated 370,000 undocumented Filipino immigrants (commonly known as TNTs) who may face mass deportation from the United States, potentially impacted by the US mass deportation policy as President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his White House return.
“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.
Financial, medical, and legal assistance funded by the AKSYON and Emergency Repatriation Funds will be given to affected Filipinos.
The DMW, in collaboration with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), has prepared support mechanisms that will facilitate “wide-ranging reintegration support to the possible deportees.”
The department has developed a comprehensive reintegration program to prepare for potential returnees. Through the National Reintegration Center for OFWs, the agency will help deportees rebuild opportunities through job retooling and skills training.
Furthermore, it is working on government-to-government agreements with several countries, including “Croatia, Slovenia, Germany, Hungary, and Japan, to create new opportunities for affected Filipinos.”
“We will continuously coordinate with the DFA and with the US authorities on monitoring the developments on the ground. Rest assured that DMW, along with its partner agencies, is ready to provide support and assistance to our OFWs,” Cacdac said.
