LOS ANGELES, CA — Anxiety is mounting among undocumented Filipino immigrants in Southern California after the Philippines’ ambassador to the United States urged them to voluntarily leave the country amid looming threats of mass deportations from the incoming administration.
“My advice to them is to immediately leave voluntarily because once you’re deported, you can never come back to the United States,” Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez said during a recent news conference following President-elect Donald Trump’s remarks on immigration. “My advice to them is not to wait to be deported.”
The ambassador’s blunt message, however, has drawn criticism for causing panic in the community. Immigration advocates noted that deported individuals may face a 10-year ban from reentry, not a lifetime prohibition.
“The Philippines’ ambassador should not have said those things because it causes unnecessary panic in our community,” said Romeo Hebron, executive director of the Filipino Migrant Center in Long Beach.
Hebron estimated that out of 4 million Filipinos living in the United States, about 25% are undocumented — roughly 200,000 to 300,000 individuals. Many have been in the country for decades and live in mixed-status families, making the threat of deportation particularly distressing.
“She has been here in West Long Beach for over 30 years. She really planted her roots here, and this is her home,” Hebron said, referring to a grandmother he spoke with after the ambassador’s comments. “She was wondering if she was going to be deported or not.”
At the Filipino Migrant Center, phones have been ringing nonstop, and attendance at legal aid sessions has increased. The center recently hosted a “know your rights” workshop, educating immigrants on how to respond if approached by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and advising them to prepare for potential deportation.
What many fear most is family separation. “It’s the thought of being torn apart that really gets to people,” Hebron said.
While specific details of the incoming administration’s deportation plans remain unclear, Hebron urged the community to remain calm and plan for various scenarios. Reports indicate the administration’s border enforcement strategies are expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.
Immigration advocates continue to call for clarity and compassion, emphasizing the importance of preserving family unity and ensuring due process for all individuals.
