Defend Migrants Campaign

With an estimated 1 million undocumented Filipinos in the U.S., Trump’s plans for mass deportation pose a huge a threat to Filipino communities. And yet, the Philippine government’s response has ranged from blatant dismissal by Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Romualdez — who said that Filipinos should just self-deport — to the complete radio silence of President Marcos.

Filipinos deserve better.

GABRIELA USA is joining in on this campaign with BAYAN USA. Migrante USA and more to advance the rights and welfare of our migrant community.

Our demands to the Philippine government:

1. Defend and protect your nationals and attend to their well-being, especially for undocumented migrants.

   1. Conduct wellness checks, protect, and advocate for the release of Filipino nationals who are unjustly detained and subjected to abuse in ICE detention centers — such as Jovi Esperanza, Dhenmark Francisco, and Ligaya Jensen — and take steps to ensure their safety and well-being.

   2. Give ATN to Filipinos experiencing problems in the U.S., whether documented or undocumented. Give budget priority to services, right, and welfare. No to funds for pork barrel, surveillance, and war!

   3. Provide immediate assistance to Filipino nationals facing trafficking, wage theft, and abuse, including migrants involved in active campaigns such as the Florida 15, United 6, and Amity Agency Workers. Hold abusive Filipino employers accountable, including advocating for their prosecution in the Philippines.

   4. Ensure that the compensation from the company JJ Ugland are provided to the family of AJ Kent M. Merana, a Filipino seafarer found dead in a river near a ship port, and conduct an immediate investigation into his death.

2. End all surveillance and intimidation of Filipinos advocating for economic justice and opposing political repression. Kick out of the PNP outposts and abolish the NTF-ELCAC.

3. Immediately grant Mary Jane Veloso full and absolute clemency.

4. Address the root causes of unemployment and forced migration.