Guam's filipino community share thoughts on undocumented workers

The recent disappearance of three Filipino H-2B construction workers has brought attention to an issue that resonates deeply within the local Filipino community.

The situation brings up a well known phrase: 'TNT,' which stands for 'Tago Ng Tago' or 'Takbo Ng Takbo,' describing individuals who migrate overseas for work and then choose to stay, living undocumented.

This situation has not only raised concerns about the local workforce but has also sparked discussions about the challenges faced by those attempting to migrate legally.

Carlos Bautista, a resident of the Philippines, highlighted the desperation that drives people to adopt such measures, citing poverty and hardship in the Philippines as motivating factors. He says,

“I've known a lot of people who did that before in my circle of friends, unfortunately, I tried stopping one person from not doing it but unfortunately she did.  So a lot of people really tends to find a quick way to get rich or escape, especially the poverty in the Philippines, there's a lot of hardship going on there”

However, he emphasized the difficulties faced by those genuinely seeking legal pathways to migrate and the skepticism they encounter from immigration officers.

“It's so hard to get the visa, it's so hard, it's so difficult, it's so unfair it's like we’re affected as well,  what about us who wants to get our visas, who wants to migrate as well but every officer, every immigration officer officers thinks that we're just gonna go TNT they ask us a lot of questions. You know, even officers in the Philippines, they just won't let us go.”

The recent incident has alarmed Guam's residents, with Audrey Lin from Mongmong-Toto-Maite expressing concerns about the impact on the economy and job opportunities for local residents. The economic challenges faced by Guam, compounded by the recent recession and rising costs, make the situation even more concerning.

Delegate James Moylan underscored the island's ongoing need for H-2B workers, especially considering the potential labor shortages during natural disasters like typhoons.

“We know that we’re going to have more typhoons, we’re going to be short labor. We’re going to need the H2B workforce here. Businesses will be damaged, we need those small businesses, we’re going to need that H2B worker.”