South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to fostering an environment in which all South Asians in America can participate fully in civic and political life, and have influence over policies that affect them. Approximately 2.7 million South Asians live in the United States, tracing their backgrounds to Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and the diaspora, including Trinidad/Tobago, Guyana, and Africa. SAALT works to achieve our mission through a social justice framework that incorporates the strategies of policy analysis and advocacy, community education, local capacity-building, and leadership development. Each of these strategies are linked to specific programs which you will find more information about on this website.
Congressional Event Highlights Urgent Need to Reform Family Immigration System
WHAT: A press event following a Congressional briefing highlighting the urgent need for passage of immigration reform legislation which addresses solutions for families facing obstacles, backlogs and separation under current U.S. immigration law.
WHY: Thousands of individuals are forced to wait years, and even decades, to reunite with close family members in the United States. Lengthy family visa backlogs, discriminatory policies affecting lesbian and gay families and other significant obstacles often keep families separated, despite the United States' long-held commitment to family unification as a key component of immigration policy.
WHO:
* Karen Narasaki, President of the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC)
* Cara Huang, Office of Rep. Mike Honda (Sponsor of H.R. 2709 Reuniting Families Act)
* Ruth Flower, Legislative Director of Friends Committee on National Legislation
* Aetna Thompson, Immigration Attorney representing clients affected by lengthy visa backlogs
* Steve Orner, American citizen unable to sponsor Indonesian partner
WHEN: 12:30pm Friday, October 23rd
WHERE: Room 1302, Longworth House Office Building
This event is co-sponsored by American Families United, American Jewish Committee, Asian American Justice Center, The Episcopal Church, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, Immigration Equality, Legal Momentum, National Council of La Raza, National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum, South Asian Americans Leading Together, Southeast Asia Resource Action Center and United Methodist Church-General Board of Church and Society.
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