Asian American and Pacific Islander Families Descend on Washington D.C. Demanding Passage of Strong Immigration Reform Legislation
BY
ASIANWEEK STAFF – JUNE 5, 2013POSTED IN: NATIONAL, NEWS, POLITICS
Washington D.C. – As the full U.S. Senate is poised to begin the process to debate the immigration bill, S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act, hundreds Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) families from 20 states rallied on the East Lawn of the Capitol calling on Congress to pass immigration reform legislation that is as inclusive of many families as possible. Their demands included the preservation of the sibling and adult children visa categories, a clear and affordable path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, and putting an end to harsh enforcement policies that tear families apart.
Joining AAPI immigrant families were Reps. Judy Chu (CA) Jan Schakowsky (IL), natives from Hawaii and Alaska who announced their “First Americans for New Americans” campaign for comprehensive immigration reform, Eliseo Medina, Secretary-Treasurer of Service Employees International Union and Wade Henderson, President and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. Impacted community members shared their experiences highlighting why immigration reform must pass this year.
Anthony Ng, an undocumented immigrant youth leader from Southern California, has been an active leader and advocate. He came to the U.S. with his parents from the Philippines. In 2011, he graduated from the University of California-Irvine, and now hopes to earn a joint degree in Law and a master’s in Urban Planning.
“It was in the 10th grade when I found out about my undocumented status. I didn’t know what it meant and what to feel at the moment,” Anthony said. “My parents worked long tireless hours to prove that they made the right choice for our family to move to the U.S. I never doubted their decision. I am proud