Members of the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance are to meet with Members of Congress to push for a comprehensive and compassionate immigration reform bill in the House.
What:
The National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance ( NQAPIA ) will lead a contingent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender ( LGBT ) Asian American, South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Pacific Islanders ( AAPI ) advocates and allies to the House of Representatives to deliver 2700 postcards calling for comprehensive immigration reform. On hand will be participants of the "Uncovering Our Stories" campaign talking about the direct impact of immigration on the AAPI LGBT community. Specific members of Congress are being invited to receive their postcards in person, including:
Congressman Luis Gutierrez ( D-IL ), Congressional Hispanic Caucus Immigration Task Force Chair
Congressman Ami Bera ( D-CA ), CAPAC Member
Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa ( D-HI ), CAPAC Member
Congressman Jared Polis ( D-CO ), Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus Chair
Congresswoman Judy Chu ( D-CA ), Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus ( CAPAC ) Chair
Who:
Ben de Guzman, NQAPIA Co-Director for Programs
Erwin De Leon, Filipino American gay man denied family petition because of visa backlog, now eligible for citizenship because of his husband
Linda Khoy, community member whose sister is facing deportation
This Hill Drop is in partnership with a broader set of activities from the National Council for Asian Pacific Americans ( NCAPA ) that bring together national AAPI advocates working on immigration reform.
When and Where:
November 20,, 2013
9:30am: Meeting with Congressman Ami Bera ( 1408 Longworth House Office Bldg )
10am: Meeting with Congressman Luis Gutierrez ( 2408 Rayburn House Office Bldg )
11am: Drop-off Postcards to Congresswoman's Hanabusa's staff ( 238 Cannon Office Bldg )
November 21, 2013
12:30pm: Meeting with Congressman Polis ( 1433 Longworth Office Bldg )
Why: Percentage-wise, Asian Americans are the fastest growing immigrant group in the U.S, and face particular challenges in immigration. Almost half of the people stuck in the backlog of approved petitions waiting to be reunited with their families are Asian. According to a study from the Center for American Progress and the Williams Institute, the LGBT undocumented population is disproportionately Asian. With President Obama and the Congress moving on this issue after the shutdown, the time is NOW for comprehensive immigration reform.