DFA to help Pinoys likely to be affected by US immigration policy repeal


ABS-CBN News
Posted at Sep 06 2017 06:14 PM
A man participates in a protest in support of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program recipients at the San Jacinto Plaza in El Paso, Texas, September 5, 2017. Jose Luis Gonzalez, Reuters
MANILA- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday vowed assistance to Filipinos who may face deportation following the United States' decision to rescind an immigration policy that allows undocumented immigrant children to stay in the US.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano assured Filipinos in Washington of the government's support in case they face deportation.
"In any event, we are ready to welcome and assist our kababayans in whatever way we can if they are returned to the Philippines," Cayetano said in a statement.
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday scrapped the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which was created by his predecessor, former President Barack Obama. 
Around 10,000 Filipinos will most likely be affected by the repeal, the DFA said.
"We will authorize with certain limitations the use of the Assistance to Nationals Fund and the Legal Assistance Fund to assist immigration-related cases such as those arising from the decision of President Trump to revoke the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals or DACA," Cayetano added.
The foreign affairs chief also called on members of the Filipino community in the US to support passage of legislation that would benefit those enrolled in the DACA program.
Chargé d'Affaires Patrick Chuasoto of the Philippine Embassy in Washington said around 3.4 million Filipinos are in the US, of which roughly 310,000 are undocumented. -- with a report from Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News

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