Philippine Embassy visits 2 Filipinos in ICE detention

NEW YORK —The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. recently visited two Filipinos held in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities in Kentucky and Georgia.

The visits underscore the Philippine government’s ongoing efforts to safeguard the welfare and rights of Filipinos abroad, the embassy said in a statement.

During the visits, embassy representatives assessed the detainees’ well-being, provided consular assistance, and assured them of the government’s commitment to protecting their rights and welfare under international norms and U.S. law.

“The Embassy underscores its steadfast commitment to the protection of the rights and well-being of all Filipinos under its jurisdiction, while fully respecting the laws, regulations, and legal processes of the United States,” the Philippine Embassy said.

The embassy representatives coordinated closely with U.S. authorities to ensure that the detainees’ needs were promptly addressed and that due process was observed.

It emphasized that it remains committed to safeguarding the rights and welfare of all Filipinos under its jurisdiction in cooperation with U.S. authorities.

These visits reflect the embassy’s broader efforts to monitor the welfare of Filipinos who come into contact with the U.S. immigration system and to provide timely consular assistance as needed.

Details about the detained individuals, including their identities, charges, or detention conditions, were not disclosed due to privacy protections and ongoing legal processes.

The embassy said it will continue to coordinate with U.S. authorities to ensure that the needs of detained Filipinos are addressed while their rights are protected.

“The consular visits enabled embassy representatives to ascertain the condition of the detained nationals, extend appropriate assistance, and reaffirm the Embassy's commitment to protecting their rights and welfare in accordance with the law,” the statement added.—LDF, GMA Integrated News