The recent policy change by the US regarding green card applications may affect between 100,000 to 200,000 Filipinos currently in the United States, according to the Philippine Ambassador to the US, Jose Manuel Romualdez.
Washington, D.C. – Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez revealed in an interview with GMA News that roughly 100,000 to 200,000 Filipinos could be affected by the new U.S. policy concerning adjustment of status for foreign nationals applying for green cards while physically present in the country. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced that adjustment of status will now only be allowed in exceptional cases. This means that most applicants will have to undergo consular processing outside the United States, typically in their home countries.
Ambassador Romualdez explained that the adjustment of status is now considered a discretionary benefit, and USCIS aims to address instances where applicants remain in the U.S. after being denied. Another motivation for the policy change is the significant backlog and strain on the U.S. immigration and processing systems due to millions of applications.
The ambassador noted that many Filipinos live in all 50 states, and while the exact number is uncertain, the impact could be substantial. Consequently, Filipinos waiting for green card approval who are currently in the U.S. may have to return to the Philippines to complete the processing through U.S. embassies or consulate offices. This consular processing allows for more direct document review and approval.
He emphasized that those with valid working visas in the U.S. are not affected by this change and may legally remain in the country. Exceptions or exemptions might exist for humanitarian cases, such as elderly applicants or those with compelling reasons that prevent them from leaving the U.S. Affected Filipinos are advised to consult with immigration lawyers to evaluate possible exceptions to avoid unnecessary departure from the U.S.
The ambassador also stressed the importance of complying with U.S. immigration laws and warned that Filipinos without legal status could face detention. For Filipinos already in the Philippines waiting for green cards through consular processing, there should be no issues arising from these policy adjustments.
The Philippine Embassy continues to monitor developments closely and provide assistance to the Filipino community regarding these changes.
Sources referenced:
- https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/balitambayan/pinoyabroad/988807/nasa-100k-200k-pinoy-maaaring-maapektuhan-ng-bagong-us-green-card-policy-amb-romualdez/story/