Gov’t ready to help ‘TNTs’ in US

MANILA, Philippines - The government is ready to assist Filipinos in the United States who want to avail themselves of the new immigration policy of US President Barack Obama, which some Filipino-Americans likened to Abraham Lincoln’s emancipation of the slaves.

“There are several parameters that President Obama laid down... any Filipino citizen who satisfies these parameters, we encourage them to take advantage of the window that was given by President Obama,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said yesterday.

Under Obama’s immigration reform, those who have been staying illegally in the US for a minimum of five years and are parents of children who are US citizens will be given work permits for three years.

However, the new directive does not offer them a path to citizenship, reports said.

“Let us not think that this is license to go anywhere undocumented. Please, if you intend to reside or to work in other countries, please make sure that we abide by the proper rules and regulations and that we fulfill all the documentary requirements,” Valte said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has ordered its posts in the US to study how undocumented Filipinos there can benefit from Obama’s immigration reform, which is expected to ease the threat of deportation for some 4.7 million illegal immigrants.

DFA spokesperson Charles Jose issued the statement on Friday after Obama said he was using executive action to enforce a new immigration policy after years of stalemate in the US Congress on a proposed law that would provide relief to millions of illegal migrants.

A group of US-based Filipinos, US Pinoys for Good Government also lauded Obama’s decision, calling it historic and humane.