WHIAAPI Forum on Faith-Based and Community Leaders: 9/21
Save the Date
New York AAPI Forum with Faith-Based & Community Leaders
Saturday, September 21, 2013
The City University New York Murphy Institute, 25 West 43rd Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10036
9:30 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.
The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders will convene federal officials and faith-based and community leaders in a day-long forum to share key Administration policies on economic growth, immigration, education, and civil rights. The forum will provide leaders and the broader AAPI community critical information and a better understanding of federal resources and services.
The focus of the WHIAAPI Community Forum is to accomplish three key goals:
1. Establish a space where faith-based and community leaders can meaningfully engage and interact with federal officials;
2. Identify policy and programmatic areas of concern, receive feedback, and share local success stories and practices that benefit the AAPI community;
3. Share opportunities for leaders to collaborate with the Obama administration.
Volunteers needed for August 22nd Civil Disobedience Actions at Varick Street Detention Center
We have been informed by NYIC (New York Immigration Coalition) that there is a critical need for legal observers for the civil disobedience actions on August 22 outside of the Varick Street Detention Center. The CD Actions will occur around 12:30 PM. Below is more information regarding the civil disobedience actions:
Highlighting our Broken Immigration System (August 22 @ 11AM – 1PM with Civil Disobedience Actions around 12:30PM/ Varick Street Detention Center)
- What: With every passing day that the House fails to act, 1100 people are deported. Our families and communities continue to suffer as a result of a broken immigration system and the Republican House dragging their feet.
- What do we want: John Boehner to act NOW to keep our families together. The event will start with a Jericho Walk that will escalate with 20+ people engaged in civil disobedience (blocking traffic and entrance to detention center). Supporters who do not want to be arrested will line the sidewalk chanting, holding signs and bearing witness.CD training (likely day before) and legal support will be provided. Negotiations with the NYPD are underway (aiming for dismissal of any charges).
Please consider supporting this event by either showing up and cheering those who will be engaging in civil disobedience; engaging in civil disobedience (arrestees); or volunteering to be a legal observer! If anyone is interested in participating, please contact Christina Chang, Advocacy & Organizing Coordinator at MinKwon Center for Community Action at [email protected] or 718.460.5600.
All, this is a friendly reminder to RSVP to participate in the civil disobedience action outside Varick St Detention Center on Aug. 22 at NOON. For those who would like to participate but do not wish to face arrest, you can participate in the direct action only.
Please note there will be a training for Civil Disobedience participants on Monday, August 19th at 2 p.m. at St. Peter’s Church located at 619 Lexington Avenue at 54th Street, New York, NY 10022. Please RSVP to [email protected] and [email protected].
Let’s stand together to tell Congress the time is NOW to pass reform. Our communities and families cannot wait any longer for real reform
From the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs: Host a Community Conversation on Immigration
Receive $200 for hosting a conversation
Community-based groups and organizations are eligible to receive a $200 stipend from the Council for hosting a Community Conversation by registering to be a featured site. Featured sites must register their event in advance and complete a final evaluation, including attendance information. Facilitators at featured sites are required to attend a free 60-minute facilitator-training webinar. Training webinars will be offered at the following throughout the summer and fall; see the Council’s webinars page to learn more and sign up.
For more information about hosting a Community Conversation, contact Senior Program Officer Erika Halstead ([email protected] / 212.233.1131).
New Community Conversations Toolkits on Immigration
From New Netherland to New York, immigrants from every part of the world have made their home in our state. Community Conversations invites New Yorkers to explore our shared history as immigrants and the descendants of immigrants, and to discuss the ways that immigration continues to shape the experience of being American today. Each conversation uses a short text as a starting point for discussions about cultural understanding and our roles as active citizens in a diverse and democratic society.
There are community conversation toolkits for children, young adults, and adults. All of the toolkits contain everything you need to host these “do-it-yourself” discussions, including: texts suitable for each audience; a set of sample questions; guidelines for starting and sustaining good conversations; tips for hosting a conversation; and a sample participant evaluation. Anyone can register and download the toolkits for free from our website.
Tsui Yee’s Interview with The Epoch Times
Tsui Yee’s Interview with The Epoch Times
Congratulations to Immigration and Nationality Law Committee Co-Chair Tsui Yee who was interviewed in the May 24, 2013 edition of Epoch Times, a Chinese-language daily newspaper, regarding the hot topic of comprehensive immigration reform. For more about the article follow the link in the title.
Rio Guerrero: “If DOMA Falls, Immigration Will Rise”
Rio Guerrero: “If DOMA Falls, Immigration Will Rise”
AABANY congratulates Rio Guerrero, Co-Chair of the Immigration and Nationality Law Committee, for being published again in the Minority Trial Lawyer Newsletter, a publication of the ABA’s Litigation Section. In an article entitled “If DOMA Falls, Immigration Will Rise,” Rio explains how the Supreme Court’s resolution of the same-sex marriage debate may lead to increased immigration from same-sex couples. To read the full article, click on the link in the title.
AABANY Co-Sponsors: Community Briefing: The Immigration Reform Debate
On Sunday, May 19, you’re invited to a Community Briefing: The Immigration Reform Debate. This year, President Obama has made immigration reform a major priority. Congress wants to make major changes to our immigration laws that will have a lasting effect on our community. What are the proposals? How can we have an impact on the debates and the process? Come find out more. Rsvp required (limited space). If you would like to attend, please contact us at [email protected] or 212-274-1891.
Print English Flyer
Print Chinese Flyer
Chinese translation provided
Refreshments provided
Cohosts: Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, Chinese Progressive Association, OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates-NY Chapter
Co-sponsors: Asian American Bar Association of NY, Asian American/Asian Research Institute CUNY, Chinatown Manpower Project, Chinatown Partnership, Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, Chinatown YMCA, Greater Chinatown Community Association, Hamilton Madison House, Lin Sing Association, Local 23-25 Workers United, MinKwon Center, Museum of Chinese in America, OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates-Westchester & Hudson Valley Chapter, New York Immigration Coalition.
VOLUNTEER and Join Us at the Annual Citywide Citizenship Application Assistance Event on May 11th!
Please Support AABANY and Volunteer with Us for the Saturday, May 11th, Citywide Citizenship Day 2013.
We invite you to participate in the largest naturalization application assistance event in New York State! Your skills and experience will be an enormous asset and we greatly value your commitment.
AABANY is co-sponsoring this event again. This year, we hope to have at least 10 experienced AABANY immigration law practitioners participate. But we also need the help of all attorneys and paralegals — whether you practice immigration law or not! We need any and all AABANY members to participate on Citizenship Day, in order to better serve and represent the APA immigrant community.
Needed:
Attorneys and paralegals with or without expertise in naturalization and citizenship law. We need your help to determine applicant’s eligibility for naturalization, assure that applicants leave the event with a properly completed application, and to assist and/or supervise volunteers providing application assistance.
When:
Saturday, May 11, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. But if you can only come for part of the day, that’s ok too. Volunteer whatever time you can — whether it’s a morning or an afternoon.
Where:
John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Haaren-Hall Building, 899 Tenth Avenue, Gymnasium, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10019.
How to Register: Click here to be taken to the registration form. Once there, you should chose “AABANY” as your affiliation so we can keep track of registration and attendance for you.
Why Volunteer? Because you are helping the many immigrants in our city who hope for and deserve U.S. citizenship — but cannot afford private attorney legal fees to achieve their goal. Plus, I guarantee that you will have fun and enjoy a great deal of personal satisfaction by assisting others during this pro bono event. I know this because I see the happy faces of our volunteers each year! This is always a wonderful experience!
For more information: Contact Rio Guerrero, Co-Chair AABANY Immigration and Nationality Law Committee, at [email protected].
Immigration and Nationality Law Committee Meeting: April 23, 2013
On Tuesday, April 23, 2013, the Immigration and Nationality Law Committee organized a committee meeting and was honored to have as its featured speaker Rosemary Yu, Co-Director of the Immigrant Affairs Program at the New York County District Attorney’s Office. Ms. Yu spoke about the important work of the Immigrant Affairs Program, which was established in 2007 to investigate and prosecute fraud committed against immigrants, and to educate the public about immigration fraud and related issues through fraud prevention workshops and seminars. Ms. Yu also discussed ways that attorneys can help identify and prevent immigration fraud – an especially relevant and timely topic in light of impending comprehensive immigration reform, which is expected to pass later this year.
If you are interested in learning more about the Immigrant Affairs Program of the New York County DA’s Office or want to get more information about the Immigration and Nationality Law Committee, contact co-chairs Rio Guerrero and Tsui Yee at [email protected].