He didn’t think it would happen so quickly.
Rey Galleon was sent back home to the Philippines on March 17 after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel visited their family home in Southern California.
Galleon was the first Filipino to be arrested and deported under the Trump administration. The former crew memeber had been an undocumented immigrant since he jumped ship seven years ago, ABS-CBN News reports.
While Galleon had difficulties finding a regular job because he didn’t have the proper documents, his life in th US was fine. His two children are US citizens.
With no other options in the US, Galleon’s wife and kids followed him to Zamboanga, Philippines a week after he was deported.
Galleon thought that ICE will go after illegal immigrants with criminal records first.
Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) representative Aqui Soriano Versoza said that Galleon was “given false options.”
Galleon wants undocumented Filipino immigrants to be aware of their options to fight deportation. He advised them to be ready for anything and to memorize the hotline of PWC, who might be able to provide legal help and support.
He hopes that his story will help his kababayans still staying in the US.
Watch the full video here.
