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[Press Release] S. 744 Passes Out of Senate Judiciary Committee

By May 22, 2013No Comments

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For Immediate Release

May 22, 2013

Contact: Jane Yoo, NAKASEC 202.630.4013

S. 744 Passes Out of Senate Judiciary Committee

On the heels of President Obama and Vice President Biden’s meeting with DREAMers and families, immigration bill poised to head to the Senate floor

Washington, D.C. – On May 21, S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act passed in the Senate Judiciary Committee on a bipartisan vote of 13-5. The National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) and its affiliates the Korean American Resource & Cultural Center (KRCC) in Chicago and the Korean Resource Center (KRC) in Los Angeles thank the members of the Senate and the tireless efforts by our community members throughout the markup process.

Below are statements by the executive directors of NAKASEC, KRCC and KRC.

Dae Joong Yoon, executive director of NAKASEC

“Today’s passage of the comprehensive immigration reform bill from the Senate Judiciary Committee is a promising sign that we may see a new law passed this year. We welcome this milestone. In the spirit of bipartisanship, the Senate Judiciary Committee has stopped bad amendments and added good amendments as they worked to pass comprehensive immigration reform. However, we are also concerned that the Senate bill is eliminating the rights of U.S. citizens to sponsor their siblings and older adult children. This means, they may be separated from their loved ones indefinitely only because they do not possess high skills or higher education degrees. For some of our community members, a brother or sister is the only family they have. Family unity allows our community to grow and thrive. NAKASEC will continue to mobilize and advocate for critical amendments such as the preservation of the family immigration system and ensuring that the path to citizenship is as affordable as possible and provides access to public benefits to all hard working, taxpaying immigrants.”

Sik Son, executive director of KRCC, Chicago

“After more than a decade of community organizing and building immigrant voting power, finally the Senate Judiciary Committee has heard the voices of American families. As we look toward the following month when the full Senate is posed to further debate the bill, we want to make sure that the final bill truly reflects the values of hard working new Americans, which includes uniting family members.”

Hee Joo Yoon, executive director of KRC, Los Angeles

“On the same day that President Obama and Vice President Biden met with DREAMers and families, including the Korean Resource Center’s own community organizer, Kevin Lee, our community was uplifted by this historic news of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s passage of the immigration bill. At the same time, we know that more than ever, now is the time for full community participation to make sure this immigration bill crosses the finish line with a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and the family visa program protected and preserved.”

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The National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) was founded in 1994 by local community centers to project a national progressive voice and promote the full participation of Korean Americans as a part of a greater goal of building a national movement for social change. NAKASEC is based D.C. and Los Angeles.  NAKASEC also has affiliates in Chicago (Korean American Resource & Cultural Center) and Los Angeles (Korean Resource Center).

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