02/13/2025
Dear Members of the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce Tennessee and community,
It has come to our attention that recent enforcement of Sanctuary City policies has resulted in the deportation of 24 individuals from our Filipino community who were residing in cities such as Atlantic City, New York, and Illinois. These deportations were part of broader enforcement actions targeting individuals with alleged illegal activities, and these deportations have had significant repercussions on the lives of those affected.
We strongly urge all members of our community who may have overstayed their visas, to take immediate action. It is crucial to either regularize your immigration status or consider returning home and reapplying for a visa to ensure you remain in the United States legally. Failure to do so may result in deportation, which can have severe and lasting impacts on your ability to return to the United States in the future.
To assist you in this process, we recommend the following steps:
Seek Legal Advice: Consult with an immigration attorney who can provide you with personalized guidance based on your situation.
1. Update Your Documentation: Ensure all your documents are up-to-date and that you have a clear understanding of your visa status.
2. Consider Voluntary Departure: If you are unable to regularize your status, (be in the United States Legally) consider voluntary departure as a way to avoid the long-term consequences of deportation.
3. Stay Informed: Keep yourself updated on immigration policies and any changes that may affect your status.
We understand that this is a challenging time, and we are here to support you. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us for assistance or to connect with legal resources. If you are here legally you have nothing to fear. Immigration is not actively seeking out people who have overstayed their Visas and are not criminals or have broken our laws. However, if you live in a sanctuary city that will not cooperate with ICE to locate criminal illegals, you could inadvertently be caught and deported.
Let us work together to ensure that our community members can continue to thrive while adhering to the laws and regulations of the United States.
Sincerely,
Rev. Lyle F. Hill
President,
Philippine American Chamber of Commerce Tennessee
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