MANILA, Philippines - Amid the threat of massive deportation of illegal immigrants in the United States, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is urging undocumented overseas Filipino workers in America to come home before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January.
According to presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella, the DOLE is prepared to provide assistance to OFWs who will return.
"Labor Secretary Bello said, 'Ang end program of our President is to bring back our OFWs so we already established a mechanism for businesses and employment opportunities,” Abella told ABS-CBN News.
DOLE refused to provide figures but stressed that Trump’s controversial policy will only have minimal effect since most Filipino workers in the US are legally employed.
As part of his campaign promise, business mogul-turned-politician Trump vows to deport about two to three million undocumented immigrants and build a wall along the Mexican border.
In his pre-taped interview with CBS’ 60 Minutes, Trump said:
“What we are going to do is get the people that are criminal and have criminal records, gang members, drug dealers, we have a lot of these people—probably two million, it could be even three million—we are getting them out of our country or we are going to incarcerate.”
The Republican billionaire added that once the border is secure, the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement will evaluate the status of the remaining undocumented immigrants in the country.
However, Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan contradicted Trump’s deportation plans and emphasized that the incoming government will focus on securing the border.
Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said he trusts the upcoming US President’s stand on immigration and is hoping that he will be fair to illegal immigrants.
“I cannot talk for the illegals because… an illegal is always illegal so he is subject at any time for deportation,” Duterte added.
--Mini, The Summit Express
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| Demonstrators call for immigration reform in Los Angeles. PHOTO CREDIT: abc.net |
"Labor Secretary Bello said, 'Ang end program of our President is to bring back our OFWs so we already established a mechanism for businesses and employment opportunities,” Abella told ABS-CBN News.
DOLE refused to provide figures but stressed that Trump’s controversial policy will only have minimal effect since most Filipino workers in the US are legally employed.
As part of his campaign promise, business mogul-turned-politician Trump vows to deport about two to three million undocumented immigrants and build a wall along the Mexican border.
In his pre-taped interview with CBS’ 60 Minutes, Trump said:
“What we are going to do is get the people that are criminal and have criminal records, gang members, drug dealers, we have a lot of these people—probably two million, it could be even three million—we are getting them out of our country or we are going to incarcerate.”
The Republican billionaire added that once the border is secure, the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement will evaluate the status of the remaining undocumented immigrants in the country.
However, Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan contradicted Trump’s deportation plans and emphasized that the incoming government will focus on securing the border.
Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said he trusts the upcoming US President’s stand on immigration and is hoping that he will be fair to illegal immigrants.
“I cannot talk for the illegals because… an illegal is always illegal so he is subject at any time for deportation,” Duterte added.
--Mini, The Summit Express
