SPOTLIGHT
Photo credit: CCACC
Hands-on community learning
During our recent retreat, SEARAC board members and staff visited the Chinese Culture and Community Service Center. CCACC serves and celebrates the Chinese American community in the greater Washington, DC area through a variety of programs, from afterschool tutoring for children, to caring for elders through the adult day care center, to providing free health screening services, and more. Thank you to CCACC for hosting a robust roundtable discussion that allowed us to think even more deeply about what culturally supportive care should look like!
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SEARAC executive director speaks at congressional forum
On Nov. 13, SEARAC Executive Director Quyen Dinh, SEARAC board member Phal Sok of Youth Justice Coalition, Phi Nguyen of Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Atlanta, and Tung Nguyen of Asians & Pacific Islanders Re Entry of Orange County spoke at the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Forum on the Rise of Southeast Asian Deportations under the Trump Administration. In Quyen's testimony, she emphasized the need for policy solutions that would end the deportations of Southeast Asian Americans. You can watch the forum here.
SEARAC, partners host New Way Forward congressional briefing
SEARAC joined other national organizations, along with Reps. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia and Pramila Jayapal, to hold a congressional briefing on the New Way Forward Act, an upcoming bill that shifts the narrative on solutions for immigrants and refugees with a criminal record. Ny Nourn, an impacted individual, organizer at Asian Americans Advancing Justice - ALC, and SEARAC Leadership and Advocacy Training graduate, flew into DC to share her story and speak about the importance of creating a right to come home for previously deported individuals.
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SEARAC comments on proposed changes to the Civil Rights Data Collection
SEARAC recently submitted a comment on proposed changes to the US Department of Education's Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC). The CRDC is critical to identifying barriers in access to equal educational opportunities and provides all education stakeholders, including schools, districts, students, families, and policymakers, with the information they need to ensure equitable outcomes. Any changes to the CRDC's content, frequency, or accessibility must preserve efforts to protect students' civil rights and provide a high-quality education to every child. Check out SEARAC's comment, as well as this coalition comment that SEARAC co-signed.
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Judge halts White House health insurance proclamation
Last month, the Trump Administration issued a presidential proclamation restricting immigration into the United States for uninsured individuals who are unable to pay for their own healthcare. SEARAC joined more than 400 organizations in submitting a comment to oppose this rule. Shortly after, a federal judge in Oregon issued a nationwide temporary restraining order preventing the proclamation from going into effect while the case is argued in court, after immigrant rights organizations filed a lawsuit to halt implementation. Read SEARAC's previous statement on how this policy would harm the Southeast Asian American community.
ACA open enrollment is now open
The 2020 ACA marketplace open enrollment period has begun and will run through Sunday, Dec. 15. Click here for more information and to get covered. Thanks to the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) under the Obama Administration, uninsured rates among Southeast Asian Americans were cut in half. Make sure that immigrants and their families understand what recent threats may mean for them as they seek health coverage. Check out this new resource from CLASP, NILC, and NHeLP that highlights 10 key facts about health coverage access within the current climate of fear and confusion. The document also links to helpful resources for immigrant families and those that assist with enrollment.
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If you want to get involved in making sure your community community is counted, consider signing up to be a SEARAC Census Ambassador!
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Join SEARAC's Rapid Response Network!
SEARAC's advocacy work is only as strong as our ability to work with community to mobilize for change. Do you want to support advocacy for civil rights issues for Southeast Asian Americans by:
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Sharing your story?
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Educating your family and friends?
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Contacting or meeting with your lawmaker?
If so, consider joining our newly launched rapid response network by filling out this short form!
In one week
Stay tuned for info on how to view our community premiere of our short documentary
Made by Refugees: 40 Years of SEARAC.
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