Velazquez, Asian Stakeholders Discuss Policy Issues

Washington, DC – At a roundtable discussion in Brooklyn Friday, Rep. Nydia M Velazquez (D-NY) heard from Asian American community representatives on their local and national policy priorities.

"Asian Americans are a critical component of the economic success of New York City and the vibrancy and diversity of our city," Velázquez noted. "I am proud that I represent so many New Yorkers of Asian descent."

Today's event, which was hosted by Velázquez, included a range of Asian American stakeholders. Velázquez and the group strategized on how to best oppose harmful policies being promoted by the Trump Administration. Among other topics, healthcare and the high poverty rate among Asian Americans in New York were touched upon.

"Asian Americans face unique health challenges and the Affordable Care Act has helped invest in community resources to help address them," Velázquez noted. "I'll continue to oppose Republican efforts to rollback these advances and any cuts to the vital health and human service programs that assist our most vulnerable neighbors."

Immigration issues were also a major point of discussion. As the Trump Administration works to escalate detainment and deportation of undocumented immigrants and target sanctuary cities, Velázquez has been on the front line of resisting. She previously introduced legislation that would prevent the Department of Homeland Security from enlisting local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws. She has also authored a bill that would prohibit Immigration and Customs Enforcement from wearing the word "police" on their uniforms, a deceptive practice that often confuses immigrants.

"In New York, immigrants are our neighbors and New Yorkers stand up for their neighbors," said Velázquez. "I will continue fighting to oppose the Trump Administration's divisive, anti-immigrant policies."

The alarming rise of hate crimes and biased-based attacks was another area of profound concern among participants. Velázquez had previously introduced legislation to establish a national hate crimes hotline. She is currently working to revise, improve and re-introduce that bill.

"Our nation and our city's strength is grounded in our diversity," Velázquez noted. "No one should be fearful that they may be targeted because of their background and we must be united in opposing hateful acts, while supporting one another."

Today's event was held in conjunction with Asian American Pacific Islander month, which is observed in May. Participating groups included: Asian American Federation; Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF); CAAAV: Organizing Asian American Communities; Chhaya CDC; Chinese-American Planning Council; New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC); OCA Asian Pacific American Advocates; Sakhi for South Asian Women; Sikh Coalition; and South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT).

維樂貴絲與亞裔利益相關者討論政策問題

華盛頓特區 - 在布魯克林星期五的圓桌討論中，國會議員維樂貴絲（D-NY）就地方和國家的政策重點聽取了亞裔美國社區代表們的意見。

維樂貴絲指出："亞裔是紐約市經濟成功，城市活力和多樣性的重要組成部分。" "我很自豪我代表了這麼多紐約的亞裔。"

今天由維樂貴絲主辦的活動有一系列亞裔利益的相關者。 維樂貴絲和團隊策劃如何最好地抵制特朗普政府推動的有害政策。其他話題還包括紐約亞裔的醫療保健和高貧困率問題。

維樂貴絲指出："亞裔面臨著特有的健康挑戰，" 可負擔醫療法案增加了社區資源來幫助解決這個的問題。 "我將繼續反對共和黨的任何意圖。共和黨正在努力遏制我們已有的進展以及削減這些社區的資源。而這些重要的健康和人力服務項目恰恰能夠協助我們最脆弱的社區。"

移民問題也是一個重要的討論點。針對避難城市，特朗普行政當局加大對無證移民的扣留和驅逐出境，維樂貴絲一直處於抵制的第一線。她以前製定了一些法律，防止國土安全部門督察當地執法部門執行聯邦移民法。她還撰寫了一項法案，禁止移民和海關執法人員在其製服上擁有"警察"一詞，這種欺騙性做法往往會混淆移民。

維樂貴絲說："在紐約，移民是我們的社區的一個組成部分，移民為我們的利益發聲。 "我將繼續反對特朗普政府的分裂和反移民政策。"

仇恨犯罪和有偏見的攻擊也為我們敲響了警鐘。這是參與者深切關注的另一個領域。 維樂貴絲之前已經制定了立法并建立了國家仇恨犯罪熱線。她正在努力修改，改進和重新推出該項法案。

維樂貴絲指出："我們的國家和我們城市的實力是建立在我們多樣性的基礎上。 "沒有人應該擔心他們的背景會成為目標。我們必須團結一致地反對憎恨的行為，同時相互支持。

今天的活動與五月份慶祝亞太裔傳統月有關聯。參與的團體包括：亞美聯盟
; 亞美法律辯護及教育基金（AALDEF）; 反亞洲暴力事件委員會：組織亞裔社區﹔南亞裔服務機構﹔華人策劃協會﹔ 紐約移民聯盟（NYIC）; 美國亞太裔倡導組織美華協會﹔南亞女性SAKHI組織﹔錫克聯盟﹔和南亞領導同盟(SAALT) 。

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