The National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) is a dynamic national organization working to empower the Korean American community through education, advocacy and organizing. The national office is located in Los Angeles, CA and works with affiliates in Los Angeles and Chicago. A D.C. Office was opened in Sept. 2008.

NAKASEC seeks a hard-working, talented, and committed individual to serve as the Policy Manager. This is a position for an individual who has experience in immigrant rights and/or community organizing and wants to continue an active and high level of involvement with immigration issues and policies, grassroots organizing and advocacy, and strategic planning. The United States is in the midst of radically changing its immigration laws; this is an opportunity to be an active part of this historic movement.

Major Responsibilities Include:

• Serve as the lead for planning and implementing field activities and support policy advocacy activities related to NAKASEC’s Immigrant Rights Project efforts.
• Be a part of a team that develops grassroots mobilizing campaigns that includes components of organizing, communications, and education.
• Keep abreast of all current political issues and proposals related to immigration reform, and communicate NAKASEC’s position to constituents and legislators to obtain their support, as well as inform and advise NAKASEC and affiliates related to immigration reform and immigrant rights.
• Develop awareness of and ensure NAKASEC responds appropriately to current policies and issues affecting minority and disadvantaged communities through research, analysis, and consultation with relevant stakeholders.
• Build and maintain excellent relationships with relevant immigrant rights coalitions nationally and locally.
• Develop issue-relevant publications for the community and stakeholders.
• Speak on behalf of NAKASEC at conferences and events.
• Work with the NAKASEC staff and the centers on media outreach.
• Coordinate and oversee certain fundraising activities related to the project including grant reports and fundraisers.
• Provide technical assistance & program support to NAKASEC affiliates.
• Provide ongoing support to the Executive Director in all facets of the work.

Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree and 3 or more years experience working on Korean American, Asian American and Pacific Islander, or immigrant community issues and/or civic participation initiatives. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Ability to work independently, think creatively and prioritize multiple tasks. Demonstrated track record of working collaboratively in local-national partnerships and/or with multi-ethnic or multi-sector communities.

Desired Qualifications: Experience in community organizing, policy advocacy and research strongly preferred. Experience developing campaigns and strategic planning an asset. Fluency in the Korean language preferred, but not required.

To apply: Send cover letter, resume, writing sample, and salary history and requirement to Jeong Yeon Hong, Director of Community Education & Administration, NAKASEC, 900 S. Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90019 or via email at jhong@nakasec.org. NAKASEC offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and full health & dental benefits.

NAKASEC is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage women and minorities to apply.

For more information: please visit our website at www.nakasec.org. No phone calls, please.

문의: 김캐롤, 미주한인봉사교육단체협의회, 323-937-3703

로스 앤젤레스 시의회의 이민 개혁 촉구 결의안 통과를 환영한다.

(로스 앤젤레스) 2009년 6월 23일, 로스 앤젤레스 시의회는 이민 개혁을 촉구하는 결의안을 만장일치로 통과시켰다. Eric Garcetti 시의원의 주도 하에 Ed Reyes, Tony Cardenas, Richard Alarcon, Jose Huizar 시의원에 의해 공동 발의된 이번 결의안은 연방 정부가 이민 개혁을 조속히 처리할 것을 촉구하는 내용을 담고 있다. 미주한인봉사교육단체협의회(이하 미교협)와 민족학교는 지역에서 지도력을 발휘해 준 로스 앤젤레스 시의회의 활동에 박수를 보낸다.

로스 앤젤레스 시는 다른 어느 도시보다 다양한 인종과 세력이 공존해 살아가고 있는 도시로 잘 알려져 있다. 따라서 오늘 통과된 결의안은 지역에서부터 전국 차원으로 이민 개혁 달성을 위한 추진력을 이어나가는 의미에서 전략적으로 중요한 의의를 지닌다. 결의안 상정을 주도한 Eric Garcetti 의원은 대중의 의견을 분열시키고자 하는 각종 수사적 표현을 배제하고 하나되어 이민 개혁을 이루어 내야 한다며 결의안 상정의 배경을 설명했다.

한편 미교협과 민족학교는 결의안 통과를 위한 시의회 청문회에서 증언자로 나서 이민 개혁의 시급함을 강조했다. 그 외에도 아태법률센터, Coalition for Human Immigrants Right of Los Angeles (CHIRLA), CARACEN 등의 단체들과 커뮤니티 구성원들이 참석하여 붕괴된 이민 시스템이 끼치는 악영향을 증언했다.

Contacts:
Eunyoung Lee, KRCC, 773-588-9158
HyunJoo Lee, NAKASEC, 323-937-3703
Jung Hee Lee, KRC, 323-937-3718

Joint Statement about the National Day of Action for United We DREAM:
National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC)
Korean American Resource & Cultural Center (KRCC), Chicago
Korean Resource Center (KRC), Los Angeles

(Washington, D.C.) NAKASEC and its affiliates are proud to have joined hundreds of students and community members today in the nation’s Capitol to bring awareness to the national movement led by immigrant youths for equal access to higher education for all students, regardless of their immigration status. A bill that would help achieve this is the DREAM Act. The DREAM (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) Act is tailored legislation that would provide a path to legalization for eligible immigrant students who grew up in the United States. Youth came from all corners – Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Texas, etc. – to participate in the National Graduation Ceremony, followed by visits to legislators and policy makers.

Three students were awarded at the ceremony, among them Yosub Jung from the Korean Resource Center. Yosub is the recipient of the “Spirit Award” which recognized the leadership, courage and perseverance of a high school student leader. The award was presented by Maribel Solivan, associate director of policy for the College Board, an association of more than 5,400 schools, colleges, universities, and other educational organizations that each year serves seven million students and their parents through major programs and services.

Yosub is a high school graduate who has worked over the past year to educate and organize Korean American students in Southern California. He said, “To be here in the nation’s capital, surrounded by hundreds of fellow peers and community leaders, is like a dream come true. I am honored to have represented NAKASEC in this D.C. graduation ceremony. Young Korean Americans have worked tirelessly over the years for policies that would enable all students to reach their fullest potential, and while the journey is at times challenging, I feel a renewed energy from this day. United, we can dream and we will create a new day for young people in America.”

“America prides itself as being the “land of opportunity.” Yet we close that door of opportunity to some of the brightest and most talented students because of their immigration status. That is why we are here today, to say enough is enough and to work towards policies that will truly make our nation one of fair and equal opportunity,” said HyunJoo Lee, national organizing coordinator of NAKASEC.

“The current broken immigration system creates a lose-lose situation for all; this is not an individual loss but a loss to the whole country because we are rejecting the talents, passions and dreams of capable young people. We must work towards creating a country where we can fulfill the greatness of young people and America,” said Eunyoung Lee, youth organizer for KRCC.

The graduation ceremony was attended by over 400 students representing over 15 states, dressed in caps and gowns. Remarks were also made by Bill Kamela, Senior Director for Education and Workplace Policy of Microsoft, Josh Bernstein, Director of Immigration at SEIU, and Rich Stolz, Campaign Manager for the Campaign to Reform Immigration FOR America.

Media Interviews
Upon request, interviews are available with Korean American community members in Chicago and Los Angeles who will directly benefit from passage of the DREAM Act or who work with impacted students. To schedule a media interview, please contact L. Sookyung Oh at 202.567.1369.

Full Text of Yosub Jung’s Speech:

Thank you for the award. Today is one of the most meaningful days in my life. Thank you College Board for this award and for supporting the DREAM Act. Thank you NAKASEC and KRC for bringing me this far. Without you there wouldn’t have been today’s Yosub. Thank you all for coming here to show your support for me and other 1.7 million DREAM students. I will take this award as a reminder to work myself harder for my goals.

Today is truly a moment of a lifetime. And deeply humbling. I feel that I have only been doing what I need to do to make our dreams come true. We act out of necessity. And like all of you, I am driven by the hope that the DREAM Act will pass so that all students can pursue their dreams. If there is anything different about me from the past is that it is an awareness of how much this country needs policies that respect and give equal opportunity to all.

I know there are fears; I have them as well. I know there are dangers; I too hear the stories. But we must never give up, not for ourselves or for the millions of students out there. And let us never feel ashamed. You cannot hide what you are and it’s not something you can solve alone anyway.

I know all of you were paying attention to what President Obama was saying during the election campaign. Did you hear his support for the DREAM Act? Do you realize that the political atmosphere – all the talks of the Complete Immigration Reform and introduction of the DREAM Act – is perfect to achieve our goal? Look at who’s here today. Educators and corporations are supporting us. Look at who is on your side: there are thousands and thousands of advocates and supporters who have been working for us for a decade. But what is the point of all this if we don’t show our presence and energy?

I put all of my spirit and energy for this because I know how important this is to my community. I am, by no way, a superman or anything of that kind. I am like you who have been waiting quietly till somebody stood up. But I got tired of waiting. I just realized dying in a battlefield for possibilities of life and freedom is more worthwhile than living in fear of bombs in a closet. Besides, we are not alone as you can see today. So let’s not give up. Let’s imagine a day when people will look at us and say, “Dreams really come true.” Thank you!

###

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 maintains its national office in Los Angeles and an office in Washington, D.C. NAKASEC also has affiliates in Los Angeles (The Korean Resource Center) and Chicago (The Korean American Resource & Cultural Center). Related to immigrant student access to education, NAKASEC is a member of the United We DREAM coalition.

문의:
이은영, 한인교육문화마당집, 773-588-9158
이현주, 미주한인봉사교육단체협의회, 323-937-3703
이정희, 민족학교, 323-937-3718

United We DREAM 전국 행동의 날에 대한 공동 입장:
미주한인봉사교육단체협의회
시카고 한인교육문화마당집
로스 앤젤레스 민족학교

(워싱턴 디씨) 미주한인봉사교육단체협의회(이하 미교협)와 가입단체는 오늘 수백명의 학생들과 커뮤니티 구성원들과 함께 의사당에 모여 이민 신분에 상관없이 모든 학생들이 고등교육을 받을 권리를 누릴 수 있어야 한다고 목소리를 높였다. 고등 교육 보장을 위한 전국적 운동은 이민자 청소년들이 주도하고 있으며, 이는 드림법안의 통과를 통해 실현될 수 있다. 드림법안 (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act)은 미국에서 자라난 자격이 되는 이민자 학생들에게 신분합법화의 기회를 제공하는 법안이다. 아리조나, 캘리포니아, 플로리다, 메사추세츠, 텍사스 등 전국 각지에서 모인 청소년들은 가상 졸업식 행사에 참여하고, 이어 의원들과 정책입안자들을 방문했다.

가상 졸업식에서는 민족학교의 정요섭 학생을 포함, 3명의 청소년 지도자들에게 상이 수여 되었다. 정요섭 학생은 고등학생 지도자로서 지도력, 용기, 인내력을 보여 주어 “Spirit” 상의 영광을 안았다. 시상에는 칼리지 보드의 Maribel Solivan 정책 부국장이 맡았다. 칼리지 보드는 5,400개가 넘는 중고등학교, 칼리지, 대학, 기타 교육기관의 연합체로, 매해 7백만 명의 학생들과 부모들이 이들의 주요 프로그램에 참여하고 서비스를 제공받고 있다.

정요섭 학생은 고등학교를 졸업하고 지난 1년간 남가주에서 코리안 아메리칸 학생들을 교육 및 조직하고 있다. 그는 “이렇게 수백명의 친구들과 커뮤니티 지도자에 둘러쌓여 의사당에 서 있으니 마치 꿈이 이루어진 것 같다. 워싱턴 디씨에서 열리는 가상 졸업식 행사에 미교협을 대표하여 참석하게 되어 영광이다. 미교협과 코리안 아메리칸 청소년들은 모든 학생들이 꿈꿀 수 있고 그들의 잠재력을 한껏 발휘할 수 있도록 하는 정책들을 관철시키기 위해 쉼없이 일해 왔다. 결코 쉽지 않은 여정이지만, 오늘 이자리를 통해 다시금 의지를 다지게 되었다. 함께 한다면 우리는 우리의 미래를 꿈꿀 수 있고, 이 나라를 더욱 강하고 발전 가능한 나라로 만들 것이다.”며 행사 참가 소감을 밝혔다.

미교협의 이현주 전국 조직 코디네이터는 “미국은 “기회의 땅”이라는 점 하나만으로도 자랑스러운 국가이다. 그러나 미국은 지금까지 단지 이민 신분만을 이유로 명석하고 재능있는 학생들에게 이 기회의 문을 닫아왔다. 오늘 우리는 이 자리에서 참을만큼 참았다고 외치고, 이 나라를 공정하고 평등한 기회의 땅으로 만드는 정책들을 관철시켜
나갈 것이다.”며 행사의 취지를 설명했다.

한인교육문화마당집의 이은영 청소년 조직가는 “현재의 붕괴된 이민 시스템은 미국 사회의 어느 측면에도 도움이 되지 않는다. 우리는 이민 신분만을 이유로 청소년들의 재능, 열정, 꿈을 거부함으로써, 개인적인 손해가 아닌 국가 차원의 막심한 손해를 보고 있다. 우리는 우리 청소년들의 꿈과 재능을 계발하고 우리의 위대함을 실현할 수 있는 국가를 만들기 위해 노력해야 한다.”며 청소년이 이 나라의 미래임을 강조했다.

이번 행사에서는 15개 주에서 모인 400여 명의 학생들이 졸업식 가운과 모자를 쓰고 가상 졸업식을 펼쳤다. 연사로는 마이크로소프트 사의 Bill Kamela 교육 및 업무정책 국장, 하원 사법위원회 John Conyers 의장이 함께 했다.

언론 인터뷰
드림법안의 통과로 직접 수혜를 받는 학생 또는 이 학생들과 함께 일하고 있는 시카고 및 로스 앤젤레스 지역 코리안 아메리칸 커뮤니티 구성원들을 인터뷰하실 수 있습니다. 인터뷰를 원하시면, 오수경 202.567.1369에게 문의 바랍니다.

###

미주한인봉사교육단체협의회(NAKASEC, 이하 미교협)는 전국적인 사회 변화 운동의 건설이라는 목표의 일환으로 전국적인 진보의 목소리를 내고 코리안 아메리칸의 사회 참여를 증진시키기 위해 지역 커뮤니티 센터들에 의해 1994년에 설립되었습니다. 미교협의 전국 사무실은 로스엔젤레스에 위치해 있고 워싱턴 디씨에 지부가 있으며, 가입단체로는 로스엔젤레스의 민족학교와 시카고의 한인교육문화마당집이 있습니다. 이민자 청소년의 교육권 보장과 관련해, 미교협은 United We DREAM 연합체에서 함께 활동하고 있습니다.

문의: 홍정연, 미주한인봉사교육단체협의회, 323-937-3703

여전히 유효한 투표권리법 제 5항

(로스 앤젤레스) 오늘 연방대법원은 찬성 8, 반대 1로 투표권리법 제 5항을 유지하는 판결을 내렸다. 투표권리법 제 5항은 인종차별이 있었던 지역에서 선거권을 개정하기 위해서는 법무부로부터 사전승인을 받아야 한다는 규정으로, 모든 유권자가 차별없이 동등한 조건에서 투표할 수 있어야 한다는 투표권리법의 취지를 반영하는 조항이다. 한편, 이번 연방대법원의 판결은 투표권리법 제 5항의 면제를 신청할 수 있는 지역 단위의 크기를 하향조정하여, 자격이 되는 지역 정부는 면제를 신청할 수 있게 되었다.

미주한인봉사교육단체협의회와 가입단체-로스 앤젤레스 민족학교, 시카고 한인교육문화마당집-는 2009년 3월 25일, 다른 아시아 태평양계 및 민권 단체들과 함께 법정 조언자로 나서, 투표권리법 제 5항의 중요성을 언급한 바 있다. 또한 많은 코리안 아메리칸 유권자들은 소수계로서, 처음 투표하는 유권자로서, 영어 사용이 불편한 유권자로서 차별에 노출될 가능성이 높다. 이에 우리는 투표권리법 제 5항과 관련된 향후 움직임을 지속적으로 모니터 하여, 앞으로도 모든 유권자가 차별 받지 않고 투표할 수 있도록 하는 활동에 앞장설 것이다.

투표권리법은 2006년에 의회에서 향후 25년간 유효하도록 갱신된 법안으로, 처음 법안이 제정된 1965년 이래로 평등한 투표권 보장은 여전히 중요하다는 것을 잘 보여준다.

Contacts:
EunSook Lee, NAKASEC, 323-937-3703
Becky Belcore, KRCC, 773-588-9158
Dae Joong Yoon, KRC, 323-937-3718

Korean Americans Respond to President Obama’s Call to Service

(Los Angeles, CA)  In recognition of President Obama’s nationwide service initiative called “United We Serve,” NAKASEC and its affiliates, the Korean American Resource and Cultural Center in Chicago and the Korean Resource Center in Los Angeles announce their participation.

“We applaud the President’s vision for a society that is driven by the common value of service and community empowerment and will be working with the White House to promote the civic engagement of Korean Americans throughout the country. Service does not have to be complicated nor complex. It is the simple act of sharing the resources we have, particularly during these difficult economic times,” said EunSook Lee, executive director of NAKASEC.

“President Obama’s service initiative begins on June 22 and for 12 weeks will allow community members to become involved in service events with our organization. From foreclosure prevention fair to free community health clinics, we encourage our community members to make an ongoing commitment to service, starting this summer,” said Becky Belcore, executive director of KRCC.

“Serving the community (combined with education, culture and advocacy) has been an integral part of the way our organizations seek to organize and engage our community members. It is part of our own belief that America is stronger when we all come together and contribute our best. It is also an opportunity for developing new leadership and a renewed sense of social responsibility,” said Dae Joong Yoon, executive director of KRC.

We encourage all those who have an interest in giving back while learning about the issues that impact the Korean American and immigrant communities to get involved. To find out more about volunteer opportunities please contact the following:

Organization: Korean Resource Center
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Contact: Dae Joong Yoon, 323-937-3718, djyoon@krcla.org

Organization: Korean American Resource and Cultural Center
Location: Chicago, IL
Contact: Becky Belcore, 773-588-9158, becky@chicagokrcc.org

Media Interviews
Upon request, interviews are available with Korean American community members participating in this summer’s United We Serve project. To schedule a media interview, please contact HyunJoo Lee at 323-937-2703 x 202.
For more information, please visit www.nakasec.org. To find service events in other cities, please visit www.serve.gov.

###

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 maintains its national office in Los Angeles and an office in Washington, D.C. NAKASEC also has affiliates in Los Angeles (The Korean Resource Center) and Chicago (The Korean American Resource & Cultural Center).

The National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) seeks a hard-working, highly-skilled, talented, and committed individual to serve as the Program Associate. This is a position for an individual who has experience in the areas office administration, media relations, public education, policy advocacy, and community organizing.

Major Responsibilities Include:
•    Provide administrative support to the Executive Director including scheduling meetings.
•    Provide ongoing support to the Executive Director in all facets of fundraising (donor management, events, and grants).
•    Implement an eCommunications / eAdvocacy strategy for NAKASEC.
•    Assist in planning and implementing activities and campaigns related to NAKASEC’s programs’ work, including but not limited to Immigrant Rights Project and Health Reform.
•    Provide on-going technical assistance & program support to NAKASEC affiliates.

Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree and/or 3 years experience in the following areas: Demonstrated experience working with new web technologies and other viral marketing strategies. Graphic design skills and knowledge of layout and design. Writing and editing documents such as grant proposals/reports, press releases, or issue papers; organizing issues based or fundraising events and campaigns; coordinating media activities including press conferences and briefings; Research and analysis of issues, trends and communities.

Required Skills:
Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills. Strong research and analytical capacity. Ability to work independently, meet deadlines, think creatively, and prioritize multiple tasks. Familiarity with HTML and CSS. Excellent organizational and coordination skills. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Internet research required and HTML and Filemaker.

Desired Qualifications:
Experience working in a social justice organization based working within immigrant/Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Proficiency in the Korean language (written and/or oral) but not required.

NAKASEC is a dynamic national organization working to empower the Korean American community through education, advocacy and organizing.  The national office is located in Los Angeles with a satellite office in Washington, DC and affiliates in Los Angeles and Chicago. Major program areas include immigrant rights, health reform, civic engagement & voter empowerment, and civil rights. NAKASEC offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and full health & dental benefits. To apply: Send cover letter, resume, writing sample, and salary history and requirement to Jeong Yeon Hong, NAKASEC, 900 S. Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90019 or via email at jhong@nakasec.org.  For more information, please visit our website at www.nakasec.org.

Closing Date for Applications: June 30

The Obama Administration – New Appointments and Nominations

Department of Justice – On June 4, 2009, Tom Perez was appointed Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Rights Division. Perez’s main responsibilities will be to ensure that all Americans receive equal treatment and justice under the law in regards to areas such as education, housing, and employment. Perez is currently a civil rights attorney and consumer advocate who serves as Secretary for the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR). Prior to this position, Perez also worked as a prosecutor in the Civil Rights Division and was on the board of directors of Casa de Maryland, a non-profit immigrant assistance organization.

Department of Health and Human Services – On May 29, 2009, Cindy Mann was appointed Director of the Center for Medicaid and State Operations (CMSO), which is part of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). As Director of CMSO, Mann will help oversee Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) at the federal level. Mann is currently a research professor at Georgetown University, Health Policy Institute and executive director of the Center for Children and Families at the Institute.

United States Supreme Court – On June 9, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) announced that hearings to consider the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court will begin on July 13. President Obama had announced his designation of Sotomayor to succeed retiring Justice David Souter on May 26. Sotomayor served as an assistant district attorney in New York City and in private practice before being nominated by President George H.W. Bush and confirmed to the federal district court in 1992.  In 1998, she was confirmed to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. President Obama emphasized Sotomayor’s “extraordinary journey” from modest beginnings to the Ivy League and now the pinnacle of the judicial system. She would be the first Latina justice in the court’s history and its third woman. The President has touched off a confirmation battle that he hopes will focus on her legal experience. Sotomayor has served on the federal judicial bench for 17 years and brings more federal judicial experience to the Supreme Court than any justice in 100 years, and more overall judicial experience than anyone confirmed for the Court in the past 70 years. Nonetheless, her public record has been subject to scrutiny by conservatives as Republicans have threatened to slow down the nomination process because they were not informed of the start date prior to Leahy’s announcement.  Leahy dismissed Republican attacks arguing that it took the current Chief Justice John Roberts only 72 days to be confirmed from the time he was nominated and that Sotomayor’s confirmation should be on a similar timeline.

Just & Humane Immigration Reform

Background: The broken immigration system affects the Korean American community: 1 in 5 Korean Americans are undocumented, thousands of bright youth cannot fulfill their dreams, countless others are separated because of the immigration backlogs, and there are those languishing and dying in detention centers. In recent years, attempts to pass legislative reform have been stymied by a vocal minority. Instead, families have been torn apart and communities have been devastated by the ramping up of raids and other enforcement activities by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). State and local governments also took matters into their own hands and passed anti-immigrant measures.

Solution: For more than a decade, Korean American communities have been engaged in national efforts to realize long-term systemic change. In doing so, we have reached a level of consensus that any legislative proposal must contain the following components:

1) Bring millions of hard working undocumented immigrants and their   children out of the shadows and provide them a path to citizenship.

2) Keep families together by preserving the family immigration system, eliminating the immigration backlogs, stopping mandatory and indefinite detentions and cruel deportations for minor infractions

3) Protect all workers regardless of their immigration status.

4) Allow students to reach their full potential through access to college.

5) Protect and restore basic rights and liberties, including allowing every person to have their day in court.

6) Promote the social, economic, and political integration of immigrants.

Immigration Reform Meeting Delayed: President Obama was expected to meet with a bipartisan group of Members of Congress on June 17 to begin discussions on immigration reform. Originally scheduled for June 8 and later re-scheduled for June 17, this meeting has now been postponed twice. While there has been notable actions taken by the White House on the administrative end, the introduction of legislation addressing key components of immigration reform, and leadership exercised by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, the Obama Administration and Congress has yet to begin working in concert to address comprehensive immigration reform.

Reform Immigration FOR America campaign launch: Communities launched the Reform Immigration FOR America campaign, a nationally coordinated effort that brings together multiple sectors under one tent to promote comprehensive immigration policies on June 1 in 40 cities. Later that week, an energizing summit united nearly 800 community organizers from 40 states, including NAKASEC and its affiliates, to discuss political strategy, listen to and share testimonies, and walk the halls of Congress. In the coming months, NAKASEC and its affiliates will be rallying Korean Americans, AAPIs and the wider community to get educated and take action with their feet and fingers to fix the broken immigration system. For more information, contact NAKASEC at 202-339-9349 or soh@nakasec.org

Restoration of Right-To-Counsel Decision – On June 3, Attorney General Eric Holder withdrew a decision issued by outgoing Attorney General Michael Mukasey that purported to unravel decades of legal precedent on the important role of and right to competent counsel in immigration proceedings. Mukasey’s decision, Matter of Compean, 24 I&N Dec. 710 (A.G. 2009), held that immigrants in removal proceedings had no right to counsel under the Fifth and Sixth Amendments. It further held that the immigrant had to provide extensive evidence of this prejudice that was not required in the past, creating new burdens for thousands of immigrants who face significant, life-changing decisions. Holder’s withdrawal of Mukasey’s decision improved the integrity of immigration court decisions and underscored the importance of protecting our fundamental principles of due process within our justice system.

Family Immigration Bill Introduced in the House – The “Reuniting Families Act” or H.R. 2709 was introduced on June 4 by Representatives Mike Honda (D, CA-15), Linda Sanchez (D, CA-39), and Raul Grijalva (D, AZ-7). Currently there are 59 co-sponsors. Similar to the Senate version introduced by Sens. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Edward Kennedy (D-MA), and Charles Schumer (D-NY) on May 20, 2009, this legislation recognizes the contributions of immigrants and the importance of families in strengthening our country. By reducing the unbearably long periods of families being separated and improving the outdated family immigration system, countless families will not be forced to wait years – often decades – to reunify with loved ones. Other provisions of note include The House version contains an additional provision that would allow same-sex binational permanent partners to obtain lawful permanent resident status. Click here for a summary of the provisions.

Administrative Relief for Widows and Widowers – Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano issued a directive on June 9 to grant deferred action for two years to widows and widowers of U.S. citizens - as well as their unmarried children under 18 years old - who reside in the United States and who were married for less than two years prior to their spouse’s death. Previously, widows and widowers of U.S. citizens would have had their visa applications interrupted upon death of the main petitioner. This action provides an opportunity for some families to stay in the country and apply for work authorization for at least two years while their legal status is resolved. Additionally, DHS will soon issue guidance on how widows and widowers can apply for humanitarian reinstatement in the case that their petition was previously rejected. Secretary Napolitano noted that this is temporary and that a legislative fix is needed, such as the recently introduced House family immigration bill.

Health Reform

Background: Korean Americans are underserved by the broken health system.  In the United States, roughly 1 in 2 adults and 1 in 4 children under the age of 18 Korean Americans are uninsured. Nationwide, healthcare is an unaffordable human need for many Korean Americans who are more than twice as likely as whites to go without health insurance. Lack of health coverage, combined with culturally incompetent care, force many Korean Americans to delay medically necessary care while those with coverage are unable to receive quality health services. Meanwhile, racial and ethnic disparities in health constitute a national crisis. When health services are only available in one or two languages, or when people are excluded from coverage options based on immigration status alone, it results in disproportionate and discriminatory treatment of groups based on their race or national origin. Korean American patients, in particular, face language barriers that limit their ability to communicate effectively with health care providers, sometimes leading to life-threatening misdiagnoses.

Recent developments: The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) committee (one of two committees of jurisdiction in the Senate) released its draft legislation for review so that it may be introduced as a bill soon.  NAKASEC is in the process of reviewing its summary and relevant sections to determine to what extent NAKASEC’s policy priorities – public plan option, immigrant inclusion, and health equity – are incorporated. To date, NAKASEC has signed onto a letter that was sent to Senator Edward Kennedy (HELP Committee Chair) that detailed specific policy fixes addressing immigrant inclusion in health reform. Meetings have also been held with the HELP committee, Congressional Black Caucus, and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. In the weeks to come, NAKASEC intends to meet with the office of Speaker Nancy Pelosi and others to bolster Congressional support for immigrant inclusion.

Health Disparity Bill To Be Introduced: On June 9, the Congressional TriCaucus - comprised of the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus – unveiled a draft of the “Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2009.” Seeking to address causes of health disparity across race, ethnicity, gender, and geography, this legislation supports efforts to ensure culturally and linguistically appropriate health care, improve workforce diversity, and strengthen and coordinate data collection and analysis.

Immigrant Student Access to Education

Background: Each year, 65,000 undocumented immigrant students graduating from U.S. high schools are unable to realize their full potential. These immigrant students were raised in the United States and are denied the opportunity to build a future in America – the country they call home. As undocumented students, they face difficulty pursuing higher education because they are denied financial aid, scholarships, loans, and in-state tuition rates in most states. Those that have the resources to graduate are unlikely to work in the field of their choice or study. And more tragically, they live daily with the fear of being deported to a country they barely know.

DREAM Act: On March 26, 2009, the DREAM (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) Act was introduced by Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL), Richard Lugar (R-IN), Russell Feingold (D-WI), Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Joe Lieberman (I- CT), Mel Martinez (R-FL), and Harry Reid (D-NV) in the Senate as S. 729 and Representatives Howard Berman (D-CA), Joseph Cao (R-LA), John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Devin Nunes (R-CA), Jared Polis (D-CO), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) in the House as H.R. 1751. Currently there are 22 co-sponsors in the Senate and 70 in the House for the respective bills.

Building Momentum for the DREAM Act - Since March 2009, youth leaders and activists organized by NAKASEC and its affiliates have collected over 1,000 post cards in Chicago and Los Angeles and have visited 30 members of Congress to urge their leadership on the DREAM Act. Youth members have also been fundraising for the national DREAM Scholarship Fund which was launched 2 years ago by Korean American youths who first mobilized around the DREAM Act campaign. To get involved, please contact.

Civil Rights

New Hampshire Becomes the 6th State to Pass Marriage Equity – On June 3, the New Hampshire legislature approved a revised same-sex marriage bill and signed into law by Gov. John Lynch. The law will take effect January 1, 2010. The revised bill includes a clause that will protect religious organizations and clergy members from having to perform same-sex weddings. As more states legalize same-sex marriages, some are increasingly pushing for “conscience protections” language that protects certain organizations, including religious organizations and even businesses (such as photographers or florists). Despite the negotiations, it is clear that states are taking the lead in standing for marriage equality. NAKASEC is inspired by the recent victory in New Hampshire and are committed to educating and organizing the Korean American community so that together we build a society where all community members, regardless of their sexual orientation, have full and equal rights to justice and happiness. To get involved, please contact hlee@nakasec.org.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

1. Join NAKASEC to support quality health care for all.

o Rally and Candlelight Vigil for Healthcare Equity: Wednesday, June 24 from 7 - 9 p.m. at Freedom Plaza (14th & Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20004, near the Metro Center Metro stop)
o Health Care Can’t Wait Mobilization: Thursday, June 25 from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. in Washington, D.C. For more information, contact Hemi Kim at hkim@nakasec.org or 202.339.9318.

Storm the Hill and Act for DREAM! United We Dream Coalition invites you to join the National Day of Action on June 23 in Washington, D.C. Register at www.dreamactivist.org. For more information, contact HyunJoo Lee at hlee@nakasec.org or 323.937.3703, x202.

2. Forward this email to your friends and encourage them to sign up on our listserv.
3. Become a member in 2009. Your membership dollars support NAKASEC’s mission to project a national progressive voice on major civil rights and immigrant rights issues and promote the full participation of Korean Americans. Reduced rates are available for students and low-income community members.

About NAKASEC – National Korean American Service & Education Consortium

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 maintains its national office in Los Angeles and an office in Washington, D.C. NAKASEC also has affiliates in Los Angeles (The Korean Resource Center) and Chicago (The Korean American Resource & Cultural Center). NAKASEC is a member of the APIA Vote, Campaign for Community Values, Detention Watch Network, Fair Immigration Reform Movement/Immigrant Organizing Committee, Health Care for America Now, Health Rights Organizing Project, National Council of Asian Pacific Americans, National Gender and Equity Campaign, Reform Immigration FOR America Campaign, Rights Working Group, and the We Are America Alliance.

For more information and resources, visit www.nakasec.org or call 323.937.3703 / 202.339.9318.

Headquarters

900 S. Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90019

Tel: 323.937.3703   Fax: 323.937.3753   www. nakasec.org

D. C. Office

1536 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

Tel: 202-339-9318   Fax: 202-387-4893

Korean Resource Center (founded in 1983)

900 S. Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90019

Tel: 323.937.3718   Fax: 323.937.3526   www.krcla.org

Korean American Resource & Cultural Center (founded in 1995)

6146 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60659

Tel: 773.588.9158   Fax: 773.588.9159   www.chicagokrcc.org

Our country is in the midst of a healthcare crisis. We have a broken system that costs too much, covers too few, and is increasingly out of reach for many communities, particularly women, racial and ethnic minorities, and other underserved populations.

These communities have suffered from systemic healthcare disparities that have resulted in greater suffering from chronic diseases, shorter life spans, and an overall lower quality of life. We demand that our elected leaders pass healthcare reform legislation that ensures high quality, affordable healthcare that works for everyone!

JOIN US on June 24th to:

*Speak out to demand healthcare equity for all

*Stand up for the health of our children and families

*Culminate the evening with a candlelight vigil to symbolize the power of the healthcare equity movement

*Enjoy free food and live cultural entertainment

RALLY, SPEAK OUT & CANDELIGHT VIGIL

7pm to 9pm Wednesday * June 24th, 2009

Freedom Plaza

14th and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20004 (Near the Metro Center metro stop)

To RSVP, visit www.healthcareequalityproject.org

Questions? Email speakup@healthcareequalityproject.org

June 23, 2009 ~ Washington D.C.

Join hundreds of young people from across the country this summer to storm the offices of legislators and participate in a graduation ceremony advocating for the DREAM Act, sponsored by the United We DREAM coalition. Register today to be a part of this youth-led struggle for and by immigrant youth!

Save your spot! Register today at www.DREAMACTIVIST.org !

(Help us collect graduation gowns for this event, contact us at events@unitedwedream.org)

문의: 홍정연, 미주한인봉사교육단체협의회, 323-937-3703

이민 개혁을 위해 커뮤니티가 하나로 뭉쳤다.
코리안 아메리칸이 전국 이민 개혁 캠페인 발족식에 참가

(워싱턴 디씨) 미주한인봉사교육단체협의회와(이하 미교협) 가입단체-로스 앤젤레스 민족학교, 시카고 한인교육문화마당집-는 포괄적인 이민 개혁을 촉구하기 위해 35개 주에서 모인 약 800여 명의 사람들과 함께 전국 집회에 참석했다. Reform Immigration For America 캠페인이 주최한 이번 행사는 활기찬 개막연설로 시작되었다. 개막연설에서 이은숙 미교협 사무국장은 오늘 발족한 캠페인을 통해 누구에게 우리의 목소리를 전달할지, 언제 어떤 활동을 하는지에 대한 답을 얻게 되었다며, 앞으로 보다 효과적이고 강력하게 활동을 진행해 나갈 것이라고 말했다.

이어, Church of Reformation에서 열린 전국 타운홀에서는 로스 앤젤레스 민족학교의 이정희 활동가가 다른 커뮤니티 구성원들 및, Mike Honda (D, CA-15), Zoe Lofgren (D, CA-16),Luis Gutierrez (D, IL-4) 하원의원, Robert Menendez (D, NJ) 상원의원과 함께 포괄적 이민 개혁의 중요성을 강조했다. 이정희 씨는 발언 끝에, 참가자들과 함께 ‘할 수 있다’라고 구호를 외쳐 분의기를 더욱 뜨겁게 했다. 의회가 시급하게 요구되는 개혁에 대해 어떤 결정을 내리던지 그것은 향후 수십년 이 나라의 미래를 결정하게 될 것이다. 우리는 이 나라가 커뮤니티를 배제하고 분열시키는 제약의 나라가 아니라 우수함과 문화적 활기를 증진하는 열린 나라가 되길 원한다. Menendez 상원의원은 이민자와 이민 개혁에 대한 대중의 의견을 변화시키기 위해 각 주에서 커뮤니티가 열심히 활동해야 한다고 덧붙였다.

전국 타운홀은 각 참가자들이 의원방문을 위해 상하원으로 출발함과 동시에 막을 내렸다.

Contacts:

Jeong Yeon Hong, 323.937.3703

Communities United for Immigration Reform
Korean Americans. Participate in Launch of National Immigration Reform Campaign

(Washington, D.C.) The National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) and its affiliates - the Korean Resource Center (KRC) of Los Angeles and the Korean American Resource & Cultural Center (KRCC) of Chicago - were a part of a national mobilization that drew together close to eight hundred community members from thirty-five different states to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. The summit, organized by the Reform Immigration For America (RIFA) campaign, began with a rousing opening plenary during which Eun Sook Lee, Executive Director of NAKASEC shared insight on what the movement needs to do in order to be effective, emphasizing to the crowd that it’s about targets, timing and tactics.

Continuing the energy was a national town hall at the Church of Reformation where Jung Hee Lee of the KRC of Los Angeles joined other community members, Representatives Mike Honda (D, CA-15), Zoe Lofgren (D, CA-16), and Luis Gutierrez (D, IL-4) and Senator Robert Menendez (D, NJ) in underscoring the importance of comprehensive immigration reform. Jung Hee Lee, following a short testimony, brought the crowd to their feet with chants of ‘Yes we can’ in Korean. All stressed the urgent need for reform and that how Congress responds to the current crisis will determine the nation’s path for years to come: Will it be a welcoming nation that promotes excellence and cultural vibrancy or will it become a restrictionist nation that excludes and divides communities. Senator Menendez added that communities must work state by state to change public opinion of immigrants and immigration reform.

The national town hall concluded with calls to action as participants made their way to House and Senate office buildings for their legislative visits.

Contacts:

EunSook Lee, NAKASEC, 213.453.4378
Dae Joong Yoon, KRC, 213.434.4267
Becky Belcore, KRCC, 773.588.9158

Upholding a Commitment to Families
House Joins the Senate in Introducing Family Immigration Bill

(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 – welcome the introduction of the “Reuniting Families Act” by Representatives Mike Honda (D, CA-15), Linda Sanchez (D, CA-39), and Raul Grijalva (D, AZ-7). Similar to the Senate version introduced by Sens. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Edward Kennedy (D-MA), and Charles Schumer (D-NY) on May 20, 2009, this legislation recognizes the contributions of immigrants and the importance of families in strengthening our country. By reducing the unbearably long periods of families being separated and improving the outdated family immigration system, countless families will not be forced to wait years – often decades – to reunify with loved ones. The legislation is a critical building block for comprehensive immigration reform and includes the following provisions:

- Recapture of unused and unclaimed visas from 1992 to 2007 to be placed back in the pool of current visas for families and employers and utilize unused visas in the future would “roll over” to the next year;
- Re-classify children and spouses of lawful permanent residents as “immediate relatives,” which allows them to immediately qualify for a visa;
- Allow widows and widowers and their children to continue their immigration applications in cases where the petitioner has died;
- Increase in the per country limits of family and employment-based visas from 7% to 10% of certain countries with extremely long backlogs;
- Increase the Attorney General’s discretion to waive barriers for U.S. citizen and lawful permanent residents who would face undue hardships if they are denied to be with their spouse, parent or children;
- Exempt children of certain World War II Filipino veterans from numerical caps on visas; and
- Provides the same protection to children of fiancée’s of U.S. citizens from aging out of the visa application process that other visa holders have; and
- Provides equal treatment to stepchildren and biological children by allowing stepchildren under the age of 21 to immigrate upon their parents’ marriage.

Heng Ji Cho was separated from her daughter for 13 years before being reunited in 2002. Unfortunately, their time together was short lived; Heng Ji was diagnosed with cancer and passed away two years later. Her story illustrates the harsh impact of today’s outdated family based immigration system. Currently, tens of thousands of Korean Americans are enduring long periods of separation from their loved ones.

Immigration reform is as much about families as it is about the economy and security.
Families are the most important social unit of any society; in times of personal or economic hardships, we each rely on our families. Representatives Honda, Sanchez (Linda), and Grijalva have done the right thing by putting a spotlight on the importance of preserving and strengthening the family based immigration system. NAKASEC and its affiliates are committed to advancing policy solutions that keep families together. We intend to ensure that comprehensive immigration reform remains a centerpiece of any policy agenda for Congress and the Obama administration.

TELEPHONIC BRIEFING ON JUNE 4, 2009
WHAT:
On the record briefing with Question & Answer

WHEN:
Thursday, June 4, 2009 at 2:30 pm EST/1:30 pm CST/ 12:30 pm MST / 11:30 am PST

HOW:
Dial 1-877-856-1965
“Reuniting Families Act Briefing” (Event Code: 1653384)

SPEAKERS:
• U.S. Representative Michael Honda (D, CA-15), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
• EunSook Lee, Executive Director, National Korean American Service & Education Consortium
• Christina Gonzalez, Community Advocate
• Deepa Iyer, Executive Director, South Asian Americans Leading Together
• Tuyet G. Duong, Senior Staff Attorney, Asian American Justice Center (Moderator)

Representative Honda, community organizations and advocates will be available to answer questions related to the Reuniting Families Act.

문의:

이은숙, 미주한인봉사교육단체협의회, 213.453.4378
윤대중, 민족학교, 213.434.4267
베키 벨코어, 한인교육문화마당집, 773.588.9158

가족 재결합
상원에 이은 하원 가족 이민 법안 상정

(워싱턴 디씨) 미주한인봉사교육단체협의회(이하 미교협)과 가입단체-시카고 한인교육문화마당집, 로스 앤젤레스 민족학교-는 Mike Honda (D, CA-15), Linda Sanchez (D, CA-39), Raul Grijalva (D, AZ-7) 하원의원의 “가족 재결합 법안 Reuniting Families Act”의 상정을 환영한다. 이 법안은 2009년 5월 20일 Similar to the Senate version introduced by Sens. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Charles Schumer (D-NY) 상원의원에 의해 상정된 가족 이민 법안과 유사하여, 이민자의 사회 기여를 인정하고 가족이 이 나라의 발전에 중대한 영향을 끼친다는 점을 법안에 반영했다는 데 그 의의가 있다. 참을 수 없을만큼 오랜 기간 기다렸던 가족 초청 대기 기간을 줄이고 낡은 가족 이민 시스템을 개선함으로써, 몇십년 이상 헤어져 살아야 했던 수많은 가정이 사랑하는 가족과 재결합할 수 있게 될 것이다. 또한 이 법안은 포괄적 이민 개혁을 달성하는데 중대한 역할을 할 것이며, 법안의 주요 조항은 다음과 같다.

- 1992년부터 2007년까지 사용되지 않은 비자 쿼터를 가족이민과 취업이민 현재 쿼터 사용 후 사용가능 쿼터 상태로 보존 및 활용하며, 지금부터 발생하는 미사용 쿼터는 다음해 쿼터에 “자동 추가” 된다.
- 영주권자의 자녀와 배우자를 “직계가족” 범주로 재편성하여, 이들이 즉시 비자를 발급받을 수 있도록 한다.
- 초청자가 가족 초청 과정 중 사망하더라도, 사망한 초청자의 배우자와 자녀의 이민 신청서는 계속 진행시킨다.
- 서류적체 기간이 유독 긴 특정 국가에 한해, 국가별 가족이민 및 취업이민 비자 수를7%에서 10%로 증가시킨다.
-배우자, 부모, 또는 자녀와 함께 사는 것을 거부당하여 어려움을 겪고 있는 시민권자와 영주권자를 구제할 수 있도록 법무부 장관의 재량권을 확대한다.
- 2차 세계대전의 특정 필리핀 재향군인의 자녀는 비자 수 제한에서 적용하지 않는다.
- 미 시민권자 약혼자의 자녀는 비자 신청 시 나이 제한을 적용하지 않는다.
- 21세 미만 의붓자녀가 부모의 결혼을 통해 가족 이민하는 것을 허용하여, 친자와 의붓자녀를 동등하게 대우한다.

조행지 씨는 2002년 다시 만나기까지 13년간 딸과 떨어져 살아왔다. 안타깝게 함께 사는 행복도 순간이었다. 조 씨는 암을 진단받고, 딸을 만난 지 2년 만에 사망했다. 조 씨의 이야기는 시대에 뒤진 가족 이민 시스템이 우리의 삶에 끼치는 영향에 대해 말해준다. 현재 수많은 코리안 아메리칸 가정이 그들의 사랑하는 가족과 재결합하기 위해 오랜 세월을 기다려오고 있다.

이민개혁은 가족에 대한 것이자, 경제, 국가안보에 대한 것이다. 가족은 어느 사회에서나 가장 중요한 사회 단위이다. 우리는 오늘과 같이 개인적, 경제적 위기가 심화되는 시기에 가족이라는 가치에 더 큰 의미를 부여한다. Honda, Sanchez (Linda), Grijalva 하원의원은 가족기반 이민 시스템을 보존 및 강화하는 중대한 활동을 지속적으로 펼쳐오고 있다. 미교협과 가입단체는 가족의 재결합을 보장하고자 하는 더 나은 정책을 달성하기 위해 노력하며, 의회와 오바마 행정부의 정책 논의의 중심에서 포괄적 이민개혁을 논의하도록 촉구하는 활동을 펼친다.

2009년 6월 4일, 전화 간담회
내용:
법안 소개 및 질문과 답변

일시:
2009년 6월 4일, 목요일 오후 2:30 (동부)/오후 1:30 (중부)/ 오전 11:30 (서부)

참여방법:
1-877-856-1965로 전화 연결
“Reuniting Families Act Briefing” (Event Code: 1653384)

연사:
• U.S. Representative Michael Honda (D, CA-15), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
• 이은숙, 미주한인봉사교육단체협의회 사무국장
• Christina Gonzalez, Community Advocate
• Deepa Iyer, Executive Director, South Asian Americans Leading Together
• Tuyet G. Duong, Senior Staff Attorney, Asian American Justice Center (Moderator)

법안 상정의원인 혼다 하원의원과 커뮤니티 단체 및 활동가들이 가족 재결합 법안에 관련된 질문에 답변할 것입니다.

This week, hundreds of allied organizations launched the campaign to Reform Immigration FOR America in 40 different cities! (Video and photos from Los Angeles launch)

Tomorrow, over 700 community members will be in our nation’s Capitol to tell Congress: “We can’t afford to wait any longer. America needs to reform immigration now.”

For those who cannot be here with us, with one-click you can join us on paper. Please take 30 seconds to send a free fax to your Senators and Representatives right now:

www.ReformImmigrationFORAmerica.org?p=NAKASEC

Please share this to your friends, family and neighbors. Our national goal is to back up our 700 community members in D.C. on June 4th with 2,500 phone calls and 20,000 faxes.

President Obama has said reforming the immigration system is a priority for him. But it’s going to take more than just having the President on our side to win. We need 279 votes to pass comprehensive immigration reform - 218 US Representatives + 60 Senators + the President’s signature. Over the coming months, NAKASEC and our allies ask you to help us flood Congress and the White House with faxes, calls, emails, and visits.

Our economy and thousands of families are suffering under the burden of a broken system. The time has come for just and humane immigration reform. We cannot wait any longer.

Together, we can make this happen.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009 at 7:40 am and is filed under Action, Action Alerts, English. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Contacts:
EunSook Lee, NAKASEC, 213.453.4378
Hemi Kim, NAKASEC, 213.503.0942

Engaging Communities for Health Reform
NAKASEC Presents at National Health Gathering in Washington, D.C.

(Washington, D.C.) During this critical moment on health reform deliberations, the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) will present at the final plenary of a two-day national conference of Asian American & Pacific Islander advocates (roughly 200 attendees) of health reform. The conference, organized by the Asian Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF), comes at a time when the House and Senate are expected to introduce legislation as early as mid-June 2009. NAKASEC’s participation in health reform is driven by the grassroots community organizing of its two affiliates – the Korean Resource Center (KRC) in Los Angeles and the Korean American Resource & Cultural Center (KRCC) in Chicago.

Media is welcome to attend the final plenary focusing on how to build leadership and engage our communities effectively in order to build political will necessary to pass health reform. If unable to attend, please be aware that NAKASEC will circulate photos from the final plenary. If you should have any questions, please contact Hemi Kim at 213.503.0942.

Details of final plenary
Title:             Leadership, Civic Engagement, and Political Will
Date and Time:    Tuesday, June 2, 2009, 10:15 – 11:45 a.m.
Location:        Cannon Caucus Room, Capitol Hill

For more information about the Voices 2009 APIAHF Convention, visit: http://www.apiahf.org/images/stories/Documents/publications_database/voices_program.pdf.

문의:
이은숙, 미주한인봉사교육단체협의회, 213.453.4378
김혜미, 미주한인봉사교육단체협의회, 213.503.0942

의료 개혁 달성을 위한 커뮤니티 참여
미주한인봉사교육단체협의회, 워싱턴 디씨에서 열리는 전국 의료 개혁 컨퍼런스에 참가

(워싱턴 디씨) 의료 개혁 논의에 대한 열기가 한층 뜨거워지는 가운데, 미주한인봉사교육단체협의회(이하 미교협)가 이틀 일정의 전국 의료 개혁 컨퍼런스 중 마지막 패널토론에서 주제 발표 한다. 약 200여 명의 아시아 태평양계 아메리칸 활동가들이 참석하여 의료 개혁에 대해 논의하게 되는 이번 컨퍼런스는 Asian Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF)이 주최하는 것으로, 빠르면 2009년 6월 중순 의료 개혁 관련 법안이 상하원에서 상정될 것으로 예상됨으로써 더욱 그 의미가 크다. 의료개혁에 대한 미교협의 활동은 두 가입단체-로스 앤젤레스 민족학교, 시카고 한인교육문화마당집-의 풀뿌리 커뮤니티 조직으로부터 시작되었고 그 기반을 두고 있다.

패널토론은 언론사에 공개될 것이다. 참석이 불가능한 언론 매체에는 추후에 사진을 제공할 예정이다. 자세한 사항은, 김혜미213.503.0942에게 문의하면 된다.

패널토론 정보
내용: Leadership, Civic Engagement, and Political Will
의료 개혁 통과에 필요한 정치적 힘을 모으기 위한 효과적인 리더십 증진과 커뮤니티 참여 방법
일시: 2009년 6월 2일, 화요일 오전 10:15 – 11:45
장소: Cannon Caucus Room, Capitol Hill

Voices 2009 APIAHF Convention에 대한 자세한 정보는 다음의 웹사이트를 방문 하십시오. http://www.apiahf.org/images/stories/Documents/publications_database/voices_program.pdf.

Korean Americans and CIR (2009), English
Korean Americans and CIR (2009), Korean

For more information, contact NAKASEC at 323.937.3703, x200 or 202.339.9349.

문의:
이은숙, 미주한인봉사교육단체협의회, 323-937-3703

오바마 대통령, 역사적인 대법관 지명

(로스 앤젤레스) 미주한인봉사교육단체협의회와 가입단체, 로스 앤젤레스 민족학교, 시카고 한인교육문화마당집은 Sonia Sotomayor 판사를 대법관에 지명한 오바 대통령의 결단을 적극 환영하는 바이다. Sotomayor씨의 임명이 확정되면, Sotomayor씨는 David Souter 대법관의 은퇴 후 공석을 메울 것이며, 라틴계로서는 최초로 대법관에 임명되는 것이다.

한인교육문화마당집의 베키 벨코어 사무국장은 “아메리칸 드림을 찾아 푸에르토 리코로 이주한 부모님을 따라 어린시절 미국으로 온 Sotomayor 판사의 삶은 무엇이든 가능하다는 것을 입증해 준다. 전 미국을 통틀어 Sotomayor씨는 여성과 소수계 커뮤니티에 있어 진정한 역할상이며, 지난 삼십년 간 그녀의 뛰어난 성과와 더불어 어려움을 극복하고 오늘에 있기까지의 그녀의 삶은 대법관 지명 과정에서 전에 볼 수 없었던 독특한 Sotomayor씨 만의 경험이다.”며 Sotomayor씨의 능력을 인정했다.

민족학교의 윤대중 사무국장은 “17년간 연방법원 판사로 재직한 Sotomayor씨는 지난 100년 간의 어느 대법관보다도 많은 연방 법원에서의 경험을 갖고 있고, 지난 70년 간 판사직에 임명된 어느 누구보다도 많은 재판 경험을 갖고 있음으로서, 이를 대법원에서 발휘할 것이다. 1998년 클린턴 대통령 정부 하에 2차 순회법원 판사로 승진하였고, 이전 조지 H.W. 부시 대통령 정부 하에 뉴욕 남부지방 법원 판사에 임명되다. 이는 대법관으로 자격을 갖추었음을 설명함과 동시에 양당의 지지를 골고루 받고 있음을 보여준다. 그러므로 가을 회기가 시작되기 전에 상원에서 조속히 Sotomayor씨의 대법관 임명 확정을 내리길 촉구하는 바이다.”며 조속한 처리를 요구했다.

미주한인봉사교육단체협의회의 이은숙 사무국장은 “Sotomayor 판사는 전례에 없는 재판 경험을 갖고 있을 뿐만 아니라, 실무의 이해에서 오는 상식과 법의 엄격함을 조율하여 판결의 질을 향상시킬 수 있다. 우리는 오바마 대통령의 Sotomayor 대법관 지명을 적극 환영하는 바이며, 상원의 조속한 임명 확인 절차를 기대한다.”며 기대를 표시했다.

Contact:
Eun Sook Lee, NAKASEC, 323-937-3703

President Obama Announces Historic Supreme Court Nomination

(Los Angeles, CA) The National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) and its affiliates, the Korean Resource Center in Los Angeles and the Korean American Resource and Cultural Center in Chicago, welcome and applaud President Obama’s nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court. If confirmed, Judge Sotomayor will become the first Latina judge appointed and will replace the retiring Justice David Souter.

“As a child of parents who came from Puerto Rico in search of the American dream, Judge Sotomayor is a testament that anything is possible. She is a true role model to women and minority communities throughout the U.S. and her incredible American story, along with her distinguished career over the last three decades, instills in her unique qualifications never before seen in the Supreme Court,” said Becky Belcore, executive director of KRCC.

“Judge Sotomayor as served on the federal judicial bench for 17 years and brings more federal judicial experience to the Supreme Court than any justice in 100 years, and more overall judicial experience than anyone confirmed for the Court in the past 70 years. Before she was promoted to the Second Circuit by President Clinton in 1998, she was appointed to the District Court for the Southern District of New York by President George H.W. Bush – a show of bipartisan support that underlines even more her qualifications to join the Supreme Court. Thus we urge the Senate for a speedy confirmation so that she may join the Court before the fall term begins,” said Dae Joong Yoon, executive director of KRC

“Judge Sotomayor not only brings an unprecedented judicial background, she embodies the qualities that combine a rigorous and disciplined study of the law with a common sense understanding of its practicalities. We are deeply excited and applaud President Obama’s nomination of Judge Sotomayor and look forward to a quick Senate confirmation,” said Eun Sook Lee, executive director of NAKASEC.