Asian American Justice Center

New Report Shows Immigrant and Limited English Proficient Communities

noemail@advancingequality.org — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – The Asian American Justice Center (AAJC) applauds the recent release of Disaster Preparedness in Urban Communities: Lessons Learned from the Recent Catastrophes Relevant to Asian and Latino Communities in Southern California, a joint collaboration by AAJC’s affiliate, the Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC), and the Tomás Rivera Policy Institute (TRPI). While focused on California, the report provides important insights to policymakers and agencies charged with preparing and implementing emergency response plans throughout the nation, said Karen K. Narasaki, president and executive director of AAJC. The APALC/TRPI study provides findings and recommendations to improve disaster preparedness in Asian American and Latino communities and to help emergency response personnel better serve these growing communities. An important finding is that immigrant and limited English proficient populations are not fully incorporated in disaster preparedness...

Asian American Justice Center Applauds New Report on Adult Literacy

noemail@advancingequality.org — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – The Asian American Justice Center (AAJC) commends the recent release of Reach Higher, America, a report by the National Commission on Adult Literacy. The report documents the adult education and skills crisis facing American workers, proposes a fundamentally new approach to adult basic education and workforce skills preparation in America and lays out the fiscal and social benefits that will result from substantially increased public expenditures for programs and services. The recommendations of the report are especially pertinent to the Asian American community, as more than a third of our population is limited English proficient, said Karen K. Narasaki, president and executive director of AAJC and a member of the National Commission on Adult Literacy. Lack of English proficiency affects a family’s ability to move up in the workplace, to naturalize and participate civically, and to be able to support children still in school. It is time that we begin paying...

Asian American Justice Center Applauds California Supreme Court Decision

noemail@advancingequality.org — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – The Asian American Justice Center (AAJC) is pleased with the California Supreme Court’s decision that same-sex couples cannot be excluded from civil marriage. According to a UCLA study, the Supreme Court’s ruling in the California Marriage Cases will have a positive impact on at least 13,000 Asian American same-sex couples and more than 5,600 children being raised by these couples in California. AAJC and its affiliates — the Asian American Institute, Asian Law Caucus and the Asian Pacific American Legal Center —filed a brief along with more than 60 Asian American organizations in support of the right for marriage equality. In a 4-3 decision, drafted by Chief Justice Ronald George, the court ruled: In light of the fundamental nature of the substantive rights embodied in the right to marry — and their central importance to an individuals opportunity to live a happy, meaningful, and satisfying life as a full member of society — the California Constitution properly must...

Asian American Justice Center Applauds the Introduction of Lofgren-Sensenbrenner Visa Recapture Bill

noemail@advancingequality.org — Fri, 09 May 2008 17:00:00 GMT

Calls on Congress to Address Family and Employment Visa Backlogs Washington, D.C. – The Asian American Justice Center (AAJC), a leading national civil and human rights organization, applauded last week’s introduction of a visa recapture bill (HR 5882) by Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI). The bill would ensure that unused and unclaimed family and employment-based visas which have been allocated in past years could be re-allocated in future years. We commend House Immigration Subcommittee Chair Lofgren’s effort to work in a bipartisan way to restore some fairness to the system, said Karen K. Narasaki, president and executive director of AAJC. It is only fair that visas that don’t get used in one year get rolled over for future use, particularly when the existing annual quota is already too limited. The limited availability of family visas is resulting in separations of five to 23 years depending on the category. It is outrageous that...

Asian American Advocates Disappointed in Supreme Court's Decision in the Indiana Voter ID Case

noemail@advancingequality.org — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – The Asian American Justice Center (AAJC) and its affiliates – Asian Pacific American Legal Center, Asian Law Caucus and the Asian American Institute – join voting rights and advocacy groups nationwide in their disappointment in the United States Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the constitutionality of the Indiana voter photo identification law. The decision did, however, leave the door open to future challenges in Indiana and elsewhere by otherwise eligible voters who are denied their right to vote based on onerous and unconstitutional voter ID laws. Studies have shown that there are millions of eligible voters without the necessary IDs, including Asian Americans, said Tuyet Le, executive director of the Asian American Institute. As the dissent notes, Indiana’s law will sadly but predictably have its greatest impact on voters who are poor, elderly, belong to racial minorities or have disabilities. Asian Americans are among those who will be disproportionately...

Asian American Justice Center Disappointed With Closing of AZN Network

noemail@advancingequality.org — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:00:00 GMT

Cites Lack of Investment To Develop Asian American Market Washington, D.C. – The Asian American Justice Center (AAJC), a national civil rights organization, is disappointed with the Comcast announcement of the closing of the AZN Network as of April 9 for financial reasons. AZN Television specializes in programs targeted toward the Asian American community. AZN Network reached 13.9 million households and broadcast news, movies, dramas and other programming in multiple Asian languages, including Chinese, Tagalog, Japanese, Korean, Hindi and Vietnamese. It is especially unfortunate that AZN Television is going off the air when you consider the growth of the Asian American population, which is one of the fastest growing populations according to the Census Bureau, said Vincent A. Eng, deputy director of AAJC. It is our belief that the reason there is not yet a sufficient advertising demand is because the television entertainment companies have not made a sufficient investment to work...

Asian American Justice Center Applauds Congress for Protecting Worker's Rights in Omnibus Spending Bill

noemail@advancingequality.org — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – The Asian American Justice Center (AAJC), a national civil rights organization, applauds Congress for omitting a harmful amendment to the 2007 omnibus spending bill. This amendment could have severely restricted the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) ability to fully investigate and pursue civil actions against employers which have English-only policies in the workplace and are using these policies in a discriminatory and unconscionable manner.

“We commend Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senator Harry Reid, and the minority caucuses, especially Congressman Mike Honda and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, for taking a strong stance against any erosion of workplace discrimination enforcement,” said Vincent A. Eng, Deputy Director at AAJC. “An omnibus bill stripped of this amendment shows Congress’ outstanding commitment to preserving the Civil Rights Act of 1964,” he added.

“Congress has sent a commendable message that it will not condone any attacks on the rights of language minorities,” said Tuyet G. Duong, Staff Attorney at AAJC. “AAJC hopes to engage in a more productive conversation with Congress on funding integration strategies and how we as a nation can help Asian American workers and employees learn English,” she added.

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The Asian American Justice Center is a national organization dedicated to defending and advancing the civil and human rights of Asian Americans. It works closely with three affiliates – the Asian American Institute in Chicago, the Asian Law Caucus in San Francisco, and the Asian Pacific American Legal Center in Los Angeles – and nearly 100 community partners in 49 cities, 23 states and Washington, D.C.

Asian American Organizations Encouraged by Maximum Sentence in the Murder of Cha Vang; National Efforts Will Continue for Strengthening Hate Crime Laws

noemail@advancingequality.org — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – The Asian American Justice Center (AAJC), Hmong National Development, Inc. (HND) and the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC) are encouraged that on the heels of Monday’s community rally around racial justice in Madison, Wis., James Nichols received the maximum sentence allowed under Wisconsin law in the murder of Hmong American Cha Vang. AAJC, HND and SEARAC, organizations that serve the Asian American community nationwide from their base in Washington, D.C., have closely followed the developments in this case and have strongly urged a hate crime enhancer and maximum penalty in the prosecution of Nichols. Nichols was originally charged with first degree intentional homicide but instead was convicted of second degree intentional homicide in October. Nichols was also convicted on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and concealing a corpse. Under the circumstances, we are pleased that the judge delivered the maximum sentence of 69 years...

AAJC AND 25 NATIONAL AND LOCAL ASIAN AMERICAN ADVOCACY GROUPS FILE AMICUS BRIEF IN VOTING RIGHTS CASE

noemail@advancingequality.org — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 21:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – The Asian American Justice Center (AAJC), a national human and civil rights organization, and its affiliates – Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC), Asian Law Caucus (ALC) and Asian American Institute (AAI) – along with 22 other national and local Asian American advocacy groups, filed an amicus brief in the United States Supreme Court against Indiana’s restrictive voter ID law in the case of William Crawford et al. v. Marion County Election Board, et al, arguing that the voter ID disproportionately deprives Asian Americans of the right to vote and provides an invitation to discriminate against Asian American voters. In the case, the Supreme Court will decide if Indiana’s statute, which requires government-issued photo identification to be presented in order to vote is discriminatory and unconstitutional. Although supporters of the Indiana voter ID statute claim that restrictive voter ID requirements are necessary to combat fraud, opponents are quick to...

Asian American Justice Center Opposed to Legislative Language in Appropriations Bill Which Would Severely Restrict Workplace Discrimination Enforcement

noemail@advancingequality.org — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 21:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – The Asian American Justice Center (AAJC), a national civil rights organization, is disappointed that last Friday the House passed a Motion to Instruct Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Appropriations Bill conferees to accept language that could severely restrict the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) ability to fully investigate and pursue civil actions against employers which have English-only policies in the workplace and are using these policies in a discriminatory manner. This is the same provision which the House rejected earlier in this past summer. Senate and House conferees will be meeting tomorrow to finalize the appropriations bill. The Senate bill contains harmful language which would prevent EEOC from using its funds to investigate and bring actions against employers using English-only workplace standards in an unconscionable manner against employees. Over 22.5 percent of Asian Americans who do not speak English not well or not at all,...

The 2007 Asian Pacific American Media Coalition Report Card on Television Diversity

noemail@advancingequality.org — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 15:00:00 GMT

Los Angeles—The Asian Pacific American Media Coalition (APAMC) is disappointed in the degree of progress that has been made by the four major networks -- ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC -- none of which improved their overall grades from last year. Overall, only 29 Asian Americans were cast in regular roles in prime-time, only two more than last year. And many of the regular roles are not quality roles with significant air time. When compared to other racial groups, APAs are still far less likely to be in starring roles in prime-time programming, although a number of shows are set in cities with high APA populations. Furthermore, APAs are the only ethnic group that does not boast someone as the star of his/her own show. The Coalition is pleased to see that the number of APA writers and producers have rebounded from the severe drop last year. However, there are still too few APA and other minority writers and producers on prime-time shows; and too few in charge of creative decisions. As a...

AAJC Urges Community to Call Out the 44 Senators Who Rejected the Dreams of Immigrant Youth

noemail@advancingequality.org — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – The Asian American Justice Center (AAJC) is extremely disappointed in the 44 Senators who yesterday voted against giving talented immigrant youth a chance to fully contribute to this country. Although a majority of Senators supported the DREAM Act, the 52 votes cast did not overcome the 60-vote threshold for today’s procedural motion. It is sad that so many of our law makers are willing to extinguish the dreams of young people who are willing to earn their right to stay in the country they call home by working hard in college or defending America in the military, said AAJC President and Executive Director Karen Narasaki. Even though these immigrant students have done nothing wrong, the Senators who voted against today’s motion want to punish them for being trapped in an immigration system the Senate refused to fix. Last week, Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Hagel (R-NE) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) re-introduced the DREAM Act as a new stand-alone bill, S. 2205....

AT&T, Carol Lam and Peggy Saika to Receive Awards Tonight at AAJC's American Courage Awards Event; Yul Kwon to Emcee Ceremony

noemail@advancingequality.org — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 18:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – Today, at 6:30 p.m. at the National Press Club, the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC) will honor AT&T, former U.S. Attorney Carol Lam and community activist Peggy Saika at its annual American Courage Awards reception, which honors Americans who exemplify community service to Asian American and other minority communities. Survivor: Cook Islands winner Yul Kwon will emcee the event. This year’s awardees highlight what Americans are doing to protect and advance the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and other minorities, said Karen K. Narasaki, president and executive director of AAJC. Their hard work and success are a testament to what community activism is contributing to our great nation. During the ceremony, AAJC will pay tribute to the Honorable Robert Takeo Matsui for his tireless work in Congress on behalf of all Americans, especially children and seniors. Sadly Congressman Matsui passed away New Year’s Day 2005, leaving behind a 26-year legacy that...

Asian American Justice Center Calls on USCIS to Inform Immigrant Communities About the New Naturalization Test

noemail@advancingequality.org — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 20:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – The Asian American Justice Center (AAJC), a leading national civil and human rights organization, calls upon the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to conduct a comprehensive outreach plan to inform all segments of the Asian American and other immigrant communities of the new naturalization test. Last week, USCIS released the 100 questions and answers that comprise the civics portion of the new exam and will begin administering the test to new citizenship applicants beginning October 2008. AAJC has been involved in the redesign process for the new naturalization test for more than five years and we are disappointed that USCIS rushed to release the new exam without first creating a thorough community outreach and education plan, said AAJC President and Executive Director Karen K. Narasaki. We are also alarmed that USCIS has yet to release detailed information regarding the pilot process for the new exam questions and has not released much information...

Asian American Justice Center Applauds Senate Passage of Hate Crimes Bill

noemail@advancingequality.org — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 20:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – The Asian American Justice Center (AAJC) applauds the Senate for voting to pass a bill that expands federal hate crimes coverage to include sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and disability, bringing it a step closer to becoming law. The vote came after a successful vote (60-39) to stop debate and add the amendment to the Department of Defense bill. The amendment, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (or The Matthew Shepard Act), will expand coverage to include gender, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and individuals with disabilities. It also provides grants to state and local communities to combat violent crimes committed by juveniles, train law enforcement officers, or to assist in state and local investigations and prosecutions of bias-motivated crimes. Comprehensive and meaningful federal hate crimes legislation is something that we have supported for a number of years now, said Aimee J. Baldillo, director of programs at AAJC....

ASIAN AMERICAN JUSTICE CENTER CITES SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS ABOUT PROPOSED XM/SIRIUS MERGER

noemail@advancingequality.org — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 14:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – The Asian American Justice Center, a premier national civil rights organization filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission stating the proposed XM/Sirius satellite radio merger will create a monopoly to the detriment of the non-English language minority radio market. AAJC also cites the anticipated high costs of subscribing to satellite radio as a result of the monopoly status of the proposed merger that would have an adverse impact felt more significantly by minority communities. Full text of the submission by AAJC to the FCC is below: ASIAN AMERICAN JUSTICE CENTER COMMENTS TO THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION REGARDING APPLICATIONS FOR MERGER BY SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO INC. AND XM SATELLITE RADIO HOLDINGS, INC. The Asian American Justice Center (AAJC; formerly NAPALC, the National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium) is dedicated to the preservation and advancement of the human and civil rights of the Asian American community...

Asian American Justice Center Applauds Senators who Upheld Family Values

noemail@advancingequality.org — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 20:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – The Asian American Justice Center (AAJC) commends the Senators who stood up for this nation’s commitment to due process and to our tradition of family-based immigration during the last two months’ Senate immigration debate. We applaud Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) for leading the fight for immigration reform that protects America’s family values and due process rights, said AAJC President and Executive Director Karen K. Narasaki. We are outraged that Senate immigration restrictionists, led by Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ), successfully blocked votes on several family amendments to the proposed Senate bill. We appreciate the efforts of Senators Menendez, Christopher Dodd (D-CT), Hilary Clinton (D-NY), Barack Obama (D-IL), Harry Reid (D-NV), Russ Feingold (D-WI), and Chuck Hagel (R-NE) to make improvements to the family provisions in the legislation that the Asian American community sought. AAJC supported five amendments to the family immigration section of the Senate...

Asian American Justice Center Condemns Senate Vote Against Moving Immigration Debate Forward

noemail@advancingequality.org — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 21:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, the Senate again allowed a minority of immigration restrictionists to maintain the broken status quo of our immigration system. Senators voted 46-53 against Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-NV) effort to move the comprehensive immigration reform legislation forward for a final vote. Asian American Justice Center (AAJC) President and Executive Director Karen K. Narasaki applauded Senator Reid for his commitment to immigration reform, and condemned the restrictionists’ efforts this week to delay the legislative process and block efforts to pass legislation this year. Narasaki said, The House Immigration Subcommittee, under the leadership of Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), has held extensive hearings as part of a very thoughtful process that contrasts starkly with the severely flawed Senate and White House effort that was conducted behind closed doors. We hope her committee will continue its work in educating legislators and the American public...

Asian American Advocates Disappointed in Ruling in Supreme Court Case

noemail@advancingequality.org — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 20:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – The Asian American Justice Center (AAJC) and its affiliates – Asian Pacific American Legal Center, Asian Law Caucus and the Asian American Institute – join educational and advocacy groups nationwide in their disappointment and optimism in the United States Supreme Court’s split decision to overturn voluntary integration in the cases of Meredith v. Jefferson County Board of Education, et al., and Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District No. 1. AAJC filed an amicus curiae brief in support of the school districts in this case. This is a split decision with both positive and negative implications for our nation and Constitution, said Karen K. Narasaki, AAJC’s president and executive director. We do not support the Court’s ruling against the Seattle and Louisville voluntary integration programs as we believe them to be careful and effective. However, we are very pleased that a majority of the Court recognizes educational diversity and...

Asian American Justice Center Commemorates 25th Anniversary of Vincent Chin's Murder; Supports Passage of Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Hate Crimes Prevention Act

noemail@advancingequality.org — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 17:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC) commemorates the 25th anniversary of the bias-motivated murder of Vincent Chin, a Chinese American who was killed in 1982 by two white men, Ronald Ebens and his stepson Michael Nitz. Chin’s murder is considered to have been a turning point in the Asian American movement for civil rights. The Vincent Chin case is still important and relevant today, said Vincent A. Eng, deputy director of AAJC. Hate crimes continue to occur in society without justice being served. Legislation such as the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act in the U.S. Congress is a step that can be taken today to ensure that perpetrators of hate crimes are properly prosecuted. Blaming Japanese carmakers for the decline in the local industry in Detroit, Ebens and Nitz, displaced auto workers, incorrectly assumed that Chin was Japanese and violently struck him with a baseball bat several times. Chin died in a coma four days later. Despite...