On Obama’s immigration action: Well done, Mr. President

President Barack Obama’s executive action staying the deportation of some 300,000 of them and some 4 million others of various nationalities who have been in the US for the last five years certainly gave relief and hope to thousands of fellow Filipinos, allowing them to surface in the open and work or study. Although thousands of other illegal immigrants have not been covered as yet, it is something that all those who qualified can look forward to starting February next year when applications will be accepted.
For now, Filipino illegals, popularly known as TNTs (tago ng tago -, meaning, always hiding), will have to prepare documentations that would support their applications.
The Filipino is the second largest Asian ethnic group of migrants in America after the Chinese nationals. It is estimated that there are 4.5 million Filipinos and Filipino Americans who are legally in the US today based on the latest US census. That big number has certainly had its impact in the development and growth of America over the years. According to estimates, FilAms have a combined income of between $30 billion to $50 billion which is equal to or more than the current Philippine national government budget of P2.6 trillion.
The influence of FilAms in the Philippine economy is in itself an eye opener as they have been topping overseas Filipinos in money remittances to their native country, accounting for half of the $29 billion sent by Filipinos from several countries. With more Filipinos allowed to work, their earnings and influence could multiply further and the ripple effect in even higher remittances surely benefits the Philippines.
The Filipinos have regarded America as the land of milk and honey. Having been under the U.S. for fifty years , thirty years of which had afforded the Filipinos the statues of American nationals, they could travel to the U. S. with American passports and stay as often and as long as they want. Despite the strict immigration rules that followed the granting of Philippine Independence, many Filipinos still pursued their American Dream and went to great lengths to come legally but stay well beyond their visas and end up in hiding.
Consequently, various FilAm groups and leaders, among them, Loida Nicolas Lewis, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations, the Migrant Heritage Commission and the Philippine Forum have all come forward to laud the new Obama immigration initiative even as some groups like the Republicans are wary about the order. Like President Obama, they made it clear that the new order was only temporary and not a passport to citizenship, warning people not to come to the US simply to fraudulently take advantage of the order. Applicants for this new status must be wary of possible scams that unscrupulous people could resort to, victimizing their suspecting and naïve countrymen. It will be worth reminding this same group, as well, to be cognizant of their obligations and responsibilities to the government, as in paying their taxes and obeying the laws.