Asian Wisconzine Section/Heidi M. Pascual
Asian American News
OCA Calls on Congress for Immediate Action for Young Americans
By declaring the DACA program unlawful, Judge Hanen jeopardizes the lives and futures of hundreds of thousands of immigrants, including many AAPIs, and undermines the core American values of diversity, inclusion, and opportunity.
Washington, D.C. — OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates is deeply disappointed by the decision of Judge Andrew Hanen of the Southern District of Texas to declare the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program unlawful in State of Texas v. United States of America.
Under this ruling, individuals with DACA can continue to renew, but applications submitted for the first time will not be approved. This puts the lives and futures of hundreds of thousands of DACA recipients and their families at risk, shattering their dreams and sense of safety, as well as those of their loved ones and communities who depend on them. It contradicts the values of diversity, inclusion, and opportunity that this nation was built upon.
"This decision is heartbreaking and outrageous. Tens of thousands of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders with DACA are among the 1.7 million undocumented AAPIs in the United States. This decision endangers the lives and futures of our young community members, who are our friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family members," OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates President Linda Ng. "They have grown up and contributed to this country, which is their home. They deserve dignity, security, and opportunity."
"We are outraged by this cruel and unjust attack on DACA and the immigrant community. DACA has been a lifeline for young people who have grown up in this country and contributed to its society and economy," said OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates National Executive Director Thu Nguyen. "We urge Congress to act urgently to pass legislation that provides a permanent solution for DACA recipients and all undocumented immigrants, including the Dream and Promise Act and the U.S. Citizenship Act. We also call on the Biden administration to continue to use its executive authority to protect and expand DACA and other forms of relief for immigrants. We stand in solidarity with our DACA recipients and all who are fighting for their dignity and rights. We will not give up until we achieve justice and equality for all."
OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates is a national social justice organization of community advocates dedicated to improving the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). Learn more about our work at ocanational.org/about.
JACL Condemns Attack on Seattle's Wing Luke Museum and Inadequate Law Enforcement Response
Sept. 19 - Last Thursday evening, a man destroyed several windows of the Wing Luke Museum in the historic Chinatown International District (CID) of Seattle, Washington. At the time of the attack, several members of the Japanese American community, including Seattle JACL chapter co-president Stan Shikuma were attending a meeting at the museum for our partner organization Tsuru for Solidarity. Attendees rushed outside to find the perpetrator outside sledgehammer still in hand spewing anti-Chinese and anti-Asian rhetoric.
This attack is deeply saddening and symptomatic of the anti-Asian hate that is still ongoing nationwide. More troubling was the inadequate response from the Seattle Police Department. Stan Shikuma was quoted by the Seattle Times on the attack and in the Seattle JACL chapter’s statement on the incident that the police refused to respond initially despite calls from multiple witnesses. It took nearly an hour for police to arrive, and the responses some callers received from emergency dispatchers seemed to imply indifference or annoyance.
This also comes on the heels of further criticism surrounding the Seattle Police Department. Earlier this year, an Indian student was struck and killed by a police vehicle while crossing the street. One of the responding officers to the accident is overheard on bodycam footage stating the student, Jaahnavi Kandula, had little value. Our community is hearing that message loud and clear, that we are of little value.
We expect the attack on the Wing Luke Museum to be given the priority that a high profile crime such as this deserves and is prosecuted for the clear intent that it had to intimidate and directly attack the Asian American community. We also call upon the Seattle Police and 911 response to recognize the impact their disregard for our community has not only in eroding our faith in the ability and willingness of law enforcement to adequately serve and protect us, but the role it may play in perpetuating the devaluation of our community that can lead to further prejudice and anti-Asian hate incidents.
The safest communities are those that have the most resources, not the most police presence. The Wing Luke Museum is one such community resource that is vital to providing education and community engagement to combat anti-Asian hate. We look forward to the restoration of the museum so that it might continue its mission of serving the Seattle community in teaching about Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander experiences to advance racial and social equity.
About The Japanese American Citizens League
The Japanese American Citizens League is a national organization whose ongoing mission is to secure and maintain the civil rights of Japanese Americans and all others who are victimized by injustice and bigotry. The leaders and members of the JACL also work to promote cultural, educational, and social values and preserve the heritage and legacy of the Japanese American community.
