Undocumented Filipinos losing hope for Temporary Protected Status

By Yvee Tadeo Guevara, ABS-CBN North America Bureau

Feb. 4, 2014

LOS ANGELES – A 31-year old kababayan who requested to remain anonymous says lost his caregiving job following a health problem that he suffered for months. He has no permanent place to stay and he is undocumented.

He hopes President Obama will be able to pass comprehensive immigration reform this year.

Though developments in immigration reform have been slow, he remains optimistic.

“As long as they are talking about it, it’s always something that you hope and pray that it will happen and you’re always looking forward to it,” he said.

Last week, House Republican leaders released their immigration plans that outline a path toward legalizing the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the US including the estimated 300,000 Filipinos but their reform plans does not include a pathway to citizenship.

Democrats however insist on a path to citizenship or nothing.

“For me, it’s not a big deal not to be given a path to US citizenship,” he said. “As long as I can legalize my status and be able roam free without fear of deportation.”

Over the weekend, top Republicans lead by Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, said though they want to improve immigration reform, border security is their top priority.

Ryan also doubts that an immigration reform bill will be passed this year.

For Filipinos, the granting of Temporary Protected Status or TPS to the Philippines is another option to attain temporary legal status.

TPS is a US humanitarian form of relief that, if granted, would stop deportations and provide temporary work authorization to undocumented Filipinos who could continue to support their families and remit money to the Philippines after the Yolanda tragedy.

For nearly two months Advocates of the TPS have said the Department of Homeland Security is still reviewing the request and observing the situation in the Philippines.

With no signs of being granted soon, others are no longer expecting.

“I have been waiting for weeks now,” he said. “I think it’s not going happen. I’m kind of losing hope.”