May 2009: A Push for Immigration Reform

The New York Times reported that President Obama will finally make a push for comprehensive immigration reform this upcoming May. During the summer, work-groups comprising of policy-makers and immigration advocates will convene to discuss possible legislation to be introduced as early as this fall. The article mentions that Obama's call for immigration reform is a response to his campaign promise to the greater "Hispanic" community. Unfortunately, similar to most mainstream rhetoric used to describe the immigration "problem," the article fails to highlight national efforts to broaden the immigration debate. A debate that includes other ethnic communities impacted by America's broken immigration system. A debate that expands beyond the usual "he took my job" and "they don't pay taxes" argument. A debate that highlights the human aspect found at the root of all our immigrant and refugee journeys to America.

Congressman Gutierrez, Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Immigration Task Force, has been touring the country since December, visiting Latino-based churches in a strong effort to stir public discussion around the issue. Recently, Congressman Honda, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, jointly organized an immigration event that brought in underrepresented voices to share their personal experiences with the immigration system.

For the first time ever, members from the Asian American Pacific Islander community walked on stage to tell America... "Yes, this is our issue too." One AAPI student shared a story about his friend who is an undocumented Cambodian student who recently graduated from college. Unfortunately, his friend is unable to use her college degree to further pursue her dreams of graduate school and a professional career.

She is a daughter of refugee parents, born in a Thai camp after the War in Southeast Asia. Her family escaped the Khmer Rouge, fleeing a genocide that killed an estimated 1.5 million people. They arrived here in America, but for some reason, they don't have any legal paperwork proving their status in America.

She grew up having to translate for her parents - not understanding why she had to learn how to navigate the American education system on her own. She grew up disconnected from her Khmer roots, feeling frustrated because her parents couldn't speak English like all the other parents. Despite her obstacles, she persevered and graduated from college with a degree in computer science. But now, too late, she realized that she can't go any further.

Without legal status, she'll face continuing struggles when applying for financial aid or for employment opportunities. But she's not alone.

About 40-44% of undocumented students in California are Asian. (We don't even know the break down of that statistic either.)

But most people are unaware of this fact. Despite the fear that plagues this issue, brave Asian American students have spoken out about their experiences in hopes of grasping attention of policy-makers...and the greater public.

This is why a complete overhaul of the current broken immigration system needs to happen today. Ideally, the DREAM Act would be included as one provision within a larger comprehensive immigration reform package. A package that rids this country of selfishness and resentment, one that opens the door (widely) to all immigrant and refugee peoples.