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

• There is likely to be less than 1 week to make sure DREAM Act passes this year. Tuesday is a key vote to allow the Senate to consider DREAM as an amendment to the annual military spending bill. With 60 votes, DREAM can then be considered as an amendment.

What’s going on?

• Immigration reform or DREAM Act should not be a partisan issue as it impacts people in all states. We hope that all Senators will step up, Democrats and Republicans alike. Leaders from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus recently announced a three-prong legislative strategy for immigration reform in the fall, which is to 1) push for passage of the DREAM Act, 2) introduce a new comprehensive immigration bill in the Senate and 3) press the White House to provide administrative relief.
• There is a sense of urgency. If DREAM Act is successfully voted on as an amendment to the annual military spending bill, the Senate must vote again to pass the bill before DREAM Act can become law.

Stand With Immigrant Children and Young People to Gain Access to Higher Education for All. Recently there has been a surge of activism across the country for the DREAM Act. There are 1.7 million undocumented immigrants under the age of 18 nationally. Every year, 65,000, undocumented students graduate from high school unable to realize their potential and fully participate in American society.  Ethnicities of undocumented students are quite diverse. Many came to the US as children from various parts of the world. In fact, about 15% of Korean Americans are undocumented. In California, we have AB540 that helps students access in state tuition regardless of status.  About 25% (one quarter) of all AB540 students are Korean American – more than any other Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) group.

At different moments in history, we have seen, especially in economic downturns, politicians demonize people such as immigrants as scapegoats. We have to recognize that this is a win-win for America. We hope that fairness and reason will prevail over emotional and political opportunism.

Make Your Voice Heard. Your participation is one step toward building a just and humane America.

Nationwide Targets: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R- KY). In Illinois, we are also targeting Rep. Mark Kirk (R – 10^th District).

What To Do:

1. If your Senator is not listed above, call Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) toll-free at 866-877-5944.
2. If your Senator is listed above, or to share your support for DREAM Act with those Senators, call 866-996-5161 to reach the Capitol Switchboard.
3. To reach Rep. Kirk’s DC Office, call 202-225-4835.

Sample Script:

I’m calling from (your city and state), to make sure that Senate Minority Leader McConnell / (Your Senator) knows that we need his support for the DREAM Act to pass this year.

[Listen to response] Will the Senator vote to pass the DREAM Act this year?

Let us know you called. Leave a comment on our page, tweet or “Like” our Facebook statuses about DREAM!

Like the pictures below? Take one and pass it along! We encourage people to use it as your profile picture on Facebook and other social networking sites you may have!

Suggested photo caption (copy & paste):

DREAM Act faces an important vote on Sept. 21. Call Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) toll-free at 866-877-5944 and tell him to support to DREAM Act. Visit ow.ly/2Giq4 to find out who else you can call.

[Click on picture for original size]

Contacts:

Olivia Park, NAKASEC, 213-605-1255
Sik Son, KRCC, 847-208-5426
Dae Joong Yoon, KRC, 213-434-4267

US District Judge Susan Bolton Blocks Portions of SB 1070
Communities Continue to Wage Grassroots Mobilizations for Justice

On July 28, Judge Susan Bolton issued an injunction blocking some of the most controversial aspects of the far-reaching anti-immigrant law, SB 1070.  They:

1. Require law enforcement to investigate if they have reasonable suspicion that someone is undocumented
2. Make it a state crime to not carry federal immigration papers
3. Make it a state crime to solicit work if undocumented or lacking work authorization
4. Allow law enforcement to make an arrest without a warrant if they believe a suspect has committed a crime that makes them removable

NAKASEC and our affiliates the Korean Resource Center (KRC) of Los Angeles and the Korean American Resource & Cultural Center (KRCC) of Chicago embrace and celebrate this victory for immigrants and people of color. Today, we continue to join with thousands across the country to call for full repeal of this racist law.

Making their fourth trip to Arizona, KRC joined a mobilization led by the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, which garnered 550 participants united under the theme “We are all the same. Todos somos iguales.” The contingent of labor, community and faith leaders traveled to Arizona to oppose the human rights crisis plaguing immigrant communities.

“I have marched many miles for comprehensive immigration reform for our community, including the DREAM Act for our youth and I will march more miles to see the rights of immigrants protected and served with dignity” said Ki Tae Lee, a 73 year old senior member of KRC’s Community Health Promoters.

In Chicago, KRCC participated in a Unity Event with various labor, community and faith groups that included a delivery of over 2,000 petitions asking the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox to take a stance against the 2011 All-Star Game and move their spring training facilities out of Arizona.

“We joined with our brothers and sisters to say no to Arizona and yes to civil rights, to families, to education and to real solutions. We need to address the real problems of our broken immigration system, not criminalize immigrants who are contributors and builders of our nation,” said Eun Young Lee, Youth Program Director with KRCC.

NAKASEC and our affiliates will continue to monitor and challenge SB 1070. Moreover, we will propel efforts to address humane immigration reform and civic engagement by building a more empowered base of immigrant voters in time for the mid-term elections this year.

###

NAKASEC is a national organization founded in 1994 by local Korean American community organizations to project a national progressive voice and promote the full civic participation of Korean Americans as part of a greater goal of building a national movement for social change.

• Download: ACLU Arizona Travel Alert [KOREAN]
• Click here to see corresponding press release.

For Immediate Release
July 23, 2010

Contact:
Jane Yoo, NAKASEC, 718-710-2277
Dae Joong Yoon, KRC, 323-937-3718

NAKASEC Partners with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Affiliates in California

to Release Korean Language Arizona Travel Alert

Los Angeles, CA – Due to potential civil liberties threats posed by the passage of Arizona’s racial profiling law SB 1070, the ACLU of Southern California, ACLU of Northern California and ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties issued a travel alert informing California residents of their rights when stopped by law enforcement when traveling in Arizona. In collaboration with these affiliates, NAKASEC is releasing a Korean language translation of the alert to inform Korean American residents of California of their rights should they travel to the state of Arizona.

In addition, other informative materials are available in English and Spanish by the ACLU. They include a “Know Your Rights” card outlining instructions, applicable in any state, on coping with vehicle stops and questioning by police, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents or the FBI, as well as a Frequently Asked Questions document specific to SB 1070.

The need to alert our communities comes at a critical time. While SB 1070 does not go into effect until July 29, ACLU affiliates in California are concerned that some law enforcement officers may already be acting on provisions of the law.
SB 1070 requires law enforcement agents to demand “papers” from people they stop and suspect are not authorized to be in the U.S. If individuals are unable to prove they are permitted to be in the U.S., they may be subject to warrantless arrest without any probable cause that they have committed a crime.

The ACLU and other leading civil rights organizations filed a lawsuit challenging the Arizona law in May, but until the law is struck down, the ACLU warns that individuals traveling in Arizona must be aware of their rights if stopped for questioning. NAKASEC supported an amicus brief for this lawsuit.

On July 29, NAKASEC and KRC will be going to Arizona with other advocates to protest the implementation of the racist SB 1070 law.

###

National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) is a national organization founded in 1994 by local Korean American community organizations to project a national progressive voice and promote the full civic participation of Korean Americans as part of a greater goal of building a national movement for social change.

Korean Resource Center (KRC) empowers the Korean American, low-income immigrant and people of color communities through social services, education, culture, advocacy, and grassroots organizing. KRC is a founding affiliate of NAKASEC.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) was founded to defend and secure the rights granted by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and to extend them to people who have been excluded from their protection. Such rights include individual liberty and the right to privacy, to equal protection of the laws and to due process of law.

July 6, 2010

Contacts: Eun Sook Lee, NAKASEC, 323-937-3703 x205

Sik Son, KRCC, 773-588-9158

Dae Joong Yoon, KRC, 323-937-3718

NAKASEC Applauds Department of Justice Lawsuit Against Arizona’s Unconstitutional SB 1070

Today, the United States Department of Justice took an important step in filing a lawsuit against Arizona’s unconstitutional and racist SB 1070 law, which is set to take effect on July 29.  NAKASEC welcomes this step and will be tracking the movement of this lawsuit.  In May, several leading civil rights groups filed a lawsuit against SB 1070 and NAKASEC has supported through the amicus brief.

“NAKASEC and our affiliates are deeply concerned about the impact SB 1070 will have on the immigrant communities of Arizona; we will keep up the pressure on the Administration, Congress and Arizona’s lawmakers to strike down SB 1070 and work toward real immigration reform,” said EunSook Lee, Executive Director of NAKASEC.

The official release from the Department of Justice is attached below.

###

NAKASEC is a national organization founded in 1994 by local Korean American community organizations to project a national progressive voice and promote the full civic participation of Korean Americans as part of a greater goal of building a national movement for social change.

~

Department of Justice

Office of Public Affairs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Citing Conflict with Federal Law, Department of Justice Challenges Arizona Immigration Law

WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice challenged the state of Arizona’s recently passed immigration law, S.B. 1070, in federal court today.

In a brief filed in the District of Arizona, the Department said S.B. 1070 unconstitutionally interferes with the federal government’s authority to set and enforce immigration policy, explaining that “the Constitution and federal law do not permit the development of a patchwork of state and local immigration policies throughout the country.”  A patchwork of state and local policies would seriously disrupt federal immigration enforcement.  Having enacted its own immigration policy that conflicts with federal immigration law, Arizona “crossed a constitutional line.”

The Department’s brief said that S.B. 1070 will place significant burdens on federal agencies, diverting their resources away from high-priority targets, such as aliens implicated in terrorism, drug smuggling, and gang activity, and those with criminal records.  The law’s mandates on Arizona law enforcement will also result in the harassment and detention of foreign visitors and legal immigrants, as well as U.S. citizens, who cannot readily prove their lawful status.

In declarations filed with the brief, Arizona law enforcement officials, including the Chiefs of Police of Phoenix and Tucson, said that S.B. 1070 will hamper their ability to effectively police their communities.  The chiefs said that victims of or witnesses to crimes would be less likely to contact or cooperate with law enforcement officials and that implementation of the law would require them to reassign officers from critical areas such as violent crimes, property crimes, and home invasions.

The Department filed the suit after extensive consultation with Arizona officials, law enforcement officers and groups, and civil rights advocates.  The suit was filed on behalf of the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of State, which share responsibilities in administering federal immigration law.

“Arizonans are understandably frustrated with illegal immigration, and the federal government has a responsibility to comprehensively address those concerns,” Attorney General Holder said.  “But diverting federal resources away from dangerous aliens such as terrorism suspects and aliens with criminal records will impact the entire country’s safety.   Setting immigration policy and enforcing immigration laws is a national responsibility.  Seeking to address the issue through a patchwork of state laws will only create more problems than it solves.”

“With the strong support of state and local law enforcement, I vetoed several similar pieces of legislation as Governor of Arizona because they would have diverted critical law enforcement resources from the most serious threats to public safety and undermined the vital trust between local jurisdictions and the communities they serve,” Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said.  “We are actively working with members of Congress from both parties to comprehensively reform our immigration system at the federal level because this challenge cannot be solved by a patchwork of inconsistent state laws, of which this is one.  While this bipartisan effort to reform our immigration system progresses, the Department of Homeland Security will continue to enforce the laws on the books by enhancing border security and removing criminal aliens from this country.”

The Department has requested a preliminary injunction to enjoin enforcement of the law, arguing that the law’s operation will cause irreparable harm.

“Arizona impermissibly seeks to regulate immigration by creating an Arizona-specific immigration policy that is expressly designed to rival or supplant that of the federal government.  As such, Arizona’s immigration policy exceeds a state’s role with respect to aliens, interferes with the federal government’s balanced administration of the immigration laws, and critically undermines U.S. foreign policy objectives.  S.B. 1070 does not simply seek to provide legitimate support to the federal government’s immigration policy, but instead creates an unprecedented independent immigration scheme that exceeds constitutional boundaries,” the Department said in its brief.

Download the Supporting Documents:

Complaint Filed (PDF)
Arizona PI Brief (PDF)
Declaration of Daniel Ragsdale (PDF)
Declaration of David Aguilar (PDF)
Declaration of David Palmatier (PDF)
Declaration of Dominick Gentile (PDF) 
Declaration of Mariko Silver (PDF)
Declaration of Michael Aytes (PDF)
Declaration of Roberto Villasenor (PDF)
Declaration of Jack Harris (PDF)
Declaration of Tony Estrada (PDF)

"We Are Our Own Heroes!" read the placards created and displayed by the young KRC members.

The reason for the protest was obvious enough for an 11-year-old Korean American girl from KRC who first pointed out to us that this film was racist. Unlike the original Saturday morning cartoon series “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” whose cast is made up entirely of Asian and Inuit people, the Hollywood version features white main characters and “Slumdog Millionaire’s” Dev Patel who is playing the villain. Dev Patel joined the cast only after Jesse McCartney dropped out from playing the role.

Young Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders do not need to grow up discouraged and feel like they need to seek other avenues to feel proud and confident of their identity and race. This is our America that we helped build and an America we are continuing to make vibrant and dynamic. America is changing and the youth of today will not support continued whitewashing of their history, culture and community.

For more coverage, read the LA Times story and watch the ABC 7 story.