Since returning as US president last January, Donald Trump’s widespread attack, persecution, forced and arbitrary expulsion or deportation of immigrant workers have been relentless. From January to May, the administration deported more than 271,000 immigrants, while at least 49,184 immigrants are currently detained in various Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities in the US.

According to the Philippine embassy and based on cases handled by Tanggol Migrante, at least 30 Filipino immigrants have been reportedly deported this year. The exact number of those detained or deported by ICE is not available as it does not publish information.

An estimated 150,000−370,000 Filipinos are without documents or illegally residing in the US.

According to Bayan USA, the Philippine embassy in the US and its consulates failed to sufficiently act for Filipino immigrants facing detention and deportation. It has displayed utter neglect and indifference toward Filipino immigrants seeking help. Even the embassy’s Assistance to the Nationals Fund was denied to those in need.

Amid the US-Marcos regime’s neglect, US-based organizations, led by Tanggol Migrante, allied organizations, and Filipinos in the community, continue to campaign and organize. They launched various activities such as press conferences, rallies, visits to detainees, sending letters to courts, and raising donations for the immediate release of those detained and to help their families.

The collective action of people in the US managed to free Michelle (not her real name) on April 30 and Lewelyn Dixon on May 29, both detained at the NorthWest ICE Detention Center (NWDC) in Tacoma, Washington.

Maximo Londorio, Rodante Rivera, Ligaya Jensen, and Alma Bowman are still currently detained. They are decades-long residents in the US.

US-based democratic organizations demanded urgent action from the Philippine government, saying it must provide adequate support to all immigrants, including those facing deportation, trafficking, or wage theft. They also challenged Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez to step down unless he fulfills his duty to defend Filipinos in the US.