Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez said an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 Filipinos could be affected by a new US immigration policy involving green card applications.
The policy follows changes announced by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services stating that adjustment of status applications, or applications for lawful permanent residence filed while already inside the United States, will only be granted under extraordinary circumstances.
“Ang estimate na binigay sa akin ng mga nakakaalam ay somewhere between 100,000 to 200,000,” Romualdez said in an interview with GMA News.
[Translation: The estimate given to me by people familiar with the matter is somewhere between 100,000 and 200,000.]
Romualdez said many Filipinos who are already in the US and waiting for green card approval may now be required to return to the Philippines for consular processing.
“Ngayon hindi na puwede yung iintayin nila dito yung green card. Kailangan umuwi muna sila at saka doon ipoprocess,” he said.
[Translation: They can no longer wait for their green card inside the US. They have to return home first and process it there.]
According to the ambassador, US officials explained that the move is partly intended to address cases where applicants whose requests were denied allegedly refused to leave the United States.
Romualdez also said US immigration authorities are currently overwhelmed by millions of pending applications, prompting efforts to shift more processing to embassies and consulates abroad.
“Talagang yung system nila dito dahil million-million yung pinaprocess nila, talagang matagal ang hintay niyan,” he said.
[Translation: Their system is overwhelmed because they process millions of applications, so the waiting time is really long.]
However, Romualdez clarified that Filipinos currently based in the Philippines and processing their immigrant visas through the US Embassy should not be affected.
“Yung mga nasa Pilipinas, walang problema ’yun… tuloy-tuloy pa rin ’yan,” he said.
[Translation: Those already in the Philippines have no problem. Their applications will continue.]
The ambassador also said humanitarian exceptions may still be considered, especially for elderly applicants or individuals with compelling reasons not to leave the United States while awaiting their applications.
Romualdez urged affected Filipinos to immediately consult immigration lawyers to determine whether they may qualify for exemptions under the new rules.
