Undocumented Pinoys Worried Sick Over Trump’s Immigration Plans

Fleur Magbanua, ABS-CBN News

 

PHOENIX, ARIZONA – More people disagree with GOP Presidential nominee Donald Trump’s plans on immigration, according to a recent CNN/ORC poll.

Two-thirds of those polled say they are against Trump’s mass deportation of undocumented immigrants.

An undocumented Filipino, who requested anonymity, said she’s losing sleep hoping against all hope that Trump does not win the presidency.

“Nakakatakot para sa amin, hindi namin alam ang mangyayari sa amin eh. Marami kami eh, baka biglaan na lang kaming damputin,” she said.

[It’s scary for us because we don’t know what’s going to happen to us. There are a lot of us, they might pick us up out of nowhere.]

She feels helpless but not hopeless.

“Nagdadasal ako really, really hard na huwag siya manalo kasi kawawa naman kami eh,” she said.

[I’m really, really praying hard he doesn’t win, because if he wins, we’re in trouble.]

Mercedes Velasquez, a registered nurse who is now a US citizen, said that following the law is the only option. She admitted that her nursing visa expired, and she was once out of status but she found a way to become legal.

“To do it right, you have go through that process because that’s the way it is. And you can always—you can get it back as long as you do it right, and there’s always a way,” she said.

A young entrepreneur, meanwhile, empathizes with the plight of undocumented immigrants but believes Trump has the solution that this country needs.

“I think it’s unfortunate but it’s also unfortunate for the people who are American citizens. A lot of starter jobs do go to illegal immigrants,” said Nathalie Velasquez.

Trump’s drastic immigration plans are also alarming some kababayans who are already Green Card holders.

A kababayan who does not want to become a US citizen for personal reasons says she would rather just go home if Trump becomes president.

“America is a melting pot of all races, and we are a contributor. We are a good people that’s contributing to have a good economy in America,” said Lootch Ducusin.

Immigration lawyer Attorney Lemuel Carlos encourages Green Card holders to apply for US citizenship to feel safe even under a Trump presidency.

“You still can be deported, your green card can be taken away. And I think a lot of people now especially when we have the threat of someone like Donald Trump who, if his policies are implemented, could really produce a lot of scary results for the community,” he said.

 

(Source: ABS-CBN.com)