Temporary Relief Status for Filipinos in the U.S.

By: Joe Mauricio

 

The Philippines is located in a region of the world that suffers from frequent natural disasters, including flooding, typhoons, earthquakes, volcano eruptions, and landslides. It has recently suffered from the strongest typhoon that hit planet earth. It has suffered enough from all the above-mentioned disasters, and it will have a difficult time recovering from the devastation. In order for this developing country to recover from record calamities, President Barack Obama should act to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to several thousands Filipinos living in the United States. Filipinos working in America have sent several million dollars or remittances to their families living in the Philippines which will contribute to the reconstruction effort in the affected areas. Thanks to the effort of Philippine Ambassador to the U.S., Jose Cuisia, Jr. (2013 Man of the Year and Hall of Famer of the Chicago Philippine Reports TV) who requested the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila for the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate the Philippines for this status due to the present conditions in the country, to temporarily prevent the undocumented Filipino nationals from returning to the devastated country. With the passage of TPS, several thousands of Filipinos living in the U.S. won’t be deported because of illegal immigration status. They will be granted work permit and may be granted travel documentation to visit loved ones in the Philippines. TPS has previously been granted to El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Haiti by the U.S. El Salvador and Haiti were awarded TPS after the 2010 earthquakes. For our illegal kababayans who fear that Homeland Security will grab them is not true. The nationals from TPS countries can attest that America is very sincere in protecting the undocumented, and that they will act as humanitarian as possible to the undocumented aliens residing in the U.S. President Obama has failed to respond to TPS request from Guatemala who suffered from devastating earthquakes in 2011, along with the continuous rainfall that destroyed the contry’s infrastructures. Nearly 30,000 Americans have signed the “We The People” petition on the White House’s website to encourage President Obama to consider TPS for Guatemala, still TPS was not granted to them . Filipino Americans must move to petition the White House to approve the granting of TPS for Filipinos living here. That Obama should move to grant TPS to Filipinos in America so that the country can better recover from these natural disasters without the additional burden of dealing with the deportation of our countrymen. The TPS isn’t a panacea for the migratory challenges that confront America. The United States still has to pass the Immigration Reform bill in 2014. The U.S. and the whole world should design a more humane migratory system due to catastrophes in the immigration program though. However, it will take more time to pass such immigration measure. 2014 is the year for Obama to utilize the important humanitarian tool that can have a positive effect on the lives of thousands in the United States, and millions in the Philippines. Calling on the Filipino media people of the United States to unite and help the unfortunate kababayans in achieving and fulfilling their American Dream. It is not for us, but for the nation that stood up with America when America needed friends from the Pacific and Asia.