Organizations plan APA mobilization and rally for immigration reform
Asian Reporter 4-3-07
A7
National Asian Pacific American organizations are planning a national mobilization of AP As that will converge on Washington, D. C. on April 30 and May 1 in support of immigration reform. The event will include community dialogues, legislative visits, and a rally at the Capital.
"Hundreds of participants from more than 20 states will come together to educate the public and lawmakers about how today's broken immigration system is hurting all our communities," said Eun Sook Lee, executive director of the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium. "This event comes at a strategic moment, with the recent introduction of the first serious legislative proposal in the new Congress by Representative Luis Gutierrez and Representative Jeff Flake. As the debate begins to unfold, AP As must come together to project our unified voice and vision for just and humane immigration reform."
The AP A Mobilization will include groups that have been underrepresented in the immigration reform discussion, according to Doua Thor, executive director of the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center.
"Refugee populations are largely impacted by immigration policies and have traditionally been left out of immigration reform debates," said Thor. "A national day of mobilization provides us an opportunity to stand united with all APIA communities to ensure that our voices are included on this very important issue."
"We are bringing AP As from around the country to D. C. to call on Congress to bring immigration law in line with reality and to recognize the contributions of immigrants to the U.S. economy," said Michael C. Lin, executive director of the Organization of Chinese Americans. "Important first steps towards fair and comprehensive immigration reform have already begun, but concerns remain about proposed legislation. We strongly urge members of Congress to respond to their immigrant constituencies when continuing the debate."