“I think it’s clear at this point that it’s highly unlikely that the travel ban will be expanded to include the Philippines,” said Fil-Am Atty. Rio Guerrero. “In all likelihood, they would probably wait to see how this all plays out before the court system and probably the Supreme Court, before they were to issue any new travel ban, or to try to expand the existing one obviously.”
The National Filipino American Lawyers Association, or NFALA, a three-year old organization with about 700 lawyer members across the United States, opposes the president’s executive order, which they say promotes hostility toward immigrants and refugees.
The organization has mobilized efforts to support the needs of affected individuals.
“We don’t want any groups being singled out. This is a country where we’ve always welcomed immigrants,” said Atty. Jhanice Domingo, President of NFALA. “We’re asking attorneys and people in the US to speak up and oppose this travel ban. We’re asking immigration attorneys to help out.”
Its local affiliate, the Filipino American Lawyers Association of New York, has been volunteering at different airports, disseminating information on their availability to those who may be affected by the travel ban.
Lawyers urge the community to remain vigilant not only on the issue of immigration, but on other issues as well.
They assure the community that they will advocate for citizens' rights.
“Lawyers will defend our country. We will defend the freedoms and the liberties of the people here in the United States, both the documented and the undocumented, fighting for the rights of individuals, and their families,” said Guerrero.
Read more on Balitang America.
source: news.abs-cbn.com
