PRESS STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rachel Koelzer, rachel@nakasec.org
Local Asian Immigrant Justice Leaders Condemn DHS’ Use of “Robot Dogs”
NATIONWIDE – According to Axios, “a research and development arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced last week it has been working with the Philadelphia-based company Ghost Robotics to develop a robot dog for the border.” Tested in Lorton, VA, and El Paso, TX, “robot dogs” are a terrifying step towards the increasing militarization of border and immigrant communities.
Woori Juntos, based in Houston, TX, Woori Center in Pennsylvania, and Hamkae Center in Virginia, with their national organization NAKASEC, released the following statement:
Woori Juntos’ Executive Director, Hyunja Norman: “We vehemently oppose the expanded surveillance of border and immigrant communities. Increased police and military presence, robotic or not, does not keep our communities or country safe. Rather than putting more money into DHS and CBP- government entities known for their cruel and inhumane treatment of migrants- the United States must divest from harm and invest in the basic needs and rights of all people. The Biden administration, representing the United States, must address the root causes of migration, including safe housing, healthcare, education, and climate justice; and reverse its increasingly racist and xenophobic policies. Now is the time for the United States to act on its values of and commitment to justice for all.”
NAKASEC Co-Director, Jung Woo Kim: “For people to live fully and freely, communities need access to resources, protection, and safety. The militarization of the border is in direct conflict with these needs. The United States must decide what vision it pursues: one of fear and hatred, or one of prosperity and equity.”
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The National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC)’s mission is to organize Korean and Asian Americans to achieve social, economic, and racial justice. The NAKASEC Network is HANA Center (Illinois), Hamkae Center (fka NAKASEC VA) (Virginia), Woori Center (Pennsylvania), MinKwon Center for Community Action (New York) and Woori Juntos (Texas).
