Judge Salas Issues Emotional Video Statement Regarding ‘Life-Changing’ Shooting

On August 3, 2020, Judge Esther Salas released a video statement regarding the horrific shooting that resulted in the death of her son, Daniel Mark Anderl, and the injury of her husband, Mark Anderl. Salas said she believes her family was targeted because of her position as a United States District Judge in New Jersey.

Salas began with a heart-wrenching statement: “Two weeks ago, my life as I knew it changed in an instant, and my family will never be the same.” Holding back tears throughout the nine minute statement, Salas urged for a call to action: striving for greater protection of Federal judges to ensure their safety.

While acknowledging the power Federal judges hold in making difficult, often controversial decisions, Salas stated that she works unremittingly to administer justice in a manner as fair and unbiased as possible.

However, despite the fact that such decisions could upset people, Salas underscored the necessity of privacy for Federal judges. “We may not be able to stop something like this from happening again,” Salas said, “but we can make it hard for those who target us to track us down.”

AABANY would like to extend our support and sympathy to Judge Salas and her family as they grieve the loss of their son, and we sincerely hope that Congress urgently takes up her calls for reforms to protect the privacy of Federal judges.

To watch the complete video statement, click here.

October 21, 2013

4th Annual NAPABA Pro Bono & Public Interest Summit

Dear NAPABA members,

The Pro Bono Community Service Committee is pleased to invite you to the Pro Bono & Public Interest Summit on Thursday November 7 from 9-2 pm to kick off the 25th Annual NAPABA Convention. CLE credit is available.

This year’s Summit will feature panels on Health Care Reform and Immigration Reform and its impact on Asian Pacific American (APA) communities. We are pleased to have Delegate Mark Keam from the Virginia House of Delegates as our lunch speaker. Delegate Keam is the first APA immigrant to serve the General Assembly in Virginia’s 400 year history. He has a long history of community service, including a variety of local, state, and national organizations.

Pro bono is important to all of us. Each affiliate and each lawyer should be helping our communities in these efforts. Bar leaders are especially encouraged to attend. Even if you are not in bar leadership, this session will give you valuable insight into current issues, the state of the law and provide you with tools and knowledge to handle pro bono cases in your state. Many of you will want to have a clinic or other pro bono project this year—the Summit will help you accomplish that goal.

Attendance is free and lunch is available at a nominal cost. All lunch fee proceeds will be donated to Legal Aid of Western Missouri. Click here for more information on the Summit.

September 25, 2013December 4, 2018

//static.googleusercontent.com/external_content/picasaweb.googleusercontent.com/slideshow.swf

The 2013 NAPABA Northeast Regional/AABANY Fall Conference hosted by Weil Gotshal featured a packed afternoon with several CLEs to keep attendees busy. Session 3 commenced at 2:30 pm and CLE topics included: “How do GCs Manage Crisis and Government Investigations,” “E-discovery and the New Ethical Rules for Non-Litigators,” “The Right to Vote: Asian Americans and the Struggle Over who Can Vote and How,” and much more, including the afternoon portion of the all-day Trial Advocacy Program (TAP).

“How do GCs Manage Crisis and Government Investigations” was one of our most popular CLE programs. The panel was moderated by Don Liu, Corporate Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary at Xerox. Panelists included Stuart Alderoty, Senior Executive Vice President and General Counsel at HSBC, Bruce Bettigole, Partner at Sutherland, Katy Choo, Chief Investigative & Anti-Corruption Counsel at General Electric, and Sandra Leung, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Session 4 started at 4PM with well-attended CLEs: “The Partner Track: Fiction v. Reality,” “Common Sense Immigration Reform,” and “General Counsel Roundtable.”

Outside of the CLE programs, Robert Leung, Michael Park, and Gurinder Singh, of the newly formed AABANY Career Placement Committee, held one-on-one meetings throughout the day, in the morning and afternoon, with many individuals interested in the participating in the committee and the AABANY Career Exchange.

Many thanks to all of our speakers and moderators for contributing their time in preparing for and serving on their panels. AABANY would like to thank all staff, volunteers and attendees for participating in the conference.

September 24, 2013December 4, 2018

August 19, 2013

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

May 15, 2013

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.

March 19, 2013December 4, 2018

March 15, 2013

Online Petition: We Must Have Real Immigration Reform

Please see this post from change.org:

Please write to the Gang of Eight Senators drafting Immigration Reform. Tell them that we need real immigration reform that unites immigrant families, provides a pathway to citizenship for the undocumented, protects workers, restores due process for immigrants, and recognizes LGBT families. A bill will be ready by the end of March and we need to influence those drafting it now.

National Movement to Push for Real Immigration Reform

Asian-led Community Organizations Call on Asian Pacific American New Yorkers to Join the National Movement to Push for Real Immigration Reform in 2013!

New York, NY – Today, February 28, Asian-led organizations citywide came together torally the Asian Pacific American community to join the national movement for immigration reform. The groups endorsed the New Yorkers for Real Immigration Reform Campaign, coordinated by the New York Immigration Coalition and supported by over 150 labor, faith, grassroots and immigrant organizations across the state.

The groups announced their campaign plans, including postcards calling for“real” immigration reform, an Asian Pacific American community-led town hall forum on March 28th at LaGuardia Community College, and a large mobilization on April 10th to Washington, D.C.

“2013 represents our best chance in decades to win immigration reform. The Asian Pacific American community must capitalize on the political power we demonstrated during last November’s election,” said May Chen, President of the New York State Immigrant Action Fund. “It is critical to have the Asian Pacific American community push Congress and President Obama to pass real reform that keeps families together, protects workers and safeguards our civil rights.

David Chen, Executive Director of the Chinese-American Planning Council, emphasized, “The Asian Pacific American community must be ready to join the fight for immigration reform. The last package was passed over twenty years ago and we cannot wait another moment to fix this outdated system. Immigration reform is the most important legislation of our time and we must act now!

Steve Choi, Executive Director of the MinKwon Center for Community Action outlined three simple ways community members can join the campaign and urged them to “take a minute to sign the postcard, a few hours to participate in a community townhall or a day to travel down to Washington, D.C on April 10 to join thousands of others in a national march.

“Not only should individual community members act, but our sister organizations serving Asian Pacific American New Yorkers must also mobilize and reach out to their Congressional representatives,“ said Vanessa Leung, Deputy Director of the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families. “There is too much at stake for us and this nation, and as Asian Pacific Americans we need our voices heard.”

Explaining what is at stake, Elizabeth OuYang, President of OCA-New York, added, “The current Senate “Gang of Eight” framework does not provide a realistic pathway to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants living and working in the U.S. We must tell Senator Schumer that our immigrant community members are the backbone of America and we should not have to wait decades to become fully participating members of our society. The process must be shortened and streamlined.”

“As an organization of undocumented South Asian immigrant workers and youth, we welcome immigration reform that is truly just and humane,” said Monami Maulik, Founder and Executive Director of Desis Rising Up and Moving (DRUM) and the Global South Asian Migrant Workers Alliance. “However, we will not sacrifice one community for another. We cannot trade off any more human and civil rights violation, the militarization and deaths of migrants at the borders, the profiling of communities in the name of national security, and the separation of families through arrest, detentions, and deportations. Reform must be rooted in full human rights.“

Highlighting the importance of family reunification, Mae Lee, Executive Director of the Chinese Progressive Association, stated, “The back family visa categories are a major problem for our communities. Currently, it can take decades for an Asian Pacific American citizen or green card holder to be reunited with a family member. We must demand our New York Congressional representatives to push for a comprehensive immigration reform that keeps families together!”

“Three generations of my family have paid a heavy toll because of the backlogs and outdated quotas in family visa categories,” said Angie Kim, an undocumented Korean American and recent DACA recipient, “Though I am the grandchild of U.S. citizens, I lived over a decade of my life undocumented and in limbo. If we are going to keep families together, family reunification must be the bedrock of a reform package.”

Advocating for the rights of immigrant workers essential to New York’s economy, Luna Ranjit, Executive Director of Adhikaar said, “We strongly oppose the work history requirement in the current proposal. It is going to be very difficult for domestic workers, restaurant workers, nail salon workers, day laborers and other informal sector workers to prove employment history in the U.S., let alone continuous employment. The work history requirement will also make it easier for unscrupulous employers to take advantage of the workers seeking to adjust their status, and will further drive millions of workers into the shadows.”

“Comprehensive immigration reform must try to close the gap between the rights of immigrant Americans and U.S.-born Americans,” said Margaret Fung, Executive Director of the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund. "Recent laws have increasingly promoted racial profiling and resulted in civil rights violations against immigrants. Reform cannot stop short of laws reflecting human rights standards that ensure all workers make a decent living and all families can stay together.“

Rio M. Guerrero, Immigration and Nationality Law Committee Co-Chair of the Asian American Bar Association of New York added, “We support comprehensive legislation that will continue to make the U.S. the destination for world class businesses and the best and brightest workers.”

The APA Table in support of the New Yorkers for Real Immigration Reform Campaign include:

Adhikaar, Asian American Arts Alliance, Asian American Bar Association of New York, Asian Americans for Equality, Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund, APICHA Community Health Center, Chinese-American Planning Council, Chinese Progressive Association, Coalition for Asian American Children and Families, Desis Rising Up and Moving, Gay Asian & Pac Islander Men of NY, Hamilton-Madison House, Korean American Association of Greater New York, Korean American Family Service Center, Korean American Association of Queens, Korean Americans for Political Advancement, Korean American Business Council of New York, Korean Community Services of Metropolitan NY, MinKwon Center for Community Action, OCA-New York, Q-WAVE, South Asian Council for Social Services, South Asian Lesbian & Gay Association, South Asian Youth Action!, United Chinese Association of Brooklyn, Wonkwang Community Service Center (list in formation)

For more information, contact:
Christina Chang: (718) 460-5600
May Chen: (347) 234-9387
Fahd Ahmed:(718) 205-3036

February 25, 2013

From AABDC: The Affordable Care Act Legislation and Small Businesses in NY

The Affordable Care Act Legislation and Small Businesses In New York State

February 19, 2013 – With the 2014 roll-out of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA or “ObamaCare”) less than a year away, business owners are scrambling to understand what it means for them. Small businesses in New York State, specifically Asian American owned businesses, can now go to one online portal for relevant information on ACA.

Created by the Asian American Business Development Center, the Asian American Small Businesses and Health Reform information portal (www.aabdc.com) provides basic, easy to understand information for Asian American small business owners regarding

a) proposed policy changes;
b) the potential impact of ACA;
c) planning for the long term needs of their business and employees.

The goal of the ACA is to provide access to affordable and quality health care coverage to more Americans. It entails a number of gradual reforms that are being enacted between 2010 and 2014. These reforms will take place on the federal, state, and community levels and will affect individuals, healthcare professionals, and business owners. Since 2010, New York State has been moving forward with reform requirements in preparation for its roll-out in 2014. The AABDC health reform information portal is part of that effort. The project was funded by Macy’s Foundationand Pfizer.

The AABDC health reform information portal provides up-to-date information about requirement mandates, tax benefits, state insurance exchanges, and continued policy developments at the state and federal levels. It answers basic questions: Are you required to provide health insurance coverage for your employees? Are you eligible for a federal tax credit if you do provide health coverage? Can you keep your current coverage?

The healthcare portal Website offers online consulting services. The Asian American Business Development Center encourages the community to visit its Website to post comments and view expert explanations.