Philippines Prepares for US Deportation Wave

The Philippine government is preparing to assist the estimated 370,000 Filipinos facing potential deportation from the U.S. due to President-elect Donald Trump's hardline immigration policies. Trump's administration aims to enforce strict immigration laws, with incoming border czar Tom Homan suggesting that undocumented immigrants should 'self-deport' to avoid enforcement actions. Despite growing fears among undocumented Filipinos, some immigration lawyers argue that these concerns are exaggerated, noting that Filipinos constitute only a small fraction of deportation cases in the U.S. The Department of Migrant Workers in the Philippines has established support mechanisms, including financial and legal assistance, as well as job retooling and reskilling for affected individuals. Moreover, opportunities are being explored in various countries to provide alternative employment for returnees. Ambassadors have advised undocumented Filipinos to seek legal assistance to navigate the potential crackdown.