THE Philippine Embassy in Washington urged Filipinos with concerns about their immigration status to seek legal advice after the US government tightened visa screening and review procedures.
“Filipino nationals who have concerns regarding their current immigration status are strongly encouraged to consult a qualified US immigration attorney or an accredited legal service provider for advice appropriate to their individual circumstances,” the embassy said in an advisory.
The embassy also urged Filipinos to stay informed about changes in US immigration policies and ensure compliance with visa requirements.
The advisory came after the US Department of State began reviewing business and tourist visas issued to foreign nationals who also sought asylum in the United States.
“The embassy reminds the Filipino community that immigration cases are determined by the appropriate US authorities based on the circumstances of each case,” it said.
Reuters reported that about 200,000 B1 and B2 visas could be revoked as US immigration authorities intensify compliance reviews.
The White House on Aug. 25 posted an image on X carrying the phrase, “US set for largest mass visa revocation in history.”
US Department of State Spokesman Tommy Pigott said a global pause on immigrant visa application appointments is intended to reduce fraud and ensure visa holders comply with the conditions of their stay.
“The primary objective here is to cut down on fraud, to make sure that when people indicate something to us when they apply for the visa, that when they’re here, they abide by the terms of that visa,” Mr. Pigott said in a statement posted on X.
“If someone lies to a consular officer about their true intent, that is fraud and grounds for revocation,” he added.
In May, US Citizenship and Immigration Services strengthened implementation of a policy requiring foreign nationals to process green card applications through US consulates in their home countries.
Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel “Babe” G. Romualdez earlier said the policy could affect 100,000 to 200,000 Filipinos.
The US Department of State said on Aug. 10 that the Trump administration had revoked 175,000 visas as part of its continuing vetting operations.
The agency said revocations were linked to fraud, abuse of the immigration system, incitement to violence, threats to national security and violations of visa conditions.
“The revocations come as a result of the State Department’s continuous vetting operations, which ensure that visa recipients abide by the terms of their visa and do not endanger Americans,” it said.
The department added that some revocations involved criminal offenses, including reckless driving, sexual assault, child abuse, fraud and embezzlement. — Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel