With the re-election of Donald Trump, many Asian migrants living undocumented in the United States face the looming threat of deportation, causing significant anxiety among communities stretching from the Philippines to South Korea. Following the results of the 2024 presidential election, numerous countries, particularly the Philippines, have begun preparing to assist their nationals who might be affected by potential mass deportations.
At the frontlines of this issue is the Philippine government, which has announced its readiness to aid approximately 370,000 undocumented Filipino migrants residing in the U.S. should they be forcibly returned. The Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is not only planning to provide financial support and job placement for returnees but is also exploring options for sending workers to countries like Croatia, Slovenia, and Japan. This initiative will require finding about 18.5 billion pesos (around $5 million) to support returnees adequately, according to reports from Rappler, demonstrating the scale of concern this issue has raised.
Between 2014 and 2024, statistics reveal more than 10,600 Filipinos were expelled from the U.S., with 3,500 deported during Trump’s first term alone. The Philippine ambassador to the United States, Jose Manuel 'Babe' Romualdez, even issued advisories urging undocumented Filipinos to leave voluntarily to avoid the repercussions of stricter immigration policies likely to come with Trump's presidency.
But this deportation concern isn't limited to just Filipinos. New data indicate a significant number of undocumented immigrants hail from various Asian countries. More than 1.7 million undocumented migrants residing in the U.S. are of Asian descent, which is around 15.5% of the total undocumented population — highlighting how immigration issues are not solely confined to Latin American regions. According to updated statistics, most are from India and China, alongside substantial figures from countries like Vietnam, Pakistan, and Nepal.
Particularly alarming is the spike of asylum applications from Indian nationals, which surged by 855% from 2021 to 2023, from just over 4,000 applications to about 41,000. Many of these applications stem from individuals fleeing dangerous conditions or systemic challenges back home, showcasing the underlying motivations driving migrants to seek refuge.
Another highlighting issue involves Chinese migrants. Between late 2023 and early 2024, over 56,000 Chinese migrants crossed the U.S. borders, aiming to escape worsening economic conditions back home. Current estimates suggest around 375,000 undocumented Chinese are living in the U.S., and this number may be increasing as the pressures from China's economic downturn rise. Recent reports show irregular immigration from China climbed by more than 15% from 2011 to 2022, emphasizing the desperate measures these individuals are willing to undertake.
The plight of South Korean adoptees presents another delicate aspect within this immigration issue. Limited by past legal frameworks, many were adopted by American families between the 1950s and the late 1980s without securing citizenship. While legislative measures have been put forth to aid younger adoptees, many older adoptees are now facing deportation due to their failure to gain formal citizenship, leading to heartbreaking stories like Adam Crapser, who was deported to South Korea without any familiarity of his birth nation.
Despite the fierce challenges posed by impending legal actions and potential deportations, the fight for fair treatment and recognition persists among these communities. Filipinos, Indians, Chinese, and South Koreans have formed coalitions and advocacy groups aiming to challenge their status and bring awareness to their plight, with many utilizing social media platforms as tools for mobilizing and raising awareness.
Vocal advocacy and community efforts are supporting the plea for comprehensive immigration reform, serving as lifelines for those scared of deportation. There’s also increasing public awareness around the roles Asian migrants play in not just contributing to the economy but also enriching the cultural diversity of the U.S. These efforts reveal how communities are uniting across borders to create serendipitous alliances for mutual support and strength.
Now with the dust settled on Trump’s re-election, expectations hang heavy on how his administration will tackle the complex layers of immigration policies. Many anticipate continuity over chaos, where the focus may shift from past volatile deportation agendas to more nuanced legislation addressing these pressing humanitarian needs.
The dreams of countless Asian migrants seeking refuge from oppressive regimes, economic instability, or simply the yearning for improved opportunities may hinge on every word spoken and every decision made by the incoming administration. The decisions taken must take the complex narratives of these communities and their motivations to heart, shaping policies aimed at fostering inclusivity rather than division.
This moment holds the potential to either positively transform or unduly burden the lives of millions based on advocacy, perseverance, and hope.
