Press Release: Korean Americans Applaud Important Step Forward For Immigration Reform

For Immediate Release
October 13, 2009

Contacts:
EunSook Lee, NAKASEC, 213.453.4378 / elee@nakasec.org (English, Korean)
Becky Belcore, KRCC, 773.588.4050 / becky@chicagokrcc.org (English)
Dae Joong Yoon, KRC, 323.937.3718 / djyoon@krcla.org (English, Korean)

Korean Americans Applaud Important Step Forward For Immigration Reform

Today, thousands of families, veterans, community members, and faith leaders gathered in Washington, D.C. for immigration reform. Joined by other champions in the House and Senate At a 3 p.m. rally held at the U.S. Capitol, U.S. Representative Luis Gutierrez (D, IL-4) announced his principles for a comprehensive immigration reform bill that he will be introducing later in the fall. The following is a joint statement by the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC), Korean American Resource & Cultural Center (KRCC) and Korean Resource Center (KRC).

(Washington, D.C.) Setting the stage for serious policy and political debate in the months to come, today Representative Luis Gutierrez (D, IL-4) unveiled principles of a comprehensive immigration reform bill to be introduced later in the fall. NAKASEC and its affiliates applaud this vital step in building momentum in the halls of Congress and in our neighborhoods to realize comprehensive immigration reform.

The principles include: an earned path to legalization, protecting rights of all workers, allocation of sufficient visas to keep families together and meet labor needs, an electronic employment verification system, promotion of immigrant inclusion, and inclusion of the DREAM Act and AgJobs.

EunSook Lee, executive director of NAKASEC said, “Every day, a child wonders if she will ever see her parents again and parents worry about whether they will make it home tonight. Everyone agrees; the immigration system is broken, unfair, and in urgent need of reform. 10% of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are undocumented and thousands have waited for decades to be reunited with their loved ones. In detention centers across the country, countless others who are limited English proficient are languishing behind bars. We are all looking for a better life and comprehensive immigration reform is the solution.”

“Almost one month ago, we mobilized our supporters to D.C. on Citizenship Day to represent citizenship in action. They spoke with legislators and members of the Obama Administration about supporting immigration reform,” stated Dae Joong Yoon, executive director of KRC. “We will continue to educate and organize. As much as we are living with the consequences of a broken immigration system, we see ourselves as part of the solution to fix it.”

“Time and time again, our country has said: we want immigration reform and we want it now,” stated Becky Belcore, executive director of KRCC. “Asian Americans and Pacific Islander voters consistently share in exit polling that immigrant rights are a priority issue for this nation to tackle. Our work has just begun in realizing our community’s vision.”