For Immediate Release
May 19, 2015
National Contact: Emily Kessel, eakessel@nakasec.org
Virginia Contact: Dong Yoon Kim, dkim@nakasec.org
Illinois Contact: Nayoung Ha, nayoung@chicagokrcc.org
California Contact: Jenny Seon, jenny@krcla.org
NAKASEC and Affiliates Join Nationwide Day to #Fight4DAPA Demanding an End to Lawsuit and Escalating Pressure Against Anti-Immigrant Attacks
WASHINGTON D.C. – On May 19th, the National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC) and its affiliates joined immigrant families, faith leaders, public officials, Asian American and Latino voters, and advocacy groups across the country for the nationwide day of action to #Fight4DAPA, 180 days since President Obama’s announcement on administrative relief actions. May 19th was suppose to mark the launch of Deferred Action for Parents of U.S. Citizens and Legal Permanent Residents (DAPA), a program that combined with expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) would have impacted the lives of when millions of immigrant families, but politically motivated litigation has put the expanded and new programs temporarily on hold.
The Korean Resource Center (KRC) joined partner organizations and community members for a press conference and rally at the Los Angeles County Supervisors Building to launch, Ready California, a new statewide campaign to prepare California’s immigrant communities to take full advantage of the executive action programs announced by President Obama in November 2014. In Chicago, the Korean American Resource and Cultural Center (KRCC) participated in a press conference and IL is Ready round table at the Erie Neighborhood House to mark what should have been the launch date for President Obama’s DAPA immigration relief program.
Dae Joong Yoon, executive director of NAKASEC; Inhe Choi, executive director of KRCC; and Jenny Seon, immigrant rights project director of KRC; shared the following statement: “It is a grave injustice to our community and this country that hardworking immigrant families are unable to apply for these programs because of mean-spirited players in the courts and Congress attempting to block our win. Our community in southern California, Chicago, and northern Virginia rejoiced when the President announced expanded DACA and DAPA in November 2014 and refuse to give up. Our movement to protect the rights of families has had its ups and downs. We are confident that this nation of immigrants will reflect on its history and move forward to welcome individuals and families who call this country their home. As long as our nation’s immigration system is broken, on May 19 and every day hereafter, we will make sure every anti-immigrant elected official and Presidential candidate is held accountable for their actions against hardworking immigrant families. We encourage community members to stand with us by signing our petition letter in support of DAPA and DACA (bit/ly.ar-signon).”
Bati Tsogtsaikhan, a student and DACA recipient in Virginia, said: “Today would have been a day of celebration for me and my family. It would have meant work permits and social security numbers for my parents allowing them to make a fair living and better provide for my brother. DACA has provided me with the opportunity to have access to an affordable education, drive, and work for fair wages. I hope that one day soon other individuals, including my parents, will be able to receive these benefits as well. I encourage individuals who are eligible for the current DACA to apply and those who potentially qualify for expanded DACA and DAPA to continue to prepare. I will continue to raise my voice for my parents and my family to make this right an implemented reality.”
Ju Hong, AAPI DACA Collaborative Coordinator, who joined the press conference and rally in Los Angeles, said: “Today was suppose to be a historic day for the undocumented immigrant community, as the DAPA program was scheduled to be enacted to provide administrative relief for as many as 3.7 million undocumented parents across the country. Sadly, the DAPA program is delayed because anti-immigrant leaders are playing politics over families. While legal injunction is taking place, we need to be out in the streets calling for change and letting our voice heard. ”
Resources:
For community inquiries about DACA and DAPA, please call NAKASEC, KRC, and KRCC’s DACA Hotline in Korean and English at: (844) 500-3222.
Groups across the nation are calling on court officials and lawmakers to #Fight4DAPA and #RestoreRelief. For more details, see www.StopSeparatingFamilies.org and for a full list of what was happening around the country, visit www.allianceforcitizenship.org/may19events.
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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 and Orange County (Korean Resource Center).
