FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, December 19, 2008
Contacts:
EunSook Lee, NAKASEC, 323.937.3703
Inhe Choi, KRCC, 773.588.9158
Dae Joong Yoon, KRC, 323.937.3718
Seeking Immigration Reform – First Year, First Term
Korean American Communities Encouraged to Take Action
(Los Angeles, CA) The National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) and its affiliates, the Korean American Resource & Cultural Center (KRCC) in Chicago and the Korean Resource Center (KRC) in Los Angeles are urging Korean American organizations throughout the country to have their say on immigration in 2009. Earlier this month local and national immigrant rights groups came together to issue a joint letter to President-elect Barack Obama on the urgent need to enact immigration reform. For the next 45 days, community organizations are encouraged to support this effort by endorsing and gathering organizational endorsements.
“For close to a decade Korean Americans have been engaged in the movement to create the political opportunity for a just and humane immigration reform bill to pass. 2009 is the time when we must begin to dig into our reservoir of commitment and optimism to push for decisive legislative action. Anything else would be unacceptable because we know that America can be better. We cannot continue to live in a society where millions live in the shadows, children are separated from their parents, and young people are unable to realize their dreams,” stated EunSook Lee, executive director, NAKASEC.
“Following incredibly high interest and involvement in the 2008 election by Korean Americans, the focus of NAKASEC and its affiliates in 2009 is to maintain that energy towards enacting pro-active policy reforms grounded in improving the wellbeing of all. One of the first steps that we can take in the New Year is to join our allies across the country to prioritize immigration reform for the White House and Congress,” stated Inhe Choi, senior program director, KRCC.
“This is why we are calling for Korean American organizations – churches, faith associations, business groups & chambers, social service centers, and others – to sign onto a letter that will be presented to President Obama the day after inauguration. This action is the beginning of many steps that we will take to engage our community in the upcoming months,” stated Dae Joong Yoon, executive director, KRC.
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