Contact:
HyunJoo Lee, NAKASEC, 323-937-3703

NAKASEC Applauds Senator Durbin and Senator Lugar for their Leadership to Stop the Deportation of Undocumented Students

(Los Angeles, CA) NAKASEC and its affiliates, the Korean American Resource and Cultural Center and the Korean Resource Center, applaud Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) for their letter to Department of Homeland Security asking for deferred action of DREAM Act-eligible students facing deportation. The DREAM Act is a bipartisan legislation that is part of comprehensive immigration reform and would allow eligible undocumented students pathway to citizenship. It was introduced by Senator Durbin and Senator Lugar on March 26, 2009.

EunSook Lee, executive director of NAKASEC said, “The current system is unbearable and unacceptable. We welcome this letter from Senators Durbin and Lugar which shows that bipartisanship is possible. As we work towards urgent reforms that will change our immigration laws, we urge the DHS to take decisive action immediately to stop the deportation of DREAM-eligible students.”

Dream-eligible students were brought to the U.S. as young children, grew up and studied here, and have dreams of graduating, working, and fully participating in American society. Because of their undocumented status they face real challenges – they have no access to financial aid or employment and for some, deportation from the country they consider home.

Judy Kim, a college student from Chicago, stated on behalf of NAKASEC affiliate youth group members: “I hear about the deportation of students like Rigo Padilla, Laura Perez and Herta Llusho and I wonder when it will happen to me. I am a full-time college student in Chicago and was brought to the U.S. when I was 9 years old. I am also a DREAM student. The letter by Senator Durbin and Senator Lugar really gives me hope that there are people out there, including our elected officials, that see that we need to fix our broken immigration system and do something so that students, who grew up here and want to give back, are not deported. I truly hope DHS responds to their letter and grants deferred action to DREAM students. This will bring comfort to thousands of families who came here for their children, including my family.”

For Immediate Release
August 26, 2008

Contacts:
Sookyung Oh, NAKASEC, 323.937.3703, ext. 206, soh@nakasec.org
Dae Joong Yoon, KRC, 323.937.3718, djyoon@krcla.org
Brenda Alvarez, NEA, (202) 822-7823, balvarez@nea.org

New Guide Released to Advance Fair Access to Education for Immigrant Students
Congressional, Community, and Education Leaders Praise Effort

(Los Angeles, CA) Responding to hundreds of cases of Korean American and Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) students receiving admissions denials from publicly funded K-12 and postsecondary schools and refused in-state tuition in the state of California, the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) and its Los Angeles affiliate, the Korean Resource Center (KRC) has published a new guide, “Access to Public Education Guide: Unlocking the Key to America’s Future.”

This easy-to-understand and comprehensive guide addresses three key factors restricting access from the misapplication of law, ignorance of public education policies, and the lack of awareness of AAPI community immigration patterns. Meant to be used by students and parents, as well as teachers, staff, and administrators, this guide represents the first attempt to address the specific barriers faced by undocumented AAPI immigrant students.

“We have all come together to support this important undertaking because we share the belief that promoting fair access to education is fundamental to the future success of this country. Far from the ‘model minority’ myth, Korean American and AAPI students do face discrimination and barriers, and are routinely denied fair access to public education as a result of their immigration status and household financial resources. With this new informational guide parents, college admissions staff and administrators will be better equipped to fix the problem,” stated EunSook Lee, Executive Director, NAKASEC.

“I commend NAKASEC’s work in creating this Access to Public Education, which raises youth awareness about civil rights and immigration issues,” said Rep. Mike Honda (CA-15), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. “This is a useful resource for undocumented youth struggling every day for their future, to have a place in this country, and to have their contributions recognized. As a former teacher, I am a strong advocate for promoting educational opportunities for young people. Many undocumented students came to the U.S. when they were very young and had no choice in the matter. It is important to provide these students with the knowledge and tools necessary to become U.S. citizens. I will continue to work with my congressional colleagues and with NAKASEC to pass the DREAM Act. By helping them realize their full potential to contribute to our communities, we will promote a more competitive, tolerant, and inclusive America.”

“Ultimately, in the absence of federal policies that legalize undocumented immigrant students, like the DREAM Act, and promote the full integration of immigrants, individual schools, local school districts, and state legislatures will continue to take matters in their own hands and fail to take full advantage of America’s talent. We hope that this report will be a powerful weapon to stem the anti-immigrant tide in light of recent setbacks in accessing public education, most recently in North Carolina,” stated Dae Joong Yoon, Executive Director, KRC.

According to Reg Weaver, President of the 3.2 million-member National Education Association, “NEA strongly supports the rights of all students, regardless of race, ethnicity or immigration status to attend public schools without fear of discrimination. As the school year begins, we remind schools to rigorously follow the 1982 Supreme Court decision in Plyler v. Doe holding that the Equal Protection Clause protects the right of undocumented children to attend public school. NEA also urges Congress to pass the bipartisan DREAM Act, which would help ensure that these undocumented students, who are here through no decision of their own, can eventually come out of the shadows and become part of our society after completing their education. NEA applauds the National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC) and the Korean Resource Center (KRC) on the issuance of their new “Access to Public Education Guide,” which will help immigrant students understand the constitutional principles and state laws governing access to public education and take advantage of opportunities to learn and contribute to our society. We join NAKASEC and KRC in our joint goal of ensuring that every child has a chance to obtain a great public education.”

# # #

For more information and to obtain a copy of the guide, contact Becky Bae at bbae@nakasec.org or 323-937-3703, ext 205 or fill out the attached Publication Order Form.

Copies can also be downloaded at:

nakasec.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/Access%20to%20Education%20Guide_Eng1.pdf

nakasec.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/Access%20to%20Education%20Guide_Kor.pdf

To request an interview with an impacted individual, contact L. Sookyung Oh at soh@nakasec.org. or 323.937.3703, ext. 206.

Click here for a promotional flier.

To download a copy in Korean: http://nakasec.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/youth-handbook-kor.pdf

Contact:
HyunJoo Lee, NAKASEC, 323.937.3703 ext 202
Sally Kinoshita, ILRC, 415.255.9499 ext 546

New Resource Available: Living in the United States – Guide for Immigrant Youth

The National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) is excited to have partnered with the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) to make available the ILRC’s “Living in the United States: A Guide for Immigrant Youth” to the Korean American community. While it is difficult to state the exact number of undocumented Korean American youth, the Department of Homeland Security estimates that 1 in 5 Korean Americans are undocumented.

The guide includes critical information ranging from how to get a green card, knowing your rights as immigrants and what to do when your status is questioned, working in the United States, and how to attend college as an undocumented student.

“The undocumented Korean American youth that we work with through our youth groups in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Flushing have one thing in common – their dreams and futures are embedded in the United States. By translating and promoting this guide to the Korean American community, we continue our commitment to ensuring that our community does not feel alone and are empowered by knowledge of the system and their rights,” said HyunJoo Lee, National Organizing Coordinator.

“If immigrant youth do not know their immigration status and do not understand how immigration issues can impact them, they can jeopardize their future in the United States and stability forever. By creating this resource for the Korean community, we hope Korean immigrant youth will seek opportunities available to them while avoiding the pitfalls that may result in serious problems with the immigration authorities.” stated Sally Kinoshita, Deputy Director at ILRC.

To obtain a copy of the translated guide in Korean, please visit either www.ilrc.org or www.nakasec.org.

NAKASEC or the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium is a national consortium of non-profit organizations based in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York. The centers sought to empower and improve the lives of Korean Americans as part of a greater goal of building a national movement for social change. NAKASEC is a multi-issue civil and human rights organization. We promote equitable changes to the political and legislative systems through a combination of education and policy advocacy with grassroots organizing and community mobilization. NAKASEC has actively worked for the passage of the DREAM Act since 2002 and is currently working to protect access to public education at K-12 and postsecondary levels. www.nakasec.org

ILRC or the Immigrant Legal Resource Center is a national non-profit resource center that provides legal trainings, educational materials, and advocacy to advance immigrant rights. The mission of the ILRC is to work with and educate immigrants, community organizations, and the legal sector to continue to build a democratic society that values diversity and the rights of all people. For more information about the ILRC, please visit www.ilrc.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 1, 2008

Contact: Debee Yamamoto, (202) 223-1240

THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICANS APPLAUDS THE HOUSE FOR PASSING LEGISLATION TO INCLUDE THE ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER SERVING INSTITUTIONS PROGRAM

Washington, D.C.—On July 31, 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the final version of the Higher Education Opportunity Act (H.R.4137), which includes the historic Asian American and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AAPISI) program. Similar to other minority

serving institution (MSI) programs, the AAPISI program is designed to provide greater opportunities and services for underserved college students, including low-income and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) students.

After more than eight years of community advocacy efforts, the AAPISI program was first passed in September 2007 under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, which authorized the Department of Education to issue a total of $10 million in discretionary grants to eligible

institutions for two years. Under H.R.4137, the program will be extended through fiscal year 2013 and expanded with more funding of up-to-$30 million each year and with more allowable activities.

The National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) commends Congressman David Wu (D-OR) and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), as led by Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA), on shepherding the AAPISI program into law. “We are excited to witness that this historic program may be here longer—a demonstration that education continues to be a national priority,” says NCAPA Chair Floyd Mori. “This program will aid many AAPI students to complete a college degree, and ultimately contribute more to the global economy.”

Examples of fundable activities impacting AAPI students under H.R.4137 may include:

Additionally, other federal agencies will be able to utilize the AAPISI designation to target grants and programs to AAPI students and communities. As an example, the Department of Housing and Urban Development has provided millions of dollars in grants to existing MSIs

under the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) designations to expand their capacities to serve low-income and underrepresented African- and Latino American students. With a similar designation, AAPISIs will be able to enjoy comparable benefits, which can further support low-income and underserved AAPI students and communities.

Founded in 1996, the NCAPA is a coalition of 26 national organizations that represent and advocate for the interests of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. For more information about NCAPA including a list of member organizations and the 2008 platform of policy priorities, please visit www.ncapaonline.org.

###

For Immediate Release
June 4, 2008

Contacts: Jung Hee Lee, KRC, 323-937-3718
HyunJoo Lee, NAKASEC, 323-937-3703

Community Unites to Educate and Empower Undocumented Students and Their Right to Public Higher Education

(Anaheim, Orange County) On Tuesday, June 3, 2008, 70 students, parents, educators and community leaders came together at Loara High School to learn about the college admissions process for undocumented students, and AB540, a state law that allows eligible students to pay in-state tuition at California colleges and universities. The community education forum – “Access to Equal Education” – was organized by a coalition of community-based organizations and advocacy groups dedicated to educating the diverse immigrant communities of Orange County about their access to higher education.

The immigrant communities of Orange County are rapidly evolving. From 2000 to 2006, the Latino population grew 13% while the Asian American and Pacific Islander population has grown 24.6%.

As the face of Orange County changes and the immigrant communities continue to grow, it is critical that community–based organizations work to educate and organize community members so that their needs are met and issues are addressed. AB540 was signed into law in October 2001 and allows eligible immigrant students to pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities. Undocumented students are eligible for AB540 if they: have attended a California high school for at least three years; graduated from a California high school, received a high school equivalency or received a Certificate of Proficiency; and filed the AB540 nonresident tuition exemption request form. In Orange County however, students have faced difficulty in being recognized as AB540 students, with college admissions officials challenging their registration to the schools and their right to in-state tuition.

“We have hundreds of cases of eligible AB540 students being rejected admissions in Orange County. It is critical that we educate administrators about AB540 and advocate for proper implementation of the law so that students and families are not put through an unnecessary trial of hardship and stress,” said Joann Lee, Directing Attorney at the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles.

“As we continue to wait for Congress to enact laws that fix the immigration problem, we are seeing cities and states misinterpreting existing policies and laws. These actions feed into an anti-immigrant sentiment which expresses the opinion of only a minority of Californians,” said Eun Sook Lee, Executive Director of NAKASEC.

“Korean Americans are part of the undocumented population and many are living in Orange County. Since 2000, the Korean American population of Orange Country has grown more than 43%. At the Korean Resource Center, we work to educate our community members on AB540 and tell them that they and their children can go to college and create a better future for themselves,” said Dae Joong Yoon, Executive Director of KRC.

Groups that helped organize the community education forum include: ACLU of Southern California, Korean Resource Center (KRC), Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA), Los Amigos, National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC), OC Dream Team, OC Korean U.S. Citizens League and the United Healthcare Workers.

The “Access to Equal Education” community forum was the first of a series of AB540 forums that the coalition is planning to organize in Orange County. The next one is scheduled for the fall of 2008.

###

Contacts:
EunSook Lee, NAKASEC, 323-937-3703, ext. 206
Becky Bae, NAKASEC, 323-937-3703, ext. 209

(Los Angeles, CA) The National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) and its affiliates are deeply disappointed and angered by North Carolina Community College System’s decision to no longer admit undocumented students into degreed programs. No other state in the country bars qualified applicants from applying to community colleges based on their immigration status.“What the NCCCS has done is simply mean-spirited and irrational. Our nation’s most precious resource and promise for prosperity lie with our young people. While NCCCS boasts that is internationally recognized for the scope and quality of its program, it can now add that it openly adheres to discriminatory practices against aspiring young immigrant students. It also reveals a dangerous misunderstanding of our nation’s immigration laws,” stated EunSook Lee, Executive Director, NAKASEC.This decision came despite a statement from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) which states, in part:

All applications must be postmarked no later than April 15, 2008.

For more information or to download the application, please refer to the “DREAM Scholarship Fund” link found at www.nakasec.org.

지난 5년간, 코리안 아메리칸 청소년들은 드림 법안의 통과를 위해 끊임없이 캠페인을 펼쳐 왔습니다. 드림 법안은 미국에서 자라나 대학에 재학 중이며 특정 자격요건에 부합하는 이민자 학생들에게 신분합법화의 통로를 제공하는 법안입니다. 우리는 이러한 활동을 통해, 고등교육을 받는데 또다른 장애들이 놓여 있음을 알게 되었습니다. 그 중 하나가 재정보조가 필요한 학생들이 비용 때문에 고등교육을 받는 것을 포기하는 경향이 높다는 것입니다. 이렇게 드림 장학금이 시작되었고, 교육은 인권의 문제이고 향후 미국의 번영을 결정하는 핵심요인이라는 신념 하에 운영되고 있습니다.

자격요건

• 아시아 태평양계 아메리칸
• 재정보조가 필요한 학생
• 공인된 미국 내 2년제 또는 4년제 대학에 풀타임으로 재학 중이거나 입학 예정인 학생, 또는 현재 미 고등학교 12학년 재학 중인 학생
• 예술, 커뮤니티 봉사, 운동, 기타 활동에 참여한 경험이 있는 학생

신청방법

www.nakasec.org에서 신청서를 다운로드 받아 작성하십시오.
신청마감: 거주지에 해당하는 각 단체로 2008년 4월 15일 (우편소인 기준) 까지 보내주십시오.

CALIFORINA
Korean Resource Center (민족학교)
900 S. Crenshaw Boulevard,Los Angeles, CA 90019
Yong Ho Kim at DSF@krcla.org

ILLINOIS
Korean American Resource & Cultural Center (한인교육문화마당집)
2701A W. Peterson Avenue, Chicago, IL 60659
Eun Young Lee at eunyoung@chicagokrcc.org

NEW YORK
YKASEC – Empowering the Korean American Community (청년학교)
136-19 41st Avenue, 3rd Floor, Flushing, NY 11355
Kevin Kang at kkang@ykasec.org

ALL OTHER STATES
National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (미주한인봉사교육단체협의회)
906 S. Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019
HyunJoo Lee at hlee@nakasec.org

질문과 답변

신청서에 적혀 있는 지시사항을 주의깊게 읽어보는 것만으로도 대부분의 질문에 대한 답변을 받을 수 있습니다. 아래 답변 내용을 참조하시고, 궁금 사항이 풀리지 않았을 경우 아래 연락처로 문의하십시오.

문: 대학원생도 장학금을 받을 수 있습니까?
답: 예.

문: 어떤 대학이 “공인된 대학”입니까?
답: 대부분의 대학들은 “공인” (accredited)되어 있습니다. 일반적으로 지역별 교육기관 협회 등의 단체, 또는 미국 교육부에서 대학 과정을 공인하는 데, 아주 특수한 경우가 아니면 공인되어 있기 때문에 걱정하실 필요가 없습니다.

문: 신청자가 아시아 태평양계이라는 것은 어떻게 증명 할 수 있나요?
답: 스스로 아시아 태평양계라는 정체성을 갖고 있는 것 만으로 충분합니다.

문: 장학금 수여 여부는 언제 알 수 있습니까?
답: 장학금 선정위원회가 5월말에 결정을 내려 2008년 6월2일과 6월6일 사이에 통지를 받게 됩니다.

문: 아직 어느 대학에 갈지 결정을 내리지 않았는데 어느 대학 학비를 보내야 하나요?
답: 대학은 임의로 하나 골라서 학비를 보내주십시오. (나중에 꼭 그 대학을 가야 되는 것은 아닙니다.)

문: SAT 점수를 제출해야 하나요?
답: SAT 점수는 옵션입니다.

문: 장학금은 언제 전달받게 됩니까?
답: 각 담당 단체에 문의하십시오.

문: 장학금 수여자 명단이 공개되나요?
답: 장학금 수여단체들은 장학금을 수여 할 때 이를 언론을 통해 알릴 계획입니다. 장학기금은 장학금을 지지하는 개인들과 단체들의 후원으로 이루어진 것이기 때문에 이와 관련된 과정은 공개해야 합니다. 단, 학생분이 요청하시면 사생활 보호 차원에서 이름을 가명으로 처리해드릴 수는 있습니다.

연락처

California 김용호 DSF@krcla.org
Illinois 이은영 773-506-9158 or eunyoung@chicagokrcc.org
New York Kevin Kang 718-460-5600 or kkang@ykasec.org
타 주 이현주 at hlee@nakasec.org

보도 의뢰서

2008년 2월 4일

언론 문의:
케빈 강, 청년학교, 718.560.4600
김용호, 민족학교 dsf@krcla.org
이은영, 한인교육문화마당집, 773.506.9158
이현주, 미주한인봉사교육단체협의회, 323.937.3703, x 202

꿈을 향한 길
코리안 아메리칸 청소년들이 미주 장학금 창설

(로스 앤젤레스) 미주한인봉사교육단체협의회(이하 미교협), 한인교육문화마당집, 민족학교, 청년학교는 드림 장학 기금 발족을 환영한다. 지난 5년 동안 드림 법안의 통과를 위해 밤낮으로 캠페인을 펼쳐온 코리안 아메리칸 청소년들에 의해 창설된 이 기금은 어려움에 처해 재정보조를 필요로 하는 학생들에게 $1,000의 장학금을 제공하게 된다. 참고로 드림법안은 미국에서 자랐고, 자격 조건이 만족하는 학생들에게 신분 합법화의 기회를 제공하는 법안이다.

로스 앤젤레스의 청소년 그룹 오렌지(Organize, Rise Up ’n Get Empowered: ORAnGE)의 회원인 에스더 최 양은 “올해 대학 입학원서를 낼 때, 친구 몇 명은 여러 가지 이유로 대부분의 재정 보조신청 자격이 되지 못했다. 이러한 이유로 드림 장학 기금이 시작된 것이다. 우리는 누구나 다른 여건에 구애받지 않고 대학에 갈 수 있어야 한다.”며 장학금 창설의 배경을 설명했다.

시카고의 청소년 그룹 피쉬(Fighting Youth Shouting Out for Humanity: FYSH)의 회원인 김예은 양은 “우리는 교육이 미국의 번영을 결정하는 핵심요소라고 생각한다. 활기찬 경제를 이루기 위해서는 다양한 능력을 갖추고 함께 일한 경험을 가진 개인이 반드시 필요하다. 성공할 잠재력을 가지고 있지만 그 길에 여러 제약을 받는 이민자 학생과 저소득층 학생을 배제시키는 것은 우리 사회에 해악을 끼칠 뿐이다.”며 누구에게나 평등한 고등 교육의 중요성을 설명했다.

뉴욕 주, 플러싱의 청소년 그룹 미스트(Modern Immigration Support Team: MIST)의 회원인 데이비드 남 군은 “장학금 창설은 우리가 받은 것을 커뮤니티에 환원하는 하나의 방법이다. 드림 법안은 우리에게 항상 최우선이고, 우리는 2008년에도 조직과 옹호활동을 지속할 것이다. 이러한 우리의 활동의 연장선상으로, 드림 장학금이 대학에 가고자 하는 꿈을 향해 매진하도록 청소년들의 용기를 북돋아줄 수 있기를 희망한다.”며 장학금의 의의를 설명했다.

더 자세한 정보를 원하시면 웹사이트 www.nakasec.org를 방문해 주시기 바랍니다. 웹사이트에서는 장학금 신청서를 다운로드 받으실 수 있고, 장학금을 기부하실 수 있습니다. 신청서의 마감 기한은 2008년 4월 15일입니다.

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National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development
“Planning for Prosperity: A financial guide for Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders”
Now available in Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese; Coming soon in Hmong audio, Cambodian, Hindi, Urdu, Samoan, Native Hawaiian
www.nationalcapacd.org/links.html

National Endowment for Financial Education Financial Education Clearinghouse

www.nefe.org/amexeconfund/index.html

Financial Literacy Curricula & Educational Materials:

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Money Smart Curriculum
(English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese)

www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/moneysmart/index.html

Fannie Mae Foundationwww.fanniemaefoundation.org
·ESOL & ABE Training resources

www.fanniemaefoundation.org/esol_abe/appendix/appendix2.html

·Fannie Mae Foundation Credit Guide
www.creditguide.org (Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese)

Freddie Mac Credit Smart Curriculum

www.freddiemac.com/creditsmart/home.html

Citigroup Financial Education Curriculum

www.citigroup.com/citigroup/financialeducation/curriculum/index_en.htm

American Express Economic Independence Fund Grants

www.nefe.org/amexeconfundrfp/aeeif2004rfp.html

National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development
increase access * convene aapi communities * tell our stories * build collective leadership
1001 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 730 Washington DC 20008
Phone: (202) 223-2442Fax: (202) 223-4144