By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday night clarified that no Filipino was arrested in the raid conducted by United States immigration authorities in Hawaii early this month.
The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on May 6 raided the home of a group of teachers in Kahului, Maui, and temporarily detained them. Among those detained were Filipino nationals working legally in Hawaii on J-1 visas.
“The Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu has reached out to the Filipino J-1 teachers in Maui who were affected by an operation of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). They informed the Consulate that none of them have been arrested and they are safe and in good condition,” DFA Spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said in a statement.
The consulate, she said, continues to closely monitor developments and remains ready to provide appropriate assistance, if necessary.
Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii earlier denounced this immigration operation as “outrageous,” describing it as a “racial profiling” that was meant to instill fear.
An ICE statement following the raid explained that the teachers were briefly detained “for the safety of the agents and the occupants.” (PNA)
