“We feel fear and anxiety every day of suffering another attack. I suffered six broken ribs and my wife, Julienne was badly bruised and suffered a damaged knee. Our jobs and ability to support ourselves is uncertain – we work as caregivers and have physical limitations from our injuries” Nicanor Arriola, Migrant Worker and Victim of a Hate Attack
In 2021, anti-Asian hate crimes surged by 339% across the nation as former President Trump’s rhetoric fueled anti-Asian sentiment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many Filipino survivors of these attacks, like Nicanor Arriola and his wife, still carry the trauma of these violent experiences today.
As we prepare for another Trump presidency defined by a xenophobic & anti-immigrant agenda that scapegoats migrants for the nation’s economic challenges, the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) remains steadfast in advocating for the rights and welfare of Filipinos. Though the future might look grim, we continue to challenge racist rhetoric, build multiracial solidarity, and organize to defend migrant’s rights and address pressing issues together. We urge the community to join us in:
- Challenging racist and anti-immigrant rhetoric and build solidarity:
The United States is home to the largest Filipino community outside the Philippines, with nearly 4.5 million Filipino Americans, including a significant number of undocumented individuals. Many Filipino Americans and migrants were compelled to leave the Philippines in search of better economic opportunities. On Election Day, economic pressures such as inflation and the rising cost of living were top concerns for voters. Although Trump’s campaign promised to address these issues, he once again isolated migrants as scapegoats for the nation’s challenges, despite them making substantial contributions to the U.S. economy while also supporting families back home.
We have seen the consequences of this approach before: Filipinos endured widespread deportations during Trump’s previous term, and the rise in hate attacks has impacted over a thousand members of our community in recent years. In response, NAFCON stands ready to strengthen our campaigns to defend migrant rights, demand justice and accountability for victims of hate, and advocate for the dignity and safety of all.
- Advocating for economic justice and social services:
Filipino workers are severely impacted by the economic crisis, with around 59% employed in low-wage service roles, living paycheck to paycheck in challenging and often hazardous conditions. Filipino workers play essential yet undervalued roles, particularly in healthcare, where countless Filipino frontline workers risked their lives to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite their contributions to U.S. society, Filipino migrants remain vulnerable to anti-worker and anti-immigrant rhetoric that deepen their hardships, exploitation, and marginalization. The economic crisis—often driven by factors that prioritize corporate profit over people’s needs—demands solidarity among working people. We have more in common with each other than with the politicians who serve corporate interests, and it is through collective action that we can organize and demand the improvements our communities deserve.
- Engaging the community in organizing and campaigns to strengthen collective action:
Throughout 2024, NAFCON, alongside other Filipino organizations, engaged over a thousand Filipino community members to develop the 2024 Filipino American Agenda—a comprehensive compilation of the key issues facing Filipinos in the U.S., gathered through surveys and town halls. These concerns include workplace challenges, immigration, housing insecurity, hate crimes, student repression, healthcare, women’s rights, and many more. With this agenda, we are committed to strengthening our community’s power to defend our rights and advance critical issues as we confront a potentially hostile political climate. NAFCON continues to be steadfast in our campaigns, standing with victims of violence, advocating for healthcare workers and migrant rights, and working alongside our communities to safeguard democracy.
The building of the conservative majority in the House and Senate and plans for Project 2025—aimed at imposing an extreme far-right authoritarian agenda—are already in motion. Now more than ever, we urge our community to unite, build strength through people’s organizations to drive meaningful change, and protect our rights. We encourage community members to join our member organizations and actively participate in our campaigns.
To get in touch with us, message us directly on our social media platforms or email us at info@nafconusa.org.
Read and endorse the Filipino American Agenda at tinyurl.com/FAA2024toolkit
Join us for a Post-Elections Community Conversation on November 10: tinyurl.com/FAA-nov10
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