The Tanggol Migrante Movement (TMM) is currently campaigning for the release of Ya’akub Ira, Alma Bowman, and Sonny Lasquite, Filipino immigrants now being persecuted in the US. The group concurrently calls on the Philippine embassy to assist Tita Rebecca and Tita K in obtaining medical and financial aid and support for their return to the Philippines.
ICE agents illegally arrested Filipino Muslim and photojournalist Ya’akub Ira on October 7. This was for his social media posts opposing US policies and calling for an end to the genocide in Gaza. His Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, which was not set to expire until May 2026, was revoked. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the Dallas Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating him for “praising terrorism” on social media.
Tita Rebecca is 71 years old and is a 42-year US resident. She has been detained at an ICE facility in Chicago for more than seven months and is scheduled to be deported to the Philippines. She went nealy four months without her medication while in detention. She must endure another month before she can be released.
Tita K is 54 years old and has been a US resident for 46 years. She was set for early release from a case that entailed a short sentence. Instead of being released, ICE detained and transferred her to the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, Washington. She was scheduled for deportation on October 2. Tita K said her suffering worsens as her detention drags on. She also dreads starting her life in another country, far from her family.
The four Filipinos are among the immigrants targeted by ICE since Donald Trump assumed his second term. Instead of addressing the needs of Filipinos and protecting them from discrimination, abuse, illegal detention, and deportation, the Philippine embassy has seemingly ghosted them, as it is nowhere to be found when help is needed. Its assistance often comes late and falls short.
The Filipino community and activists in the US have united under the Tanggol Migrante Movement to campaign for the release, protection, and support of illegally detained Filipino migrants.
On November 2, TMM and Sonny Lasquite’s family held a prayer vigil to pray for his immediate release. His next hearing is scheduled for November 20.
Meanwhile, Alma Bowman’s family fears that she may be deported to a non-homeland country as both the Philippine and US governments do not recognize her as a citizen. Bowman was born to a Filipino mother and an American father.
TMM says it will continue to demand the release of all Filipino immigrants detained by ICE.
