I was born in Korea and until I was eleven years old, life was simple. Then when I turned eleven, my family lost everything we had and filed for bankruptcy. A year later, my parents divorced. Left with my mom and older sister, we could barely survive in our home country. On July 25, 2001, my mother made the fateful decision to immigrate to the U.S. We came because we had few choices left and were seeking a better life.
Once we arrived, we faced an added set of challenges because of our immigration status. As a senior in high school, I learned that my visa had expired and that I was now living here without status. While my friends talked about colleges, I worried about whether or not I could even go to college. It didn’t seem to matter how hard I had studied in high school — I would not have access to educational opportunities that most people take for granted.
I am not like my fellow students. I am unable to get a legal job, to obtain a driver’s license, to receive financial aid. Worst of all, I’m afraid of being deported. I have nightmares about ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents knocking on the door to arrest my mom, sister, and me. In one dream, ICE agents chased after me in the darkness. As they surrounded me in a corner to arrest me, I woke up in horror. I couldn’t go back to sleep. Every day, I search for a way out of these wicked nightmares.
One of the ways that I face my fear is by speaking up.
I have become politically active by supporting immigration reform campaigns. Especially activism regarding the DREAM Act, a bill that would grant undocumented immigrant students a pathway to citizenship. Right now I am involved in Students for Fair Consideration and the Asian Law Caucus in San Francisco, and the Korean Resource Center in Los Angeles. I learned to speak in public, to share my story to members of Congress, and to rally with my peers.
Today and every day, I fight for my rights and that’s why I’m marching to Washington, D.C. at the March For America along with 100,000 people across the country. I want to be heard. I want President Obama to know that comprehensive immigration reform is vital to our community and our nation. We want to see a bill pass this year, in 2010.
You can still sign up to be at the March For America! Bring your friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors. Please share this story with your friends. Use this march to make a big impression on Washington.

Immigration stories are a cornerstone of America’s historical narrative. From grade school we learn of the Pilgrims’ trans-Atlantic journey to flee religious persecution and of “a mighty woman with a torch” who greeted European immigrants by the millions to Ellis Island. In these stories, tolerance and generosity are singularly American virtues that confer our country’s greatness.

Unfortunately, incomplete immigration stories linger in the present day, obstructed by opposition from a loud and persistent few. As a result, 11.8 million undocumented immigrants live in America’s shadows – they struggle to finance their educations as students, are exploited as workers, and are encumbered by an ever-present fear of deportation as families.

In a recent Huffington Post entry, Will Perez wrote that immigration reform “is of particular concern to Latinos, since 75% of undocumented immigrants are from Latin America.” However, the problems engendered by our immigration system affect a vastly diverse immigrant population. It is estimated that 10 percent of Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) are undocumented, and among the AAPI groups, Korean Americans are affected at the greatest rate, at 20 percent.

The history of Korean immigration to the U.S. is one variation on the American immigration narrative. Immigration began in the late 19th century, as Koreans came to work as laborers in Hawaii, but the bulk of it occurred after 1965 following the repeal of the Asian Exclusion Act. Legions of Koreans came to America in search of freedom from an oppressive political regime and opportunity for economic mobility. Nearly a quarter million Korean Americans are undocumented as the result of this promise of a better life coming into conflict with the realities of the immigration system.

Undocumented Korean American college students have been especially vocal in the fight for immigration reform. The stories of the measures taken by these students and their families to support a college education give the push to pass reform a special sense of urgency. Their hardship extends well beyond their ineligibility for financial aid. A huge question mark looms over their post-graduation plans – without a Social Security number, how are they to find employment? On February 1, one Korean American student reiterated these frustrations and spoke of his aspirations to become a professor before hundreds who had gathered at a Los Angeles church for an immigration town hall. And Ju Hong, an undocumented student from the Bay Area, has come out publicly about his status and blogs regularly on immigration issues.

As the immigration reform movement escalates in size and intensity, undocumented Korean American students will continue to make their voices heard. On March 21, over 100,000 people from every corner of America will come together in Washington D.C. to show their support for immigration reform in a “March For America,” and Korean Americans from California to New Jersey will be among them.

Eric is an undocumented Korean American student at an Ivy League university. He has taken the school year off in order to work and save money to pay for college; he waits tables at a Japanese restaurant 7 days a week, 12 hours a day on weekdays, and 13 hours a day on weekends. Despite his busy schedule, Eric will be coming to Washington on March 21 to march for immigration reform because, as he tells it, reform is not only his dream, but is “the dream of thousands of fellow immigrants who work hard to become American citizens in the land of opportunity.”

Immigration reform cannot wait, and the Korean American community will be present in Washington standing alongside other immigrant groups to encourage our legislators to take the action that America needs.

By NINA BERNSTEIN
Published: January 9, 2010
Silence has long shrouded the men and women who die in the nation’s immigration jails. For years, they went uncounted and unnamed in the public record. Even in 2008, when The New York Times obtained and published a federal government list of such deaths, few facts were available about who these people were and how they died.

But behind the scenes, it is now clear, the deaths had already generated thousands of pages of government documents, including scathing investigative reports that were kept under wraps, and a trail of confidential memos and BlackBerry messages that show officials working to stymie outside inquiry…

(Click the link to be continue)

I first met Miguel at the San Jose “Mock Graduation,” the event that was to promote awareness about the DREAM Act. At the event, there were dozens of students and allies gathered from the San Jose City hall and wore cap and gowns (symbolize dream act students), and shared testimonies and expressed concerns about our current broken immigration system that lies in this country. One thing that stood out the most during the event was that one of the dream act students hold onto a sign that says, “What now?” The sign, “what now?” clearly indicates the oppression and limitation of undocumented student’s future and dream despite of their hard work and dedication to pursue a higher education.

Miguel is fairly short compare to average men’s height, brown skin, and has a charming face. Compare to his age, he looks very mature and friendly.

Miguel and I exchanged conversation after the mock graduation, with couple of other DREAM activists around the Bay Area. I do not recall what we talked about, but I remember he wanted to get more involve and do something at his campus. Shortly after the mock graduation event, he has organized his first event in his campus.

It was on January 7th, 2010, I took a bus down to Cal State East Bay to participate in Miguel’s event, hosted by MECHA club (Miguel is a secretary of MECHA club).

The room was filled with students and professors, looking at us with anticipating eyes. The event started off with a short film called a “don’t stop me now,” produced by Educator for Fair Consideration foundation. The short film concentrates on stories of four undocumented youth struggling to get ahead in life. Although the film was 30 minute length, but it was a powerful clip that captures struggles of undocumented students. At the end of the film, the crowd shed in tears.

The emotional stage elevated as Miguel and I shared our personal journey as an undocumented immigrant. Just like other undocumented students, Miguel had a similar struggle story. Miguel came to this country with his family when he was young and graduated with high school with outstanding grades, and had dreams of becoming someone valuable to this country. By means someone who can contribute and give back to the society. However, he was marginalized its own dream due to the immigration status. One of the pieces of story that he shared really struck my heart. Miguel has worked as a janitor since he was in high school. I cannot imagine a young educated person mops floor and picks up trashes around schools, while other students moving onto next towards life.

The people were moved by Miguel’s story and they wanted to help his cause to change the broken immigration system.

I firmly believe that my duty as a DREAMer, as an educator, as an activist, is to spread stories just like Miguel, to educate other people and inspire them to mobilize and take action to make changes in this country. And I know that one day, stories like Miguel, will change this country.

Today, we are going to witness a defining moment in history in our lives.

On January 1st, 2010, four passionate young immigrant students from Florida will walk 2,000 mile and 4-month long journey to rewrite the American History. These bravery students will begin to walk from Florida to Washington D.C. to bring sense of urgency to solve our broken immigration system. They are demanding President Obama to stop the separation of families and deportation of DREAMers. Most importantly, they want to see just and humane immigration reform that includes equal access to education, an end to the separation of families, worker’s rights, and a pathway to citizenship. By May 1st, 2010, they hope to stand in the U.S. Capitol with thousands of people across from the states to rally for the comprehensive immigration reform.

I want to share one of the four walker’s story, Gaby, who truly inspired me and thousands of other people in this country.

Gaby moved to Miami at the age of seven. Gaby holds an Associate of Arts degree in Music Education, and an Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education, as well as a BA in Exceptional Education Degree K-12 from Miami Dade College. She was the Student Government Association President at the Kendall Campus of Miami Dade College and the Florida Junior Community Colleges Student Government Association President in 2005-2006, representing 1.1 million students throughout Florida. Since 2003, she has been an advocate for the DREAM Act and in-state tuition and was one of the founding members of S.W.E.R. Gaby is a woman that would give the clothes on her back to help someone who needs it more. She walks for all the children without a voice and is willing to sacrifice herself to pave the way for their future because she believes in the power of love. She also believes that “the meltdown of our society will not start with global warming rather with intellectual freezing,” and she “can’t understand why we continue to detain young vibrant students when we know that we only live once and the future depends on the youth.” She walks because in her heart she knows that faith without action is dead!

Our task is clear and simple, we have to make these student’s dreams into reality. We must, because their dream is our dream, and their future is our future. We must, because if alone, can’t reach the final destination. They are calling us in California, they need our help. We may not be able to walk with them physically, but we can surely help them in many different ways. There are several ways we can help the students: 1. Fund-raise 2. In solidarity, fast and walk in our home base. 3. Visit trailofdreams.net to show our support. These are the ways to help them to achieve its goal, but there are plenty of other ways to help them as well. With that being said, I’m determined – I’m determined to sacrifice and risk myself to help them. However, my sacrifice is far beyond the measure from these bravery students, but I want to show in solidarity of support and I want to be part of making a history in 2010. So then, my question is, will you sacrifice with them? I believe through sacrifice is the only way to make our dreams into reality. Imagine how difficult for them to make a decision to sacrifice their education, their time, and their own body. They are completely exposing and risking themselves just to represent on behalf of 12 million immigrant’s dreams. Despite of all the odds and challenges, they are willing to fight for the dreams that will determine our future. Through this movement, I can clearly see the sense of urgency. They cannot wait, I cannot wait, and we as DREAMers cannot wait for another decades to fix the broken immigration reform. We cannot wait and time is now! I can see it, I can see it. So let’s make these student’s dreams into reality.

The time is critical and the opportunity is near, we must act as if 2010 will be the last chance for us. So let us sacrifice our needs and show our strength to reach our dreams. During a President Election campaign, Obama gave a great speech in the day before the Martin Luther King’s Holiday Day. He said, “Brothers and sisters, we cannot walk alone. In the struggle for peace and justice, we cannot walk alone. In the struggle for opportunity and equality, we cannot walk alone. In the struggle to heal this nation and repair this world, we cannot walk alone. So I ask you to walk with me, and march with me, and join your voice with mine, and together we will sing the song that tears down the walls that divide us, and lift up an America that is truly indivisible, with liberty, and justice, for all.” Again, this movement shouldn’t be just four students alone. This is not a Florida’s action; this is a national wide action to fulfill our dreams.

2010 is going to be a special year for all of us. It is the year that we don’t need to just dream, it is the year that we will make our dreams into reality. It will be the year that we will celebrate together and begin a new chapter for our lives.

I want to close out with speech that Martin Luther King Jr. gave during civil rights movement’s era. Dr. Martin Luther King spoke to this fatigue the week after the Selma March in a message titled “Our God is Marching On. “We have walked through desolate valleys and across the trying hills. We have walked on meandering highways and rested our bodies on rocky byways. Some of our faces are burned from the outpourings of the sweltering sun. Some have literally slept in the mud. We have been drenched by the rains. Our bodies are tired and our feet are somewhat sore. But today as I stand before you and think back over that great march, I can say, as Sister Pollard said—a seventy-year-old Negro woman who lived in this community during the bus boycott—and one day, she was asked while walking if she didn’t want to ride. And when she answered, “No,” the person said, “Well, aren’t you tired?” And with her ungrammatical profundity, she said, “My feet is tired, but my soul is rested.”

My prayer goes out to four bravery students walking Florida to Washington D.C.

Sincerely.

Sides forming in next immigration-reform push

By Matt O’Brien
Contra Costa Times

SAN FRANCISCO — The prospect of millions of illegal immigrants earning a path to citizenship is now back on the table in Congress, though the first bill out of the chute has already split some California progressives and has zero support from Republicans.

Bay Area immigrant families and their allies rallied Friday at a San Francisco high school to promote legalization and other measures that would overhaul U.S. immigration policy, which has not substantially changed for more than a decade.

They were united in favor of a humanitarian approach to reforming immigration policy, though disagreed on the finer details of a 650-page reform bill introduced last week by 92 liberal Democratic lawmakers, including four from the Bay Area.

At its crux, the bill introduced by Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., would allow people living in the U.S. without legal documents to pay a $500 fee and show they made contributions to the U.S. through work, school, volunteering or military service. After six years on a conditional visa, those who qualify can get a green card and eventually obtain citizenship.

The bill is designed in part to put pressure on President Barack Obama, who has pledged to take on immigration reform next year and has advocated an overhaul that would include a path to citizenship. Opponents have characterized the bill as permissive and doomed to fail.

That is a longer process than the last time the United States legalized immigrants in 1986, a move that then-President Ronald Reagan asserted would “improve the lives of a class of individuals who now must hide in the shadows, without access to many of the benefits of a free and open society.”

This time, however, there are millions more immigrants living in the country illegally, rising populist anger over joblessness and demographic change, and a belief among the inheritors of Reagan’s conservative movement that amnesty for lawbreaking only encourages more.

“This is cynical legislation because there’s no chance this is going to get passed,” said Novato resident Rick Oltman of Californians for Population Stabilization. “Given all the difficulties they’re having right now with the health care bill, and with the president’s popularity falling in the polls, there’s no chance they’re going to pass this because it has no support from the American people.”

The bill would also include enforcement provisions, though conservatives say not nearly enough. Immigrant advocates, in turn, say it is too focused on enforcement.

“It continues to treat immigration as a national security issue and stops short of doing away with some of the biggest problems in our current immigration system,” said Colin Rajah of the Oakland-based National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.

In promoting the bill, Gutierrez wrote in the Huffington Post that “it legalizes five percent of the workforce; it eliminates the guesswork in hiring through a smart and dependable employment verification system; and it eradicates the need for localities to take matters into their own hands by requiring businesses and landlords to check IDs of their clients and tenants.”

What the measure is missing, so far, is support from key House Democrats who would have to negotiate a workable immigration bill next year with conservative Democrats and Republicans. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, has indicated she would rather have the Senate move first on immigration, while House immigration leader Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose, has not made any comment on Gutierrez’s plan.

Seventeen of the 34 Democrats in California’s congressional delegation have co-sponsored the bill, including Bay Area lawmakers Rep. Mike Honda, D-Campbell; Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland; Rep. Pete Stark, D-Fremont; and Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Petaluma.

Not listed as a sponsor was Rep. George Miller, D-Martinez, but he said in a statement that introducing the bill “represents a positive step forward in the debate to fix our nation’s broken immigration system.” Miller said he was pleased the bill includes legislation he introduced to end abuses of foreign guest workers by putting more restrictions on the employers who hire them.

Rep. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, was still reviewing the bill, but aides said he supports comprehensive immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship. Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton, had no comment.

Immigrant advocates hope the bill, even if it is unlikely to pass in its current form, sets a pro-immigrant tone early in the debate and puts the onus on Obama to make it a priority. Young immigrants and the U.S.-born children of unauthorized immigrants expressed a sense of urgency at the Friday evening rally at Mission High School.

“I am doing this to help my mom and my sister and my family and other undocumented students who are suffering,” said a 20-year-old Oakland college student who did not want to give his name because he fears deportation.

The family arrived from South Korea when he was 12, and the student said he did not know he was here on an expired visa until he began applying for schools and a driver’s license as a high school senior. An act of Congress, he said, is his chance to stay.

“Two million undocumented immigrants are Asian, and I’m one of them,” he said. “It’s really crucial to me for this bill to be passed. This is the only thing I’m relying on, depending on.”

Though many advocates disagreed over various parts the bill, they put aside some of those quarrels to counter what is likely to be a bigger obstacle: The conventional wisdom that high unemployment in California and across the country makes the bill or anything like it politically untenable.

“The problem is not immigrants. The problem is poverty, trade agreements that increase that poverty, the criminalization of work,” said East Bay immigrant rights activist and author David Bacon. “No immigrants shut down the NUMMI plant (in Fremont). The economic problems we have in this country are not the fault of immigrants.”

key proposals in democrats’
immigration reform bill
The Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America’s Security and Prosperity Act, introduced last week by Congressional Democrats, would overhaul the nation’s immigration policies. Among the provisions:

현행 병역법은 재외국민에게 한결 많은 혜택을 주고 있다. 35세 이하 영주권을 가진 남성의 한국 체류기간이 연간 통산 6개월 이상이 되면 병역이 부과된다. 연간 수 차례 한국을 방문해도 방문 횟수와는 상관없이 한국에서 순수하게 거주한 기간을 기준으로 연중 절반이상(183일)을 거주해야 병역 부과대상이 된다. 따라서 영주권자나 시민권자 등 국외이주자가 병역의무의 부담 없이 한국에 거주할 수 있는 기간을 실질적으로 연장한 셈이다.

재외국민 2세는 6세 이전부터 18세가 될 때까지 부모와 계속 국외에서 거주한 사람. 곧 부모와 본인이 영주 또는•시민권자인 사람을 말한다. 여기서 ‘계속 국외거주 여부’는 통산 3년의 범위 안에서 한국의 초•중•고교에 수학했거나 연간 몇 차례 단기간 한국을 방문한 사실이 있어도 실제 생활근거지가 외국인 경우는 계속 해외에서 거주한 것으로 인정된다.

이들 2세에 대해서는 영주권을 포기하고 한국으로 영구 귀국하기 전에는 병역을 의무적으로 부과하지 않으므로 ‘연간 통산 6개월’ 기준의 적용을 받지 않는다.

대한민국 남성으로서 18세부터 35세까지 병역의무를 마치지 않은 사람이 국외여행을 할 때는 병무청장의 허가를 받아야 한다.

유학생의 경우 고등학교는 21세, 대학은 25세, 대학원은 27세(박사과정 28세)까지 허가(병역연기)를 받을 수 있다.

영주권자는 35세까지 허가를 받지만, 부모 가운데 어느 한쪽만 취득한 경우는 2년 범위 안에서 35세까지 계속 연장이 가능하다.

이중국적자도 35세까지 연장할 수 있다.
문제가 되는 경우는 미국에서 출생한 태생적 이중국적자들인데 이 경우에도 병역대상자가 되기 전(17세가 되는 해의 12.31까지)에 국적이탈신고를 하여 미국시민권만 보유하면 문제가 없으나, 신고를 하지 않고 한국국적을 계속 보유한 경우에 병역문제가 발생합니다.
국적이탈신고 기회를 놓친 경우에는 전가족 영주권(또는 시민권) 취득으로 병역 별도 관리
허가를 받은후 만 35세까지는 이중국적을 소지하게 됩니다. 국적상실 및 국적이탈 신고는 재외공관 또는 한국의 출입국관리사무소에서 가능합니다.

허가(병역연기) 취소대상자

다음과 같은 경우 국외여행허가와 병역연기 처분을 취소하고 병역의무를 부과한다.

1. 해외이주법 규정에 따라 영주 귀국을 신고했거나
2. 1년 기간 내 통산 6개월 이상 한국에 체재하는 경우
3. 한국의 교육기관에서 수학하는 사람으로 수학기간 중 부모 중 한쪽이나 배우자가 1년
기간 내 통산 6개월 이상 한국에 머무는 경우
4. 영리활동에는 1년의 기간 내 통산 60일 이상 머물면서
• 봉급•급료•임금 등의 급여를 받는 경우
• 농•공•상업 등 각종 사업을 운영하는 경우
• 연예인•예술가•운동선수 등이 공연•방송•영화출연•경기참가 등으로 활동하며 수입을
올리는 경우
• 기타 인적용역 제공의 대가로 연간 1천만 원 이상의 수입이 있는 경우

국외 거주자 기간연장 허가 목적별 안내

허가대상 허가기간

부모와 같이 5년이상 5년 범위내 (35세까지 계속 연장 가능)
국외에 거주하는 사람
(부 또는 모가 국외파견
공무원 및 주재원인
경우 제외)

영주권을 취득한 부 2년 범위내 (35세까지 계속 연장 가능)
또는 모와 국외에서
거주하는 사람

영주권을 얻은 날로부터 영주권을 얻은 날부터 1년 6월 범위내
1년미만 거주한 사람

조건부 또는 임시영주권 조건부 또는 임시영주권 유효기간 초과 6월 범위내
(여권등으로 영주권자임을
확인할 수 있는 경우
포함)을 얻은 사람

국외이주자 등의 기간연장 허가 목적별 안내 (허가기간: 35세까지)

1. 영주권을 얻은 사람: 본인 또는 부모가 아래 자격을 취득하고 그 나라에서 1년이상
거주하는 사람 (조건부영주권 및 임시영주권 제외)
2. 이중국적자
• 영주권이나 시민권(외국국적)을 가진 부 또는 모와 같이 국외에서 거주하는 사람
• 부모와 같이 24세 이전부터 국외에서 거주하는 사람
• 국외에서 10년이상 계속하여 거주하고 있는 사람(부모가 국내에 거주하는 사람 제외)
3. 부모가 시민권을 얻은 사람
• 본인은 시민권을 취득하지 못하였으나 시민권(외국국적)을 가진
부모와 같이 거주하는 사람
4. 24세 이전 해외이주자
• 외교통상부장관에게 해외이주신고 후 출국하여 국외에 거주하고
있는 사람

(출처: www.mma.go.kr 병무청 ,www.koreanconsulatela.org 주로스앤젤레스 총영사관)

1900
13.6% of the U.S. population was born outside the U.S.
86.0% of all immigrants were from Europe
11.4% of all immigrants were from Northern America (including Mexico)
2.6% of all immigrants were from other areas
1900: Top Ten Sending Countries: Germany, Ireland, Great Britain, Canada, Sweden, Italy,
Poland, Russia, Poland, Norway, Austria.

1960
6.9% of the U.S. population was born outside the U.S.
75% of all immigrants were from Europe
9.8% of all immigrants were from Northern America (including Mexico)
9.4% of all immigrants were from Latin America
5.1% of all immigrants were from Asia
0.7% of all immigrants were from other areas
1960: Top Ten Sending Countries: Italy, Germany, Canada, United Kingdom, Poland, Soviet
Union, Mexico, Ireland, Austria and Hungary.

1980
6.2% of the U.S. population was born outside the U.S.
39.0% of all immigrants were from Europe
6.5% of all immigrants were from North America
33.1% of all immigrants were from Latin America
19.3% of all immigrants were from Asia
2.1% of all immigrants were from other areas
1980: Top Ten Sending Countries: Mexico, Germany, Canada, Italy, United Kingdom, Cuba,
Philippines, Poland, Soviet Union, Korea.

2000
10.4% of the U.S. population was born outside the U.S.
15.3% of all immigrants were from Europe
2.5% of all immigrants were from Northern America
51.O% of all immigrants were from Latin America
25.5% of all immigrants were from Asia
5.7% of all immigrants were from other areas
2000: Top Ten Sending Countries: Mexico, China, Philippines, India, Cuba, Vietnam, El
Salvador, Korea, Dominican Republic, Canada.

Source: NNIRR.ORG

“가족은 함께 살아야 한다” 드림법안 통과 호소

한인 이민자단체를 비롯한 소수민족의 이민자단체들이 무차별적인 이민 단속을 금지하고 조속한 이민개혁 법안의 통과를 촉구하는 집회를 열었다.

15일 오후 5시부터 산타클라라 대학에 운집한 500여명의 이민자단체와 각종 봉사단체들은 자넷 나폴리타노 국토안보부 장관이 추진하고 있는 무차별 단속과 추방은 물론, 온라인 신원조회(E-Verify) 프로그램과 연방정부 불법체류자 단속 프로그램인 287(g)에 대한 백지화를 촉구했다.

나폴리타노 장관은 이날 산타클라라 대학으로부터 공로상을 받고 이민 단속의 추후 전망에 대한 연설을 하기 위해 산호세를 방문했다.

이날 집회에는 LA지역에서 활동하고 있는 한인단체인 미주한인봉사교육단체협의회와 민족학교를 비롯해서 남가주와 워싱턴 주, 아이다호 및 오레건 주의 이민자단체 20여 곳에서 집회에 동참했다.

집회 연설원으로 참석한 이들은 한결같이 “이민자의 나라인 미국에서 잘못된 이민법으로 이민자들이 단속과 추방을 두려워하며 비인간적인 대우를 받고 있다”면서 조속한 이민개혁법안의 통과를 요구했다.

히스패닉 여고생은 “아버지와 헤어져 살아가고 있다”면서 “가족은 함께 살아야 되는 것이 아니냐”며 무차별 추방을 하는 이민당국에 대한 각성을 촉구했다.

오클랜드에 거주하는 한인 홍주영 학생도 연설을 통해 “공부 열심히 했으나 이민법에 묶여 대학진학을 할 수 없고 이로 인해 미래에 대한 꿈을 꿀 수가 없는 상태”라고 밝힌 뒤 “또한 언제 경찰이 들이닥칠지 몰라 가족들이 잠을 이루지 못한 날도 수 없이 많았다”고 그동안의 힘든 과정을 설명했다.

홍주영 학생은 이어 “이민개혁은 히스패닉계의 이민자에게만 해당되는 것이 아닌 소수민족 모두에게 해당되는 문제”라고 역설한 뒤 “이 자리에 모인 우리 모두가 힘을 모아 드림법안을 통과시킬 수 있도록 노력하자”고 강조했다.

집회에 참석한 일부 인사들은 “이민자들의 지지를 통해 대통령에 당선된 오바마 대통령이 부시 행정부에 비해 오히려 더욱 더 이민정책을 강화하는 모습을 보인다”며 오바마 행정부를 싸잡아 비난하기도 했다.

한편 민족학교 관계자들은 연사들이 이민개혁안에 대한 촉구와 무차별 단속과 추방을 금지하라고 강조할 때마다 북과 꽹과리 등을 두드리며 집회분위기를 뜨겁게 달구기도 했다.

<이광희 기자> khlee@koreatimes.com

<사진설명>
자넷 나폴리타노 국토안보부 장관의 산타클라라 대학 방문에 맞춰 한인 이민자단체를 비롯한 소수민족의 이민자단체들이 무차별적인 이민 단속과 추방을 중지할 것에 대한 집회를 열고 있는 가운데 홍주영 학생이 드림법안의 통과에 함께 힘을 모아 줄 것을 호소하고 있다.