주요 콘텐츠로 건너뛰기

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 27, 2018

CONTACT: Sam Yu | syu@nakasec.org | 213-703-0992
Michelle Boykins | mboykins@advancingjustice-aajc.org | 202-296-2300 x 0144

 

Congress, do not separate our families. Protect Family Reunification!

 

Washington D.C. – As Congress searches for a permanent legislative solution for nearly 1.8 million undocumented immigrants, proposed cuts to family reunification (also known as “family-based sponsorship”) are being discussed as a point to negotiate in exchange for such a solution. In response, NAKASEC, HANA Center, the Korean Resource Center (KRC), and Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAAJ-AAJC) hosted a press conference on defending family reunification, stressing the negative effects that cutting family reunification will have on our communities. This conference was sponsored by Representative Judy Chu (D-CA), Chairwoman of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), who was also featured as a speaker. The livestream of this press conference can be viewed here.

Representative Judy Chu (D-CA), Chairwoman of CAPAC, remarked:
“Family immigration is a vital part of our immigration system, and has been since Sen. Ted Kennedy ushered it into law in 1965. Those that have reunited with their families are happier, more financially stable, less likely to rely on government assistance, open more businesses, and own homes in greater numbers than native-born citizens. It’s clear, family immigration works for our country and should be strengthened, not weakened. This is especially true for AAPI families, for whom family holds special importance. Nobody should have to choose between contributing here in America or being able to stay with their family. I’m so grateful to NAKASEC for their work organizing this press conference and helping us to share the importance and reality of family immigration.”

Jeremy Heo, community leader with HANA Center and a beneficiary of family reunification, shared:
“Family based sponsorship means a lot to me. Through the program, my family was able to live better life here in the U.S., and I was able to go to school, get education, and work. Most importantly, it means that I can sponsor my sister in the future and my whole family can live together again. It has been 7 years since every member of my whole family gathered in one place and had a time together. Without family based sponsorship, I cannot think of any other way my whole family can live together.”

Bessie Chan-Smitham, Assistant Director of Community Engagement with AAAJ-AAJC, stated:
“This administration is seeking to destroy families by cutting family-based immigration – a move that affects Asian Americans deeply as over 80% of Asian Americans came to the U.S. using family-based immigration – and we will fight against these proposed cuts because we believe in protecting families, not destroying families.”

 

###

나카섹의 사진과 동영상은 페이스북과 트위터(@nakasec)를 팔로우하세요.

1994년에 설립된 전국한인봉사교육컨소시엄(NAKASEC)의 사명은 사회, 경제, 인종적 정의를 실현하기 위해 한인 및 아시아계 미국인을 조직하는 것입니다. NAKASEC은 버지니아주 애난데일, 일리노이주 시카고, 캘리포니아주 로스앤젤레스에 사무소를 두고 있습니다. 시카고(HANA 센터), 로스앤젤레스와 오렌지 카운티(한인 자원 센터)에도 계열사를 두고 있습니다.