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.

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

You Are Cordially Invited to Attend a Breakfast Honoring
Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa
Candidate for Senate Armed Services & Natural Resources Committees

With Special Guest
Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer

Friday, June 14, 2013
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM

Hotel George
15 E Street, NW
Washington, DC

Contribution Levels:
$5000 PAC ~ Individual Host
$2500 PAC ~ Individual Sponsor
(This is a small event, RSVP are necessary thank you)

Please RSVP: Pattie or Ryan
703-354-7444 or 202-544-0020
Pattie@CHPF.net or Ryan@CHPF.net

Hanabusa for Hawaii
P.O. Box 636
Annandale, VA 22003

Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa
Friday, June 14, 2013
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM

Name___________________________

Street Address_________________
City/State/Zip_________________
Email _________________________
Phone (W)______________________

(H) ____________________
Occupation_____________________
Name of Employer_______________
Credit Card #__________________

Exp Date_______
Signature _____________________

Amount__________________
Type of Card:

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Please make checks payable to:

Hanabusa for Hawaii

P.O. Box 636

Annandale, VA 22003
Contact: Pattie at (703) 354-7444 or Pattie@chpf.net

Fax responses to:  (703) 354-5569
Corporate contributions cannot be accepted.  Federal law requires Hanabusa for Congress to use our best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation, and name of employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 in an election cycle.  Contributions are not tax deductible.
Paid for and authorized by Hanabusa for Hawaii
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		http://www.aaa-fund.com/2013/05/15/aaa-fund-proudly-endorses-representative-colleen-hanabusa-for-senate-asian-pacific-american-pac-touts-unprecedented-opportunity-to-elect-second-asian-american-female-senator-in-american-history/
		http://www.aaa-fund.com/2013/05/15/aaa-fund-proudly-endorses-representative-colleen-hanabusa-for-senate-asian-pacific-american-pac-touts-unprecedented-opportunity-to-elect-second-asian-american-female-senator-in-american-history/#comments
		Wed, 15 May 2013 14:33:20 +0000
		Richard Chen
				
		
		

		http://www.aaa-fund.com/?p=12933
		
				
Asian Pacific American PAC Touts Unprecedented Opportunity to Elect Second Asian American Female Senator in American History



IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Gautam Dutta (202) 236-2048 or Irene Lin (410) 241-7264
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Asian American Action Fund today announced its strong endorsement of Representative Colleen Hanabusa for Senate as the best choice to lead Hawaii and follow in the footsteps of the legendary late Senator Daniel Inouye.
AAA-Fund Executive Director Gautam Dutta said, “2012 was a banner year for Asian American candidates and AAA-Fund believes we can make even more history by electing the second Asian American female to the U.S. Senate.”
Dutta added, “We believe Rep. Hanabusa’s distinguished and progressive record in the state Senate and in the U.S. House make her an outstanding candidate to succeed our dearly beloved Senator Inouye.”
“I am truly honored to once again have AAA-Fund’s support in my campaign for the U.S. Senate. Their support made a key difference in my victory in 2010.” said Rep. Hanabusa. “I look forward to continuing to work with them on issues of critical importance to our AAPI communities, including passing immigration reform, recognizing Native Hawaiian sovereignty and fulfilling our obligations to our Filipino veterans.”
AAA-Fund is a Democratic PAC with local chapters across the country devoted to strengthening the participation of Asian Pacific Americans in the political process.
In 2010, the AAA-Fund lent its support to Hanabusa in the contested House special election for the 1st Congressional District.
Rep. Hanabusa was the first Asian Pacific American female to preside over a legislative body in the United States and the first woman to preside over either chamber of the Hawaii State Legislature.
###
The AAA-Fund is a Democratic political action committee whose goal is to increase the voice of Asian Pacific Americans (APA) on every level of local, state and federal government in America. To achieve this goal, we address the chronic under-representation of APAs as campaign volunteers, campaign contributors, and candidates for political office. The AAA-Fund has endorsed candidates across the country. For more information, go to AAA-fund.org and read our award-winning blog at AAA-fund.com.
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			http://www.aaa-fund.com/2013/05/15/aaa-fund-proudly-endorses-representative-colleen-hanabusa-for-senate-asian-pacific-american-pac-touts-unprecedented-opportunity-to-elect-second-asian-american-female-senator-in-american-history/feed/
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		http://www.aaa-fund.com/2013/05/14/in-mike-we-trust/
		http://www.aaa-fund.com/2013/05/14/in-mike-we-trust/#comments
		Tue, 14 May 2013 19:53:27 +0000
		Justin
				
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		

		http://www.aaa-fund.com/?p=12926
		
				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
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		http://www.aaa-fund.com/2013/05/13/why-family-reunification-is-so-important-to-the-asian-american-community/
		http://www.aaa-fund.com/2013/05/13/why-family-reunification-is-so-important-to-the-asian-american-community/#comments
		Mon, 13 May 2013 16:00:01 +0000
		Richard Chen
				

		http://www.aaa-fund.com/?p=12922
		
				The below is from our own board member Bel Leong-Hong. 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 as well as many past posts including yesterday’s “Senate Judiciary Committee Adopts Hirono Amendment“.

Why Family Reunification is so Important to the Asian-American Community
As we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander History Month, we celebrate our differences as much as the very rich history that binds us together.  The AAPI community has made enormous contributions to the United States. The diverse strands that make up our community helped to build and shape the U.S. through work on the railroads, farms, and cities — from the early days to the present.  Today, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are woven tightly into the fabric of this country, and have excelled in every walk of life. It is important to recognize how far AAPI’s have come, how far the United States has come, and how far we still have to journey together towards our goals. 
As an AAPI, I offer that the history of the AAPI’s in America has not always been an easy one; we suffered bigotry, injustice, and discrimination as early as the mid-19th century, with violence and injustice applied through a series of highly discriminatory and prejudicial laws such as the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, the Gentleman’s Agreement of 1907, the Asiatic Barred Zone Act of 1917, the National Origins Act of 1924, and Executive Order 9066 of 1942.  These laws denied AAPIs citizenship, stopped AAPI immigration, and separated families. Executive Order 9066 created the internment camps for Japanese Americans during World War II.  But it wasn’t until the enactment of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 — in the wake of massive Civil Rights changes in this country — that we began to affect changes through the political process that had before worked against us. With this act, barriers to AAPI immigration were reduced and families began to be reunited. We began our struggle for rights as Americans, not our right to be Americans. AAPI political activism, though a relatively late entry in the U.S. political landscape, is nonetheless very strong, and continually growing. 
Our hopes and aspirations are the same as those of all Americans. We care greatly about our families. Because of historical inequities, AAPI families were separated, and when the egregious laws were repealed, we were faced with a huge backlog in getting our families reunited. That is why, at a time when Immigration reform is being considered, it is critical that Family Reunification be part of this comprehensive Immigration Reform. Comprehensive Immigration Reform cannot be addressed piecemeal, and it cannot be looked at only from the business and economic perspective.  It must address all aspects of Immigration, including Family Reunification. We can do it! Together we can do anything!
I ask for your continued support of one another. We must move forward. We must make sure that old battles stay won, and fight new battles all the harder.
– Bel Leong-Hong
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		http://www.aaa-fund.com/2013/05/10/senate-judiciary-committee-adopts-hirono-amendment/
		http://www.aaa-fund.com/2013/05/10/senate-judiciary-committee-adopts-hirono-amendment/#comments
		Fri, 10 May 2013 04:16:32 +0000
		Richard Chen
				
		

		http://www.aaa-fund.com/?p=12905
		
				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
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		http://www.aaa-fund.com/2013/05/09/question-of-the-week-44/
		http://www.aaa-fund.com/2013/05/09/question-of-the-week-44/#comments
		Fri, 10 May 2013 03:29:57 +0000
		gautam
				
		
		
		
		
		
		

		http://www.aaa-fund.com/?p=12904
		
				Should you have to be a US citizen to be able to vote?

NYC is now considering allowing any resident to vote if he or she”s been living in the US legally for over 6 months.
What do you think?   My view:  because they have established ties to the community, it makes sense to allow committed, long-term immigrants (i.e., greencard holders) to vote in local elections, but we should be careful about going further than that.
– Gautam Dutta
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		http://www.aaa-fund.com/2013/05/09/harold-koh-calls-on-white-house-to-appoint-gitmo-envoy/
		http://www.aaa-fund.com/2013/05/09/harold-koh-calls-on-white-house-to-appoint-gitmo-envoy/#comments
		Thu, 09 May 2013 06:54:57 +0000
		Caroline
				
		
		

		http://www.aaa-fund.com/?p=12897
		
				This is pretty huge, coming from the State Department’s former Legal Adviser, and the former Dean of Yale Law. Koh’s brother, Dr. Howard Koh, remains on at HHS as Assistant Secretary. From Politico:

“First, and foremost, he must appoint a senior White House official with the clout and commitment to actually make Guantanamo closure happen. There has not been such a person at the White House since Greg Craig left as White House Counsel in early 2010. There must be someone close to the president, with a broad enough mandate and directly answerable to him, who wakes up each morning thinking about how to shrink the Guantanamo population and close the camp,” Koh said Tuesday at Oxford, England in remarks reported on the Lawfare blog.
Koh also called for a civilian courts and judges to Gitmo, and endorsed drone authority, while acknowledging that administrative secrecy is undermining their efforts:

“To be candid, this administration has not done enough to be transparent about legal standards and the decisionmaking process that it has been applying. It had not been sufficiently transparent to the media, to Congress, and to our allies. Because the administration has been so opaque, a left-right coalition running from Code Pink to Rand Paul has now spoken out against the drone program, fostering a growing perception that the program is not lawful and necessary, but illegal, unnecessary and out of control,” Koh declared. “The administration must take responsibility for this failure, because its persistent and counterproductive lack of transparency has led to the release of necessary pieces of its public legal defense too little and too late.”
–Caroline
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