Asian American Justice Center RSS Feed

Papers the Movie Free Film Screening

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:30:00 GMT

"Papers" the Movie Free Film Screening
Start Date: 16-Mar-10 8:30 PM
End Time: 16-Mar-10 10:00 PM
Location: Georgetown University - Bunn Intercultural Center 105, Washington, DC 20057
Event Details:

In conjunction with the Georgetown Asian American Student Association there will be a screening of the film “Papers,” a film about the struggles of several undocumented students who are about to graduate high school and how their immigration status is affecting their dreams for the future. Please join us in Room 105 of Georgetown University’s Intercultural Center Room. There will be additional time for a few personal testimonies as well as staff attorneys on hand to help answer questions. Food will be provided. Click here to learn more about the film.

Georgetown University - Bunn Intercultural Center 105

37th and O Streets NW

Washington, DC 20057

AAPI Pre Rally

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:00:00 GMT

AAPI Pre Rally
Start Date: 21-Mar-10 1:00 PM
End Time: 21-Mar-10 2:00 PM
Location: L’Enfant Plaza, Washington, DC
Event Details:

Directly before the start of the March For America the Asian American Justice Center and various other Asian American and Pacific Islander groups will be hosting a pre-rally to help distribute materials and build excitement and visibility for the march. Join us at L’Enfant Plaza at 1:00 p.m. for a short rally featuring speakers and performances before we march in unity to the National Mall.

L’Enfant Plaza

March for America

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:00:00 GMT

March for America
Start Date: 21-Mar-10 2:00 PM
End Time: 21-Mar-10 4:00 PM
Location: National Mall, Washington, DC 20004
Event Details:

The March for

America

is the Reform Immigration FOR America campaign’s rally to demand immigration reform in the nation’s capital on March 21. Join tens of thousands of people urging Congress to deliver comprehensive immigration reform now. Community leaders around the country are uniting to demand change; and they need your action. Join the Asian American Justice Center as we march to demand change.

National Mall

700 Independence Avenue SW

Washington, DC 20004

2010 Texas Diversity and Leadership Conference

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 12:30:00 GMT

2010 Texas Diversity and Leadership Conference
Start Date: 7-Apr-10 8:30 AM
End Time: 9-Apr-10 5:30 PM
Location: Hilton Dallas/Rockwall Lakefront, Rockwall, Texas 75032
Speaker: Aarathi D. Haig

Event Details:

Aarathi D. Haig, Staff Attorney for the Affirmative Action program at the Asian American Justice Center, will be presenting at a workshop entitled, "Managing Inclusion in the Workplace: Recruiting, Hiring, Developing, Retaining the Asian community and the importance of leveraging policies and laws which govern the human resources practices," as part of the 2010 Texas Diversity and Leadership Conference.

Additional details can be found here.

Hilton Dallas/Rockwall Lakefront

2055 Summer Lee Drive

Rockwall, Texas 75032

Hubert H. Humphrey Civil and Human Rights Award Dinner

Wed, 12 May 2010 21:30:00 GMT

Hubert H. Humphrey Civil and Human Rights Award Dinner
Start Date: 12-May-10 5:30 PM
End Time: 12-May-10 9:30 PM
Location: Hilton Washington & Towers, Washington, DC 20009
Event Details:

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights presents the

Hubert H. Humphrey

Civil and Human Rights Award Dinner
The one dinner in Washington DC where everybody has a seat at the table

Honoring

Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Karen Narasaki and Gara LaMarche

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Hilton Washington & Towers

1919 Connecticut Avenue, NW

Washington, DC

5:30 PM Reception

7:00 PM Dinner

(Business Attire)

Click here for more information.

Tickets and pricing.

Hilton Washington & Towers

1919 Connecticut Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20009

Advancing Justice Conference

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Advancing Justice Conference
Start Date: 23-Jun-10 8:00 AM
End Time: 24-Jun-10 6:00 PM
Location: The Westin Alexandria, Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Event Details:

The Advancing Justice Conference is an annual national civil rights and social justice conference. The conference aims to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders to address a broad range of issues facing the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. It serves as a unique forum where researchers, advocates, direct service providers, young leaders and other community leaders can meet face-to-face, talk about their common concerns and find ways to work collaboratively.

The first day features a legislative briefing on a multitude of critical issues such as health, education, immigration, minority contracting, voting, and other civil rights issues while the following day focuses on tracks focused on areas such as capacity building, advocacy, young leaders and policy research. A federal agency briefing is also planned. The Advancing Justice Conference is a joint project by the Asian American Institute, Asian American Justice Center, Asian Law Caucus and Asian Pacific American Legal Center.

Learn more at www.advancingjustice.org/2010.

The Westin Alexandria

400 Courthouse Square

Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Join Us at the 7th Annual Low-Income Immigrant Rights Conference, Dec. 6-8

Nicole Duran — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:58:00 GMT

Between our battle to make health-care reform as inclusive as possible and our efforts to build momentum toward long overdue immigration reform, 2009 has been nothing short of exhilarating for immigrants’ rights advocates.

And 2010 promises to require even more engagement from the field to promote and advance our common cause. Join AAJC Sunday-Tuesday at the 7th National Low-Income Immigrant Rights Conference so we can learn from each other, organize joint events and coordinate our advocacy agendas for the upcoming political and legal battles.

The schedule includes panels on health care and immigration and an address by Sen. Robert Menendez.

This year, AAJC is proudly serving as a co-convener of this conference.

Contact Magdalena Morales at 213-674-2816 or morales@nilc.org for more information.

These are historic times for immigrants’ rights. Don’t miss this opportunity to help build the movement!

30-Nov-09 11:58 AM

Commentary: When Considering Health-Care Reform, Do Not Exclude Legal Immigrants

Nicole Duran — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:00:00 GMT

By Alice Dong
For Northwest Asian Weekly

Though we are on the brink of historic change regarding our nation’s haphazard health care system, it is stunning that even these sweeping reforms continue those policies that exclude legal immigrants.

With a few exceptions, legal immigrants must live in the United States for a minimum of five years before they are eligible for Medicaid, and in many states, the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Given that more than 60 percent of Asian Americans are foreign-born and more than 17 percent are uninsured, this provision hits our community particularly hard.

This waiting period prevents many low-income, legal immigrants from obtaining quality health care. Without access to affordable health services, many of those in our community, including children, put off receiving care until the problem is so severe that expensive emergency services are their only option. While emergency rooms cannot turn away uninsured or indigent patients, the cost of treating them is transferred to those with health insurance.

Most proposals would make health care subsidies available to legal immigrants – a bare-minimum, given that they pay taxes. However, allowing them access to Medicaid and CHIP, instead of placing them in the insurance exchanges under consideration, will likely prove to be more cost-effective.

Moreover, parents of children enrolled in CHIP pay less out-of-pocket than they likely would in private-run insurance plans. Meanwhile, Medicaid provides low-income children with services better suited to their needs. With many legislators worrying about health care reform’s price tag, removing the five-year bar could lower costs.

Health care reform promises great innovation, but keeping in place a policy that perpetuates a more expensive health care system will only stifle real reform. Lifting the five-year waiting period will make for a healthier America.

We must tell Congress how important this provision is. ♦

Alice Dong is the health law policy staff attorney with the Asian American Justice Center in Washington, D.C.

12-Nov-09 10:00 AM

Wrap Up of First Annual Advancing Justice Conference

Nicole Duran — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:00:00 GMT

Untitled document

October 29-30, 2009 | The Center at Cathedral Plaza - Los Angeles, CA

Tom Perez, U.S. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, Promises a New Era of Enforcement at the Inaugural 2009 Advancing Justice Conference
SAVE THE DATE! 2010 Conference will be held in Washington, DC in June

Leaders of the host organizations and Tom Perez, U.S. Assistant Attorney General

During the keynote address last Friday, U.S. Assistant Attorney General Thomas Perez pledged to the more than 400 participants assembled at the first annual Advancing Justice Conference that the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, under his leadership, would restore civil rights enforcement, by equally upholding all of the nation’s civil rights laws, and transform civil rights by ensuring that his division was responsive to the challenges facing diverse and emerging communities.

Perez spoke about the Justice Department’s duty to uphold all of our laws, instead of a piecemeal approach to civil rights enforcement. The crowd cheered enthusiastically as he told them, “The Civil Rights Department is now open for business!” Read more about his keynote address in the Los Angeles Times.

CONFERENCE VIDEOS AND PHOTOS:

Video recordings and photos of the keynote speech and other plenaries and select workshops will be posted on www.AdvancingJustice.org in the coming weeks.

WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS:

Perez’s speech capped off a morning session that featured a lively discussion about hate crimes prevention, a timely subject given the newly-enacted Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which expands the federal definition of a hate crime to include gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability. Other panels in the morning included a discussion by low-wage workers rights advocates organzing to overcome obstacles to fair wages, equal treatment, and safe and healthy working conditions for Asian and other immigrant workers.

Hate Crimes Prevention Low Wage Workers' Rights

Students, activists and other leaders also spent the morning gaining a skills-based understanding of community organizing, including defining power, identifying organizing models and building an issue campaign. Linda Trinh Võ, chairwoman of the Asian American Studies Department at the University of California, Irvine, moderated panelists Sefa Aina, director of Asian American Resource Center at Pomona College; Sophya Chum, program director of Khmer Girls in Action; and Arnold Lee, president of the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association of Southwestern Law School.

In the afternoon, Tuyet Le, executive director of the Asian American Institute, moderated a panel discussion about capacity building for small, community-based organizations. Such organizations face numerous challenges in good times, and even more so in difficult economic times. Board development was a main theme as panelists provided volunteer management tools to enable small organizations to grow. The panel included: Jury Candelario, director of the Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team; Deborah Ching, principal of the Nonprofit Consulting Group; and Preeti Kulkarni, a member of the Asian Pacific Americans’ for Progress board.

Capacity Building for Small Organizations Foundation Fundraising in Tough Times

Another capacity building workshop addressed foundation fundraising. Given the severe economic downturn that has affected fundraising for nonprofits, panelists discussed national, state, and local trends in how foundations are changing their giving to meet the increased needs in the nonprofit sector. Moderated by Stewart Kwoh, president and executive director of the Asian Pacific Asian Legal Center, the panel included Kafi Blumenfield, president and chief executive officer of the Liberty Hill Foundation; Cristina Regalado, vice president of programs at The California Wellness Foundation; and Cynthia Renfro, director of programs and evaluation at the Marguerite Casey Foundation.

Civil Rights At The Intersections Of Gender Identity, Sexuality, Immigration And Race

Also in the afternoon, Karin Wang, vice president of programs at APALC, moderated a discussion about civil rights at the intersections of gender identity, sexuality, immigration and race. The panel explored intersections between lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) struggles and the broader Asian American and Pacific Islander civil rights agenda, with a goal of promoting greater inclusion of LGBT issues by AAPI organizations and advocates. The panel discussed parallels between the efforts to ban marriage between same-sex partners and earlier laws prohibiting interracial marriage, the similar struggles of undocumented immigrants and transgender individuals, and efforts to address immigration issues of same-sex binational couples. Panelists included Ben De Guzman, co-director of programs at the National Queer API Alliance; Yongho Kim, civic participation coordinator at the Korean Resource Center; Hector Vargas, deputy director of education and public affairs at Lambda Legal; Doreena Wong, co-founder of the Asian/Pacific Islander Queer Women/Transgender Activists; and Shin-Ming Wong, attorney at the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

SAVE THE DATE! 2010 ADVANCING JUSTICE CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON, DC IN JUNE

Tuyet Le, Karen Narasaki, Chris Punongbayan, and Stewart Kwoh at the closing ceremony.

At the closing ceremony, Karen K. Narasaki, president and executive director of the Asian American Justice Center, thanked everyone for making time to participate in the Advancing Justice Conference and invited everyone to Washington, DC, June 24 and 25, for next year’s conference. She noted, “We are coordinating with a number of AAPI organizations that will host concurrent events in the hope of creating a massive presence of AAPIs in the nation’s capital.”

We hope you will join us in Washington, DC for the second annual Advancing Justice Conference. Stay tuned for more information on our website. If you missed this year's Advancing Justice Conference, a recording of the keynote speech and other plenaries and select workshops will be posted on www.AdvancingJustice.org in the coming weeks.

Stay connected and get real-time updates by visiting our Facebook and Twitter.

The 2009 Advancing Justice Conference is a joint project of:

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6-Nov-09 9:00 PM

New AAJC Report Shows Asian Businesses Face Many Obstacles

Leticia Miranda — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:00:00 GMT

Leticia Miranda

Report Shows Asian Business Owners Really Do Face Discrimination

Oh yes, it’s true. A group of fancy researchers have now said it: Asians face race discrimination in government business contracts.

A UCLA study found that Asians get the fewest local, state and federal contracts through government minority business programs. The study, commissioned by the Asian American Justice Center, focuses on San Francisco, Chicago and Atlanta to get a picture of what happens in metropolitan areas and national trends. The researchers told the Northwest Asian Weekly that they also found that:

— Korean Americans have the highest self-employment rate among Asian Americans, but they still do not earn as much as their non-Latino white counterparts, even after controlling for education and other characteristics.
— Controlling for other factors, race still affects differences in self-employment rates, earnings potential, and incorporation rates.

— Racial discrimination has created a significant barrier for Asian Americans to enter social networks, where contracting deals often originate and close.

The issue of race discrimination against Asian business owners runs so deep that in 2003, they were excluded from Chicago’s Minority Business Enterprise program, run by the state of Illinois. The reason? There wasn’t enough evidence to conclude that Asian business contractors really do face racism. After a series of testimonies and quantitative data put together by advocacy groups and researchers, the program finally agreed that there really is racism against Asians. Shocker!

The study will be released in the next couple of weeks.

6-Nov-09 2:00 PM

Census Newsletter

Nicole Duran — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:22:59 GMT

Asian American Justice Center Census 2010 Campaign

About AAJC's Involvement

As an appointed member of the commerce secretary's 2010 Census Advisory Committee, and a member of the previous Decennial Census Advisory Committee, AAJC has been a major player in census policy and community outreach for more than a decade. Known for its acclaimed Census 2000 campaign, AAJC continues to push for a fairer and more accurate count of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs).

National Collaborative Census 2010 Campaign

AAJC is a national partner of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund’s national collaborative campaign to educate the nation about the importance of a fair and accurate 2010 Census. The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and the NAACP are also national partners. Among other activities, the national campaign will conduct grassroots mobilization of community leaders around the importance of the census through outreach, dissemination of materials, and thirteen regional train-the-trainers briefings across the country which will identify and train proven local leaders, who will then provide materials, support, and assistance to other local entities in ways that are specific and appropriate to their community.

Asian-focused Census 2010 Campaign

As a complement to the broader campaign, AAJC has its own initiative focused on the Asian American community. In July, AAJC’s Census Web site was launched. www.asianamericancensus.org/census-2010/ provides general information, discusses why the census is important to Asian Americans, and highlights the efforts of community-based organizations across the nation to promote Asian American participation. AAJC’s aggressive, nationwide initiative includes traditional, ethnic and blogosphere media outreach, community education and social networking. AAJC will translate many of its materials, such as factsheets and toolkits, into several languages.

Local Component

AAJC is also partnering with local groups to ensure that outreach and educational efforts are conducted at all levels to maximize the number of Asian Americans we can reach through materials dissemination, workshops, and trainings and with technical assistance:

Asian Pacific American Legal Center of Southern California in Los Angeles
Asian American Institute in Chicago
Asian American Federation in New York
Asian Pacific Islander Community Leadership Foundation in Seattle
Boat People SOS in Houston
Center for Pan Asian Community Services, Inc., in Atlanta
Hmong American Partnership in St. Paul, Minn.
Mary Queen of Vietnam Community Development Corporation in New Orleans

Materials & Resources

Census Webinar: How to Approach Media on Census 2010

On Oct. 16, AAJC conducted a Webinar training with its local partners that provided them with valuable tools to help them educate our communities about Census 2010. They learned how to craft effective messages and talk to the media, including tips on television and radio interviews, and engaging ethnic media. The Census Webinar is available for download at: www.asianamericancensus.org/census-2010-media-center/.

AAJC Census 2010 Facebook Page: Asian Americans: It’s Time! Make Yourself Count!

Become a fan of our Facebook Page, Asian Americans: It’s Time! Make Yourself Count”! Join us and stay up-to-date on census news and efforts around the country by Asian Americans to ensure an accurate count in 2010.

www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Asian-Americans-Its-Time-Make-Yourself-Count/161891303692?ref=ts

Keep checking back – there are more materials and tools to come!!!

Please visit our website, www.asianamericancensus.org/census-2010/ for more information.

29-Oct-09 10:22 AM

Advancing Justice Conference

Nicole Duran — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:09:19 GMT

22-Oct-09 11:09 AM

Survey on Adult English Language Learning

Pang Houa Moua — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:00:00 GMT

Untitled Document

Please distribute this invitation widely!

Please help us push for more and better adult English language learning (ELL) opportunities by filling out this survey!

Everyone who works with adult ELL programs (otherwise known as ESL or ESOL) is invited to participate in this survey. This includes teachers, administrators, advocates, volunteers, researchers, supervisors, and everyone else who works to make sure that adults in the U.S. have the opportunity to learn the English language.

This survey will guide work to strengthen ELL throughout the United States, and with people from all backgrounds – from Mexico, to Cambodia, Poland, Ethiopia, and everywhere in between, as well as people who were born in the U.S. The Asian American Justice Center (AAJC) is implementing this survey, in cooperation with Daylight Consulting Group.

By completing this survey you are helping us to support more and better adult English language learning programs, which are bound to become even more important as Congress moves towards Comprehensive Immigration Reform (perhaps in 2010) and the immigrant population continues to grow.

Completing the survey will take approximately 15 minutes of your time.

The deadline for completing the survey is Oct. 31, 2009.

Link to the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=NUWp3ULMuQLB_2f39z6S6Tww_3d_3d

http://tinyurl.com/ygjwaga

This survey is being distributed by the following national organizations (partial list):

Asian American Justice Center (AAJC)

Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

National Council of La Raza (NCLR)

14-Oct-09 3:00 PM

Narasaki Named to 100 Most Powerful Women List

Nicole Duran — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:46:47 GMT

Untitled Document

AAJC’s Narasaki Named to Most Powerful List

Narasaki Again One of Washingtonian Magazine’s 100 Most Powerful Washington Women

WASHINGTON — AAJC President and Executive Director Karen K. Narasaki is one of the 100 women Washingtonian Magazine celebrates today as the most powerful women in Washington, an honor Narasaki has now earned four times.

This year she joins such insiders as Obama confidant Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to the president, fellow advocate Janet Murguía, president of the National Council of La Raza, and National Public Radio veteran Nina Totenberg.

In naming this year’s list, Washingtonian said: “In almost every part of the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, there’s a deep bench of smart, savvy women who could each be considered one of the top 100. This year we’ve chosen to recognize those who make things happen in hometown Washington as well as the nation’s capital.”

In addition to her positions with the Asian American Justice Center, Ms. Narasaki is vice chairwoman of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, the nation’s oldest and broadest civil rights coalition. She heads the Rights Working Group, a coalition of human rights, civil rights, civil liberties and immigrant rights groups. And is also a member of the Federal Communications Commission’s Advisory Committee on Diversity for Communications in the Digital Age.

As chairwoman of the Asian Pacific American Media Coalition, Ms. Narasaki is a widely renowned leader in the Asian American community who also is a nationally respected expert on immigrant rights, voting rights, affirmative action and civil rights issues.

# # #

The Asian American Justice Center (www.advancingequality.org) 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 of Chicago (www.aaichicago.org), the Asian Law Caucus (www.asianlawcaucus.org) in San Francisco, and the Asian Pacific American Legal Center (www.apalc.org) in Los Angeles – and 102 community partners in 47 cities and 25 states in the country.

9-Oct-09 1:46 PM

Building Bridges

Aarathi Haig — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:00:00 GMT

BUILDING BRIDGES: An Asian American Business and Contracting Leadership Summit

Written by Annie Guo | 16 September 2009

BUILDING BRIDGES: An Asian American Business and Contracting Leadership Summit by Annie Guo

Aarathi D. Haig, Staff Attorney at Asian
American Justice Center

The Asian American Justice Center (AAJC) and the U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will host an exclusive gathering of Denver Asian American business leaders, BLM officials, BLM prime contractors and other advocates of minority business development.

AAJC is a non-profit civil rights organization dedicated to the advancement of Asian Pacific Americans (APA) through federal policy. AAJC Staff Attorney, Aarathi D. Haig says, “While progress has been made, racial and ethnic discrimination is still a serious problem for APA business owners.”

The objectives of the event are to: highlight the capabilities and skills of the Denver-area APA business community to BLM and its large prime contractors; learn about BLM’s efforts to reach out to the Asian American business community in the Denver area; and discuss the importance of preserving, reinstating and increasing federal government minority contracting programs, and the inclusion of Asian Americans in these programs.

“Many people think we live in post-racial America,” Haig says. “The problem is that for a number of reasons, we [APAs] tend not to speak out as much as the other groups.”

Many Asian and minority companies might not be in a position to bid on the huge prime contracts but they could start as subcontractors. BLM wants these companies to be more proactive to reach out to APA communities.

“It’s so refreshing that a department in the government is reaching out to the APA community,” says Haig. “I almost jumped out of my chair because that never happens.”

The event is limited to an invitation-only group of people in order to enhance in-depth discussion and to dig deep into issues within the APA community.

Haig says, “For the contractors, this isn’t just about diversity and feeling good. It’s about increasing business! You should always be out there seeing how you can get your work done, faster and cheaper.”

“We want the APA community to have the chance to say, look my company is really qualified, but how do I get through this whole process of actually getting a contract.”

The event is co-hosted by Asian American Chamber of Commerce, Byte Technology, Inc. and the Colorado Office of Economic Development State Minority Business Office.

21-Sep-09 11:00 AM

Congressional Democrats Hosted the 4th Annual Asian American & Pacific Islander Summit

Hannah Stone — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:00:00 GMT

On June 3, 2009, Congressional Democrats hosted the 2009 Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Summit. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Chairwoman of the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee Debbie Stabenow, Chairman of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Michael Honda, and Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus John Larson were joined by their colleagues in both chambers to meet with members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. The theme of the summit was Restoring Our Economy: Recovery and Reinvestment in the Asian American and Pacific Islander Community.

28-Aug-09 11:00 AM

AAJC Applauds Tri-Caucus and DOJ for Leadership on Census Confidentiality Reassurances

noemail@advancingequality.org — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON — AAJC applauds the Tri-Caucus, including Rep. Mike Honda of California, for taking leadership in requesting that the Department of Justice assess the strength of the federal law protecting the confidentiality of census responses. Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus chairman Honda and the chairwomen of the Congressional Black Caucus (Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif.) and Congressional Hispanic Caucus (Rep. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y.) wrote Attorney General Eric Holder in September at the urging of AAJC, the Leadership Conference Education Fund, NAACP, NALEO Educational Fund, and National Congress of American Indians – all partners in a national collaborative census campaign. Recognizing that the communities the Tri-Caucus represents are the most often missed and hardest to count in the decennial census, they asked Holder to determine whether the privacy protections for individual census responses afforded by the law (Title 13) trumped all other federal...

AAJC's Narasaki Testifies on 2010 Census Communications Contract

noemail@advancingequality.org — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:00:00 GMT

Asian Media Plan Improves on 2000 Plan, But Gaps Remain WASHINGTON — A fair and accurate census is one of the most pressing civil rights issues facing our nation because it directly affects equal representation and equal access to important governmental resources. Because Asian communities are among the most likely to be missed in the census count, it is imperative that the 2010 Census communications campaign include measures to effectively reach our hard to count communities Karen K. Narasaki, president and executive director of the Asian American Justice Center, told a House committee today. In evaluating the Census Bureau’s media outreach campaign, Narasaki commended it for undertaking a much more extensive approach aimed at Asian American communities than it did in 2000. The Bureau’s national media buy is augmented with smaller buys in 53 local markets covering 13 Asian languages for 17 Asian subgroup communities and does not follow a “one size fits...

NAPABA AND AAJC APPLAUD NOMINATION OF GOODWIN H. LIU TO THE FEDERAL APPELLATE COURT

noemail@advancingequality.org — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:00:00 GMT

NAPABA AND AAJC APPLAUD NOMINATION OF GOODWIN H. LIU TO THE FEDERAL APPELLATE COURT Washington, D.C. – The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) and the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC) applauded today the decision of President Barack Obama to nominate University of California Berkeley School of Law Associate Dean and Professor Goodwin H. Liu to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Professor Liu joins Judge Denny Chin, nominee to the U.S. Court of Appeals to the Second Circuit, as the second Asian Pacific American federal appellate court nomination by the President. Currently, there are no Asian Pacific American judges among the approximately 175 active federal appellate court jurists nationwide. “Professor Liu is an exceptional attorney who is well-respected by lawyers across the ideological spectrum,” said Joseph J. Centeno, president of NAPABA. “Professor Liu also will bring much-needed diversity to...

AAJC Launches Census 2010 Web Site

noemail@advancingequality.org — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON — In leading the effort to ensure that Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiians are accurately counted in the upcoming census, the Asian American Justice Center and its partners launched a Web site to serve as a clearinghouse for census materials aimed at AAPI communities. Part of the Fill in Our Future campaign, www.fillinourfuture.org provides information translated into 25 languages, public service announcements, videos, brochures and educational materials to help with community outreach. The site brings all the information to a central location so that communities across the country can readily access, download and use the information for census outreach without duplicating efforts, thereby reaching even more AAPIs before Census Day, April 1. At www.fillinourfuture.org one can find: questions asked on the census form, frequently asked questions; the impact on your family and your community; confidentiality of responses, details about questions...

Asian Pacific American Leaders Pleased with Senate Hearing for Federal Court Judicial Nominee Lucy H. Koh

noemail@advancingequality.org — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 20:00:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NAPABA Contact: Tina Matsuoka (202) 775-9555 Feb. 11, 2010 (202) 465-6041 (Mobile) AAJC Contact: Vincent A. Eng (202) 296-2300, ext. 121 (703) 981-6636 (Mobile) Asian Pacific American Leaders Pleased with Senate Hearing for Federal Court Judicial Nominee Lucy H. Koh WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate took the first step toward confirming the Honorable Lucy H. Koh to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Koh was nominated on January 20, 2010 and is the fifth Asian Pacific American nominated to the federal bench by President Obama. “Judge Koh is a uniquely qualified nominee with a wealth of experience as a jurist,” said Joseph J. Centeno, president of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association. “Her confirmation will be historic for the Asian Pacific American community to which she has been so committed throughout her career. We recognized Judge...

Asian American Groups Thank Census Bureau for Corrected Census 2010 Translation

noemail@advancingequality.org — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:00:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AAJC Contact: Nicole Duran 202-296-2300 ext. 144 Feb. 1, 2010 ICAN Contact: Quyen Vuong 408-509-8788 ALA Contact: Jacquelyn K. Maruhashi 408-287-9710 Asian American Groups Thank Census Bureau for Corrected Census 2010 Translation Census Bureau Addresses Groups’ Concerns Regarding Vietnamese Translation of the words “Census” and “Enumerator” WASHINGTON — Asian American groups are pleased with Census Bureau Director Robert Groves’ decision to swiftly address their concerns regarding the troublesome Vietnamese translation of the words “census” and “enumerator” in the bureau’s literature and forms for the upcoming Census. Earlier this month, leaders from the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC), the International Children Assistance Network (ICAN) and the Asian Law...

President Obama Addresses Immigration Reform in State of the Union

noemail@advancingequality.org — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:00:00 GMT

Asian American Justice Center Will Continue to Work With the President and Congress to Pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform This Year WASHINGTON — Statement of Karen K. Narasaki, president and executive director of the Asian American Justice Center, on President Obama’s State of the Union address: We want to applaud President Obama for calling on Congress to pass health-care reform, a jobs bill and legislation to end the don’t ask, don’t tell military policy. We also note that he called for continued work to reform our immigration system this year. In his address, President Obama made clear his ongoing commitment to immigration reform noting we should continue the work of fixing our broken immigration system - to secure our borders, enforce our laws, and ensure that everyone who plays by the rules can contribute to our economy and enrich our nation. We need strong leadership from the president to get workable legislation this year. As is the case with...

Asian Pacific American Leaders Applaud Appointment of Donna M. Ryu and Young B. Kim as Federal Magistrates

noemail@advancingequality.org — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:00:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NAPABA Contact: Brian Wang (202) 775-9555 Jan. 22, 2010 AAJC Contact: Vincent A. Eng (202) 296-2300, ext. 121 (703) 981-6636 (Mobile) Asian Pacific American Leaders Applaud the Appointment of Donna M. Ryu and Young B. Kim as Federal Magistrate Judges WASHINGTON – On January 21, Young B. Kim was appointed to serve as a federal magistrate judge for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, making him the second Asian Pacific American to be appointed to such a position within the last 10 days. Kim’s appointment to serve as a federal magistrate judge comes on the heels of the appointment of Donna M. Ryu to serve as a federal magistrate judge for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Prior to these appointments, there had never been a Korean American federal magistrate judge in U.S. history. Kim will also be the first Asian Pacific American federal judge in...

Two Asian Pacific American Judges Nominated to Federal District Court

noemail@advancingequality.org — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 21:00:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NAPABA Contact: Brian Wang (202) 775-9555 Jan. 20, 2010 AAJC Contact: Vincent A. Eng (202) 296-2300, ext. 121 (703) 981-6636 (Mobile) Two Asian Pacific American Judges Nominated to Federal District Court WASHINGTON – Today, The Honorable Edward M. Chen and The Honorable Lucy H. Koh were nominated by President Barack Obama to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. “Judge Chen and Judge Koh are committed members of the legal community with strong reputations for fairness, impartiality and integrity,” said Joseph J. Centeno, president of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association. “Both nominees are outstanding choices to be the first Asian Pacific American Article III Judges in the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley.” If confirmed by the Senate as Article III federal judges, Judge Chen and Judge Koh would serve lifetime appointments. Judge Chen...

Week of Action

noemail@advancingequality.org — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:00:00 GMT

Jan. 13, 2010 Contact: Nicole Duran Tel: 202-296-2300 ext. 144 Email: nduran@advancingequality.org www.advancingequality.org Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Demand Comprehensive Immigration Reform This Year Asian Americans Organize Second Major National Week of Action WASHINGTON, D.C. – Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders across the country are flexing their political muscle in conjunction with the re-launch of the Reform Immigration FOR America campaign this week. They will attend town hall meetings, hold prayer vigils, participate in Reform Immigration FOR America rallies and demand Congress pass comprehensive immigration reform this year. “Immigration reform is a defining issue for the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities,” said Karen K. Narasaki, president and executive director of the Asian American Justice Center. “The right legislation legalizes millions in our communities, reunites thousands of families, and signals...

Director of Programs

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Title: Director of Programs Description: Summary: The Director of Programs reports directly to the Executive Director or to her designee to ensure that the program work of the organization is carried out in a competent, efficient, and organized fashion. This work includes facilitating and directing the work of the staff attorneys and other program staff. The Director of Programs also provides input on the organization’s strategic planning, fundraising, public education and media relations work. The Director works closely on a day-to-day basis with other senior management level staff. Major Job Duties and Responsibilities: Supervise AAJC Program Staff and Develop Coherent Programming Consistent with AAJC Strategic Goals: Oversee and supervise the work of Staff Attorneys and Program Staff. Hire, manage, train and mentor Staff Attorneys and Program Staff. Work with Staff Attorneys and Program Staff to ensure full integration and coordination of divisions and to develop...

National Advisory Council

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:12:44 GMT

Kevin Bradley: Member McDonald’s Corporation Jonathan M. Cohen: Member Gilbert LLP Bill Ong Hing: Member UC Davis School of Law Neil Horikoshi: Member Asian Pacific American Scholarship Fund Bill Imada: Member IW Group, Inc. Douglas Jackson: Member Magnus, LLC Faizun Kamal: Member Verizon John T. Komeiji: Member Hawaiian Telcom Yul Kwon: Member Bill Lann Lee: Member Lewis, Feinberg, Lee, Renaker & Jackson, P.C. Deanna Lee: Member New York Public Library Mari Matsuda: Member University of Hawaii School of Law Sylvester Mendoza Jr.: Member Northrop Grumman Dale Minami: Member Minami Tamaki LLP Leslie Moe-Kaiser: Member State Farm Insurance Companies Taron K. Murakami: Member Seyfarth Shaw LLP Don T. Nakanishi: Member University of California Los Angeles Angela E. Oh: Member Western Justice Center Foundation Skip Rhodes: Member Skip Rhodes & Associates, LLC Robert S. Sheen: Member First Capitol Consulting, Inc. ...

Board of Directors

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:05:23 GMT

Mark Aoki-Fordham: Member
Starbucks Coffee Company

Michael Isaku Begert: Chair
Bingham McCutchen LLP

Sumi Cho: Member
DePaul University Law School

Anne H. Chow: Member
AT&T

Kevin M. Fong: Member
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

Ankur J. Goel: Member
McDermott, Will & Emery

Michael S. Greco: Member

K&L Gates LLP

Julia Huang: Member
interTREND

Lois Ingram: Member
Ingram & Company

Stewart Kwoh: Vice Chair
Asian Pacific American Legal Center

Tuyet Le: Member
Asian American Institute

Paul W. Lee: Member
Goodwin Procter, LLP

Titi Liu: Member
Asian Law Caucus

Harsha Murthy: Secretary
Consummate Capital LLC

Daranee Petsod: Member
Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees

Frank J. Quevedo: Member

Wayne Winborne: Treasurer
The Prudential Insurance Company of America

Census Publications & Materials

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:16:45 GMT

To order hardcopies of any of our publications, please send an e-mail to information@advancingequality.org. Census 2010 AAJC and its partners launched the Fill in Our Future campaign, which includes a website, www.fillinourfuture.org, that provides information in 25 languages, public service announcements, videos, brochures and educational materials to help with community outreach. Karen Narasaki Census 2010 Portrait of America Video Fact Sheet: Importance of the Census 2010 to Asian Americans Audio from LCCREF, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund and the Asian American Justice Center conference call for online media on the importance of the 2010 Census to minority communities Joint Statement From Reps. Clay and Honda support paid media and outreach to all hard-to-count communities for 2010 Census Fact Sheet: The Truth About Asian Americans and the Census: Debunking the Myths Fact Sheet: Challenges and Concerns...

Census

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:09:46 GMT

An accurate count of our community in the census is a must, if government services are to be provided to our people and decision-makers are to understand the community's importance. An appointed member of the U.S. Secretary of Commerce's 2010 Census Advisory Committee, AAJC is a major player when it comes to census policy and community outreach. Known for our acclaimed Census 2000 campaign, we pursue a fair and accurate census count of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the decennial census and American Community Survey (ACS). Our work has led to increasing census research on improving outreach to Asian Americans, particularly those who are limited English proficient - the people who stand to lose the most if they are not accurately represented. AAJC and its partners launched the Fill in Our Future campaign, which includes a website, www.fillinourfuture.org, that provides information in 25 languages, public service announcements, videos, brochures and educational...

What's New Section

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:55:06 GMT

Check out Papers the Movie Job Vacancy: Director of Programs

Family-Based Immigration

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:58:07 GMT

Legislation Reuniting Families Act of 2009 (S. 1085) Bill Text Reuniting Families Act of 2009 (H.R. 2709) Bill Text Reuniting Families Act of 2009 (S. 1085) Summary Reuniting Families Act of 2009 (H.R. 2709) Summary Reuniting Families Act Talking Points Fact Sheets The Economic Impact of Family-Based Immigration The Importance of Adult Children and Sibling Immigration Asian Americans and Family-based Immigration Latinos and Family-based Immigration Africans and Caribbeans and Family Sponsored Immigration Fact Sheet on Family-based Immigration Background Materials Immigration Polling: A qualitative and quantitative study of registered voters assesses their views family-based immigration and reforms aimed at reducing the family backlog. These voters reported viewing family as the basic unit of society and immigration as a key issue that needs reform. Many respondents said that they consider immigration to be a values issue. Family Immigration Polling...

American Courage Awards

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:31:58 GMT

The 14th Annual American Courage Awards Thursday, October 7, 2010 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm Location TBA Since 1997, the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC) has recognized and awarded individuals, companies and organizations of merit in its annual American Courage Awards. The American Courage Awards reception features the presentation of the following awards: The American Courage Award goes to an individual, company, or organization that has shown extraordinary courage or commitment to the cause of civil rights. This may include a corporate leader who has taken an important stand, an activist who overcame extraordinary challenges, an artist with a unique vision, or a journalist breaking an important story. Last Year's American Courage Award Recipient: Mallika Dutt The Bridge Builder Award recognizes an individual or corporation that has developed an innovative approach to successful community empowerment and strives to overcome obstacles for the Asian American community,...

Immigration Publications & Materials

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:10:05 GMT

To order hardcopies of any of our publications, please send an e-mail to information@advancingequality.org. Immigrant Rights Comprehensive Immigration Reform Family-Based Immigration Family Immigration Stories Campaign Naturalization Low-wage Workers APA Mobilization Prior Legislation and Background Materials SAVE Act of 2007 Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005 Reform Immigration FOR American Campaign Nov. 18 House Party Toolkit On November 18th the Reform Immigration FOR America Campaign (RI4A) will host a national teleconference with Congressman Luis Guittierez to discuss his proposed comprehensive immigration reform legislation. Invite your family, friends and colleagues to join the call together! Restore Fairness: bring back due process to the immigration system from Breakthrough on Vimeo. “Restore Fairness,” produced by Breakthrough...

Past recipients of the Distinguished Service Award

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:50:33 GMT

2009 – Gloria T. Caoile

2008– Irene Y. Hirano and John C. Yang

2007 – Peggy Saika, President / Executive Director of Asian Americans / Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP)

2006 – O’Melveny & Myers LLP

2005 – Current sitting Asian Pacific American Federal Judges. Award accepted by the Honorable Atsushi Wallace Tashima, the Honorable Ronald Lew, the Honorable Denny Chin, the Honorable Susan Oki Mollway, and the Honorable Dana Makoto Sabraw

2004 – Gilbert Heintz & Randolph, LLP. Award accepted by Mark Packman, Partner

2003 – Hogan & Hartson, LLP. Award accepted by Warren H. Maruyama, Partner

2002 – Service Employees International Union. Award accepted by Patricia Ford, Executive Vice President

Past recipients of the Bridge Builder Award

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:48:11 GMT

2009 – Edison International. Award accepted by Barbara J. Parsky

2008 – The Prudential Insurance Company of America. Award accepted by Wayne Winborne

2007 – AT&T. Award accepted by Randall L. Stephenson, Chairman and CEO

2006 – The Honorable Norman Y. Mineta

2005 – Bill Imada and the IW Group, Inc. Award accepted by Bill Imada

2004 – ChevronTexaco Corporation. Award accepted by Peter Robertson, Vice Chairman of ChevronTexaco Corporation

2003 – Anheuser-Busch, Inc. Award accepted by August A. Busch III, Chairman of the Board

2002 – SBC Pacific Bell. Award accepted by Cynthia Marshall, Sr. Vice President and Officer, Regulatory and Constituency Relations

2001 – Merrill Lynch. Award accepted by George A. Schieren, Senior Vice President & Associate General Counsel

Lorem ipsum survey

noemail@advancingequality.org — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 21:36:14 GMT

Objectives:

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Release Date: 13-Aug-07 5:36 PM
Expiration Date: 13-Nov-07 5:36 PM

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Gloria Caoile

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:51:27 GMT

Barbara McEntee, Gerald W. McEntee, Gloria Caoile and Kathleen Flores

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:51:27 GMT

Karen K. Narasaki addresses the crowd

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:51:27 GMT

Gerald W. McEntee, Gloria Caoile, Alec Mapa and Karen K. Narasaki

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:51:27 GMT

Gerald W. McEntee, Gloria Caoile and Alec Mapa

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:51:27 GMT

Congressman Mike Honda, Barbara J. Parsky and Alec Mapa

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:51:27 GMT

Alec Mapa

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:51:27 GMT

Sophie Tan and Yul Kwon

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:51:27 GMT

Frank H. Wu

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:51:27 GMT

The Honorable Thomas E. Perez, Karen McGill Lawson and Christopher Lu

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:51:27 GMT

Lorem ipsum

2007-08-13T21:36:14Z

Instructor: Instructor

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Asian American Justice Center RSS Feed

Papers the Movie Free Film Screening

AAPI Pre Rally

March for America

2010 Texas Diversity and Leadership Conference

Hubert H. Humphrey Civil and Human Rights Award Dinner

Advancing Justice Conference

Join Us at the 7th Annual Low-Income Immigrant Rights Conference, Dec. 6-8

Commentary: When Considering Health-Care Reform, Do Not Exclude Legal Immigrants

By Alice DongFor Northwest Asian Weekly

Wrap Up of First Annual Advancing Justice Conference

New AAJC Report Shows Asian Businesses Face Many Obstacles

Leticia Miranda

Report Shows Asian Business Owners Really Do Face Discrimination

Census Newsletter

Advancing Justice Conference

Survey on Adult English Language Learning

Narasaki Named to 100 Most Powerful Women List

Building Bridges

BUILDING BRIDGES: An Asian American Business and Contracting Leadership Summit

Congressional Democrats Hosted the 4th Annual Asian American & Pacific Islander Summit

AAJC Applauds Tri-Caucus and DOJ for Leadership on Census Confidentiality Reassurances

AAJC's Narasaki Testifies on 2010 Census Communications Contract

NAPABA AND AAJC APPLAUD NOMINATION OF GOODWIN H. LIU TO THE FEDERAL APPELLATE COURT

AAJC Launches Census 2010 Web Site

Asian Pacific American Leaders Pleased with Senate Hearing for Federal Court Judicial Nominee Lucy H. Koh

Asian American Groups Thank Census Bureau for Corrected Census 2010 Translation

President Obama Addresses Immigration Reform in State of the Union

Asian Pacific American Leaders Applaud Appointment of Donna M. Ryu and Young B. Kim as Federal Magistrates

Two Asian Pacific American Judges Nominated to Federal District Court

Week of Action

Director of Programs

National Advisory Council

Board of Directors

Census Publications & Materials

Census

What's New Section

Family-Based Immigration

American Courage Awards

Immigration Publications & Materials

Past recipients of the Distinguished Service Award

Past recipients of the Bridge Builder Award

Lorem ipsum survey

Gloria Caoile

Barbara McEntee, Gerald W. McEntee, Gloria Caoile and Kathleen Flores

Karen K. Narasaki addresses the crowd

Gerald W. McEntee, Gloria Caoile, Alec Mapa and Karen K. Narasaki

Gerald W. McEntee, Gloria Caoile and Alec Mapa

Congressman Mike Honda, Barbara J. Parsky and Alec Mapa

Alec Mapa

Sophie Tan and Yul Kwon

Frank H. Wu

The Honorable Thomas E. Perez, Karen McGill Lawson and Christopher Lu

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By Alice Dong
For Northwest Asian Weekly