For Immediate Release
August 28, 2014
Contact: Emily Kessel, eakessel@nakasec.org
Launch of the 2014 National Immigration Score Card in 7 Asian American and Pacific Islander Languages
Rep. Connolly, Delegate Mark Keam and Town Council Member Grace Han Wolf join NAKASEC in Annandale, Virginia to support this community educational tool
www.immigrationscores.com – #CIRScores
Annandale, VA – On August 27, the National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC) announced the launch of the 2014 National Immigration Score Card in 7 Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) languages and exchanged remarks with Representative Connolly, Virginia State Delegate Mark Keam and Herndon Town Council Member Grace Han Wolf on using this toll to educate our AAPI community about where individual members stand on immigration and the overall failure of Congress to act on immigration reform.
The score cards are being distributed to community members in all 7 AAPI languages, which include Korean, Chinese (Mandarin), Tagalog, Vietnamese, Hindi, Bengali, and Khmer throughout Virginia and nationwide. On August 26, the Korean American Resource and Cultural Center (KRCC) distributed score cards at a community town hall meeting in Champaign, Illinois. Annandale and Champaign are among a string of events distributing this education tool to AAPI community members, in solidarity with Latino partners.
“This score card is not just a display of where our leaders stand on issues most important to us. It is a justification for our outrage at the injustice that permeates within our communities and our disappointment at the broken promises made by our congressional leaders. Today, we release this score card in multiple AAPI languages so that our communities will know that Congress has failed us,” said Dong Yoon Kim, Virginia Program Associate of NAKASEC.
Representative Gerry Connolly said, “In the effort to pass comprehensive immigration reform, we must communicate the value of welcoming new immigrant communities. In that respect, Northern Virginia has a story to tell. Our story is one of diversity and tolerance coupled with economic strength and the nation’s best schools. These are inseparable characteristics of our community and we should take pride in that.” After his remarks, the Congressman fielded questions regarding his score of 91% and on immigration reform. Northern Virginia Representatives Jim Moran and Frank Wolf were also invited to come and defend their voting record.
AAPI community leaders, Virginia State Delegate Mark Keam and Herndon Town Council Member Grace Han Wolf, also came and spoke about the score card, the need for immigration reform, and how immigration-related issues deeply affects the AAPI community.
Herndon Town Council Member Grace Han Wolf said, “The residents of the Town of Herndon deserve and need immigration reform. Everyday, I hear stories of students and parents, struggling to survive and to succeed – families that have come to the United States for a better life and a chance to achieve the American Dream. The score card is a great educational tool to inform community members about where their members stand on immigration reform.”
“Virginia needs immigration reform. Our families deserve to not live in fear of deportation, and our students deserve the opportunity to contribute to their greatest potential. DACA was made possible because of youth standing up for their rights. On August 28th, I ask everyone to participate in the National Day to Fight for Families in front of the ICE National Headquarters at 500 12th St., SW, at 11:30 am to march to the White House,” said Virginia Delegate Mark Keam.
“The community’s voice is the driving force behind our movement to fix the broken immigration system and put an end to family separation. As we await the President’s announcement, we remain committed to demanding bold relief for our immigrant families and using the score card to hold Congress accountable for failing to provide us with a permanent solution,“ said Dae Joong (DJ) Yoon, Executive Director of NAKASEC.
To view the scores, please visit www.immigrationscores.com
*The scores are based on tabulations of immigration related votes and actions, including co-sponsorship of reform bills that include a path to citizenship and family reunification.
Background on the “2014 National Immigration Score Card”
National Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) and Latino groups released the 2014 National Immigration Score Card on July 28, 2014, the first ever pan-racial and pan-immigration that shows the voting records, bill sponsorship, and public statements in support of comprehensive immigration reform and family reunification. House Republicans have an average score of 3%, while House Democrats have an average score of 90%, a testament to the varied range of support for immigration reform within Congress.
The following AAPI groups co-sponsored the score card: Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC), National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) and OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates.
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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).
