Page 49 - 2017 JAN-JUN - KAAKBAY

January to June
2017 49

New York Consulate General Convenes Working Group on Migrant Advocacy Concerns

The Philippine Consulate General in New York
invited organizations and individuals active in migration
and immigration advocacy work to a meeting held at the
Philippine Center in New York on 25 January 2017. The
meeting brought together over 25 participants from
various migrant advocacy groups as well as individual
volunteers in the legal field, healthcare, and media.

Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega chaired
the meeting and thanked those in attendance for sharing
their time, inputs, and recommendations for closer and
more effective engagement among community advocacy Members of Migrant Advocacy Groups at the Meeting on Migrant Concerns, Kalayaan
groups and volunteers in responding to the concerns of Hall Annex, Philippine Center-New York
the Filipino migrant community in the US Northeast.

The meeting tackled the recently announced new immigration-related policies of the US Government as well as
related matters such as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or DACA Program instituted by the US Government in
2012. Other topics covered by the meeting included overseas Filipino community related concerns such as the status of the
Overseas Employment Contract, the proposed establishment of an OFW Bank and OFW hospital, among others.

Updates on Human-Trafficking cases were likewise shared along with new efforts to establish linkages with local
agencies concerned with the welfare of migrant communities.

The meeting participants agreed to sustain the momentum of the initial focus group meeting on Migrant Advocacy
concerns by creating an accessible communication channel through which the Consulate, different advocacy groups, and
volunteers could be updated on migration and immigration related issues. The group will likewise continue to meet on a regular
basis and invite other interested groups and individuals.

Know Your Rights Series on Immigration Matters Commences in New York

The Philippine Consulate General in New York commenced
with its Know Your Rights Information Series for 2017 with a session
on Immigration Developments held on 18 February 2017 at the
Philippine Center. Resource speakers from the New York City
Mayor’s Office and the Jersey City Mayor’s Office provided important
information to participating members of the Filipino Community.

Ms. Susan Pereyra of the New York City Mayor’s Office for
Immigrant Affairs spoke about programs for immigrants regardless of
their immigration status, immigrant resources and services, and the
New York City Identification Card.

Another speaker, Ms. Pura Cruz also from the New York
Mayor’s Office Action NYC Team, provided helpful advice to persons
with irregular immigration status when confronted with possible
detention or deportation. She also expounded on the Action NYC
program which connects all immigrant New Yorkers with free and safe immigration legal assistance.

Mr. Yves Nibungco of the Jersey City Mayor’s Office for Welcoming Communities also provided information about
Jersey City policies on immigration and various services available to irregular or undocumented migrants in that area.

Both New York City and Jersey City, New Jersey are declared “sanctuary cities” with immigrant-friendly policies. A
high concentration of Filipino migrants also reside and work in these two areas.

The speakers also responded to questions from the over 50 Filipino Community leaders and volunteers who attended
the session held immediately after the Filipino-American Community General Assembly.

The Consulate’s Know Your Rights Series will continue with its efforts to provide venues for Filipinos and Filipino-
Americans to know more about their rights and responsibilities in the context of existing US laws and policies. The series on
immigration developments are slated to be held in the coming months in Queens, New York; Jersey City, New Jersey,
Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and New England.