For Immediate Release:
March 9, 2016
Contact:
Emily Kessel, NAKASEC, eakessel@nakasec.org
Supreme Court Amicus Briefs Filed: Elected Officials, Immigrant Rights Advocates, Businesses, and Community Leaders Rally Support with to Have Supreme Court Unfreeze DACA+ and DAPA
WASHINGTON DC — On March 8, the National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC), Legal Aid Justice Center, NLIRH Virginia Latina Advocacy Network, Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations (VACOLAO), Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights (VACIR) and SysUSA in Manassas joined advocates, businesses, and community leaders across the nation in signing onto one of over a dozen amicus briefs filed for U.S. v. Texas. This Supreme Court case will affect the lives of millions of undocumented immigrants and American families waiting for the implementation of President Obama’s executive actions on immigration, namely the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA+) programs. In advance of the April 18th oral arguments, impacted community members and advocates, business and faith leaders, elected officials, and educators organize around a series of briefs demonstrating the strong support for the DAPA and DACA+ programs. Arlington County and the City of Alexandria were among the 118 cities and counties who signed onto the Mayors, Counties, and Localities amicus brief.
In a show of solidarity, brief signatories and supporters of DACA+/DAPA noted the positive impact that these programs will have on our country and the ways in which the implementation of the programs will improve the lives of millions of immigrants who are already living in the U.S. and contributing to our economy and to our communities.
Bati Tsogtsaikhan, DACA recipient and impacted by DAPA community member from Arlington, Virginia, said: “I moved to the U.S. with my parents from Mongolia at the age of 10, graduated high school, received my associate’s degree in business administration from NVCC, and recently completed my Bachelor of Science degree in Finance at George Mason University. Back in February 2015, I was invited to share my story with President Obama and how DACA had opened doors for me to education. I want DAPA to do for my family what DACA did for me. I want my parents to have an opportunity to find fair paying jobs to better support my younger brother and not live in fear of being separated from my brother and me.”
“As an immigrant entrepreneur, I fully support the president’s executive actions on immigration reform,” said Muneer Baig, owner of SysUSA in Manassas. “It’s crucial for small business owners like me to have access to a qualified workforce, particularly in IT where it’s often difficult to find skilled workers. I hope the Supreme Court upholds the executive actions so small business owners can find the talented workers we need to grow and expand our businesses.”
NAKASEC Executive Director Dae Joong Yoon, KRCC Executive Director Inhe Choi, and KRC Los Angeles Director Joon Bang, shared the following statement: “The President’s executive actions would allow millions of hardworking parents and students who are relying on these programs to come out of the shadows and live without fear of family separation. The bottomline is that families are DAPA and DACA+ are fully supported by law. The broad support demonstrated in these amicus briefs attests that these programs will positively impact our country and our communities. We are so proud of young leaders in our community who tirelessly come out in support of DACA and now for DACA+ and DAPA. They are living examples of why we need to work together to protect all hardworking immigrant families.”
Monica Sarmiento, State Coordinator at VACIR, said: “The Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights is proud to stand with so many partners in support for President Obama’s administrative relief. There are tens of thousands of Virginians waiting for the opportunity to live without the fear of deportation. These individuals are our friends, family, and members of our Virginia communities. We urge that Justice Roberts and Justice Kennedy have compassion for those who are here seeking refuge in the American dream from countries ravaged by crime and war.”
For more information about United States v. Texas please visit www.FightForFamilies.org.
