Japanese American Citizen’s League (JACL), Seattle Chapter

Seattle City Council Races
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wing Luke Asian Museum Community Room, Seattle

Join members of the API community at this forum to engage with candidates running for Seattle City Council this year.

API Candidate Forum Flyer

Hosting Info Flyer

flyer (PDF)

Federal Immigration Legislation Needs Your Support
Let your voice be heard-sign the petition today!

Since the late 1800’s, Asians have immigrated to the United States with hopes of building a better life. These early immigrants moved to this great nation to flee religious persecution, escape economic adversity, and for a chance for their families to be reunited and contribute to their new home. Today’s immigrants desire to come to the United States for the same reasons as our Asian ancestors. They come here equipped with a desire to be with their loved ones and a confidence in all the endless opportunities America has to offer.

But today’s immigrants who desire to come here are faced with a broken immigration system, a system in which there are currently 5.8 million individuals backlogged, nearly half of which are from Asian countries. The current system, characterized by failed policies and an outdated definition of family, has barred same-sex partners from reuniting as well as hindered immigrants who applied for visas in their prime from admission until retirement age, undermining the immigrant’s economic potential and contribution to this country.

On June 4, 2009, H.R. 2709: Reuniting Families Act, sponsored by Democratic Representative Mike Honda of the 15th District of California, was introduced and referred to the House Judiciary Committee. This important piece of legislation seeks to fix our nation’s broken immigration system. The Reuniting Families Act is greatly needed since our nation’s family-based immigration system has not been updated in the past 20 years, which has kept loved ones apart and waiting for as long as 22 years before the opportunity to reunite with family. This bill will assist in clearing the backlog of family members by incorporating practical and legal mechanisms that will ensure visas are allocated more efficiently, lengthy wait times that keep families separated for years are kept to a minimum, and eliminate the discriminatory practice of barring same-sex partners from reuniting with their families.

The JACL supports the preservation, unification, and strengthening of families and strongly supports the Reuniting Families Act. Please join the JACL and other Asian American organizations like the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC), Asian Pacific American Legal Center, Asian Law Caucus, and the Asian American Institute in informing members of Congress that our broken immigration system needs to be fixed now. The AAJC hopes to capture 1,000 signatures in support of the Reuniting Families Act to send to Congress by the end of summer. We urge you to sign the petition today and let your voice be heard.
Sign the petition here: http://www.advancingequality.org/FamilyPetition/.

We appreciate your support and the action you will take to help reform our broken immigration system.

More…

This year Seattle JACL will host its first New Year’s Eve Gala. Music and dancing will progress through the decades as the night goes on, giving a time for each member of our intergenerational family to shine. A quiet jazz lounge for conversation, door prizes, test your luck to win spectacular prizes, and special drinks will be available. Appetizers will be served throughout the evening and to make sure 2010 is a prosperous year, Ozoni will be served shortly after midnight.

Save December 31, 2009 on your calendars now. Details to follow.

Seattle JACL is looking for walkers to join our team to raise money for the Asian Counseling and Referral Services Food Bank on June 20 at Seward Park. Please contact Akemi Matsumoto at (206) 937-2013 for more information.