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This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

KPCC Archive

Family of Filipino Veterans To Lose Special Immigration Status

Filipino veterans, family members and supporters join in the annual parade honoring their service. (Photo courtesy of The Valor Project)
Filipino veterans, family members and supporters join in the annual parade honoring their service.
(
Rodney Cajudo/Valor Project
)

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The Trump administration says it’s ending a program designed to reunite Filipino World War II veterans with family. Their advocates say the policy change will be deeply felt in LA, home to the country’s largest Filipino American community.

During World War II, a quarter million men fought in their native Philippines alongside Americans against the Japanese. Some of these soldiers later became U.S. citizens. They petitioned to bring family over. But for Filipinos, the wait for a green card is typically two decades. Then in 2016 the Obama administration let some relatives into the US pending their green card applications to be with the aging veterans and their widows. 

But that's all going to stop. 

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