Temporary Protective Status

Our overseas Filipinos continue to be the lifeline of families and our country. Their remittances, earned with so much sacrifice on their part abroad, continue to keep the Philippine economy afloat. Their concern for their families back home have placed food on the table, have provided homes as well, and have seen children graduate, among other types of support. Even as they themselves are in difficulty and are often very lonely, our overseas Filipinos have remained our staunchest support both in good and in bad times.

Many of our overseas Filipinos are from disaster-affected areas. Many lost their loved ones. In a matter of seconds, the disasters destroyed and swept away the houses built with their hard-earned savings through the years. Initially disoriented and discouraged, they recovered after realizing that their families back home need for them to be stronger now, more than ever. Our overseas Filipinos from disaster-affected areas are working even harder now so that their families back home can recover and start all over again.

The irregulars, the undocumented among our overseas Filipinos are in a tighter bind and more stress now. Some of them are torn between wanting to rush back home to join and tightly hug their loved ones or staying longer, work harder to support their loved ones from their lonely place abroad. They continue to persevere in their work abroad, despite their status, because of the urgent need for their families back home to restart and rebuild their lives anew. Who else will help their families if they do not persevere where they are abroad?

This timely message from Ms. Imelda Nicolas, chairwoman of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas came like an answered prayer for our overseas Filipinos.

She shared: "We are pleased to inform you that the Philippines has formally requested the United States Government on December 13, 2013, to designate the country under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), according to DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez."

"With the devastation brought about by typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan in the Philippines, leaving more than 6,000 casualties and thousands of people homeless and displaced, the Philippines qualifies for the granting of TPS. The request was formally sent by Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia, Jr. to the US Department of Homeland Security in the form of a Note Verbale through the US Department of State. The request will be evaluated first by US authorities and may take some time."

"The TPS is a temporary immigration status granted to eligible nationals under circumstances of armed conflict, environmental disaster, and other extraordinary and temporary conditions from the origin country. This is a humanitarian assistance offered by the US government to affected countries which are temporarily unable to handle adequately the return of their nationals in times of crisis or exigent situations. In the past, TPS has been designated to countries such as El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Somalia, Sudan and Syria."

"The CFO fully supports this initiative, as it will benefit thousands of irregular and temporary Filipino migrants in the US who came from and have families in the provinces of Leyte, Samar, Biliran, Western Visayas, Palawan, and other areas affected by the typhoon. Based on the latest Stock Estimate of Filipinos Overseas, there are more than 3.4 million Filipinos in the US. Out of this number, almost 400,000 are temporary and irregular migrants; some of them will be qualified, once approved, under the Program."

"During a designated period, Filipinos who will be TPS beneficiaries are not removable from the US, can obtain an employment authorization document, and cannot be detained by DHS on the basis of his or her immigration status. Primarily, it would allow them to continue to help their families in the Philippines, who lost not only their homes but also their means of livelihood due to the typhoon."

Signatures (100,000) however, are needed, by Feb. 1, 2014, to get an official White House response, Atty. Rodel Rodis emailed from San Francisco. So please, please do your share so our overseas Filipinos will be granted TPS soon. Please sign soonest, deadline Feb. 1, 2014 at this website:

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/authorize-department-homeland-security-grant-temporary-protective-status-tps-philippines/T8t1ZZxq.

***

Email: [email protected]