Your Action is Needed Today!
Please read and submit your comment.

On April 2, USCIS issued a long awaited proposed regulation that, if implemented, would allow the stateside processing of waivers to the 3- and 10-year bar to re-entry for the immediate familymembers of United States Citizens.  Immigrant advocacy groups have called this the ‘Family Unity Waiver’.

Click here to see the proposed rule.

These changes could have the impact of keeping tens of thousands offamilies together during an administrative process that could take months or longer to complete, and family members would be able to avoid certain hardships under current regulations that force them to return to their countries of origin.  The proposal would have the added benefit of relieving administrative and budgetary burdens on federal agencies, and remove an important disincentive for family members to come forward for fear that they may be separated from loved ones for prolonged periods of time.

Your comment to support this rule change is needed today!

Instructions

• Go to:  http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=USCIS-2012-0003-0001
• Copy and paste the sample letter below into the “Type Comment Field”
• Include your Name and address on the left hand side.
• Hit submit

**Let us know you submitted a comment! Hit “Like” on our Facebook post or Tweet us!

[SAMPLE LETTER]

Dear Director Mayorkas:

The three- and ten-year bars are tearing many families apart. I applaud the Department of Homeland Security for recognizing that these bars are creating terrible hardship for families. Korean Americans and Asian Americans understand the cruel pain of family separation as they experience the longest wait times to reunite with their loved ones and many live in households with individuals with mixed immigration statuses.

I urge the Department to adopt this proposal along with the following improvements: 1) Embrace all families separated by the bars, including sons and daughters of U.S. citizens and immigrant visa-eligible family members of lawful permanent residents; 2) Ensure confidentiality in processing of waivers.Families must have the security that stateside processing will support family unity. The Department must ensure that applications remain confidential and not trigger removal proceedings; and 3) Make the standards clear. The “extreme hardship’ standard should be clearly defined, be evenly applied, and include the financial and emotional effects of separation.

Thank you.

[Your Name]

For Immediate Release
April 9, 2012

Contacts:
Joyce Yin, NAKASEC, jyin@nakasec.org | 202-299-9540
Jani Kim, KRC, jani@krcla.org | 323-937-3718
Youngsun Song, KRCC, youngsun@chicagokrcc.org | 773-293-4050

NAKASEC, KRCC & KRC’s 5th Annual DREAM Scholarship Fund Launches Nationwide

Program to Provide Financial Support to Young Asian American and Pacific Islander Students Who Exemplify Leadership and Service for Community

Washington, D.C. – The National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) and its affiliates the Korean American Resource & Cultural Center (KRCC) in Chicago and the Korean Resource Center (KRC) in Los Angeles are excited to announce the launch of the 5th Annual DREAM Scholarship Fund (DSF) program for Asian American and Pacific Islander students. Funded largely through grassroots efforts by youth groups from our affiliates, Fighting Youth Shouting Out for Humanity (FYSH) in Chicago and the Alliance of Korean American Students in Action (AKASIA) in Los Angeles, the scholarship program will enable young people to continue with their education on the collegiate level. Based on financial need, leadership and service to local communities, a total of eight $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to students in California, Illinois and nationwide.

The scholarship program was founded in 2007 by Korean American youth who tirelessly campaigned for the passage of the federal DREAM Act for over a decade, to meet the immediate needs of their peers who were facing undue financial hardships in continuing their education. It has since become an annual effort to raise awareness of the federal DREAM Act and to fundraise on a grassroots level for access to education.

“DSF is not only important, but necessary because it allows young people to have an opportunity to become leaders and help provide access to higher education for other young people who may not the means to do so,” said Bryan Wright who is involved with youth organizing at KRCC’s youth council, FYSH.

In Chicago, FYSH has played a critical role in facilitating the growth of not only Asian American youth, but also youth of color. They have undertaken a series of campaigns and the focus of their efforts this year will be raising awareness on the federal DREAM Act.

In Los Angeles, KRC’s undocumented youth organizing group, AKASIA, has also been actively working on access to education issues for a number of years. Specifically, youth have led AB540 (California’s in-state tuition law) workshops and consultations to Korean American students and their parents.

“This scholarship program provides students with the opportunity to get closer to achieving their academic dreams and inspires us to keep reaching for our dreams,” said Jamie Kim, student leader with AKASIA. She continued saying, “It is support like this that empowers me to keep studying and to give back to my community.”

Application deadline: May 18, 2012

To download the application form, donate to the scholarship fund or for more information, please visit: http://bit.ly/nakasecdsf2012

###

The National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) was founded in 1994 by local community centers to project a national progressive voice and promote the full participation of Korean Americans as a part of a greater goal of building a national movement for social change. NAKASEC is based D.C. and Los Angeles. NAKASEC also has affiliates in Chicago (Korean American Resource & Cultural Center) and Los Angeles (Korean Resource Center).

보도의뢰서
April 9, 2012

연락:
조이스 인, 미교협 Joyce Yin, NAKASEC, jyin@nakasec.org | 202-299-9540
제니 김, 민족학교 Jani Kim, KRC, jani@krcla.org | 323-937-3718
송영선, 시카고 마당집 Youngsun Song, KRCC, youngsun@chicagokrcc.org | 773-293-4050

미교협, 마당집, 민족학교가 제 5회 드림 장학금을 수여합니다

커뮤니티를 위해 봉사하고 리더로서 모범을 보인 젊은 아태계 학생들을 위한 장학금

워싱턴 디씨- 민주한인봉사교육단체협의회(이하 미교협)와 그 가입단체인 시카고의 한인교육문화마당집 (이하 마당집)과 로스앤젤레스의 민족학교는 아태계 학생들을 위한 제 5회 드림장학금 신청을 받습니다.  장학기금은 시카고의 Fighting Youth Shouting Out for Humanity (FYSH)와 로스엔젤레스의 Alliance of Korean American Students in Action (AKASIA) 등 청소년회의 주도로 지역의 풀뿌리 모금을 통해 모아집니다. 경제적인 도움이 필요하며, 사회봉사및 리더쉽의 모범을 보인 대학생을 대상으로 캘리포니아주와 일리노이주, 또 전국에서 8명의 학생을 뽑아 $1000씩 수여하게 됩니다.

이 장학금은 10년 넘게 연방드림 법안 통과를 위해 활동해 온 한인 청소년들이 경제적 어려움에 직면한 친구들에게 즉각적인 도움을 주기 위한 의도로  2007년에 시작되었습니다. 이후로 드림 장학금은 연방 드림법안에 대한 인식을 높이며 지역사회의 참여를 이끌어내는 연례행사로 정착했습니다

“젊은이들이 힘을 모아 고등교육의 기회를 제공할 뿐 아니라, 그들이 역량있는 지도자가 될 수 있는 기회를 줄 수 있기 때문에 드림 장학금이 중요하고 꼭 필요합니다.” 라고 마당집의 청년그룹FYSH에서 활동하고 있는 브라이언 라이트 씨는 말합니다. FYSH는 아시안 아메리칸 청년들뿐만 아니라 다른 소수계 청소년의 리더쉽 개발을 위해 중요한 역할을 해 오고 있으며, 올해도 연방 드림법안 홍보및 통과를 위해 활동할 예정입니다.

로스앤젤레스 민족학교의 서류미비학생들의 모임인 AKASIA는 교육권을 지키기 위해 활동해 왔으며, 특히 AB540(캘리포니아 거주자 학비법)에 관련, 한인 학생들과 학부모 상담을 해 오고 있습니다.

‘이 장학금은 우리의 꿈을 구체적으로 성취할 수 있는 기회를 줍니다”  AKASIA 회장인 제이미 김씨는 “때문에, 학업을 계속할 뿐 아니라 앞으로 내 능력을 다시 커뮤니티에 봉사하는데 쓰고자 하는 동기를 부여합니다.” 라고 덧붙입니다.

신청서 마감일: 2012년 5월 18일

신청서, 후원금 양식, 드림장학금에 대한 설명: http://bit.ly/nakasecdsf2012

###

미주한인봉사교육단체협의회 (미교협)은 1994년에 사회 변화를 위한 전국적인 운동 창출이라는 큰 목표의 일환으로 코리안 아메리칸의 전국적인 진보적 목소리를 결집시키고 시민참여를 도모하기 위해 지역 커뮤니티 단체들에 의해 설립되었습니다. 미교협은 워싱턴 디씨와 로스앤젤레스에 사무실을 두고 있으며  가입단체로는 로스앤젤레스 민족학교와 시카고의 한인교육마당집이 있습니다.

Ueen Joung (Cindy) Chang has been behind bars for twenty days after she was stopped at an immigration checkpoint in Arizona on her way to a friend’s wedding. Cindy is a DREAM Act eligible student who has been in the United States since she was seven, volunteers with the homeless, and serves as a Sunday school teacher at her church. She is facing imminent deportation to South Korea.

4 Things You Can do!

1. Sign the petition at http://chn.ge/GSEK8b
   
2. Call ICE now and demand that they release Cindy from detention. Leave a message if forwarded to voicemail.

   DHS head Janet Napolitano: 202-282-8495
   ICE head John Morton: 202-732-3000
   ICE field office director Katrina Kane: 602-766-7028

   Sample Script: “Hi, I am calling to ask that Ueen Joung Chang (A#073-547-961) be released from detention. She is a DREAM Act-eligible student and Sunday school teacher and has lived in the United States since she was seven. Please release her from detention.”

3. ‘Like’ the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/freecindy

4. Help spread the word by forwarding this email, tweeting, and posting on Facebook

   Sample tweet:  Sign & Retweet! 4 things you can do for DREAMer, Ueen Joung (Cindy) Chang bit.ly/GXZo6g #aapi #p2 #dreamact

   Sample Facebook post: Free Cindy! 4 things you can do for DREAMer, Ueen Joung (Cindy) Chang bit.ly/GXZo6g #aapi #p2 #dreamact

If you would like to get involved, please contact Anoop Prasad, Staff Attorney for Immigrant Rights at the Asian Law Caucus (anoopp@asianlawcaucus.org | 415-848-7722), Karen Ng, Community Advocate – Immigration at the Asian Law Caucus (karenn@asianlawcaucus.org | 415-896-1701 x116) or Joyce Yin, Program Associate at NAKASEC (jyin@nakasec.org | 202-299-9540).

At any moment, the Department of Homeland Security will announce a second round of supposed reforms to the broken ‘Secure Communities’ program. Since its authorization in 2008, S-Comm has continued to be marked by disorganization, inconsistency and secrecy. When thousands of internal documents were released last year, it became clear that the Department of Homeland Security had misled Congress, local lawmakers and the American public about its intentions, and continues to do so today.

However it doesn’t appear that things will change with the release of these upcoming reforms. With the timing of the forthcoming announcement coming in advance of the release of the Office of Inspector General report on S-Comm, it appears that these ‘reforms’ are to take some of the pressure off of ICE before the report is released.

The bottom line is that S-Comm is too broken to be fixed. It continues to tear apart thousands of families and causes victims and witnesses of crimes to live in fear rather than contact the police. For this reason, this is why legislators, law enforcement and communities across the country have rejected the program and why we demand that the program be terminated rather than ‘reformed.’

Join us in urging the White House to ‘end, not mend’ S-Comm! Here is what you can do:

1. CALL: Take 3 minutes to send a clear message to the White House.

• Call 202-456-1111
  
  Script: “My name is [insert name]. I am calling from [insert city, state]. I know that the Administration is announcing changes to the “Secure Communities” deportation program any day now. I want to ask the Administration to “end, not mend” this controversial program. S-Comm has damaged public safety, created fear in our communities, and deported thousands of our family members and friends. We urge the President to abandon his legacy of deportation and end the program immediately.”

2. SIGN THE PETITION: Click Here > END S-COMM, DON’T MEND IT!

3. TWEET : “Break ICE’s hold on our community! http://chn.ge/end-scomm Demand the @WhiteHouse to END #SComm, Don’t just mend it!”

4. SHARE IN FACEBOOK : Ask your friends to join us and advocates across the country!

• ​Download the “End, Not Mend S-Comm” poster here and make it your facebook profile.

5. SIGN THE PETITION: Click Here > END S-COMM, DON’T MEND IT!

ACT NOW!

Additional Materials:

• Background on S-Comm: http://altopolimigra.com/s-comm-shadow-report/
• Previous cosmetic “reforms” : http://uncoverthetruth.org/resources/docs-reports/briefing-guide-to-ices-minor-secure-communities-modifications/

현재 미 의회에서는 어려운 가운데서도 열심히 일하는 저소득층 가정을 위한 자녀 세액 공제를 제한하는 법안이 논의되고 있습니다. 종업원 세금 감면 연장을 위한 기금을 확보하기 위해 부자증세를 통해 백만장자들이 공평한 세금을 납부하도록 하는 대신 의회는 세금 혜택이 필요한 저소득 가정에게 경제적 부담을 지도록 하려는 것입니다. 이 법안은 사회보장번호가 있는 사람에 한해 자녀 세액 공제를 받을 수 있도록 제한하여 개인납세자번호(ITIN)을 통해 세금보고를 하는 이민자들은 자녀 세액 공제 혜택을 받을 수 없게 합니다.이 법안이 통과되면 이에 해당하는 가정은 평균 1천 8백 달러의 세금 크레딧을 받지 못하게 되며 이로 인해 자녀 양육에 필수적인 지출을 줄일 수 밖에 없을 것입니다.

• 상원의장 해리 리드 의원에게 866-572-7042로 전화하여 다음과 같이 말씀하십시오: 어린이들을 보호하기 위해 지도력을 발휘해준 것에 감사합니다. 자녀 세금 공제의 자격조건을 제한하는 것에 계속 반대해 주십시오.
• 재무위원장 맥스 바커스 의원에게 866-974-8813으로 전화하여 다음과 같이 말씀하십시오: 어린이들을 보호해 주십시오. 자녀 세금 공제의 자격조건을 제한하는 것을 반대해 주십시오.
• 또한, 202-224-3121로 전화하신 후 조세 개편 위원회 위원들과 연결하여 자녀 세금 공제의 자격 조건을 변경하는 것에 반대의사를 전해 주십시오.

우리의 국회의원들이 아동세금공제 자격을 변경하지 않도록 함께 합시다.

On Twitter? RT!

Tweet: @SenatorReid Reject changes to Child Tax Credit & protect low-income immigrant families bit.ly/CTCaction #InvestInKids #nakasec

• For many immigrant families, $1,800 means the difference between rent or eviction. What does $1,800 mean to you. #InvestInKids
• ACTC gives tax credits of ~$1,800 to 2 mil immigrant families. Congress wants to get rid of it, send millions into poverty. #InvestInKids
• What does $1,800 mean to your family? For millions of immigrants it means the difference between living in poverty … or not. #InvestInKids
• Tell us what $1,800 means to you and your family. We’ll deliver your messages to Congress next week. #InvestInKids

문의: 유재은, jyoo@nakasec.org or 202-299-9540.

Click here to view in Korean (우리말)

Right now, legislators are considering a bill that would restrict access to the critical Child Tax Credit – a credit designed to keep hardworking low-income families from falling into poverty. Rather than ask millionaires to pay their fair share, Congress is putting the burden on families who can least afford it in order to fund the payroll tax extension.

The proposal requires the use of a Social Security Number in order to receive the Child Tax Credit. Taxpaying immigrants who use Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) would no longer be eligible. If passed, these families could lose an average of $1,800 of much-needed tax credits, forcing parents to cut back on essential care for their children.

JOIN US this Wednesday and Thursday (2/1 & 2/2) for national call-in actions! Make calls to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Caucus and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to protect hardworking immigrant families!:

Call Senator Reid at 866-572-7042 and say:

•    Thank you for your leadership in protecting children
•    Please continue your opposition to any restriction to eligibility for the Child Tax Credit

Call Senator Baucus at 866-974-8813 and say:

•    Protect children
•    Oppose any restriction to eligibility for the Child Tax Credit

You can also dial (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to members of the tax package conference to let them know that you oppose changes in eligibility for the Child Tax Credit:

Suggested Script–

“My name is _________. I am a constituent calling from _______. I urge you to oppose any changes in eligibility for the Child Tax Credit. Children in low-income families should not be a source of revenue for the payroll tax cut. No compromises!”

Let’s work together to keep our legislators accountable and ensure that no changes are made to the Child Tax Credit eligibility.

On Twitter? RT!

Tweet: @SenatorReid Reject changes to Child Tax Credit & protect low-income immigrant families bit.ly/CTCaction #InvestInKids #nakasec

• For many immigrant families, $1,800 means the difference between rent or eviction. What does $1,800 mean to you. #InvestInKids
• ACTC gives tax credits of ~$1,800 to 2 mil immigrant families. Congress wants to get rid of it, send millions into poverty. #InvestInKids
• What does $1,800 mean to your family? For millions of immigrants it means the difference between living in poverty … or not. #InvestInKids
• Tell us what $1,800 means to you and your family. We’ll deliver your messages to Congress next week. #InvestInKids

If you have any questions, please contact Joyce Yin at jyin@nakasec.org or 202-299-9540.

May 11, 2011

Contact:

Sik Son, KRCC, sohnsik@chicagokrcc.org, 773-588-9158

Dae Joong Yoon, KRC, dj@krcla.org, 323-937-3718

Olivia Park, NAKASEC, opark@nakasec.org, 202-299-9540

DREAM Act Re-introduced in 112^th Congress

Today, Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) re-introduced the DREAM Act in the 112^th Congress with the co-sponsorship of 32 members of the U.S. Senate, including California Senators, Senator Barbara Boxer and Senator Dianne Feinstein, as well as Senator Akaka (D-HI), member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC).

The National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) and its affiliates, the Korean American Resource & Cultural Center (KRCC) in Chicago and the Korean Resource Center (KRC) in Los Angeles thank Senator Durbin for his continued leadership on the DREAM Act and take this opportunity to continue to organize and strengthen our communities for reform while highlighting the need for immediate relief of immigrant youth.

“The DREAM Act holds the change that so many undocumented students have been waiting for and it is a start to reforming America’s nonsensical immigration policies,” says Chris Nguyen, member of Fighting Youth Shouting Out for Humanity (FYSH), which is the youth leadership council of KRCC. “Youth have been disheartened at the stalled progress of the DREAM Act, but recognize the bill’s great potential.”

Last December, the DREAM Act passed in the U.S. House of Representatives in a historic vote, but fell five votes short of overcoming a filibuster in the Senate. The DREAM Act, if passed, would grant young people the chance to fully contribute to society and earn their way to U.S. citizenship, after completing an extensive set of requirements including attending college or serving in the military.

Sik Son, executive director of KRCC stated, “The people of this movement have endured many obstacles, but have built a spirit that is strong. We remain true to our hearts and yet again commit to tapping the potential and aspirations of our youth.”

“The re-introduction of the DREAM Act will allow us to continue the conversation on the need for reform,” said Dae Joong Yoon, executive director of KRC. “But we also know that while we recommit ourselves to this struggle, we need to ensure that our youth are safe and not feel the threat of deportation. We can do this with President Obama’s executive authority to grant deferred action.”

Most recently, 22 Senators sent a letter to President Obama urging him to grant DREAM-eligible students deferred action until legislative fixes are passed.

###

The National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) was founded in 1994 by local community centers to project a national progressive voice and promote the full participation of Korean Americans as a part of a greater goal of building a national movement for social change. NAKASEC is based in Los Angeles and has an office in D.C. NAKASEC also has affiliates in Los Angeles (Korean Resource Center) and in Chicago (Korean American Resource & Cultural Center).

May 4, 2011

Contacts:

Karn Saetang, KRCC, karn@chicagokrcc.org (773-293-4050)

Angela Kim, KRC, angela@krcla.org (323-937-3718)

Olivia Park, NAKASEC, opark@nakasec.org (202-299-9540)

NAKASEC Scholarship Program Aims to Provide Bright Students with a Chance to Dream

^4th Annual DREAM Scholarship Fund Launches Nationwide

Download the application: DREAM Scholarship Fund

The application deadline is June 17, 2011.

Download the DREAM Scholarship Fund flyer in English and also in Korean.

Today, the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) and our affiliates the Korean American Resource & Cultural Center (KRCC) and the Korean Resource Center (KRC) are excited to announce the launch of our DREAM Scholarship Fund. Founded in 2007 by Korean American youth who for the past decade have campaigned for the passage of the DREAM Act, the Dream Scholarship Fund will award several $1,000 scholarships to students in California, Illinois and nationwide who face undue financial hardships. The scholarships are created largely through grassroots fundraising within our communities and by our student organizing groups, Fighting Youth Shouting Out for Humanity (FYSH) in Chicago and Alliance of Korean American Students in Action (AKASIA) in Los Angeles.

“For those who do not have enough financial means to pursue higher education and their life goals, the DREAM Scholarship Fund is like a candle keeping a steady light of hope for many students like myself. I have been able to follow my passion for the arts, photography and interior design,” said Han Joon Kim, one of the recipients of the 2010 DREAM Scholarship Fund, who is currently attending the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

“While many of the students in AKASIA and FYSH have financial needs ourselves, we are honored and empowered to know that our fundraising goes toward helping fellow students to follow their dreams. The DREAM scholarship is a way for us to build up our community as we continue to organize, educate and campaign for social justice and change,” said Angela Kim, student leader of AKASIA in Los Angeles.

Download the application: DREAM Scholarship Fund

The application deadline is June 17, 2011.

To donate to the DREAM Scholarship Fund: http://krcla.org/dsf