An online press conference on July 27 launched Tanggol Migrante Movement (TMM) as an alliance of more than 250 organizations, including former detainees and their families, workers, church people, students, teachers, NGOs, health workers, and elected government officials united to defend migrants’ rights in the US.

The press conference took place one week after Ferdinand Marcos Jr visited the US at the behest of Donald Trump. The activity also served as preparation for the People’s State of the Nation Address held in the country.

“We need the Tanggol Migrante Movement. We need a national alliance that can harness the power, skills, and spirit of bayanihan from Filipinos across the country to protect, defend, and empower those most vulnerable among us,” Bayan USA’s Andan Bonifacio said.

According to the group, the decision to strengthen the alliance stemmed from almost eight months of relentless campaigning where various sectors, organizations, churches, former detainees, and their families united to protect Filipinos at risk of imprisonment or deportation. The entire community’s campaign compeled the release of five Filipinos from detention.

The fascist Trump administration intensified the fascism and persecution faced by the Filipino community in the US. In May, Trump increased the quota of ICE agents’ arrests to 3,000 per day. Since April, more than 100 Filipino ship workers faced arbitrary detention and deportation from the US despite having documents authorizing them to work both on the ships and in the country. The US barred their return for 10 years. According to the Philippine embassy, 3,772 Filipinos face deportation in the US under ICE’s orders. As of July, 56,000 migrants are currently detained in various facilities. More than 70% of them do not face criminal charges.

Despite the Trump administration’s clear pattern of persecution against Filipino migrants, the US-Marcos regime showed indifference to their situation. The Trump-Marcos meeting did not mention the persecution of Filipinos. It is not surprising that the meeting focused on advancing US interests in the Philippines.

Former detainees and their families, including Lewelyn Dixon’s niece and grandchild, and Maximo Londonio and his wife Crystal, expressed their ordeal and support for TMM.

“Our goal is to continue growing this movement to provide a space for those impacted and an opportunity for people to get involved. We recognize that this fight is intersectional and that there is great power in community,” Dixon’s grandchild Emily Cristobal said.

“We are calling on others—especially families who feel isolated or afraid—to stand with us. You are not alone. Your voice matters. Your story has power. And together, we are stronger than any system meant to silence us,” Dixon’s niece Donna Cristobal said.

TMM’s campaign currently continues for the release of Filipinos detained in Washington, Arizona, Indiana, Kentucky, and Georgia.