Press Statement
For Immediate Release
January 29, 2014
Contacts:
Dae Joong Yoon, NAKASEC, djyoon@nakasec.org
Sik Son, KRCC, sohnsik@chicagokrcc.org
Hee Joo Yoon, KRC, yoonheejoo@krcla.org
NAKASEC and Its Local Affiliates Respond to President Obama’s Speech on Immigration Reform and Income Inequality
Washington, DC- Last night, on Tuesday, January 28, 2014, President Barack Obama presented his fifth State of the Union Address at the Capitol revealing his agenda for what he calls a “year of action,” which includes the immigration reform, income inequality, Affordable Care Act, and ending the war in Afghanistan, among other issues. In his comments, the President reasserted his support for immigration reform by connecting immigration with economic growth and urging Congress to act this year. DREAMer Cristian Avila, who fasted for 22 days was invited to attend the State of the Union Address as a guest of the First Lady. The President’s speech falls one day after the launch of the Fast for Families Across America Tour.
The National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) and its affiliates the Korean Resource Center (KRC) in Los Angeles, CA and the Korean American Resource & Cultural Center (KRCC) in Chicago, IL issued the following comments:
Dae Joong (DJ) Yoon, Executive Director of NAKASEC: “The president touched on several issues greatly affecting Asian Americans, including the fight against income inequality and reconstructing our broken immigration system. As we embark on the Fast for Families Across America Tour, we are encouraged by President Obama’s support for immigration reform. However, we remind the President to not forget that achieving the American Dream for 11 million undocumented immigrants means ensuring a pathway to citizenship and putting an end to deportations that separate our families. Over 4.3 million people are caught in the family immigration backlogs, nearly half of which are Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and these family members have waited long enough to be reunited with their loved ones. ”
Hee Joo Yoon, Executive Director of KRC: “With enrollment in health care being a good next step to getting Asian Americans health care coverage, we are committed to increasing health care coverage for all Americans. We are also grateful for President Obama’s comments on capping the monthly student loan payments and his intent to work with Congress to further assist students trapped in loan debt. And we are especially encouraged by the President’s strong stance on raising the minimum wage — a priority issue for young people and working families.”
Sik Son, Executive Director of KRCC: “In 2012, President Obama passed Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) for DREAMers. Last year, many states took action on immigrant related including Illinois with the passage of Drivers Licenses for undocumented immigrant. The President says, ‘Let’s get immigration reform done this year.” We need Congress to come together and act on immigration reform.“
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The National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) was founded in 1994 by local community centers to project a progressive voice and promote the full participation of Korean Americans on major social justice issues. NAKASEC maintains offices in Annandale, Virginia and Los Angeles, California. NAKASEC has affiliates in Chicago (Korean American Resource & Cultural Center) and Los Angeles (Korean Resource Center).
