MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. held a Planning Conference for Philippine Foreign Service Posts in the United States, to discuss various issues of concern, particularly policies on immigration and other pronouncements of incoming U.S. President Donald Trump.
The conference highlighted recent developments in bilateral security and economic relations, including high-level engagements and agreements signed in the past year, and identified opportunities for the Philippines under the incoming U.S. administration, the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. said in a news release.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez underscored the importance of the conference, stating that it is also an opportunity to “prepare and strategize” in the context of a new U.S. administration.
“This planning session is especially important because not only are we taking stock of the work we have done for the last 11 months and preparing for a new year ahead, but we will need to prepare and strategize in the context of a new U.S. administration,” Ambassador Romualdez remarked.
Trump has been “signalling” he intends to reshape U.S. immigration laws, particularly a push for mass deportations and an end to birthright citizenship, as one of his promises he made during the campaign period.
Trump is also expected to sign a few executive orders as soon as he officially takes office on January 20, one of which would effectively “seal the border,” a report from the The Hill mentioned.
The planning conference was attended by participants from the Embassy, Philippine Consulates General in the U.S. and the Department of Foreign Affairs – Office of American Affairs, where they also discussed issued of common concern and “coordinated on programs and activities for the upcoming year.”
During the conference, the Embassy released a statement saying it understood the “uncertainty felt by certain segments of the Filipino Community in the United States following recent pronouncements by the incoming administration.”
“While the exact contours of the incoming administration’s policy have yet to take shape, the meeting is an important step in ensuring a unified, coordinated, and effective response,” the statement read.
“The Heads of Posts reaffirmed their collective commitment to supporting and providing appropriate consular assistance to Filipino nationals while respecting U.S. laws,” the statement said.
[READ] STATEMENT OF THE PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR AND CONSULS GENERAL
— Philippine Embassy in the USA (@philippinesusa) December 11, 2024
IN THE UNITED STATES pic.twitter.com/pz5USy1rYr
The Philippine Embassy and Consulates General also mentioned that it will intensify its engagement with relevant U.S. officials “to advocate for the protection of the rights of Filipinos residing in the United States and the promotion of their security and welfare.”
The Philippines maintains its presence in the United States through the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. and Philippine Consulates General in Agana, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco.
