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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                June 15, 2012    

South Asian Organizations Applaud White House Announcement to Grant Relief for Undocumented Students 

Statement from  Members of the National Coalition of  

South Asian Organizations

June 15, 2012

 

Members of the National Coalition of South Asian Organizations (NCSO) applaud the White House for today's announcement to offer immigration relief to undocumented students in the form of deferred action. South Asian youth and families stand to benefit from this change in policy, given that individuals from South Asian countries are among the 1 million undocumented students in the United States. 

 

According to the Department of Homeland Security, undocumented individuals brought to the United States before they turned 16 and are younger than 30, have been in the country for at least five continuous years and presently reside here, have no criminal history, and have graduated from a US high school or served in the military could receive relief from deportation and permits to work legally in the United States.  DHS expects to begin the process for applications within 60 days. Our organizations will release additional information about the impact of this new policy in the near future, and will work with DHS and the White House to ensure its full and fair implementation.

 

It is important to note that deferred action is a temporary form of relief that does not lead to citizenship.  Congress must still take action to craft a permanent solution for relief in order to fix the range of problems with our broken immigration system. But, today's announcement from the White House marks an important moment in the struggle for immigration reform in our country. Today, we lift up the tremendous advocacy of the DREAMers and grassroots organizations around the country, whose courage paved the way for this policy change.

 

For additional information, please contact info@saalt.org or visit www.saalt.org

 

Organizations Signing On:

 

Adhikaar

Apna Ghar, Inc. (Our Home) 

Chhaya CDC

Council of People's Organization

Counselors Helping (South) Asians/Indians, Inc.

Daya, Inc.

Desis Rising Up & Moving

Manavi

Michigan Asian Indian Family Services

Raksha 

Sakhi for South Asian Women

Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF)  

Sikh Coalition

South Asian American Policy & Research Institute

South Asian Americans Leading Together

South Asian Council for Social Services

South Asian Health Initiative 

South Asian Network

South Asian Progressive Action Collective

South Asian Youth Action

Turning Point for Women & Families

Westchester Square Partnership


 
saalt logoSouth Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) is a national, nonpartisan, non-profit organization that elevates the voices and perspectives of South Asian individuals and organizations to build a more just and inclusive society in the United States. SAALT is the coordinating entity of the National Coalition of South Asian Organizations (NCSO), a network of 42 organizations that serve, organize, and advocate on behalf of the South Asian community across the country.
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