Press Room

Chicago Community Members Discuss Immigrant Rights in the South Asian Community

Mou Khan — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 12:08:06 -0400

Chicago IL - Over 80 South Asian community members and allies gathered on May 26 for the One Community United Town Hall on Immigrant and Human Rights, a community forum presented by the National Coalition of South Asian Organizations (NCSO) at the Indo-American Center (IAC) near Chicago's historic Devon Avenue.

"At a time when anti-immigrant sentiment in this country is growing - with the passage of the recent law in Arizona and the calls for greater enforcement at the borders - it is vital for our communities to speak up to change the broken immigration system in the United States. Through town halls such as the one in Chicago, SAALT and our community partners seek to mobilize South Asians to engage in conversations and actions around immigration reform," said Vega Subramaniam, SAALT's Director of Programs and Partnerships.

Participants in the townhall observed how the current immigration system in the US does not provide basic protections that are widely considered human rights. Through guided discussions, participants discussed the problems that South Asian immigrants encounter in the immigration system - such as the inability to reunite with family members; change jobs easily; or obtain basic rights during deportation and detention.

"Forums like this town hall are critical to bringing about immigration reform that will best meet the urgent needs of our clients and our community overall," noted Kiran Siddiqui of the Hamdard Center.

At the close of the town hall, attendees and organizational representatives identified ways to take action on immigration policy change: participating in the national debate by sharing personal stories with Congress, working locally with Chicago organizations to advocate for just and humane immigration reform and more. One participant noted, "It was great for so many of us to come together and see how similar our struggles
are. I think we've built momentum to have influence over the immigration debate in our country today." Maryah Qureshi added, "As a board member of SAALT, I was thrilled to see so many individuals from across Chicago's diverse South Asian communities come together to discuss and take action on immigration reform, an issue of great concern for us locally and for South Asians across the United States."

One Community Unitedis a campaign on immigrant and civil rights coordinated by the National Coalition of South Asian Organizations (NCSO). The campaign seeks to promote community dialogue and elevate the call for humane immigration laws and strong civil rights protections. The NCSO is coordinated by South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) and includes 39 organizations around the country, including five based in Chicago: Apna Ghar; Indo-American Center; South Asian American Policy and Research Institute (SAAPRI); South Asian Progressive Action Collective (SAPAC); and The Hamdard Center.
Wednesday's town hall was also co-sponsored by: Albany Park Neighborhood Council; Arab American Action Network (AAAN); Arab American Family Services (AAFS); Asian American Institute; Coalition of African, Arab, Asian, European, and Latino Immigrants of Illinois (CAAAELII); Community Builders Chicago (CBC); Muslim Women Resource Center; Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR); Indo American Coalition for Immigration (IACI); and North American Association of Indian IT Professionals (NAAIIP).

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For quotes or pictures, please email mou@saalt.org.

SAALT Press Room

National South Asian Organization Commends Congressional Hearing on Profiling and Submits Testimony

Mou Khan — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:34:21 -0400

May 18, 2010 – South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), a national organization whose mission is to elevate the voices and perspectives of South Asian individuals and organizations to build a more just and inclusive society in the United States, submitted written testimony to the House Committee on the Judiciary regarding the impact of profiling on the South Asian community. Convened by Congressman John Conyers, Chairman of the Committee, this was the first hearing in the House of Representatives on the issue of profiling in nearly a decade.

Various witnesses testified about the ineffectiveness of profiling for law enforcement and its impact on a range of communities. Amardeep Singh of The Sikh Coalition are subjected to additional screening by the Transportation Security Administration and recounted an incident where his 18-month old son’s belongings were searched by airport officials. Farhana Khera of Muslim Advocates conveyed the chilling effect that surveillance and border questioning has had on the Muslim community’s First Amendment rights.

"SAALT commends the convening of this hearing on the use of profiling by law enforcement, which has resulted in discrimination against various communities of color, including the South Asian community," said Deepa Iyer, Executive Director of SAALT. "As the witnesses attested to, profiling is not only unfair and unconstitutional, but it is also a wasted use of limited law enforcement resources and strains relationships between the government and affected communities. We hope that this hearing can lay the foundation for Congress to support federal legislation that eliminates profiling in the various contexts where it arises."

Profiling is a tactic employed by law enforcement to target individuals or communities for suspicion based upon characteristics unrelated to criminal conduct, such as race, religion, ethnicity and national origin. Such practices have long curtailed the rights of African-Americans and Latinos in this country. Since September 11th, the South Asian community has been affected by profiling in various contexts, including additional secondary screening of passengers at airports; travelers being subjected to intrusive questioning at the border; FBI surveillance and interrogation; local law enforcement targeting youth in schools; and federal, state, and local immigration policies that result in profiling.

Despite evidence regarding its detrimental effects, such activities continue because existing anti-profiling policies have significant gaps. The Department of Justice’s (DOJ) 2003 Guidance against profiling contains significant exceptions in the context of national security and the border and does not cover profiling based on religion or national origin. In addition, Congress has yet to pass federal legislation that categorically prohibits the practice.

What can South Asian community members do?

There are a few simple steps that community members can take to ensure that our country’s laws are strengthened in order to prevent policies and practices resulting in profiling:

Tell DOJ to strengthen its anti-profiling policies: Individuals can sign the petition to DOJ to make the government’s anti-profiling policies stronger, including tightening the national security loophole and covering profiling based on national origin and religion in the DOJ Guidance.
Share your story: If you have been affected by profiling, let SAALT know so that we can convey its impact to lawmakers in garnering support for federal legislation banning its practice. Share your story at info@saalt.org.

Learn more about the impact of profiling on the South Asian community by checking out SAALT’s resources, including testimony and factsheets.

SAALT Press Room

SAALT Community Alert: New Airport Screening Policies

Mou Khan — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 15:33:08 -0400

April 2, 2010- South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) welcomes the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) announcement, made earlier today, to rescind a misguided policy issued in January 2010, which applied enhanced security screening for passengers traveling from 14 predominantly Muslim-majority countries, including Pakistan, to the United States. After its implementation, SAALT had expressed serious concerns about the policy's reliance upon nationality and country of origin as triggers for heightened security procedures, and its disproportionate impact on community members of Arab, Muslim and South Asian descent.

On April 2, 2010, DHS announced that new security protocols will supersede the 14-country directive. According to DHS, this new system will be based on specific threat-based intelligence information, and will be applied to all passengers traveling to the United States.

SEE: DHS Release on New Screening Procedure

"The new policy announced today is a step in the right direction, and we call upon the Transportation Security Administration to apply it in a neutral and nondiscriminatory manner," said Deepa Iyer, Executive Director of SAALT. "Targeting travelers simply based on their national origin, as the previous directive did, resulted in profiling, civil rights violations, and the diversion of critical resources that our country needs to identify genuine threats to security."

SEE: US Changing the Way Air Travelers are Screened (Washington Post), Security Check System for Flights to US to Be Altered (New York Times)

By way of background, on January 3, 2010, the Transportation Security Administration implemented a policy that required all passengers traveling to the United States from 14 countries to undergo full-body pat-downs and inspection of carry-on luggage before boarding a plane in response to the attempted 2009 Christmas Day attack. These procedures only applied to individuals who either held a passport or traveled from or through the following countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.

Subsequently, SAALT, along with numerous Arab, Muslim, Sikh, and South Asian organizations, expressed serious concerns about the impact of the policy, and engaged in extensive advocacy with DHS to call for its withdrawal. As details emerge about the parameters of the new measures, SAALT will continue to provide information to the community and to monitor their application.

Resources and Past Statements Regarding the 14-Country Directive and Profiling:
•    "What You Need to Know About New Airline Screening Standards" developed by SAALT (January 2010)
•    "Letter to the Department of Homeland Security About New TSA Screening Standards" (January 2010)
•    "South Asian Organizations Express Concern About New Security Screening Standards" (January 2010)
•    Additional SAALT Resources on Racial and Religious Profiling

SAALT Press Room

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Community Activists Gather to Discuss Immigrant Rights and Racial and Religious Profiling in the South Asian Community

Mou Khan — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 15:04:05 -0400

(Washington DC) On March 29, community members, students, lawyers, and advocates gathered for South Asian in America: An {Immigrant} Dream Deferred, a symposium presented by South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) and the South Asian Law Students Association (SALSA) at the Washington College of Law at American University as part of the law school’s 2010 Founders’ Day celebration.
"This symposium brought together two key areas of concern for South Asians: the broken immigration system, civil rights violations resulting from racial and religious profiling, and how these issues intersect in the lives of community members," noted SAALT’s Policy Director, Priya Murthy. "SAALT and SALSA utilized the symposium to raise awareness about these intersections, which have become even more exacerbated since September 11, 2001." At the symposium, SAALT also released a series of briefs that highlight the effects of racial and religious profiling on South Asian communities, including surveillance, airport travel, and immigration-related enforcement.
Attendees participated in two panels over the course of the day. The first panel, which dealt with the inequities faced by immigrants, featured Murthy, Anjana Malhotra (Practitioner-in-Residence at Seton Hall School of Law) and Kim Propeack (Director of Community Organizing and Political Action at CASA de Maryland) moderated by Jayesh Rathod (Assistant Professor at the Washington College of Law). Panelists highlighted a number of areas of particular concern including, challenges raised by lengthy visa backlogs, problems endemic to local enforcement of immigration law through programs such as 287(g) and Secure Communities, and the exploitation of undocumented workers.
Malhotra pointed out that local activism plays a crucial role in ensuring fair practices. "Local activism is what we’ve seen be successful when it comes to many of these programs. It is when people in the community learn about what’s going on and talk to their local governments and police departments that things start to change. Since the implementation and terms of ICE Access and 287(g) are decided at a local level, community efforts at the local and national levels have been key to ensure immigrants’ rights are protected."
The second panel focused on national security and civil liberties, featuring Nusrat Choudhury (Staff Attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union), Monami Maulik (Executive Director of Desis Rising Up and Moving), Amardeep Singh (Policy and Advocacy Director at the Sikh Coalition) and Kareem Shora (Senior Policy Advisor at the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties at the Department of Homeland Security) and moderated by Jumana Musa (Policy Director at the Rights Working Group). During the session, panelists highlighted how the civil liberties of South Asians, Muslims and Sikhs had been eroded in the post 9/11 climate as a result of airport profiling and surveillance and how organizations and coalitions are taking action to organize community members and advocate for policy change.
"The panel showed me how law students and lawyers can get engaged to make a real impact when it comes to civil liberties and profiling," said Reena Parikh, co-president of the South Asian Law Students Association at American University’s Washington College of Law.
Both panels concluded with speakers sharing their calls-to-action to the audience. After the panels ended, participants came together to strategize about how they planned to take action to become active on the issues highlighted during the symposium. The afternoon concluded with an Alumni Recognition Dinner that honored two WCL alumni, Naznin Saifi (Deputy Director at Northeast New Jersey Legal Services, Inc.) and Nicholas Rathod (Deputy Associate Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs).

SAALT Press Room

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Over 200 Groups Call on Obama and DHS to Suspend Enforcement for Census 2010

Mou Khan — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:44:35 -0500

Over 200 organizations appeal to President Obama and the Department of Homeland Security to Suspend Immigration Enforcement Activities for Census 2010 e ncouraging hard-to-count populations to participate in the Census means reducing the climate of fear and distrust in immigrant communities

Oakland, CA: As Census 2010 gears up to count all residents in the United States, immigrants are at risk of being undercounted due to the climate of fear and distrust stemming from immigration raids and other enforcement actions. With Census forms due to arrive in all households in the coming week, more than 200 concerned organizations nationwide have joined with the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights to ask President Obama and Secretary Janet Napolitano to halt enforcement activities for the Census. Not only are many immigrants not familiar with the Census, but many households will be reluctant to return their Census forms or talk with outreach workers for fear of detection if they or someone in their home is undocumented.

The letter asks the Administration to "follow precedent" to suspend enforcement activities, including the "287g" program that facilitates local police involvement in immigration enforcement. In 1990 and 2000, steps were taken to suspend numerous enforcement actions. However, with the peak activities for the Census just around the corner, the Administration has not yet announced any significant action.

While the purpose of the census is to count everyone residing in the United States, immigrants, along with a number of other population groups, have been historically undercounted. However, with the distribution of some $400 billion in federal funds at stake to support infrastructure and services based on population, an inaccurate count of immigrants will have an impact on all areas of the country.

The letter cites more than a dozen immigration enforcement programs. " As you know, enforcement activities have reached an unprecedented breadth and depth, resulting in higher numbers of detentions and deportations than even the past Administration, and utilizing strategies that are less visible than raids but well known and feared in immigrant communities throughout the country."

According to NNIRR Executive Director Catherine Tactaquin, "While many community-based organizations are working to support the Census effort, we are genuinely concerned that the climate of fear will seriously impact the census form return rate of immigrant households -- and if people do not return the form, they will be reluctant to open the door to a follow-up visit from a Census worker." She continued, "We believe it is the right of every person to be counted in the Census, but we really need the leadership of the Administration right now to make a difference in the success of the Census among our diverse immigrant populations."

Despite the benefits being counted brings to communities, immigrants are among several communities known to be significantly undercounted by the Census; in New York City, heavily-immigrant areas have had less than a 40 percent census response rate, compared to the citywide average response of 65 percent.

The letter also notes that, "Numerous officials have themselves expressed grave concerns about the challenges faced in convincing immigrants to participate due to persistent enforcement activity by the same government now seeking their information. Immigrants have raised doubts about the confidentiality of the Census. While officials have repeatedly stated that the information obtained will not be shared with other departments, immigrants well recall similar assurances about the Social Security Administration and Internal Revenue Service; today, the data obtained from these agencies has provided the fuel for many of this Administration's enforcement operations. "

For a copy of the full letter to President Obama and DHS, please go to:

www.nnirr.org/resources/docs/CensusLetterFinal3.9.103.pdf

For more detailed information and resources please go to NNIRR's We ALL Count - Census 2010 Campaign www.nnirr.org

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SAALT Press Room

Community Members and Activists Gather for Regional Conference (NJ)

Mou Khan — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:31:50 -0500

(Montclair, NJ) February 4, 2010- SAALT held its first regional conference, "Empowering South Asians in New Jersey," on January 30-31 at Montclair State University. Cosponsored by 12 local organizations, participants ranged from representatives of local organizations, young professionals, artists and elected officials.

Qudsia Raja, SAALT New Jersey Outreach Coordinator noted that "this conference offered South Asians from diverse backgrounds to come together to share information and identify ways to take action in order to build a stronger community here in New Jersey."

Participants attended informational panels on the 2010 Census, the immigration system and leadership development. They were also invited to build key skills in workshops focused on getting involved with local government and being campus activists.

Samir Pandya, a participant, shared, "My goal was to get a better idea of what issues are out here facing our community. This has only made me want to explore these issues more."

Vega Subramaniam, SAALT Director of Programs and Partnerships, observed that "providing a space for local organizations to connect with one another and to community members from around the state helps all of us to make changes that will significantly strengthen the New Jersey South Asian community."

The conference also included an awards reception to honor ChangeMakers in the region. The honorees included Govinda Rajan (R), President of the Elders Volunteer Service in East Brunswick, and Sheheryar Sardar, board member of the New York chapter of Council for the Advancement of Muslim Professionals. The evening's keynote was given by Gouri Sadhwani (L), Deputy Executive Director for Organizing, Membership and Campaigns at Amnesty International USA.

Participant Aneeza Agha summed up the experience by saying, "There is a lot of work being done in our community and it looks like there is a lot more to be done. So hopefully we can all continue to work towards that."

SAALT plans to convene follow-up discussions and actions in New Jersey over the following months. Please contact SAALT at saalt@saalt.org to become involved in the New Jersey SAALT Circle.

"Empowering South Asians in New Jersey" was presented by South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) in partnership with American Friends Service Committee, (AFSC-NJ), Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), Council for Advancement of Muslim Professionals (CAMP-NYC), Manavi, Hindu American Seva Charities, Network of Indian Professionals (NET-IP/NY), New Jersey Immigrant Policy Network (NJIPN), Sikh Coalition, South Asia Center-University of Pennsylvania, South Asian Mental Health Awareness in Jersey (SAMHAJ), South Asian Total Health Initiative, UNITED SIKHS and with generous contributions from Sodexo and Montclair State University.

SAALT Press Room

SAALT Launches Census 2010 Campaign

Mou Khan — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:50:33 -0500

Census 2010 is around the corner and it is critical for South Asians to accurately complete and return the Census forms. On February 2nd, SAALT announced the launch of "Census 2010: South Asians Count!" a new campaign to raise awareness about Census 2010 in the South Asian community.

There are many reasons why the South Asian community should participate in the Census. Information gathered through the Census affects everyday lives and neighborhoods by determining where the government will build roads, schools, and hospitals in local communities. In addition, information gathered affects political power and representation. Census 2010 will also compile demographic information about the South Asian community in the United States.

SAALT's Census campaign includes translated factsheets with FAQ's and information about the race question (translated into Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Nepali, Punjabi, Tamil, and Urdu) as well as pubilc webinars on how the community can get involved in Census outreach efforts.

SAALT will also be holding a webinar on March 1st at 3pm EST for ethnic media outlets who would like to learn more about Census 2010 and how they can participate in the campaign.

SAALT Press Room

Message From South Asian Organizations about the Fort Hood, Texas Tragedy

Mou Khan — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:30:51 -0500

Nov 06- Members of the National Coalition of South Asian Organizations (NCSO) offer our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those killed and wounded in the acts of violence at Fort Hood, Texas, yesterday that left 13 dead, 31 wounded, and communities around the country in shock and grief.

People of all faiths and backgrounds are united in concern and sympathy for the victims and their families, and for the community at Fort Hood. We urge community members to explore how they can provide support and resources to address the impact of the violence.

The suspect has been identified as Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan. As facts emerge, we expect law enforcement agencies to conduct a vigorous investigation in order to seek justice for the victims.

Regrettably, in the past, the actions of one individual from a particular ethnic background or religious faith have led to the scapegoating of entire communities based on actual or perceived ethnicity, religion, and national origin. We call on political leaders, the media, and the public to set a tone of unity as the investigation unfolds and the healing process begins. We also urge community members to contact local law enforcement and community-based organizations for assistance and information in the event of possible backlash.

As our country moves forward, the NCSO shares our condolences and commits to participating in our collective healing process.

This statement is issued by the following members of the National Coalition of South Asian Organizations.
-Adhikaar for Human Rights
-Andolan
-Chaya
-Coney Island Avenue Project
-Council of Peoples Organization
-Daya
-Desis Rising Up and Moving
-Hamdard Center
-Indo-American Center
-Manavi
-Michigan Asian Indian Family Services
-Narika
-Raksha
-Saathi of Rochester
-Sahara of South Florida
-Sakhi for South Asian Women
-Sikh American Legal Defense & Education Fund
-South Asian Americans Leading Together
-South Asian American Policy and Research Institute
-South Asian Council for Social Services
-South Asian Health Initiative
-South Asian Youth Action
-The Sikh Coalition
-Trikone NW
-Turning Point
-UNITED SIKHS

SAALT Press Room

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Naturalization Event for South Asians in Montgomery County

Mou Khan — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:28:37 -0500

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD - Are you or someone you know interested in becoming a U.S. citizen? Do you need professional advice on how to fill out your naturalization paperwork? Or do you simply want to speak face-to-face with someone who knows about the citizenship process?

In a collaborative effort to increase access to naturalization resources for the South Asian community, South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) has joined forces with 5 local Asian American organizations to coordinate a Citizenship Day. During this event, community members will be able to attend a panel with speakers from Baltimore U.S. Citizenship Immigration Services (USCIS), the Governor's Commission on Asian Pacific Island Affairs, and the Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center (APALRC). Community members will also have the opportunity to meet with attorneys who can answer questions and guide individuals through the citizenship process. Interpretation will be provided for South Asian community members who have limited English proficiency.

South Asians make up the second largest Asian population in Montgomery County, accounting for over one-fourth of the total Asian population. Within the South Asian community, there are specific barriers - cultural and systematic - that often hinder people from applying for citizenship. These barriers include the lack of available naturalization information in South Asian languages, inadequate communication between government and South Asian immigrant communities, the high cost of applications, and large backlog of citizenship applications.

"It is important that South Asians have access to information about the naturalization process, especially as it has changed in the recent past," says Deepa Iyer, Executive Director of South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT). "Citizenship Day is a great opportunity for South Asian immigrants to learn about the process and speak directly with lawyers about their applications."

The event will take place on Saturday, November 14 between 11AM and 5PM at the Executive Office Building Cafeteria in Rockville. This effort is part of a wider initiative called the Maryland Asian Americans Connected Project, which aims to generate community awareness about naturalization resources. The MAACP coalition includes the Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center (APALRC), Boat People SOS (BPSOS), Chinese Culture and Community Service Center (CCACC), Korean Community Service Center of Greater Washington (KCSC), Maryland Vietnamese Mutual Association (MVMA). It has received wide support from the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives, AmeriCorps VISTA, the New Americans' Initiative, the Department of Human Resources and is also co-sponsored by the Montgomery County Executive's Asian American Advisory Group.

SAALT Press Room

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Naturalization and the Asian American Community

Mou Khan — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:25:48 -0500

WHAT: A conference call to inform ethnic media about the naturalization process and an upcoming Citizenship Day event in November for Asian Americans in Montgomery County. We will discuss recent changes in naturalization policy, why Asian Americans should become naturalized, and local efforts to provide Asian Americans with assistance with the naturalization process. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions to experts from different Asian American communities.

WHEN: Wednesday, October 28th 12pm EST

WHO: Representatives from the Maryland Asian Americans Connected Project,
including:

    * Deepa Iyer, Executive Director, South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT)
    * Nadia Firozvi, Staff Attorney, Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center (APALRC)
    * Annie Nguyen, Branch Manager, Boat People SOS (BPSOS)
    * M.K. Lee, Director of Community Services, Chinese Culture and Community Service Center (CCACC)
    * Myra B. Blake, Development Assistant, Korean Community Service Center of Greater Washington (KCSCGW)
    * Diane Vu, Executive Director, Maryland Vietnamese Mutual Association (MVMA)

HOW: To attend, dial 712-432-1699. When prompted, enter 248941#.
To RSVP and receive the materials for the call, please email
dorothy.white@apalrc.org.
SPONSORS:

    * South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT): (301) 270-1855; anjali@saalt.org
    * Asian Pacific Americans Legal Resource Center (APALRC): (301) 942-2223; dorothy.white@apalrc.org
    * Boat People SOS (BPSOS): (301) 439-050; maryland@bpsos.org
    * Chinese Culture and Community Service Center (CCACC): (240) 631-1200;
    * office@ccacc-dc.org
    * Korean Community Service Center of Greater Washington (KCSCGW): (240) 683-6663; bchoi@kcsgw.org
    * Maryland Vietnamese Mutual Association (MVMA): (301) 588-6862; info@mdvietmutual.org

SAALT Press Room

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