Comprehensive Immigration Reform
From Korean Resource Center
With an undocumented population of more than 10 million people, growing public awareness that the immigration system is broken and introduction of the bipartisan McCain-Kennedy bill (Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act of 2005), immigrant communities have an unprecedented opportunity to make a difference in the enactment of comprehensive immigration reform (CIR) legislation in the coming year.
We can lead the debate and ensure that any immigration reform bill that passes include:
- A path to legal permanent residency for hard-working immigrants who are now forced to live and work in the shadows;
- Reform that reunite families by reducing the immigration backlogs;
- A plan to manage the future flow of migrant workers that is designed to prevent abuse and exploitation, and that allows those who grow roots here to eventually apply for permanent residency;
- Features that strengthen and protect worker rights so that our immigration laws can no longer be used as a tool to reduce wages and working standards;
- Provisions to defend and protect immigrants civil liberties and civil rights; and
- Immigration relief for undocumented students who have grown up in this country and farmworkers whose work feed our nation.
[edit] Activities
[edit] Fundraising Mixer for Immigration Reform (2005)
On September 15, the Asian Pacific American Legal Center, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, Korean Immigrant Workers Advocates, Korean Resource Center, Little Tokyo Service Center, and the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium held a fundraising mixer for immigration reform. Held at Sul Ik Nen Ma Ul, a Korean Sit-down drinking bar, over 100 supporters, including representatives from Los Angeles organizations who worked incredibly hard on the campaign, came for a night of socializing and karaoke singing. In all, over $1,000 was raised. Special thanks to those who made this evening possible, including the owners of Sul Ik Nen Ma Ul.
