The Philippine government has confirmed that Filipinos in the United States, including illegal immigrants, will receive support in the event of deportation proceedings under the new Trump administration, the cabinet minister announced on November 13. The Minister of Labor Migration Hans Leo Cacdac stated that the Department of Labor Migration (DMW) is ready to provide support for approximately 370,000 illegal Filipinos who may be affected by campaigns to combat illegal immigration. "DMW is ready to support our OFWs, whether registered or unregistered," Cacdac said.
DMW also announced that it agrees to coordinate its actions with the Social Welfare Department and is planning to introduce support mechanisms, including financial, medical, and legal assistance through the "AKTION" fund and extraterritorial repatriation. "Rest assured, DMW and our partner agencies are ready to assist our OFWs," Cacdac added.
DMW also called for assistance for Filipinos who are unpaid or facing other work-related problems to contact the Bureau of Labor Migrants in the U.S.: DMW office in Washington, D.C., Columbia County, Email: address@mail.com, Phone line: 202-467-9426 DMW office in Los Angeles Email: address@mail.com, Phone line: 213-887-8573 Data from DMW indicates that over 3,500 Filipinos were deported during the initial term of Donald Trump’s presidency.
These initiatives ensure immediate access to unconditional services for returning Filipinos. DMW stated that the National Reintegration Center for OFWs also helps returnees with professional retraining, skills upgrading, and job searching. To propose alternative opportunities, DMW announced that it is exploring labor migration options in countries with active government agreements, such as Croatia, Slovenia, Germany, Hungary, and Japan. "We will closely cooperate with DFA and American authorities to monitor events."
