NAKASEC and its Affiliates Respond to the House Republican Principles on Immigration Reform

Press Statement

For Immediate Release:

January 31, 2014

Contact:

Dae Joong Yoon, NAKASEC, djyoon@nakasec.org, 323-937-3703

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

Hee Joo Yoon, KRC, yoonheejoo@krcla.org, 323-937-3718

NAKASEC and its Affiliates Respond to the House Republican Principles on Immigration Reform

Washington DC – On Thursday, the House Republicans finally took a step towards articulating their vision for immigration reform after months of unconstructive debate and inaction. However, principles are not synonymous with legislation and time is running out for the millions of families stuck in family backlogs, nearly half of whom are from Asian countries. The principles outlined prioritize border security and interior enforcement and disregard the demand from immigrant communities waiting to be united with their loved ones and to live the American dream.

We urge Speaker John Boehner to work with House Republicans and Democrats to quickly bring a bill to the floor that includes clear path to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the US.

Dae Joong (DJ) Yoon, Executive Director of NAKASEC: “The House Republicans finally recognize that immigration reform can no longer be set aside and have announced their principles. Yet, we must remind Congress that every day thousands of families are being torn apart. The House Republicans must commit themselves to an immigration policy that aligns with the core American value that everyone is equal and that all hard working immigrants should be welcomed into the US as new citizens. Our country must not repeat segregationist policies of the past and create a permanent group of second-class citizens. We must also recognize the enormous contributions of immigrant families who came to this country through family sponsorship. Our tradition of family immigration must be preserved.”

Hee Joo Yoon, Executive Director of KRC: “It is a step in the right direction to provide a pathway to citizenship for young people, who came to the US as children, and call America their home. But we do not welcome legislation that excludes a path to citizenship for so many other tax-paying immigrants.”

Sik Son, Executive Director of KRCC: “After months of debate and public polls that indicate that a majority of Americans want the broken immigration system fixed, it is time to support a pathway to citizenship for all. All immigrant families deserve the right to come out of the shadows and live with dignity.”

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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 and Asian 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).