MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine ambassador and consuls general in the United States said they would assist Filipinos regardless of their immigration status amid the plan of the comebacking Trump administration to deport illegal migrants.

President-elect Donald Trump vowed to conduct a sweeping crackdown on immigration and tighten border control which were part of his campaign promises.

The Filipino diplomats in the US met on Dec. 10 and 11 to discuss a wide range of issues, related to the incoming Trump administration, particularly its "emerging immigration policies."

"This planning session is especially important because not only are we taking stock of the work we have done for the last 11 months and preparing for a new year ahead, but we will need to prepare and strategize in the context of a new US administration," Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez said in a statement.

"The Philippine Embassy and Consulates General will continue to provide consular services to all Filipino nationals regardless of their immigration status," they said.

The heads of Philippine posts in the US "understand the uncertainty felt by certain segments of the Filipino community in the United States following recent pronouncements by the incoming administration," the Philippine Ambassador and Consulates General (PACG) said.

"While the exact contours of the incoming Trump administration's policies have yet to take shape, the meeting was an important step in ensuring a unified, coordinated, and effective response," the PACG said in a statement on Thursday.

"Recognizing the right of the US to enforce its own laws, the Philippine Embassy and Consulates General will intensify their engagement with relevant US officials to advocate for the protection of the rights of Filipinos residing in the US and the promotion of their security and welfare," it read.

The PACG added, "The heads of posts reaffirmed their collective commitment to supporting and providing consular assistance to Filipino nationals while respecting US laws."

Romualdez said that 250,000 to 300,000 Filipinos illegally staying in the US or those without "any kind of status" should voluntarily return to the Philippines or start working on their documents.

"My advice to many of our fellow men who actually are still here but cannot get any kind of status, my advice is for them not to wait to be deported," Romualdez said in a forum with international and local media.

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