Palace: Government acting on Pinoys facing deportation in Israel

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government is ready to assist Filipino families in Israel who might be deported because of loss of residency status. 

Reports said there are at least 600 Filipino families at risk of being deported as part of the Israeli immigration crackdown on foreign workers and their children.

Israeli law does not include the concept of unlimited jus soli or the legal right of persons born in the country to enjoy citizenship, according to a report by The Jerusalem Post.

People born in Israel and who do not have any other citizenship may request it between aged 18 to 21 if they have lived in the country for over five years, the report added. 

“I’m sure the Secretary of Foreign Affairs will do something about that. Hindi natin sila papabayaan  (We won’t abandon them),” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo told journalists yesterday when asked to react to the possible deportation of Filipinos from the Jewish state. 

On Sunday, the United Children of Israel, a non-government organization advocating migrants’ rights, said a Filipino migrant worker and her 13-year-old son are facing expulsion after a court ruled against her plea to allow her to stay. 

The Filipina, identified as Rosemarie Perez, will be deported for overstaying her work visa.