PHL not included in the Trump ban

MANILA—“The Philippines is not included in the Trump ban.”

This is the good news announced by the Department of Homeland Security of the United States through its spokeswoman Gillian Christiensen, which was relayed by the Migrant Heritage Commission (MHC), a non-profit run by Filipino immigrants based in the U.S., to this writer on Tuesday.

“Please help us disseminate this information to our kababayan (citizens) Green Card holders in the U.S.A.,” MHC said in an e-mail signed by MHC Executive Directors Rev. Arnedo S Valera, Jesse A. Gatchalian, and Grace Divina Valera, MHC directors.

US President Donald Trump has issued an Executive Order stopping refugee admission to the United States to protect the nation and Americans from terrorist attacks by foreign nationals admitted to the United States.

However, MHC clarified that the Philippines is not included in the ban based on the official announcement by the Department of Homeland Security.

MHC has been receiving queries about the refugee ban.“To all our Kababayans, who are Green Card Holders and currently on travel outside of US, our law firm and the Migrant Heritage Commission are receiving a number of phone calls and queries in the social media, including FB (Facebook) since yesterday on this issue,” MHC said.

“According to Gillian Christiensen, acting Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman said in an email: that Green card holders are included in Trump Ban ,” MHC added.

It says further: “The Executive Order immigrants ( Green Cards) and non immigrant entities for at least 90 days for nationals of Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen .

“THE PHILIPPINES IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE TRUMP BAN . IF YOU ARE ALSO A CITIZEN OR NATIONAL OF THESE COUNTRIES, THEN YOU WILL BE COVERED.”

“As of last night, Federal Judges in NY and Boston issued a Stay and it is nationwide in application vs the Executive Order banning Muslims from the seven enumerated countries.

“Few hours ago, the Secretary of the US Dept Of Homeland Security, Sec. John Kelly , in a reversal stated the following : ” In applying the provisions of the President’s Executive Order, I hereby deem the entry of Lawful Permanent Residents ( Green Card Holders) to be in the national interest.” If you have questions or concerns, please consult a licensed immigration attorney or an accredited NGO with an in-house attorney.”

“You may call the Law Offices of Valera & Associates,PC ,an Immigration and Anti Discrimination Law Firm and the Migrant Heritage Commission (MHC) for free legal consultations. We have been answering calls and in standby since yesterday because of unprecedented number of inquiries,” MHC said.