NaFFAA Hails Executive Action on Filipino WWII Vets rommel July 16, 2015 News Ticker, US 1538 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 15, 2015 Contact: Bing Cardenas Branigin bing.branigin@naffaa.org Tel. 202-361-1024 Jon Melegrito jon.melegrito@naffaa.org Tel. 202-361-0296 NAFFAA HAILS EXECUTIVE ACTION ALLOWING FILIPINO WORLD WAR II VETERANS TO REUNITE WITH THEIR FAMILIES Washington, D.C. “We are extremely pleased to hear the good news coming from the White House, that Filipino World War II Veterans will soon be reunited with their families,” says JT Mallonga, National Chair of The National Federation of Filipino American Associations. “They have endured so much pain waiting for many years for this to happen. But with this latest executive action by the Obama administration, our ailing and aging heroes will no longer be separated from their loved ones.” The immigration relief announced today is part of a report issued by the Visa Modernization Task Force, an inter-agency group created in November as part of President Obama’s executive actions on immigration. The Department of Homeland Security will now work with the State Department to establish a program that allows eligible family members of the veterans to come to the U.S. under parole status on a case-by-case basis, rather than through the general family immigration process. As a White House official pointed out to The Huffington Post, “These are people who are eligible for an immigration visa by virtue of their U.S. citizen family member, who also happens to be a veteran who served in the World War II. But because the family immigration system is so backlogged, it can take decades for them to actually get a visa.” Mallonga also thanked Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) for its advocacy of family reunification, calling on President Obama to grant parole for children of Filipino War World II veterans. Mee Moua, AAJC President and Executive Director, points out that “Even though the U.S. government promised Filipino World War II veterans U.S. citizenship in recognition of their service and contributions to America, it took more than 50 years before they actually received citizenship. Until now, the inhumanely long visa backlog has separated them from their children and denied them the opportunity to live together in the United States. We’re grateful the Obama Administration is taking action so our veterans can be reunited with their children and receive the love and care they need during their golden years. It’s long past time the United States made good on its promise and we hope USCIS will implement this as soon as possible.” “We appreciate as well the efforts of our US Representatives and Senators who have championed the cause of our veterans,” adds Mallonga. “They, like Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, have tried over the years to push for a bill on this issue, fighting to end the visa backlog for the sons and daughters of our veterans. We agree with her that today’s action of expediting reunification is long overdue and the right thing to do.” Marites “Bing” Branigin, Capitol Region Chair of NaFFAA, welcomed the news with mixed feelings. “My first reaction was happiness,” she says. “But I am also saddened remembering our veterans like Manong Emong Guillermo and Jack Tejada and community champions like Alex Esclamado, who walked the halls of Congress, fighting for recognition and family reunification. They are gone now but their legacy lives on.” As Capital Region Chair, Branigin works closely with AAJC and other immigrant rights and veterans advocacy groups in fighting for the veterans’ cause. As many as 26,000 Filipino World War II veterans became U.S. citizens, and an estimated 6,000 of them are still alive and living here, according to the White House. For more information on today’s White House announcement, visit the Link to WH report: https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/07/15/bringing-our-immigration-system-digital-age And here’s the Advancing Justice | AAJC press release on the subject:http://www.advancingjustice-aajc.org/news-media/news/press-release-white-house-will-allow-children-filipino-world-war-ii-veterans-live NaFFAA National Office 1322 18th St NW, Washington DC 20036-1803 Phone: 303-810-4666 Website: naffaa.org Facebook: http://facebook.com/NaFFAA.National Inquiries: inquiries@naffaa-national.org The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) is a private, non-profit, non-partisan tax-exempt organization established in 1997 to promote the active participation of Filipino Americans in civic and national affairs. NaFFAA is the largest national affiliation of Filipino American institutions, organizations and individuals. Its thirteen-member regions cover the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, the Marianas Islands, and American Samoa. NaFFAA partners with local affiliate organizations and national coalitions in monitoring legislation and public policy issues affecting Filipino Americans and advocating for issues of common concern. Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)
