BY S.I. RAFFLE
CONGRATULATIONS to President Donald John Trump, the 47th President of the United States of America. He was sworn in back to office on January 20, 2025. As an outsider, we can hear all these controversies with his upcoming policies on immigration, border control, ending birthright citizenship, and more executive actions. We are not new to this ruckus, and we have experienced how President Trump managed his government.
Fret not on these conflicts if you are already applying for a visa as a worker to the US. There are golden opportunities in this new era. We have seen a preview of this current administration because he was the leader from 2017-2021 as the 45th President. We know that his stance on governance can be tough, controversial, and focused on making America great again. Even if his priorities are driven toward the interests of the nation, he undoubtedly needs non-immigrants to fill in the needs to propel the economy. It is for this reason that the labor market continues to be viable for aspiring Filipino workers because of the demands in the sectors of healthcare, technology, and education.
With an increase in the elderly population, Filipino nurses are in the front row because of their supreme credentials and exemplary performances. Aside from that Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapists continue to be a sought-after profession. We know that education in the US is pricey for local students that they need to obtain loans to complete their academic degrees. These medical and allied health professionals are absolutely one of the highest-paid professions in the country.
Moreover, with a massive display of technology executives behind the new leadership, Artificial Intelligence (AI), electric vehicles, space explorations, among other technology innovations will certainly attract potential engineers from our country and the rest of the world. AI is the future and tech agencies are competing against each other to acquire brilliant engineers. The Philippines has produced numerous engineering graduates, and our schools have great curricula to become at par with engineering advancements. A golden opportunity indeed for an approaching era called the Age of Intelligence for our Filipino engineers.
In the education sector, the update in December 2024 on the status of the Immigration and Naturalization Act 212-e rule has very few changes. Therefore, teachers who completed the 5-year maximum teacher exchange visitor program will return to comply with the home residency requirement, thus, being a big boost to the Department of Education’s roster of experienced international teachers. DepEd must capitalize on that since these teachers have acquired a great deal of involvement and insights into the global education system. In addition, the need for Filipino SPED teachers will not be submerged. It is definitely in high need in different states because of the kind of qualification that has to be met by this specialization.
A SPED teacher has to be equipped with not only pedagogical strategies but also behavior management which I believe some American teachers would shy away from. The social-emotional competence embedded in the education profession is one of the reasons we have the highest number of non-immigrant teachers compared to other countries who have landed full-time teaching jobs in various American school districts. Our patience, utmost commitment and enthusiasm, and the ability to stretch our abilities to embrace all different behaviors and the trials and tribulations in the school are our bedrock.
In lieu of the administration’s policies, there are certainly massive and serious actions for those Filipinos who overstayed despite expired visas. These undocumented TNT or “tago nang tago” should not be inspired by Erwin Tulfo’s admission of being a TNT in the past. Today, all eyes are on undocumented aliens. It will certainly be hard for most to leave the US because working there is lucrative and can really support one’s family. But the policy is iron-clad. It will also have repercussions for other Filipinos who are law-abiding and have maintained an honest stature.
If you are applying to go to the US, especially in the above-mentioned sectors, do not lose hope. Amidst the noise, bickering, and protests we hear in the media, the status of being at work is the same. Workers there continue to do their jobs, mind their business, pay taxes, do what they are told, and be good alien residents. This is a very big country with 50 states and over 340 million in population. It is still the land of milk and honey and continues to be one of the superpowers in the world.
I did not write this to attract an exodus among our professionals. It began a long time ago. We have choices to look for greener pastures and support our families. The Philippines has always been my home and I can’t wait to hear other victories in economic growth, law and order, and more. Though democracy is pretty astounding with the checks and balances in government, I felt that we have been so divided over many issues. It’s good that Filipinos enjoy the freedom they protect. But it’s also delightful to hear that working conditions are improved, salaries upgraded, corruption eliminated, and violence and crimes defeated; it remains to be seen. Opportunities to work in another country is a privilege and not everyone can get a shot of a lifetime.
