MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Rachel Koelzer, NAKASEC Action Fund, (734) 536-2929, rachel@nakasecactionfund.org
NO CITIZENSHIP, NO REST: Immigrant Community Members Hold 24/7 Vigil, Demand Action From Vice President Harris
WHAT: Press Conference & Rally
WHO: NAKASEC Action Fund, African Communities Together, CASA, Center For Popular Democracy, Faith in Action, NICE, UndocuBlack Network, United We Dream Action
WHERE: Vice President’s Official Residence, One Observatory Circle (34th St NW & Massachusetts Ave NW), Washington D.C.
WHEN: Thursday, October 21, 2021; 12pm
WHY: Impacted immigrants and allies, with immigrant justice organizations, will convene the press to call for Democratic leadership to deliver a pathway to citizenship in the Build Back Better package. In wake of the parliamentarian’s erroneous advice, Vice President Harris has the power and responsibility to disregard her advice, and ensure a pathway to citizenship is included in the federal budget reconciliation package.
Beginning on Thursday, community members and allies will be holding vigil around the clock, 24-7, calling for Democratic leaders to publicly support the Vice President in disregarding the parliamentarian’s opinion, and to ensure legalization for millions of undocumented community members this year.
Community member & NAKASEC Action Fund Organizer, Jenny Kim: “Despite our Asian American community showing up for the Biden-Harris administration in 2020, President Biden and Vice President Harris continue to fail undocumented and immigrant communities. Democrats, we expect you to fulfill your campaign promises during your time in office. Vice President Harris, you can and must ignore the parliamentarian, and President Biden, you must support her in this effort!”
DACA recipient & NAKASEC Board Chair, Ju Hong: “First, in the tradition of movements in Korea, we shaved our heads — a historically & culturally powerful action to demonstrate our commitment to achieving a pathway to citizenship this year. Now we will hold a 24-hours-a-day, week-long vigil because there can be no rest without citizenship. Fearful of detention and deportation, unable to receive government support or aid, we cannot live fully without citizenship. We cannot continue waiting for politicians to decide to act. The time is now. Disregard the parliamentarian’s advice, pass citizenship.”
Community members have traveled to D.C. from California, Illinois, Virginia, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas to ensure Democrats include a pathway to citizenship in the budget.
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The NAKASEC Action Fund engages in policy and legislative advocacy to protect and strengthen the nation’s laws and policies regarding civil rights, immigrant rights and human rights.
United We Dream Action is the leading national network fighting for dignity and justice led by immigrant youth and allies. We are a dynamic community of thousands of immigrant youth nationwide who build independent political power for those directly impacted by injustice. We organize and take action to win victories so that all people can be safe and thrive. You can find more about United We Dream Action online at www.unitedwedreamaction.org
