STATEMENT: NAKASEC and Affiliates Commemorate the 2-Year Anniversary of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

Press Statement

For Immediate Release
August 15, 2014
Contact: Emily Kessel, eakessel@nakasec.org

NAKASEC and Affiliates Commemorate the 2-Year Anniversary of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

WASHINGTON DC- The National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC) and its affiliates the Korean American Resource & Cultural Center (KRCC) and Korean Resource Center (KRC) have been dedicated to assisting Korean Americans and other Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) with DACA since President Obama implemented DACA two years ago from today on August 15, 2012. As of March 2014, South Korea has the 6th highest acceptance rate for DACA.

NAKASEC, KRC, and KRCC have received 11,000 inquires about DACA and assisted 1,240 community members with their applications. Since June 5, 2014, we have expanded our services to accommodate renewing DACA recipients as well as continue to serve first-time applicants. As we prepare for the President to announce new executive orders on how to address the immigration crisis, we educate and organize our community members around the possibilities associated with administrative relief, including the creation of a deferred action program inclusive of more undocumented immigrants.

“Because of DACA I have been able to receive many opportunities I did not have before. In Virginia, with DACA, I am able to receive in-state tuition. Before, I worked long hours to provide for myself and contribute to my family. I was unsure of my future and lived in fear of deportation. Now, my future is bright. I hope that hard working adults, like my parents, can also receive the respect they deserve and a chance to live without fear in a program similar to DACA,” said Bati Tsogtsaikhan, Mongolian American student from Arlington, Virginia.

“Recently I fasted for five days in solidarity with four community members from all walks of life, including Dreamers, just like me. DACA has given me an opportunity to continue my studies, confident that what I learn in school can be used to benefit my family and the greater society. I hope that my dream to become a contributing U.S. citizen will become a reality someday soon,” said Simon Jun, Korean American student from Los Angeles, California.

Click the below links to read about how DACA has impacted AAPI youth:

Are Immigrants Taking American Jobs?

The Struggles of Continuing My Education

Despite the attempt of several House members to defund DACA and the overall failure of Congress to make immigration reform a reality this year, we will continue to fight for our families by demanding for the expansion of DACA and pushing for a permanent fix to our broken system. Our community voice will continue to grow stronger and louder as we await the President’s announcement and Congress’ return from August Recess.

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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).