PH seeks protected status for Filipinos in US

FILE Photo

MANILA, Philippines — With Filipinos still reeling from the effects of Supertyphoon “Yolanda,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday announced that the Philippine government had formally asked the United States to designate the country under Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

The request was formally sent by Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Cuisia Jr. to the US Department of Homeland Security in the form of a Note Verbale through the US Department of State.

DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez said once approved, eligible Filipinos will be allowed to “stay and work in the US in order for them to assist in the country’s continuing recovery efforts.”

He said this would apply to those who are “undocumented.”

“These are students, tourists who went there (to the US) and lost their status,” he explained.

The TPS will give them an opportunity to work legally in the US and earn for their families, especially those who were affected by the typhoon.

“During the TPS there will be no action (such as deportation) against them,” he said.

Hernandez clarified that the protected status will last for around six to 18 months and will be granted on a case-to-case basis. Afterwards, these people will again be considered undocumented and may be deported to the Philippines. However, they may also take the opportunity to rectify or change their status.

The US has earlier granted TPS to countries previously devastated by natural disasters. These are El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua and Honduras.

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