300,000 Filipinos in the US illegally: 700 Boeing 777 flights needed to deport them

Manila: It would take nearly 700 fully-loaded Boeing 777 flights to deport all 300,000 undocumented Filipinos in the US in the next four years, under the on-going crackdown on illegal immigrants by the Trump administration.

Overstayers

In Washington, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez urged undocumented Filipinos in the US, most of whom have overstayed their visas, to either resolve their immigration status – or leave voluntarily. 

24 Filipinos deported as of January 26, 2025

Local media reported on Sunday that the US government has deported 24 Filipinos allegedly involved in crimes.

The envoy disclosed the development in an interview on Sunday.

“We have monitored around 24 Filipinos who have been deported from the United States due to their involvement in certain criminal activities, although these were not classified as very serious offenses,” Romualdez told local radio channel dzBB in an interview.

Boeing 777 is a widebody airliner that seats between 301 and up to 442 passengers, depending on the model and seating classes. 

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), meanwhile, has urged undocumented Filipino immigrants to maintain a “low profile” while exploring avenues to regularise their legal status in the US.

Pathways to legalisation

Foreign Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega also cited US efforts to potentially offer pathways to legalisation for undocumented immigrants who have overstayed but remain productive. 

“The US administration may create legal avenues to encourage overstaying aliens contributing positively to society to become fully legalised. Take advantage of that opportunity,” De Vega advised.

The undersecretary stressed that deportation is not immediate and encouraged targetted individuals to seek legal counsel. 

Contesting deportation decision

“Immigrants can contest deportation decisions. Good immigration lawyers can argue for your productivity and contributions, which may prevent deportation,” he said.

“It is almost impossible,” he added, “that the estimated 300,000 undocumented Filipinos in the US will be deported by the end of the Trump administration.” 

Fewer deportations under Trump

He pointed out that fewer undocumented Filipinos are being deported under the Trump administration compared to the Obama administration.

The Philippine embassy in Washington also issued guidelines under the "Kabayan, May Karapatan Ka" campaign ("Compatriot, You Have Rights") to Filipinos in America about their rights, regardless of their immigration status.

Support for Filipino workers

Romualdez sought to reassure the Filipino community, particularly undocumented immigrants, highlighting that some employers are actively helping their Filipino workers secure legal status to remain in the US.

The US government has prioritised deportations of individuals with criminal records, alongside approximately 1.3 million immigrants whose deportation processes have already been initiated. 

Documents

De Vega further explained that most Filipinos in the US initially entered with valid documents, even if their visas later expired. 

This group differs significantly from those who entered without any papers.

During Trump’s first term, only a few hundred undocumented Filipinos were being deported each month, which De Vega noted was a lower rate than under previous administrations.

Patience

He called for patience in analysing the data over time.

“Let’s wait and see if deportations increase significantly in six to eight months before drawing conclusions,” De Vega said.

The US immigration crackdown is an ongoing concern for the Filipino community.

Filipino officials and immigration advocates encourage taking proactive steps to ensure compliance and regularisation of residency status.