Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano has urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to leverage diplomatic efforts to assist Filipinos affected by the ongoing immigration crackdown in the United States under the Trump administration.
Cayetano raised the appeal amid reports that several Filipinos remain vulnerable to strict enforcement measures by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“We (the US and Philippines) have permanent interests. Our relationships matter. We must always have a solution,” said Cayetano, stressing the importance of diplomacy in addressing the concerns of overseas Filipinos.
The senator made the statement following the Senate Committee on Finance Subcommittee I deliberations on October 14, which tackled the proposed 2026 budget of the DFA.
During the hearing, DFA officials reported on their assistance programs for an estimated 250,000 to 300,000 Filipinos in the U.S. who may face deportation. The subcommittee also discussed DFA’s coordination with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to ensure legal and repatriation assistance, as well as the implications of the increased H-1B visa fees. Records show that 5,248 Filipinos applied for H-1B visas in 2024.
The discussion likewise touched on the plight of Filipino seafarers detained abroad despite having complete and valid documents.
Cayetano, who once served as Foreign Affairs Secretary, reiterated his earlier appeal to Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro, whom he described as a “very able career diplomat,” to utilize her expertise and network in navigating complex foreign policy challenges.
“Our dear incoming Secretary has a lot of relationships. Aasa po kami sa inyo… Because in diplomacy, unlike politics, it’s not a zero sum game,” he said.
Cayetano emphasized that diplomacy, cooperation, and proactive engagement are key to ensuring the protection and welfare of Filipinos overseas, particularly those facing legal uncertainties in the United States.