Asian Americans, legislators call for immigration policy reform

Immigrants share stories of being undocumented, separation, detention and abuse

 

 

 

by the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans

 

WASHINGTON—Hours before the “Citizenship for 11 Million” rally on April 10th, Asian Americans gathered together to call for changes to our country’s broken immigration system. Asian American immigrants shared stories and experiences and urged lawmakers to put forth policy solutions that will improve the lives of all Americans.

 

The National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), a  coalition  of  30  national  Asian Pacific American organizations, organized the media briefing, which also featured members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, including Reps. Judy Chu, Mike Honda and Sen. Mazie K. Hirono.

 

“I am one of the over 1 million Asian Americans who is undocumented in this country,” said Kevin HyunKyu Lee, a 22-year-old undocumented immigrant (DREAMer) and immigrant rights organizer at the Korean Resource Center in Los Angeles. “I want legislators to know that DREAMERs like me want a chance to go to school, work, and give back to America, which is the only home we know.”

 

Filipino American Ian Cainglet, a teacher who came here under the H-1B visa program, detailed abuse he endured as a temporary worker. He and 350 other Filipino teachers had to pay more than $5 million to a fraudulent recruiter, who threatened to send them home. Last month, a federal judge gave Cainglet and other teachers a $4.5 million judgment in a class-action lawsuit filed by the American Federation of Teachers and the Southern Poverty Law Center.

 

Cainglet, who now lives in New Mexico, called for improved worker protections for all workers. “I wish for every worker in this country that same basic path to dignity and self respect,” he said.

 

The briefing also highlighted stories of family separation and detention.

 

Bithi Roy,  a US citizen living in New York City,  said she had waiting  several years  for  her siblings in Bangladesh to join her in the U.S. In fact, 4.3 million people are  stuck  in  the worldwide family backlog as of November 2012, and nearly half are relatives of Asian Americans.

 

“There are so many families who are experiencing extraordinarily long waiting times to bring

their families into this country,” she said. “Immigrants like myself have a  better  chance  of success and giving back to the economy by developing their careers if they have family support networks in this country.”

 

Lundy Khoy, 32, a legal resident making her home in Washington, D.C., shared her concern about the possibility of being deported to Cambodia because of a drug possession conviction from her time in college. “America is my home and my country,” Khoy said. “We need immigration policies that put an end to such arbitrary detention and deportation measures. We all deserve to not live in fear.”

 

NCAPA has set forth a set of principles to guide immigration policy reform on issues ranging from enforcement to family reunification to worker rights to legalization.

 

“As these stories illustrate, Asian  Americans  are  looking  forward  to  inclusive  and  fair immigration policies that will address many of the challenges that immigrants currently face. On this historic occasion, we stand together to raise our voices in support of immigration policy reform,” said Deepa Iyer,  chair of  NCAPA and executive director  of  South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT).

 

The National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), founded in 1996, is a coalition of thirty national Asian Pacific American organizations. Based in Washington D.C, NCAPA serves to represent the interests of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA & NHPI) community and to provide a national voice on policy issues and priorities.

 

 

 

Contact: Rachanee Srisavasdi,

(949) 892-0305;

rsrisavasdi@veng-group.com


Click HERE to watch the CSPAN coverage of the "National Rally for Citizenship" on the West Lawn of the Capitol. Various community leaders lobbied members of Congress for Immigration Reform.

 

 

State of Undocumented Immigrant Rights and Resources in NYC

 

UniPro, Philippine Consulate of NY, NYC Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs : One NYC One Nation, FALDEF, & NaFFAA are co-sponsoring an event to raise community awareness of the rights and resources for undocumented immigrant resources on Thursday, April 18th at 6pm in the Kalayaan Hall Annex, Philippine Consulate NYC.

 

 Goals of the Event:

  - To educate our public in a manner that is understandable, consistent and relatable

 - To create joint program(s) initiative(s) for 2013 which will, by having these organizations together, create efficiencies in delivering services to the community; in particular Know Your Rights/DACA/Immigration.

The Philippine Consulate wishes to enhance cooperation with the community on immigration reform and on assisting deserving Filipinos who need the correct information on specific legislation and pro bono legal services.

 

 Speakers and Panelist:

 Opening Speaker: Consulate General Mario De Leon Jr.

 

 Esteemed Panelist:

 o Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Special Assistant to Commissioner Fatima Shama Maria Lee
 

 o Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Program Sarah Flatto

 o FALDEF Director Attorney Patricia Astorga

 o NaFFAA Region 1 Executive Director Steven Raga

 

The panel will be moderated by UniPro's Director of Public Policy and Foreign Relations Program, Ivan Gonzales

 Closing Remarks: FALDEF President Attorney J.T. Mallonga


For more information, please visit the Facebook Event Page

 "Tayo Ay May Mga Karapatan | We Have Rights" , a documentary film by Diane Paragas about FALDEF's cases : deportation and immigration.

A Message from Chairman Robert C. Rivas

A Message from Chairman Robert Rivas by Jenjen Furer

 

 

When we all came to the United States, we all came for one purpose, and one purpose only—to achieve the betterment of our lives and those of our families and children. We have all struggled these many years to achieve some semblance of comfort, satisfaction and success in our chosen field of work. We have educated our own children, educated the children of others, progressed through several levels of material success, acquired property, traveled abroad, saved our earnings and invested them wisely, preserved our health and provided for our retirement.

 

Having provided adequately for the security and welfare of our families, we now ought to make the choice to give ample time and energy to devote towards salvaging  and improving the quality of our brethren’s lives here in the United States, as well as those who have recently left the land of our birth. It is those lives that have been rendered hopeless and precarious by the cruel circumstances which have befallen them at the hands of some unscrupulous and greedy human traffickers who prey upon them. Others have been subjected to unspeakable bias and inhumane treatment at the hands of heartless and avaricious employers, middle men and promoters. Yet others have been victimized by brutal and unfeeling spouses and lovers. Their struggles are our struggles. Their shame is our shame. The fulfillment of their dreams must be our dreams as well. We must accept ownership and responsibility that their salvation is in each of our own hands. We must remain steadfast on their behalf, and neither tire nor falter in our quest for human rights and decency for them. This is the birthright of free men all over the world!

 

The pages of this website highlight our initial successes and the tremendous work and opportunities for everyone to contribute towards. Any and all help that you are able to provide is greatly appreciated by us. It is by the giving that we experience the full measure of what we genuinely have and all that we have accomplished in our lives. Those with skills in fundraising, social work and community organizing, to name a few, are being offered this golden gift to draw near and lend their assistance. Lawyers, law students and law graduates are warmly welcomed to actively participate in helping to keep the FALDEF banner waving firm and strong in fulfilling its mission and vision. To the generous and caring hearts who hear this call for selfless service to others who have yet and are unable to have their dreams materialize, may you find yourselves among our ranks.

 

In this season of renewal, let us here highly resolve that the struggle continues and that, with your contribution, their dreams—our dreams—will never ever die!

 

 

 

Tayo Ay May Mga Karapatan | We Have Rights - a film by Diane Paragas

"A Night Of Hope": A Celebration and Acknowledgment of FALDEF's Commitment to Service, Legal Defense and Community Outreach

Of all the forces that make a better world, none is as powerful as hope. At the Filipino American Legal Defense & Education Fund's (FALDEF) first dinner reception on March 1, 2013, this indeed was the driving force. It was hope that empowered young volunteers, seasoned community leaders, professionals, journalists, legal eagles, government officials, friends and families to band together for an event in order to acknowledge, celebrate and strengthen the commitment to the Filipino American community.

 "A Night of Hope" was sponsored by National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), US Pinoys for Good Governance (USP4GG), and was coordinated with the Philippine Consulate General of New York.

Guests from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts took time on a Friday night to join the celebration held at the official residence of Philippine Consul General Mario de Leon, Jr.  It began with guests from various organizations mingling, networking and exchanging ideas on ways to deliver valuable services to the Filipino American community.

FALDEF's Chairman, and one of the original founders of the organization, Robert C. Rivas, was the master of ceremonies.

It was a delightful surprise when special guest, New York City Councilman Vincent Gentile recognized FALDEF's advocacy efforts and hard work by presenting them with a City Council Citation. Although already previously engaged for the evening, he took extra effort to make sure he gave recognition to the young organization. The citation stated that “a great city is only as great as those persons or groups who give exemplary service to their communities whether through participation in voluntary programs, through unique personal achievement in their professional or other endeavors or simply through a lifetime of good citizenry.  Whereas, such service, which is truly the lifeblood of  the community and the city, so often goes unrecognized and unrewarded.”

In his speech, Councilman Vincent Gentile said: "Congratulations to FALDEF in everything that you have done in a short time. In that time, you have done the great advocacy for all migrants, not just the Filipino Americans, but all those that come to you. You've done outreach in the areas of education programs, voter protection and human trafficking -- trying to stop it at its source: from Manila to America. That is great, great work and something I want to honor you tonight and say thank you for your efforts."

Providing equal access to justice is one of FALDEF's original missions.  And in keeping with that value, renowned trial lawyer Sanford Rubenstein emphasized in his speech that "trial lawyers represent the interests of the victims and that all immigrants have an absolute right like any other citizen in the country, to be heard in the court of law - whether they're an immigrant or undocumented. If we, trial lawyers, don't represent the victims who have been wronged, then we shouldn't be doing what we're doing.”

Atty. Victor Bolden, New Haven, Connecticut's Corporate Counsel and former NAACP LDF General Counsel, was the Keynote Speaker. In an inspirational and powerful speech, he used the numbers 150, 50, and 5 in a brilliant and compelling way to illustrate how our efforts today fit within the context of our America’s larger history of practicing its idealism and belief in the freedom of the average man.

Victor Bolden said, "150 years ago last month, Abraham Lincoln signed the emancipation proclamation. That one document set in motion changes for that particular time. The concept of freedom: that all people should be free.  Equal protection and freedom in itself is not enough, you need equality, too... but equality does not come without the power of voting.  It's not about one race or group but about everyone to do their part to make change.

"50 years ago: 1963, there was a great march in Washington. We were not one nation, but divided by color.  But they came together in order to move America forward again. The march galvanized the Civil Rights of 1964, the Voting Rights, and the Fair Housing Act.

 "5 years ago, FALDEF was launched.  A group of Filipino nurses taking a stand sparked the recognition that there needs to be an organization that addressed their issues."

"Five, fifty, one hundred fifty. The common theme is the incredible commitment to the rule of law. An idea - the power behind the idea that transforms lives."

Merit Salud, NaFFAA Region-1 Chair and FALDEF's Vice President for External Affairs, concluded the night by emphasizing that FALDEF is lucky to have the support of PCGNY and the community leaders. Having just returned from a trip to Manila he said:  

"Without the community leaders, FALDEF is just another NGO.  FALDEF gave birth to Philippine Legal Defense and Education Center (PHILDEC) in the Philippines. Like its precursor in America , PHILDEC stands for the supremacy of the rule of law and the aristocracy of human dignity. As an NGO initially designed to combat human trafficking from the Philippines to the United Sates of America, it stands on these two underpinning rationales".

"Rule of law without justice is a farce. Justice not only for Filipino Americans, but for every person.”

FALDEF's exemplary service to the Filipino American community was highlighted with the premiere of  a powerful documentary: "Tayo Ay May Karapatan: We Have Rights". A film directed and produced by award winning director, Diane Paragas. In 2012, she came across FALDEF while doing research for her feature film, "The Yellow Rose". Inspired by the FALDEF’s accomplishments, she generously volunteered her time and talent in producing this moving documentary thereby humanizing and portraying the very real suffering of those imprisoned by the current immigration system and the faces and names of those who have successfully triumphed in this fight.

Miguel Gulfin, a client of FALDEF, was detained for almost 7 months and was eventually released because of FALDEF's efforts led by attorney JT Mallonga.

In the film, Gulfin described his first encounter with Mallonga at the detention center:

“I see a man in a suit, and see that he's a lawyer. The first thought that went through my head was - Oh thank God we have a lawyer, someone's gonna fight for us! The impression that I got from what I saw was, wow - this guy looks like he means business. This guy looks like he's not gonna go down without a fight.  It looks like he's gonna go down swinging."

Gulfin is one of many Filipino Americans whose lives are affected by the country's broken immigration system.  He added:

"To anyone out there in my situation, who feel scared, with no one to turn to -- remember, there's FALDEF. These are people who would love to help."

As the evening ended with group photos, they fittingly depict a remarkable fact.  The Filipino Americans stand supported by other communities with their voices loudly joined in the collective call and action in the on-going journey to justice.

To learn more, join and support FALDEF, please visit the website at www.faldef.org.

Photo credit: Ramon Tinana and Shawn Ashkan Shariati

NYC Council Commends FALDEF for "Great Work": The FilAm magazine

FALDEF founder JT Mallonga (right) receives plaque of citation from Councilman Vincent Gentile. With them is Consul General Mario de Leon Jr.

As published in The FilAm magazine:
New York City Councilman Vincent Gentile lauded FALDEF’s immigration advocacy by presenting the organization with a City Council Citation at a March 1 fundraising reception held at the Consul General’s Upper East Side residence.

“You have done the great advocacy for all migrants, not just the Filipino Americans, but all those that come to you,” said Gentile. “You’ve done outreach in the areas of education programs, voter protection and human trafficking. That is great, great work and something I want to honor you tonight and say thank you for your efforts.”

The Filipino American Legal Defense & Education Fund’s reception drew an intimate crowd of young volunteers, community leaders, journalists, lawyers and government officials who gathered to “celebrate and strengthen” the commitment to the Filipino American community, said a press statement.

Some guests came all the way from Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts to join the celebration held at the official residence of Consul General Mario de Leon, Jr.
Lawyer Sanford Rubenstein acknowledged the important role of trial lawyers in moving immigration cases.

“Trial lawyers represent the interests of the victims and that all immigrants have an absolute right like any other citizen in the country, to be heard in the court of law – whether they’re an immigrant or undocumented,” he said. “If we, trial lawyers, don’t represent the victims who have been wronged, then we shouldn’t be doing what we’re doing.”

Keynote speaker Victor Bolden, New Haven, Connecticut’s corporate counsel, used the numbers 150, 50, and 5 to dramatize the milestones in the campaign for racial equality.

He said, “One hundred fifty years ago last month, Abraham Lincoln signed the emancipation proclamation. That one document set in motion changes for that particular time. The concept of freedom: that all people should be free. Equal protection and freedom in itself is not enough, you need equality, too… but equality does not come without the power of voting. It’s not about one race or group but about everyone to do their part to make change.

“Fifty years ago: 1963, there was a great march in Washington. We were not one nation, but divided by color. But they came together in order to move America forward again. The march galvanized the Civil Rights of 1964, the Voting Rights, and the Fair Housing Act.

“Five years ago, FALDEF was launched. A group of Filipino nurses taking a stand sparked the recognition that there needs to be an organization that addressed their issues.”

Merit Salud, FALDEF’s vice president for External Affairs, said the organization is lucky to have the support of the Consulate and the community. “Without the community leaders, FALDEF is just another NGO,” he said.

He recounted how FALDEF gave birth to the Philippine Legal Defense and Education Center (PHILDEC) recently organized and now based in Manila.

“PHILDEC stands for the supremacy of the rule of law and the aristocracy of human dignity. As an NGO initially designed to combat human trafficking from the Philippines to the United Sates of America, it stands on these two underpinning rationales. Rule of law without justice is a farce. Justice not only for Filipino Americans, but for every person.”

The evening’s program featured a screening of the documentary, “Tayo Ay May Karapatan: We Have Rights,” showing FALDEF’S work with undocumented immigrants. The film was produced and directed by Diane Paragas.

Related Articles: GMA News: 

FALDEF partners with PHILDEC to Counter Human Trafficking: Philippine Daily Mirror

As reported in the Philippine Daily Mirror
Saturday, 09 March 2013 15:00  Kobakila News Service

NEW YORK – As an offshoot of rescuing a Filipina who was a victim of involuntary servitude in the hands of an Egyptian employer in New York City, in joint efforts with the Philippine Consulate General in New York, the Filipino American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc. (FALDEF) has organized and partnered with a counterpart in the Philippines.

Philippine Legal Defense and Education Center, Inc., (PHILDEC) , a non-governmental organization (NGO), was established during the visit of FALDEF leadership in Manila to attend the  2nd D2D (Diaspora to Development) Global Summit of Filipinos in Diaspora on Feb. 25-27 in Manila.

  

The establishment of PHILDEC was deemed necessary in order to address human/labor trafficking at its inception – targeting illegal recruiters and individuals who initially recruit potential employees from the Philippines and are brought to the U.S.   With PHILDEC,  it makes it more effective for both organizations to initiate simultaneous prosecution of  those involved from the Philippines and the U.S.

The U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, Harry K. Thomas, Jr., tendered a reception for the visiting directors of FALDEF and the new directors of PHILDEC at his residence on Feb. 27.  FALDEF has earlier sought the assistance of the ambassador in finding common avenues to jointly combat human/labor trafficking.  In turn, the ambassador invited FALDEF to visit the Philippines.

 

PHILDEC is structured to have both an advisory and working boards.  Legal luminaries, social advocate and community organizers, and business executive have agreed to lend their expertise and commitment in the pursuit of justice, the majesty of the rule of law and the aristocracy of human dignity as members of PHILDEC boards.

 

The advisory board members include former Philippine Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr ; Fr. Joaquin Bernas, SJ  (one of the foremost authorities on Phil. Constitutional law, ormer law dean of the Ateneo Law School); Fr. Romeo Intengan SJ (former Jesuit Provincial and noted social crusader ); Atty. Antonio La Vina (Dean, Ateneo School of Government); Atty. Avelino Cruz, Jr. (former Secretary of National Defense;  Partner: Carpio Villaraza and Cruz Law Offices);  Atty. Rolando Mario Villonco (Managing Partner: Siguion Reyna Law Offices); and Fr. Nilo Tanalega, SJ  President of the UGAT Foundation.

 

Working board members are: Atty. Clarence Guerrero (Private Practitioner and former Chief Counsel of Manila Bank); Atty. Eva Laluna (Private Practitioner and Advocate of Women's Rights); Atty. Eric Mallonga (Private Practitioner and former Counsel of Bantay Bata);  Rene  Madarang ( Community Development Specialist); Fr. Julio Ramon Mallonga (CICM; Missionary with 21 years of experience in South America; a social advocate and community organizer); Captain Nilo Du (Private Entrepreneur and owner of shipping-related businesses); Christian Laluna (Communications Director, Ateneo School of Government) and Engr. Felizardo Mercado, Jr.(Community Dev. Manager, Philip Morris, Philippines).

 

In addition, Prosecutor General Claro Arellano of the Dept. of Justice expressed his interest on the issue of human/labor trafficking. Also, Dean Danilo Concepcion of the University of the Philippines College of Law (UP Law Center) and Dean Sedfrey Candelaria of the Ateneo College of Law (Ateneo Human Rights Center) manifested their deep interest in working and partnering with PHILDEC on the educational aspect relating to human rights and labor trafficking.

 

Once operational, PHILDEC and its volunteer lawyers will work with Philippine prosecutors, allied NGOS and government agencies.

 

FALDEF President, J.T Mallonga was one of the resource speakers on “Legal Assistance to Filipinos in Distress in the U.S,” a workshop on Global Legal Assistance on Advocacy.  Joining him in this visit were Merit Salud, Nimfa Du-Tinana, Cely Deauna, Patricia Astorga, Loida Nicholas Lewis, Jose Ramos, Jr., Dr. Angie Cruz, and Ramon Tinana.

 

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PHOTO CAPTION:  Ambassador Harry K. Thomas With FALDEF and PHILDEC directors and guests