(코리아타운뉴스) Human Rights Groups Support Undocumented Immigrants

Community advocates in Koreatown create hotline for DACA applicants

Three human rights organizations in Los Angeles Koreatown have created a seven days a week, around the clock service for young Korean-Americans who are applying for deferred action, an executive order from President Barrack Obama to grant work permit for undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children.

The National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC), L.A. Korean Resource Center (KRCLA) and Korean-American Resources and Cultural Center in Chicago (KRC Chicago) announced Tuesday that approximately 160,000 undocumented Korean immigrants in the U.S. must be supported with an emergency plan to respond to the aftermath of President-elect Donald Trump’s victory on Nov. 8.

The three groups stressed that the Korean community must remain firm in its standing against President-elect Trump’s anti-immigration policy.

During the 10-day meeting, the three organizations concluded that they will continue to support the Korean immigrations as they have over the last 20 years.

The groups also emphasized that they will strongly oppose deportation of undocumented residents, after 14,210 young Korean immigrants in the U.S. have already been granted legal status in the country thanks to deferred action.

“Trump’s victory is endangering the futures of young people, immigrants, people of color and ethnic minorities,” the three groups said. “The comments by Trump who’s looking to create policies based on anti-human rights beliefs must be opposed.”

The plan for the three groups is as follows: (1) strengthening the immigrant community gatherings, (2) 24-hour emergency hotline, (3) consultation with attorneys and other legal experts for affected immigrants, (4) building a stronger relations with other ethnic communities, (5) ensuring stronger protection of human rights for Korean-Americans.

“The best way to start is for eligible Korean immigrants to obtain U.S. citizenships and registering as voters,” said the three organizations during their announcement. “We have to face the danger that ethnic minorities are facing with courage.”

Meanwhile, the Asian Americans Advancing Justice in L.A. has also pressed the White House to immediately ban the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS), a system for registering non-U.S. citizens in an effort to fight terrorism. The AAAJ is suggesting that placing a ban on the NSEER prior to Trump’s inauguration in January could stave off dangers of further racial discrimination in the U.S.
▶ KRCLA: 323-937-3718



By Hyoung Jae Kim