API Groups Join El Centro de la Raza to Urge Comprehensive Immigration Reform
January 24, 2006
A broad coalition of Asian Pacific Islander American groups joined El Centro de la Raza in urging Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray, and the local congressional delegation to support comprehensive immigration reform. In letters sent to them, the groups said that the current immigration policies and practices were broken and urged the congressional delegation to support the Secure America and Orderly Immigration of Act, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senators Ted Kennedy and John McCain (S 1033). An identical bill is being co-sponsored by Representatives Jim Kolbe, Jeff Flake, and Luis Gutierrez (HB 2330).
Among the groups that signed the letters was the Chong Wah Benevolent Association, the traditional Chinese umbrella organization. Rarely has Chong Wah weighed in on federal legislation. For a traditional group like Chong Wah to join liberal groups like El Centro in urging comprehensive immigration reform, said new OCA chapter president Victor King, is indicative of how badly our immigration system is and the broad support for immigration reform.
The key elements of the Secure America Act are its provisions to reduce the tremendous backlog of petitions to unify families (estimated between three to five million persons), provide a path to permanent residence and citizenship, create an orderly process for immigrant workers by creating an "essential workers program," and provide programs to become citizens and to learn English.
Congress is expected to take up legislation on "illegal immigration" and immigration in February. The House of Representatives, late last year, passed H.R. 4437, the "Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005." A number of API groups have denounced passage of that bill, which (1) criminalizes millions of immigrants, including lawful permanent residents, because the Act makes being present in the U.S. in violation of immigration laws a federal crime, including permanent residents who fail to report a change of address within 10 days; (2) criminalizes citizens and permanent residents who interact with undocumented workers; and (3) is not comprehensive because it does not address the immigration backlog nor the economy's need for immigrant labor.
Below is text of letter and 10 community groups in support of S 1033 & HB 2330;
January 10, 2006
(Separate letters addressed to;)
- Representative Jim McDermott
- Representative Jay Inslee
- Representative Dave Reichert
- Representative Adam Smith
Subject: Comprehensive Immigration Reform/ Security Act of 2005
We are writing you to strongly urge your support for the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act of 2005 because our immigration policies and practices are broken and in need of major reform. The backlog of those eligible to enter this country includes a huge number from Asian countries that have been waiting for over 10 years.! The estimates of persons here in this country without legal permission are as high as 11 million, including a half a million Chinese.
Meanwhile, anti-immigrant sentiment in this country is surging as the rights of immigrants erode.
The Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act of 2005 is a bipartisan bill co-sponsored by Senators Ted Kennedy and John McCain. An identical bill is being co-sponsored in the House by Representatives Jim Kolbe, Jeff Flake and Luis Gutierrez.
The Secure American Act will addresses several key immigration issues including a means to:
- Create a legal and orderly processes for immigrant workers by creating an essential workers program that requires the cooperation of Mexico and other countries; and
Clearly, the Security Act of 2005 is not an amnesty program nor does it guarantee citizenship. It is a realistic reform plan that recognizes economic realities and the contributions immigrants have made to our nation while continuing our legacy as the land of opportunity and fairness. Passage of the Act will also strengthen our national security and even the playing field for employers while providing full labor rights for all workers.
Passage of the Security Act of 2005 is long overdue. We cannot continue the status quo. We strongly urge you to take action to pass this badly needed legislation.
We would be delighted if we could meet with you to further detail our position and to answer any questions you might have on immigration and this! bill. We will call for an appointment soon or please contact Bettie Luke, 206-682-0665
Sincerely,
- Doug Chin, OCA-GS - Organization of Chinese Americans of Greater Seattle
- Diane Narasaki, APIC - Asian Pacific American Coalition
- George Cheung, ROAR - Raising Our API (Asian Pacific Islander) Representation
- Nadine Shiroma, East Side API - Asian Pacific Islanders
- Karen Yoshitomi, JACL - Japanese American Citizens League, Northwest Regional
- Joy Shigaki, JACL - Seattle Chapter
- Roberto Maestas, El Centro de la Raza
- Shari Song, KAVA - Korean American Voters Alliance
- Helen Kay, Chong Wah Benevolent Association
- Alaric Bien, CISC - Chinese Information and Service Center
OCA - GREATER SEATTLE CHAPTER