Filipino migrants with pending applications for U.S. permanent residency say uncertainty surrounding a recent government memo on green card processing has heightened concerns over their legal status, employment prospects and family stability, while immigration advocates continue to seek formal clarification from federal authorities.

Questions emerged after comments by Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez to Philippine broadcaster GMA News, in which he said Filipinos applying for a green card would need to “go home first,” reflecting guidance that appeared consistent with a U.S. government memo whose implications have been widely debated among migrant communities.

The remarks drew attention among Filipino workers in the United States, many of whom have spent years building careers and supporting families while awaiting decisions on their residency applications.Sharvari Dalal-Dheini, director of government relations at the American Immigration Lawyers Association, said uncertainty remains because U.S. authorities have yet to issue updated public guidance clarifying reports that elements of the policy may have been reconsidered.

“Stakeholders continue to be confused and dubious of the government’s claims. Until we have official word, we remain concerned and extremely cautious,” Dalal-Dheini said.The lack of clear guidance has created challenges for migrants attempting to plan their futures, according to advocates and workers affected by the policy debate.

Immigration lawyers say applicants are often reluctant to make major employment, housing or family decisions when regulatory requirements remain unclear.Among those affected is Marie, a Filipino migrant whose green card application remains pending.

She said the uncertainty extends beyond migrants themselves and affects the broader network of relatives and communities that depend on them.According to Marie, the consequences of prolonged uncertainty could also be felt by U.S. citizens who rely on migrant workers for essential services and care.

The issue is particularly significant in sectors such as elder care, where Filipino workers have long played an important role in addressing labor shortages and supporting aging populations in parts of the United States.Gabriela, a Filipino caregiver who has worked at the same retirement home in California’s San Fernando Valley for 15 years, said concerns about her immigration status have intensified because her permanent residency application has not yet been resolved.

She has cared for one patient, now 97 years old, for nine years and said the prospect of being required to leave the country raises questions about the continuity of care for elderly residents as well as the welfare of her own family.Gabriela said she migrated to the United States after concluding that opportunities in the Philippines were insufficient to provide the level of financial support she sought for her children.

With her residency application still pending, she said she fears the consequences for both her family and the people under her care if she were required to return to the Philippines before receiving a final decision on her immigration status.The concerns expressed by Filipino migrants highlight broader questions about labor migration and the economic factors that continue to drive workers overseas.

Marie said many migrants leave their home countries because of limited economic opportunities and the need to secure stable incomes for their families. She argued that immigration policies should take into account the human impact on workers who have established lives abroad while contributing to the economies and communities where they live.

“There needs to be more leadership from both the U.S. government and the Philippines government to understand the human impact, the human cost of these things,” she said.The Philippine Embassy in Washington defended the country’s record on migrant welfare and said the government remains committed to supporting Filipinos overseas.

“The Philippines is recognized globally as being at the forefront of promoting and protecting the welfare and rights of Filipino nationals overseas,” an embassy spokesperson said.The spokesperson said many overseas Filipinos choose to work abroad after assessing their personal circumstances and determining that international employment offers greater professional, financial or career opportunities than those available at home.

“While the Philippines continues to offer opportunities as a growing economy, many overseas Filipinos have carefully weighed their choices and determined that employment abroad is better suited to their personal, professional, or financial goals,” the spokesperson said.For migrants awaiting greater clarity, however, uncertainty remains the dominant concern.

Immigration advocates say formal guidance from U.S. authorities will be critical in determining how affected applicants proceed and whether existing interpretations of the policy accurately reflect government intentions.

Until such clarification is issued, lawyers, workers and advocacy groups say many applicants are likely to remain cautious about making decisions that could affect their legal status, employment and family arrangements in the United States.