MinKwon Center Applauds Obama Administration’s Announcement Providing Relief for Undocumented Immigrant Youth, Calls for Broader Reform

Flushing, NY: The MinKwon Center for Community Action applauded the Obama Administration’s announcement today that it would stop the deportation of undocumented immigrant youth and allow them to live and work here legally. 

The Obama Administration announced today that it would grant "deferred action" and stop the deportation of undocumented immigrant youth (less than 30 years old) who entered the United States before they turned 16; have lived in the U.S. for at least five years; are currently in school, graduated from high school or are military veterans; and have not been convicted of a major crime.  It also announced that these immigrants would be eligible to apply for work authorization.  This action does not go as far as the DREAM Act passed by the House in 2010 (which would have provided a path to citizenship) but still can potentially bring much-needed relief to hundreds of thousands of immigrants across the country, including many in the Korean American community. 

MinKwon’s President S.J. Jung said, “This is truly welcome news for our immigrant communities, who have been suffering under record deportations for the past several years.  The Obama Administration has taken a significant step to allow our immigrant youth to be free of the fear of deportation and to achieve their dreams here in America.” 

“But as we congratulate the President on this action, we also note that much more remains to be done.  This action does not provide a path to citizenship, nor does it help the millions of immigrants who are not covered by this announcement.  We renew our call for Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform to bring broader justice for our communities, and we will push the Obama Administration to implement this policy quickly and efficiently.” 

The MinKwon Center also announced that it would soon provide a wide range of legal services for immigrants (particularly in the Asian American community) affected by today’s announcements, such as legal consultations and assistance on applying for deferred action and work authorizations.  The MinKwon Center also announced that as of July 1 ^st , it will provide full legal services for any immigrant who faces deportation or is in detention.

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The MinKwon Center was established in 1984 to meet the needs and concerns of the Korean American community through immigrant rights and political empowerment.  The MinKwon Center has emerged as a leading organization in building a sustained community for marginalized individuals, including recent immigrants, minorities, low-income residents, limited English proficient persons, elderly and youth.