We can move mountains – March eNewsletter

NAKASEC Announces New Executive Director

On March 15, Son Ah Yun, assumed her new role as NAKASEC Executive Director. After having served for a number of years on the board, she comes into the new position with extensive experience in building and leading national grassroots movements on a variety of issues including health care, immigration reform/rights, welfare reform and preserving social security.

Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to the outgoing Executive Director, Morna Ha, and we look forward to charting new ground with Son Ah. Read our press releasehere.

#TimeIsNow – April 10th Rally for Immigration Reform

Responding to a report from the Washington Post that certain members of the Gang of 8 were considering plans to make large cuts to the family visa program, NAKASEC, KRCC and KRC launched various activities to remind Congress and President Obama that any efforts for CIR must put families first.

On March 21, KRC in Los Angeles joined CHIRLA for a rally in front of Senator Dianne Feinstein’s office for family unity. The following day, KRCC linked up with ICIRR for a civil disobedience action in front of the Federal Building in downtown Chicago. Read KRCC’s volunteer Jee Yeon Lee’s blog about her experience participating in the civil disobedience action here.

Keeping the momentum going, on March 26, NAKASEC launched a nationwide petition drive and in less than 2 weeks, over 900 people signed calling for a comprehensive immigration reform bill that strengthens the immigration system, eliminates backlogs and ensures a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. The petitions were delivered to the offices of all Senators in the bi-partisan Gang of 8 and to White House representatives on April 3rd. They will be re-delivered with updated signatures on April 10th.

Click on the images to read the stories of community members who share why family unity and addressing the backlogs is important in the broader discussion for immigration reform.

Thank you for signing our petition. If you haven’t already, please take a moment to sign today. We are 22 signatures away from reaching 1000.

Tell us. Show us! What Does Family Mean to You?

In late March, NAKASEC, KRCC and KRC launched the “We Are America, America is Home” national photo contest asking people to submit pictures that define what family means to them.

As policymakers and the general public continue discussing ways to fix the broken immigration system, we want to you to help us put “families” first.

Submit your photo to help shape public dialogue, advocate for immigration reform and win $1000! Submissions will be accepted until April 30th and winners announced in early May.

For more information and to submit your photo, please visithttp://weareamericaishome.tumblr.com/

• ABC News/Univision – Family a Priority for Immigration Advocates
• Korea Daily – Putting Families First. We Are America, America is Home Photo Contest
• Asian Week – NAKASEC Announces New Executive Director
• Korea Times Georgia – NAKASEC Seeks to Raise Korean American Community Empowerment for Immigrant Rights, Civil Rights
• Korea Times – 72% of Korean Americans Support Comprehensive Immigration Reform
• Los Angeles Times – Another Side to Illegal Immigration
• WYCC PBS Chicago – Pathway to Citizenship?
• NBC LA – Keeping Families Tour in Los Angeles
• Los Angeles Times – Rockin the Vote in Koreatown

• KRC’s DREAM podcast with Host Jenny Seon
• KRCC & FYSH quilt for Senator Mark Kirk telling him to warm up to CIR
• KRC internship program
• This mini-quiz on NAKASEC staff
• Mr. Yun organizing packets for Korean churches in GA for our family  unity petition campaign