For Immediate Release: April 29, 2010
Contacts: EunSook Lee, NAKASEC, 323-937-3703
Dae Joong Yoon, KRC, 323-937-3718 (Los Angeles)
Sohn Sik, KRCC, 773-588-9158 (Chicago)
NAKASEC Statement on Senator Schumer’s Outline for Immigration Reform
(Los Angeles, CA) In response to a legislative outline for immigration reform that was released today by Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY), EunSook Lee, executive director of the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC), issued the following statement:
“On March 21, over 250,000 people rallied in Washington, DC and on April 10, major mobilizations were held in cities across the nation; each pressuring President Obama and Congress to take action on immigration reform. The movement was further galvanized with the passage of SB 1070 in Arizona, one of the most odious and anti-immigrant laws this country has ever seen. SB 1070 sparked a national outcry and illustrated the clear need for leadership by the Senate and President Obama to act decisively to fix our nation’s immigration system. Absent that, rogue states will seek to enforce federal laws as they please.
“NAKASEC acknowledges that it was community pressure that resulted in Senator Schumer’s release of the legislative outline for immigration reform. While further review is necessary, we are encouraged that this framework is comprehensive and includes an inclusive legalization component and addresses family immigration backlogs. But we are gravely concerned about the enforcement provisions. We firmly believe that enforcement that does not ensure protection of communities will be disastrous.
“NAKASEC understands that the introduction of the legislative outline is a step forward but this does not replace the clear and urgent need for the Senate to introduce a bill. Our communities are increasingly becoming impatient and seriously concerned that Congress and President Obama will not honor their promises to the American people. Moreover, it must be a significantly improved bill that does not continue the raids and deportations that have devastated immigrant families and workers.
“On May 1st, International Workers’ Day, NAKASEC and its affiliates will be joining hundreds of thousands of community members to march in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C. Along with many other cities across the U.S., we will be marching for immigration reform in 2010, good jobs for all, and stopping the deportation of families.”
