Representatives from NAKASEC and its affiliates – the Korean Resource Center - Los Angeles, Korean American Resource and Cultural Center - Chicago, and YKASEC - Empowering the Korean American Community - New York, and also Korean Americans for Just Immigration Reform - Philadelphia – participated in the first Standing FIRM Summit in Washington, DC, from January 30 to February 1. More than 300 community representatives and advocates from 33 states gathered under the auspices of the Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM) to strategize for the immigrant rights movement in 2007 and exchange opinions and ideas on the empowerment of immigrant communities nationwide. One of KRCC’s community volunteers, Songsun Park, was a featured speaker who shared his experience as a first-generation Korean immigrant and his belief in the need for comprehensive immigration reform with summit participants. Also during the summit, Korean American delegations visited the offices of key Congress members to express support for just, humane, and comprehensive immigration reform.

 

 

 

CIR Media Briefings

 

As we begin the year with a new Congress and new political realities, the Korean American community must be kept up to date in preparation for the immigration reform debates ahead. Recognizing that the Korean ethnic media is major tool to educate the community, NAKASEC and its affiliates held coordinated press briefings on comprehensive immigration reform. On January 29, 21 newspaper, television, and radio media outlets were briefed on the status of immigration legislation and upcoming actions.

 

 

YKASEC Meets with New DMV Commissioner

 

The steering committee members of the New York Coalition for Immigrants’ Right to Driver’s Licenses (NYCIRDL) met with the new DMV Commissioner and policy staff from the Governor’s office. The NYCIRDL steering committee members educated Commissioner Swartz on how current policies, which deny access to drivers’ licenses to immigrants, are a detriment to their lives. YKASEC and other members encouraged the Commissioner to change the policy so that hardworking immigrants can have the basic ability to drive to work or school, for example.

 

 

 

Commemorating MLK

 

As the nation celebrates and remembers Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., YKASEC continued to build relations with leaders of the African American community. YKASEC offered condolences to the parents of Sean Bell, an African American man shot 50 times by police officers, during a vigil in front of the 103rd Precinct of the NYC Police Department. YKASEC also attended a community forum at a local Presbyterian church held by African American community leaders.  

 

 

Quick Updates

 

KRCC’s Korean cultural troupe, Il Kwa Nori, performed during the Korean American Day’s official ceremony on January 13 at Daley Plaza.  With more than 100 community leaders, state representatives and government officials in attendance, Il Kwa Nori showed off their Sangmo skills celebrating Korean heritage, followed by a Korean traditional fashion show.

In Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, NAKASEC affiliates’ Low Income Taxpayer Clinics kicked off to assist low-income limited English proficient community members with income tax filing. Already, dozens of calls have been coming in from community members, as well as office drop-ins.