SAALT joins White House briefing on immigration reform

NEW YORK: Indian American advocacy group South Asian American Leading Together (SAALT) joined a White House meeting on immigration reform which was briefed by President Obama and Secretary of Department of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, on Aug 20.

The meeting included representatives from business, law enforcement, labor, interfaith groups, and immigrant rights organizations.

According to SAALT Executive Director Deepa Iyer who attended the meeting, Secretary Napolitano and President Obama stated their commitment to comprehensive immigration reform at the legislative and administrative levels.

Secretary Napolitano outlined several components that DHS considers to be crucial for immigration reform, such as continuing to enforce immigration laws while reviewing their effectiveness; establishing workable mechanisms for legalization and the citizenship process; increasing the efficiency of the immigration court system; and implementing a practical and sustainable system for future flows of immigrants and workers.

At the meeting, Iyer raised issues affecting the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, including family reunification, legalization, and the impact of local enforcement of immigration laws.  She noted, "The leadership of the President and Secretary Napolitano on immigration is critical if we are to reach workable and humane policy solutions to our country's broken immigration system.

By providing a forum for immigrant rights advocates to share priorities and raise concerns with current immigration policies, yesterday's meeting represents a positive step. In the coming months, we hope that the Administration maintains their commitment to immigration reform. SAALT will continue to monitor the process moving forward and engage South Asian organizations and individuals around the country to make their voices and opinions heard."

As a predominantly foreign-born community, South Asians often face challenges navigating the current immigration system and would be significantly affected by immigration reform. Given the impact on the community, SAALT has long been advocating for just and humane changes to immigration policies. Most recently, the National Coalition of South Asian Organizations, a network of 39 organizations that serve, organize, and advocate on behalf of South Asians across the United States, launched the 'One Community United' Campaign for Immigrant and Human Rights to ensure that South Asian voices are part of the dialogue on immigration reform.

SAALT suggests three ways that community members can weigh in on immigration: Call your members of Congress and let them know that just and humane immigration reform is necessary for South Asians and all Americans; you can find out who your member of Congress is and reach them by calling the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121; Join or help to plan a One Community United Campaign town hall in your area; various town halls are being planned this year, including one in Miami on September 26; Plug into the Reform Immigration FOR America's text messaging campaign to get action alert updates by simply texting "JUSTICE" to 69866.

India Post News Service