Government ready to assist Pinoy immigrants in US
Under DACA, qualified immigrants will not be deported for two years. The undocumented immigrants can renew their permits once the two-year period lapses. Nelvin C. Cepeda/The San Diego Union-Tribune via AP, File
MANILA, Philippines — The government is ready to assist Filipino illegal immigrants who may be deported after the program that permitted them to stay legally in the US is scrapped, Malacañang said yesterday.
US President Donald Trump has announced plans to revoke the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which shields illegal immigrants who came to the US when they were children from deportation.
Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the Department of Foreign Affairs is working closely with members of the Filipino community in the US, especially those that would be directly affected once the program is removed.
“We will provide assistance, through the use of the Assistance to Nationals Fund and the Legal Assistance Fund, to Filipinos who may end up getting deported as a result of Washington’s decision,” Abella said.
Under DACA, qualified immigrants will not be deported for two years. The undocumented immigrants can renew their permits once the two-year period lapses.
The policy, which officials said would pave the way to a “lawful system of immigration,” is expected to affect about 5,000 young Filipinos.
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