On May 7 and 8, CABA joined forces with other NAPABA members from across the country to inform members of Congress and their staffers on issues of importance to the Asian Pacific American community.
This year, we discussed with Congressional members and staffers the Adoptee Citizenship Act of 2018 (S. 2552/H.R. 5233), which would amend a technical issue caused by the Child Citizenship Act of 2000 and ensure that all internationally adopted children of American parents receive automatic US citizenship. We also stressed the importance of preserving the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program and funding for the Legal Service Corporation and Legal Aid programs in the FY2019 budget.
We asked congressional representatives to support the Chinese American Veterans of WWII Congressional Gold Medal Act (S.1050/ H.R.2358), which would award the Congressional Gold Medal to Chinese American veterans of World War II. We communicated NAPABA’s values and principles regarding immigration issues. NABAPA strongly supports a commonsense immigration reform that preserves family base immigration, maintains the diversity visa program, and provides DREAMers with a legislative solution.
We met with Senators to support the confirmation of diverse judicial nominees Jill A. Otake for the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii and John B. Nalbandian for the Sixth Circuit. Two days after NAPABA left the Hill, Indian American Diane Gujarati was nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
On our visit, CABA members spoke with Senator Mazie Hirono (HI), Senator Chuck Grassley (IA), Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-8), Congresswoman Aumua Amata (AS) and legislative aides of Senator Tammy Duckworth (IL), Senator Dick Durbin (IL), Senator Debbie Stabenow (MI), Senator Johnny Isakson (GA), Congressman Danny Davis (IL-7), Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-9), Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10), and Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11).
