Filipinos detained in the US

THE Philippine Embassy in Washington said that most of the Filipinos under the custody of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are set for deportation.

The undocumented Filipino migrants in the US range between 150,000 and 370,000, said Consul General Donna Rodriguez.

She said fewer than 20 undocumented Filipino migrants in the US are currently detained amid the implementation of the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal migrants.

Rodriguez, however, said not all of them were detained as a result of the Trump administration's crackdown. Some faced charges during the Biden administration.

"The situation is quite fluid," Rodriguez said.

She said the embassy regularly coordinates with the ICE to ensure that the welfare and rights of the detained Filipinos are protected.

The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles held the second installment of the two-part hybrid seminar entitled "Briefing on Immigration Developments for Filipinos in the US" on March 13.

Lawyer Gladys Gervacio set the tone of the seminar by discussing changes in the processing of employment-based visas, including H-1B visas, and the new trends in their adjudication.

For the second presentation, lawyer Ed Allan Lindain tackled the role of the US Department of State in implementing US immigration policies and provided tips for Filipinos applying for US visas at the US Embassy in the Philippines.

Lawyer Marlon Baldomero talked about Executive Order 14159 entitled, "Protecting the American People Against Invasion," which requires select immigrants to register with the US government, and dovetailed this with earlier discussions on the rules of expedited removal.

The embassy conducted its first consular outreach mission for 2025 in Miami, Florida, from March 21 to 24. Led by Rodriguez, the embassy's team provided essential consular services, including the processing of 153 passport applications, and 14 notarial and other services.

Rodriguez also administered the Oath of Allegiance to 71 successful dual citizenship applicants. The outreach mission is an integral part of the embassy's consular services for Filipinos and Filipino Americans in US states under its jurisdiction.