MANILA, Philippines – SINABI ni Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez na ang pagkakaroon ng isang US green card ay isang pribilehiyo at hindi isang garantisadong karapatan na maaaring bawiin.
Ito’y sa gitna ng matigas na paninindigan ng administrasyong Trump sa immigration policy.
“Even if you are a green card holder, as explained by the State Department, it’s a privilege granted to you. It means you can live in the United States permanently, but again, it’s a privilege, not a right. So they can revoke it,” ayon kay Romualdez.
Ang pahayag na ito ni Romualdez ay matapos mapaulat na may isang Filipino-American green card holder ang nakaditine sa US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) makaraang bumalik ng Estados Unidos mula sa pagbabakasyon sa Pilipinas.
Kinumpirma naman ni Romualdez na ang insidente at napaulat na detensyon ay may kaugnayan sa nakaraang legal issue na kinasangkutan ng naturang indibiduwal.
“She returned to the United States, and her past case—which I think occurred in 2001—came up. But as I said, in these situations, there’s always an exchange of information among all the agencies in the US. That’s why I always tell our fellow countrymen to be prepared for anything,” aniya pa rin.
Sa aspeto naman ng pagkakaroon ng green card status, tinanong si Romualdez kung ano ang gagawin ng Filipino green card holders sa Estados Unidos para makapaghanda para sa kahalintulad na insidente, lalo na kapag nagbalik mula sa Pilipinas.
“Well, it’s not just about the laws in America regarding immigration. If you have permanent status, it means you are genuinely living here. We know many people want to be here while they’re actually in the Philippines. But what’s really important are your ties. If it appears that your connections are stronger in the Philippines, then why should you have permanent status if you’re not really here?” ang naging tugon nito.
“Green card holders, as I said, are similar to work permits. They can expire. There are many rules surrounding green cards. You need to be in the United States for at least six months and pay your taxes. There are many such requirements, which are standard for any country. So we need to learn from this and always follow the rules. We can’t keep trying to find a way around things anymore,” aniya pa rin.
Samantala, muling hinimok ni Ambassador Romualdez ang mga hindi dokumentadong Pilipino sa Amerika na humingi ng legal advice para maging legal ang kanilang pananatili doon.
Ibinabala ng Ambassador na nahaharap sa mataas na banta ng deportation ang mga hindi dokumentadong Pilipino.
Babala pa ni Romualdez na ang mga napadeport na mula sa US ay maaaring hindi na papayagang makabalik.
Kayat payo ng PH envoy sa mga undocumented Filipinos na pumunta sa immigration lawyer at ayusin na ito habang meron pang tiyansa na maging legal ang kanilang status.
Inilabas ang naturang abiso kasunod ng desisyon ng administrasyon ni US Pres. Donald Trump na i-terminate ang temporary protected status ng mahigit kalahating milyong Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans at Venezuelans na naninirahan sa Amerika na magiging epektibo sa Abril 24 ng kasalukuyang taon.
Sa datos mula sa US Department of Homeland Security noong 2022, nasa humigit-kumulang 350,000 Pilipino ang hindi dokumentado sa Estados Unidos. Kris Jose
