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The Importance of Family Immigration

May 16, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Editor’s Note: The below is a re-posting our Endorsed Candidate Rep. Mike Honda‘s piece in the May 17, 2013 edition of Roll Call. Our Chicago has made a statement on family reunification. Our AAA-Fund Endorsed Canadidate Sen. Hirono pushes her amendment for family reunification for financial aid for DREAMers. Our own Board Member Bel Leong-Hong why family reunification is so import to AAPIs. Our ongoing Blogathon is on this very topic. We encourage you to advance this important issue in any way you deem fit. Comment or contact us if we can help in any way.

For too long our immigration system has had an exclusionary effect, leaving families separated and causing unimaginable heartache. Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders know this too well. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, for the first time in our nation’s history, excluded a group of people based purely on ethnicity.

The Chinese immigrants strengthened our nation’s infrastructure, only to be persecuted when their labor was seen as competition and when the dirtiest work was done. Their families excluded from our shores, these immigrants had to choose whether to remain in their new country, never to see their relatives again — or return permanently to China. Today, because of our broken immigration system, AAPIs experience a similar predicament. AAPIs sponsor nearly half of all family-based immigrants, yet wait decades in an immigration backlog. The wait time for a U.S. citizen petitioning for a brother or sister from the Philippines exceeds 20 years.

I commend the Senate “gang of eight” for forging a bipartisan immigration reform bill. I am concerned, however, that eliminating the ability of U.S. citizens to sponsor their brothers, sisters and married adult children for legal permanent residence will be disproportionately detrimental to AAPI families. The Philippines, Vietnam, India, China, Pakistan, South Korea and Bangladesh rank among the top countries with the largest number of siblings and married children awaiting immigrant visas. Exclusionary immigration legislation erodes the values that make America great; principles of love and family unite our nation. Now is the time to learn from our mistakes. Comprehensive immigration reform can correct ills of the past and honor the founding values of our nation.

As comprehensive immigration reform moves through the legislative process, we must ensure that family reunification remains the cornerstone of our immigration system. That is why I proudly stand with, and commend, Sen. Mazie K. Hirono of Hawaii for her courageous amendments filed in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Hirono’s amendments strengthen the bill’s family immigration system by restoring the adult married child and sibling categories for families looking to reunite with their loved ones. They also recognize the value of siblings and adult married children to families and America as a whole — they join the military, become teachers and work in our health care sector, among many other things.

The family is the basic unit of our society. That is why today’s immigration dialogue should not pit family against employment. Strong immigrant families start businesses that create jobs and contribute to our nation’s social and economic fabric. They enhance opportunities to establish roots in their communities and prosper together.

AAPIs, whether they are high-skilled tech workers, small-business owners, students or health care professionals, make profound contributions to America’s economic prosperity. My colleagues in Congress must not underestimate the power and concerns of the AAPI community.

A broad consensus of business, academic and policy leaders warn that the U.S. is on the verge of science and technology workforce shortages. AAPIs are twice as likely to hold jobs in these fields as any other immigrant group, with as many as 1 in 5 workers employed in the engineering and technology sector. Additionally, more than 63 percent of foreign-born science, technology, engineering and math graduates are Asian and Pacific Islander. These aspiring citizens and drivers of our global economic competitiveness should not be separated from their families. The community’s growth rate, buying power and political power are explosive and irrefutable. This is a presence that must not be ignored.

On both sides of the aisle, my colleagues agree that family values are quintessential to the moral, social and economic fabric of our society — and that families knit this nation together. As Congress deliberates comprehensive immigration reform, we must stay true to a shared vision of preserving and strengthening our families, and therefore, our economic prosperity.

We know, unquestionably, the value each family member brings to the table. Immigration issues are not new to AAPIs. The AAPI community’s history is the story of immigration in our nation. We have a story to tell — a dog in the fight. No family should be left out of the immigration system, and only by forging truly comprehensive immigration reform can we forge a more perfect union.

– Mike Honda

Rep. Michael M. Honda is a Democrat who represents California’s 17th District.

Filed Under: APA Officeholders, Guest Blogger, Immigration

Sen. Hirono pushes tuition aid for DREAMers

May 16, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Editor’s note: a message from Senator Mazie Hirono, who will be honored at the AAA-Fund Gala in June. Hirono has voted for this amendment.

The Gang of Eight’s immigration reform bill is a great start. But it’s not perfect — and I intend to do something about it.

Last week, I introduced several amendments to the bill, but as an immigrant who came to this country as a young student, one of these amendments is particularly close to my heart: It would make DREAM Act students eligible for federal financial aid.

Right now, students who were brought to this country as children through no fault of their own (“DREAMers”) can’t get access to any federal aid. No work-study. No government-backed student loans. Nothing.

My amendment would fix this, and give these students the same options to pay for their education as every other studious young American.

We’re going to face stiff opposition from some of my Senate colleagues who want to make it harder for DREAM Act students to succeed.

Please click here to sign on as a citizen co-sponsor of my amendment, and give DREAM Act students access to the same federal assistance as every other student.

DREAM Act students have grown up in our schools, pledging allegiance to our flag everyday.

Now they want to earn college degrees here, to help them give back to their communities, start businesses, create jobs, and pay taxes. Federal aid will make higher education, before a distant hope, possible for so many of them.

To give these DREAMers access to a little bit more of the American Dream — a chance to pay for college education — I need your help.

Over the next few weeks, the Senate Judiciary Committee will discuss my amendment — along with 300 others. Help this one make it through.

Please click here to sign on as a citizen co-sponsor of my amendment to give DREAM Act students a better shot at college.

As someone who immigrated to Hawaii from Japan as a young child, I know firsthand the determination it takes to thrive in a new school, a new language, and a new country. I was able to succeed because of all the opportunities I had.

I want to ensure DREAMers have the same opportunities to succeed in the only country they call home as I did — and the same access to federal assistance as their American-born peers.

Please, help me make that happen.

Mahalo,

Mazie Hirono
U.S. Senator

Filed Under: APA Officeholders, Congress, Democratic Party, Immigration

In Mike We Trust

May 14, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Ed. note This Op-Ed by Kal Penn appeared in the May 10 edition of India Abroad

I first worked with Congressman Mike Honda when I was a White House aide to President Obama, working on issues related to young Americans and the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. In a sea of chaos that is Congress, it was always refreshing to see Mike go to bat for his constituents, and to join the President in standing up for young people and community members in a way that most members of Congress did not.

Having worked alongside Mike in both policy and politics, I am proud to endorse him for his re-election to Congress in 2014. Washington, DC, can be sort of a crazy place. To many of us, it’s unfathomable that there is opposition to commonsense issues like access to health care, comprehensive immigration reform, and education. And we often look to our leaders to see how they intend to engage on those issues we care about.

As the Congressman representing the innovative spirit and drive of Silicon Valley, as chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus for an unprecedented seven years, and now as chair emeritus; as a member of the powerful Appropriations Committee, it’s rare and refreshing that Mike really moves and lives by the conviction that every one of us deserve an opportunity and a voice.

As a young person, that kind of leadership was refreshing to see.

On health care, Mike and CAPAC worked with the Congressional Black and Hispanic caucuses to include critical provisions that tackled health disparities in the President’s final historic health- care reform legislation of 2009.

On immigration, over the previous three Congresses as chair, and now as chair of CAPAC’s Immigration Task Force, Mike has led the constant drumbeat to pass a comprehensive immigration reform that leaves no one behind. He believes in an immigration system that is inclusive, family- based and humane, and invests in America’s future.

On education, he worked to dispel the model minority myth, and to push for greater resources flowing to colleges and universities that serve underserved Asian American and Pacific Islander students.

Mike’s record speaks volumes to his character. He has continued to push for issues that are critical, regardless of whether there is existing political appetite for it amongst his peers in Congress; essentially, he has helped to create the tenable space for much of the action we have seen.

His advocacy for social justice and serving communities that do not have a voice is unparalleled. Mike grew up behind barbed wire in a Japanese-American internment camp, even as his father served in the United States Military Intelligence Service during World War II.

As a young boy, he learned that being Japanese carried a negative connotation in America. But he knows that the reason Japanese Americans were unjustly and illtreated was because no one in Washington said no.

Today, Mike continues to be an unwavering opponent of hate speech and bullying perpetrated against all communities, regardless of creed, race, gender, sexuality, disability, country of origin, and immigration status.

Mike has been a friend and mentor to many young leaders, artists, business folks, and innovators. I know that he will continue to deliver that which is just and best for his constituents and for this nation.

- Kal Penn

Filed Under: 2013+2014 Campaigns, Civil Rights/Liberties, Demographics, Education, Grassroots Activism, Healthcare, Immigration, Jobs/Employment Issues, Social Justice

Senate Judiciary Committee Adopts Hirono Amendment

May 10, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Editor’s Note: Read more about this amendment at “Hirono Offers Key Amendment Focusing on Families” and its update at “Asian American Groups Applaud Sen. Hirono for Work on Family Immigration“. Hirono has voted for this amendment. We at the AAA-Fund Blogteam consider immigration reform to be of critical importance to our audience. Note our blogathon is about this same topic.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 9, 2013

MEDIA CONTACT:
Nathan Click, (202) 224-9813

During First Day Of Immigration Reform Mark Up, Senate Judiciary Committee Adopts Hirono Amendment That Stops Families From Being Torn Apart At The Border

Committee Also Approves Hirono Amendment Strengthening Department Of Homeland Security Official Charged With Protecting Those Navigating The Immigration System

Hirono At Hearing: “Always remember – Immigrants are human beings with families”

WASHINGTON, DC – During the first day of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s markup of immigration reform legislation, the committee adopted two of Senator Mazie K. Hirono’s measures that would protect families and strengthen our immigration system.

“We are a nation of immigrants and we all have stories to tell,” Hirono said at the start of the mark up (video link). ”My story is of a very courageous mother who brought me and my two brothers to this country. I am an immigrant. She did this and raised three of us by herself because of her avowed belief that we could have better lives in this country called America. So as we go forward, always remember – immigrants are human beings with families.”

The committee adopted Hirono’s “Protect Family Values at the Border Act” that would stop families from being torn apart at the border by allowing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to consider keeping families together during removal.

Right now, many families are torn apart at the border since current law requires many adult men to be transferred to a border location hundreds of miles away from where they were intercepted. Meanwhile, their families are simply sent back across the border at the place they were intercepted with no money and no idea of where their husbands or fathers were taken. The situation leaves the women and children vulnerable to trafficking, sexual violence and other dangers.

The committee also approved another amendment offered by Hirono that would strengthen the Department of Homeland Security official charged with protecting the rights of those navigating the immigration system.

Hirono has been an outspoken advocate for family unity and immigrant success during the immigration debate and has offered a series of amendments that would strengthen the immigration reform bill in those regards. Earlier this year, she chaired a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the challenges women and families face in the immigration system.

You can watch Hirono’s opening statement at today’s meeting here: http://youtu.be/OL9LZ6iVnL8

Filed Under: Immigration Tagged With:

Dictionary: Immigration Reform

April 23, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Editor’s Note: Be sure to enter our blogathon about immigration reform. $300 in prizes await you.

Time for another dictionary, this time about immigration reform in light of AAA-Fund’s blogathon:

their soundbyte/political phrase what they mean
conservative GOP’s unspoken excuse for personal flaws especially racism and judgementalism
family values unless they’re from overseas
favor immigration reform as long as the money’s coming from the right lobbysts
prefer those from friendly nations they’d better not be Muslim
immigration is the lifeblood of the nation too much profit to be lost if we enforced current immigration policy
expedited traveller’s immigration programs (i.e. Global Entry) pay to play
enforce our borders hate Mexico & Muslim nations, others are ok

let those most qualified in if they make us money, great, else, doesn’t matter (i.e. families)
we can’t afford illegal immigrants’ cost on social services GOP never cared to fund social services to begin with
we need a consistent, clear policy GOP can institutionalize racism

Don’t be fooled.

Filed Under: Immigration, Richard Chen Tagged With: ,

AAAFGC: Statement on the importance of prioritizing family in comprehensive reform

April 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Editor’s Note: The below is from our Greater Chicago chapter. Be sure to read their recent work and victories in the April 9 elections. This post continues our recent immigration-related coverage prior to the immigration bill‘s release.

Asian American Action Fund of Greater Chicago logo

Statement on the importance of prioritizing family in comprehensive reform and call to action!

Dear Friends:

The Asian American Action Fund of Greater Chicago (AAAF-GC) joined the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), California Congressman Mike Honda, and local Asian American businesses and community leaders today for a press conference to keep Asian American families together as part of the comprehensive immigration reform package currently being negotiated in Washington.

Recent discussions reveal the legislation – expected to be announced this week – will cut funding for family visas, a longstanding pillar of American immigration policy. In fact, family sponsorship is the most common way Asian Americans immigrate to the U.S. According to ICIRR, nearly half of 4.3 million people currently waiting in the visa backlog are of Asian descent.

AAAF-GC strongly supports preserving family sponsorship as part of broader immigration reform. For decades, this mechanism has been a fair and effective way for keeping families together. Asian and Pacific Islanders (API’s) represent the fastest growing ethnic group in Illinois. API’s, like all people, are best positioned to positively contribute to our communities and the economy when our families are intact, so we must preserve family visas.

AAAF-GC commends Senator Richard J. Durbin for his leadership on the immigration issue, and thanks the chorus of Illinois House Members including Congressman Luis Gutierrez and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky who have come out in support of family visas. We reiterate that any immigration reform package must provide an avenue for family sponsorship in order to be effective.

You can take action by urging your elected officials to do the right thing and protect family visas by clicking here.

Asian American Action Fund of Greater Chicago on motorcoach bus

Thank you,

Jae Choi Kim
President
Asian American Action Fund of Greater Chicago

The Asian American Action Fund of Greater Chicago is a political action committee (PAC) dedicated to supporting progressive Asian Pacific Americans for elected office. Please contact us at info@aaafgc.com for further inquiries.
Filed Under: Illinois, Immigration, Organizations, The Editors

Fisher v. Texas: Exposing a Divided Community

April 9, 2013 By 2 Comments

Editor’s Note: Welcome K.J. Bagchi to our blogteam! K.J. Bagchi is currently a Legislative Counsel at the Council of the District of Columbia. He’s been active in the South Asian community during since his undergraduate years at UC Davis where was a writer for a campus-based South Asian focused publication, Awaaz, and during law school at the Seattle University School of Law where he was a board member of the South Asian Law Student Association. He looks forward to writing about issues that effect our community with an emphasis on younger generations in the APA community.

Students UCLA, Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images.

On October 10, 2012, the United States Supreme Court heard arguments in Fisher v. Texas, a case that could be critical to determining what role race will play in the admissions policies of public universities. The case came before the Court after two white college applicants were denied admission to the University of Texas at Austin. The women contend that their race played a factor in the denial because of UT’s admissions policy of considering race as one of many factors in determining who is admitted.

Many national groups whose focus includes representing the best interests of certain racial minority groups or racial minority groups in general submitted amicus briefs in support of UT’s affirmative action policy. These groups included the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, National Organization for Mexican American Rights, Inc., Asian American Center for Advancing Justice, and Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF). However, among the organizations that submitted briefs arguing for an end to UT’s affirmative action admissions policies, only one organization was founded specifically to protect and promote the civil rights of an ethnic minority group. That organization was the Asian American Legal Foundation (AALF).

Reading through the briefs on both sides of the case from the organizations representing the interests of the Asian Pacific American community, the distinct illustrations each side draws about the effects of abolishing affirmative action in admissions policies is unambiguously clear. Interestingly enough, the brunt of the arguments from each side do not focus on the effects of affirmative action on society in general, but specifically on the APA community itself. While AALF argues that affirmative action policies disadvantage APA applicants in the long-run and points to data to cement their point, AALDEF retorts AALF‘s claims directly by stating that UT’s individualized review allows for the consideration of many other indicators of a disadvantaged background that benefit subgroups that are frequently hidden by the aggregation of data into a single “Asian” category. AALDEF also cites supportive statistics.

Some have argued that diversity of thought within any group indicates growth. The fact that arguments on racial policies will no longer circulate only around considering the effects on white versus non-white populations shows that the APA community is beginning to change how policy effects on a populous will be analyzed. In due time, nine justices on the high court will determine which APA organization’s arguments contain more persuasive substance, ultimately effecting APA public university applicants all around the country.

— K.J. Bagchi

Filed Under: Education, Immigration, K.J. Bagchi, Texas

AAA-Fund Endorses Mike Honda for Congress

April 9, 2013 By Leave a Comment
AAAF logo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Gautam Dutta, Esq. (415) 236-2048; Dutta@BusinessandElectionLaw.com

WASHINGTON, DC, April 9, 2013—Asian American Action Fund (AAA-Fund) endorsed the re-election campaign of California Congressmember Mike Honda.

Mike Honda currently represents California’s 17th Congressional District (North San Jose, Fremont, Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Milpitas, and Newark), and has served in Congress since 2001. In addition to sitting on the House Committee on Appropriations, Congressman Honda spearheaded the Wireless Task Force and co-chairs the Democratic Caucus New Media Working Group.

Gautam Dutta, AAA-Fund’s Executive Director, praised Congressmember Honda’s strong record of leadership:  “We’re thrilled to endorse Congressman Honda.  For the past 12 years, Congressman Honda has united the entire Asian American community, and given a powerful voice to Asian Americans, Silicon Valley, and the community-at-large.”

Former Sunnyvale Mayor and AAA-Fund Board member Otto Lee added:  “Throughout his career, Congressman Honda has selflessly mentored many of our community’s rising leaders, including newly elected Congressmember Ami Bera, the third South Asian to serve in Congress.”

Congressman Honda’s commitment to public service is unwavering.  He joined the Peace Corps when he was 24 years old and, thereafter, was an educator in the public school system for about 30 years.  His lifelong dedication to social justice, fighting racism and expanding equal opportunity for all stems from his experiences in internment camp as a Japanese American during his early childhood.

“Today, as Congress debates immigration reform, Congressman Honda leads his colleagues on the issue of reuniting families – one of the greatest concerns for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders,” Dutta added.

Congressman Honda shares his leadership on issues affecting today’s latest technologies with his longstanding leadership of the Asian American community on immigration, civil rights, and education. He now serves as Chair Emeritus of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC).

AAA-Fund is a Democratic political action committee whose goal is to increase the voice of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) on every level of local, state and federal government in America. To achieve this goal, we address the chronic under-representation of AAPIs as campaign volunteers, campaign contributors, and candidates for political office. AAA-Fund has endorsed candidates across the country.

###

Filed Under: California, Civil Rights/Liberties, Congress, Democratic Party, Grassroots Activism, Immigration, Media, Social Justice, The Editors

AAA Fund NYC hosting APA immigration townhall tomorrow

March 27, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Editor’s Note: I strongly encourage all to attend this tomorrow but if you cannot attend in person, watch the ustream which archives the event. You may have noticed our growing & steady attention to this all-important topic.

Editor’s Update: There’s another one Monday, May 21 per apamayoralforum2013.eventbrite.com.

The forum is expected to draw interest from many in the community. Simultaneous translation via headsets will be available for speakers of Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Urdu, Bengali and Nepali.

The APA Community Town Hall forum comes at a critical juncture where 2013 represents our best chance in decades to win “real” immigration reform. Our APA Table of New Yorkers for Real Immigration Reform brings together over 20 Asian-led and serving organizations, working with the larger statewide campaign of over 150 labor, faith, grassroots and immigrant organizations unified to pass a progressive and comprehensive immigration reform bill this year.

WHEN: 7:00PM, Thursday, March 28, 2013
6:30PM (Pre-Event Reception)

WHERE: LaGuardia Community College
Little Theater
31-10 Thomson Ave.
Long Island City, NY 11101

WHO: Speakers from the APA Table of the “New Yorkers for Real Immigration Reform” Campaign, community members, and advocates (see below for complete list).

Adhikaar, Alliance of South Asian American Labor, Asian American Action Fund, Asian American Arts Alliance, Asian American/Asian Research Institute, Asian American Bar Association of New York, Asian Americans for Equality, Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance of AFL-CIO, APICHA Community Health Center, Chinese-American Planning Council, Chinese Progressive Association, Coalition for Asian American Children and Families, Damayan Migrants Workers Association, Desis Rising Up and Moving, Gay Asian & Pacific Islander Men of NY, Hamilton-Madison House, Kalusugan Coalition, Korean American Association of Greater New York, Korean American Family Service Center, Korean American Association of Queens, Korean Americans for Political Advancement, Korean American Business Council of New York, Korean Community Services of Metropolitan NY, MinKwon Center for Community Action, OCA-New York, Pilipino American Unity for Progress, Q-WAVE, Queens Community House, Richmond Hills EDC, South Asian Lesbian and Gay Association of New York City, South Asian Council for Social Services, South Asian Americans Leading Together, South Asian Youth Action, The Philippine Nurses Association of New York, United Chinese Association of Brooklyn, Wonkwang Community Service Center, 1199SEIU (list in formation as of March 25, 2013)

Filed Under: AAA Fund, Caroline, Immigration, New York

It’s All Up To What You Value

March 26, 2013 By Leave a Comment

One week later and I’m still trying to wrap my head around the intense burst of awesomeness from Asian American Justice Center President and former Asian American Action Fund endorsee Mee Moua when she schooled Senator Sessions. Haven’t seen it? Take a look:

SESSIONS: Ms. Moua, maybe you can comment. Do you think that a nation that decides that they can admit an individual somehow has no right to say that that person’s brother would have to qualify independently, rather than being given a guaranteed entry in the country? Do you think a country can legitimately make that decision?

MOUA: Senator Sessions, coming from the Asian American community when in the 1880s we were the first people to be excluded explicitly by the United States immigration policy I’m well aware that this country has never hesitated in the way that it chooses to exercise its authority to permit people to either enter or depart its borders. And we know that the Asian American community in particular didn’t get to enjoy the benefit of immigration to this country until the 1960s when those restrictive policies were lifted. So I know very well and very aware that…

SESSIONS: Well let me just say, it seems to me. It’s perfectly logical to think there are two individuals, let’s say in a good friendly country like Honduras. One is a valedictorian of his class, has two years of college, learned English and very much has a vision to come to the United States and the other one has dropped out of high school, has minimum skills. Both are 20 years of age and that latter person has a brother here. What would be in the interest of the United States? …

MOUA: Senator I think that under your scenario people can conclude about which is in the best interest of the United States. I think the more realistic scenario is that in the second situation that individual will be female, would not have been permitted to get an education and if we would create a system where there would be some kind of preference given to say education, or some other kind of metrics, I think that it would truly disadvantage specifically women and their opportunity to come into this country

SESSIONS: Well that certainly is a problem around the world, and I would think that the primary problem with education and the fact that women have been discriminated against should be focused on the countries that are doing that primarily .

As you can see, Sessions essentially asked a rhetorical question of Moua without care for her answer. My guess is Sessions asked his rhetorical question so he could answer it. What astounds me — and where the awesomeness comes in — is Sessions was almost certainly asking another rhetorical question and yet Moua’s response was so profound that Sessions actually listened and responded to Moua instead of responding to his rhetorical question with more of his talking points. Sessions didn’t alter his position, but he did essentially say “you’re right” to Moua.

Notice Sessions didn’t slow down when Moua was schooling Sessions on Asian Americans. No, it was once she started schooling Sessions on women that he finally snapped out of his rhetoric and — if ever so briefly — into reality. Perhaps the Republican attempts to no longer appear to be “angry white men” party is making slightly more progress on the gender front? With our immigration system facing such incredible gender imbalances, such schooling is needed even for far more well-meaning politicians! Pramila Jayapal over at ColorLines has some great ideas on fixing those imbalances.

While Sessions isn’t Ted Cruz-level crazy, he’s not exactly the firebrand of positive policy. Sessions has blocked a child sex trafficking bill, suggested helping feed the hungry is immoral, and apparently delights in the suffering of illegal immigrant families. Yet somehow in 2003 Jeff Sessions received a 100% rating from the Christian Coalition for his stances on issues relation to families and children. Clearly Sessions values families. Unfortunately, it appears he and his ilk only value certain kinds of families.

What families do you value? I agree with more of Mee Moua’s wise words

Children will always be our children whether they’re over the age of 21 or not. For us to start thinking about which members of our family we’re going to trade away is a dramatic and drastic departure from the core values of what has been driving this country since the founding days.

Senators Boxer, Brown, Franken, Harkin, Hirono, Schatz, and Warren seem to agree too, having urged prioritization of family reunification and a clearing of family visa backlogs. I would go a step further urging a clearing of all backlogs; there’s up to a more than ten year backlog for employment-based immigrant visas too. While that pales in comparison to the backlog for immigrant visas for siblings from the Phillippinnes, a category with a backlog so embarrassing there are still priority dates from the 1980s which have yet to become current.

There’s more you can do than merely marvel at Mee Moua’s awesomeness. Add your name to the to the 18 Million Rising petition to tell Congress you stand for fair and just comprehensive immigration reform and they should too!

- Justin Gillenwater

Filed Under: Congress, Gender, Immigration, Justin Gillenwater, Republican Party, Social Justice
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