WASHINGTON, D.C. – US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has confirmed that there have been no recent changes to US immigration or customs procedures, contrary to online claims of stricter entry checks and phone inspections at ports of entry.
CBP Denies Policy Shift
In a statement to GMA News Online, CBP Public Affairs spokesperson Tammy Melvin emphasized that border protocols remain consistent:
“CBP continues to carry out its primary responsibilities of protecting the American people, safeguarding the nation’s borders, and enhancing economic prosperity through the facilitation of lawful trade and travel,” Melvin said.
“Border security remains the agency’s top priority.”
Melvin’s remarks come amid growing chatter online that travelers to the United States are experiencing lengthier processing times and are subject to mandatory mobile phone inspections—claims CBP denies.
Philippine Officials Echo Clarifications
Back in Manila, Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega clarified that the Bureau of Immigration (BI), not US authorities, controls outbound immigration procedures for Filipinos.
“It is our own Bureau of Immigration who is responsible… not US authorities,” de Vega told GMA News Online.
The BI confirmed that its procedures for outbound passengers remain unchanged.
“No changes naman from our end so far,” said BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval, adding that they cannot comment on another country’s immigration protocols.
Immigration Policy a Key Issue in PH-US Dialogue
The debate over immigration policies coincides with Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s announcement of his planned meeting with newly re-elected US President Donald Trump to discuss trade, defense, and immigration reforms.
“There’s much we need to discuss… including the new policy on immigration,” Marcos said during the inauguration of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Alternate Runway in January 2025.
Marcos expressed concern over recent deportations of Filipinos:
“Nagpauwi na yata ng ilang daan na Pilipino. This is something we have to work through and hopefully resolve,” he said.
Hundreds of Filipinos Facing Deportation
According to Consul General Donna Rodriguez, as of April 2, at least 20 undocumented Filipinos were detained and facing deportation. She estimated the number of undocumented Filipino migrants in the US to be between 150,000 and 370,000.