Political analyst Dindo Manhit of Stratbase ADR Institute explained that migrants, especially Filipinos in America, will benefit, as Biden will allegedly adjust Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
He also said that the US and Philippine foreign policy is expected to strengthen, including the issue in the disputed part of the South China Sea.
In addition, US relations with neighboring countries as well as ASEAN countries will be strengthened.
“Magandang pagkakataon ito na ang isang administrasyong bago ay open na makipagtulungan hindi lang sa Pilipinas kundi sa ating karatig-bayan. Makikita natin na lalakas ang alliance na binabanggit ng Biden administration sa Japan, Korea, Australia at sa ASEAN,” said Manhit.
(This is a good opportunity for a new administration to be open to cooperating not only with the Philippines but with our neighbors. We will see that the alliance mentioned by the Biden administration in Japan, Korea, Australia, and ASEAN will be strengthened.)
“Importante sa atin ‘yan because these are main trading partners and we’re part of new region, Indo-Pacific region, hanggang India,” dagdag niya.
But according to Manhit, it is possible that Biden will focus on American domestic policy now, especially since the Americans were divided during the previous administration.
Migrants expected to benefit from Biden presidency: analyst
In November 2020, the Philippines’ ambassador to the United States (US) said new policies for immigrants are possible under the administration of US President-elect Joe Biden.
Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez cited that more immigrants were deported during Barack Obama’s term than Donald Trump’s four years of leadership.
Joe Biden served for 35 years as a Delaware senator before becoming Barack Obama’s vice president for two terms from 2008 to 2016.
Meanwhile, vice president-elect, Kamala Harris, has been vocal about being a daughter of immigrants from Jamaica and India.
Romualdez also said that around 350,000 overstaying Filipinos in the United States face deportation.
“There are about 350,000 Filipino who have been overstaying here in the United States [who] are on hold,” Romualdez said in an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel. “They’re in court right now, deportation court.”