“We celebrate Christmas to remember the love of God by giving to us His only son,” he said.
He added that “homesickness” is not a reason to be lonely. Each must be happy with the blessings they have received, such as their jobs, which provide financial assistance to their families back home.
Some of the Filipino workers interviewed by this reporter expressed a longing for their families in their country.
“It is so sad to celebrate the season without them but this is the sacrifice I have to make to send my children to college,” Antonio Molina said.
Molina has not seen his wife and son for eight years.
Nelly Baltimore, another worker, said she is not completely happy despite celebrating Christmas with her friends here.
She said the exit and re-entry procedures for foreign workers under the newly implemented federalization laws have made it more difficult for her to visit her family in the Philippines.
“Getting an advance parole is expensive and it is easier to stay here,” she said.
The advance parole fee is $305.
