For many undocumented Filipino immigrants in the United States, the promise of a better life comes with relentless challenges. Striving for security, stability, and dignity, they live in the shadows, often referred to as "TNT" or "tago ng tago," meaning "always hiding." While the common refrain, "They should just do it the right way," oversimplifies the issue, the reality is far more complex. With barriers such as visa backlogs, sponsorship limitations, and stringent refugee policies, the road to legal status is fraught with obstacles. More than 300,000 Filipinos face the constant threat of deportation, yet their contributions to the American economy and society remain undeniable.

The Filipino immigrant community in the U.S. has long faced challenges—from restrictive immigration policies to xenophobia and systemic barriers. With over 300,000 undocumented Filipinos contributing to the economy yet living in fear of deportation, it’s more important than ever to ensure their safety and amplify their voices.  The question is simple yet urgent: what can we do to protect our immigrant community?

When it comes to representation in the west, it’s the Filipino-Americans who are often credited for it, even when many of the Filipino celebrities we know and love like Shay Mitchell and Manny Jacinto are actually Canadian. But representation for our people isn’t only limited to media and entertainment because Filipinos are also at the forefront of business and healthcare, especially in Canada. The Filipino population residing in Canada is higher than in the U.S., making them the third largest immigrant group in the country. This adds on to the importance of recognizing the nearly 1.5 Million Filipino residents responsible for the successful multiculturalism of Canada.