Filipino American civil groups are seeking temporary protected status for undocumented Filipinos and those on short term visas after Typhoon Haiyan, reports Philly.com.
The designation would allow some to travel to the Philippines to deal with the emergency and later return. It would also grant work authorization and protection from deportation for 18 months.
Up to half a million Filipinos in the United States would be affected by the designation.
Haitians were granted the same protection after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti and Syrians whose country is torn apart by Civil War also have the same status.
“Even those with expired visas,” said
Aida Rivera, Pennsylvania chairwoman of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations. “They can go home to bury their dead, or visit relatives who have been badly affected by the typhoon. They can earn money to send back to the affected people.”
You can read about mobilization efforts by Filipino Americans across the country in Philly.com.
