On June 13, the first group of Dreamers left California boarding a train heading east, picking up more Dreamers in Tucson, San Antonio, Chicago, and Toledo. A few days later, three more trains from Richmond, Miami and Boston picked up additional dreamers, stopping in New York and Philadelphia. The Dreamers represent the diversity and strength of America.

On June 18, the Dreamers arrived in Washington, D.C. for a welcoming event at Union Station and then a graduation ceremony organized by the United We DREAM Coalition in which National Korean American Services & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) is a key member. Students urged Congress to pass the DREAM Act (S. 774 and HR 1275), a federal legislation that would give immigrant students in the US a chance at college and a way to contribute fully to this nation.

The following day, the Dreamers joined the Children’s March organized by the Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM). More than 2,000 participants chanted and sang continuously on the way to the White House.

On the last day, the Dreamers participated in legislative visits and a closing press conference was held on the steps of the Cannon House Office Building. The tour was the just the first part of a larger campaign to counter anti-immigrant rhetoric that leads to non-solutions, while working to uplift and empower all communities.

 

 

Il Kwa Nori

 

On June 30 in Chicago, the Korean American Resource & Cultural Center’s (KRCC) traditional Korean American cultural troupe Il Kwa Nori (Work & Play) performed its first solo show Kil Gunak (Moving Forward Toward the Future) with 400 people in attendance. As a part of the preparations, Il Kwa Nori invited pung mul master Hee Sun Shin from Korea with rehearsals.

 

 

Naturalization Campaign

 

As immigration application fees have risen, demand for naturalization application assistance has increased. KRC organized naturalization clinics on June 30 in three sites for those who had previously been unable to taken advantage of KRC’s free services. In East Los Angeles, Santa Clarita Valley and the Glendale area, many took their first step towards becoming an active citizens by signing postcards urging congress members to pass just and humane immigration reform.

 

 

Immigration Fraud

 

Cases of immigration fraud are increasing. YKASEC-Empowering the Korean American Community and AALDEF, along with the Attorney General Office’s Consumer Frauds Bureau, is offering assistance to victims of immigration fraud through the Korean Community Law Project.

 

 

Save The Date

 

On October 19, NAKASEC and KRC will be hosting a joint banquet fundraiser in Los Angeles. The evening will pay tribute to the hard work and tireless commitment of the Asian Pacific American and immigrant communities in striving for equal civil and human rights. Attendees for this year’s banquet will include Congressman Mike Honda. For more information, contact Jacqueline Chun at (323) 937-3703, ext. 22 or jchun@nakasec.org.