The Philippine Embassy in Washington highlighted the rights of Filipino immigrants, regardless of their immigration status. During a Facebook publication, the embassy issued its guideline titled: "Kabayan, you have rights!" It listed the rights of both immigrants and immigrants in the United States.
Following Donald Trump's announcement to start an anti-immigration campaign that could put 350,000 Filipinos in the U.S. at risk of deportation, this publication has gained special relevance. After his announcement, Jose Manuel Romualdez, the Philippine Ambassador to the U.S., previously stated that Filipino immigrants would be provided with necessary information about their rights. He also stressed that Filipinos in the U.S. would receive assistance for better understanding their opportunities, whether to remain in the country or seek ways to legalize their status.
According to this embassy post, immigrants have the right to: - Regular salary - Receive the applicable minimum wage for all worked hours - Safe working conditions - Form and join a union - File complaints without retaliation - Raise grievances about pay or working practices by the employer
At the same time, immigrants have the right to: - Keep silence when confronted with law enforcement - Speak with an attorney before answering police questions - Refuse to provide information to law enforcement or immigration officials about the immigrant, their vehicle, or home - Refuse to sign anything that they do not understand - Contact the Philippine Embassy in the U.S. or the General Consulate
The embassy also provided contact numbers for consular services, accessible to all Filipinos regardless of their status: - Washington DC: 202-368-2767 - Honolulu: 808-253-9446 - New York: 917-294-0196 - Agana: 671-488-4630 - Houston: 346-256-4522 - San Francisco: 415-269-2090 - Chicago: 312-810-3019 - Los Angeles: 323-528-1528
