Holding Congresswoman Young Kim Accountable on Immigration Reform
Friday, April 23rd, 2021
After more than three decades of organizing and advocating for immigration reform, we breathed a long sigh of relief when the Biden administration proposed the U.S. Citizenship Act during its first week in office.
On March 18, the House passed H.R. 6 known as the American Dream and Promise Act, a legislation that seeks to create a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children and those with other temporary immigration protections (TPS). The bill passed 228-197, receiving bi-partisan support with nine Republicans joining Democrats in voting for the legislation.
Regrettably, amongst those who voted against it was Congresswoman Young Kim, representing California’s 39th district - a district that includes parts of Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties. Congresswoman Kim’s district consists of a large number of Latino and Asian immigrants who could potentially benefit from the passing of this bill. By denying her vote, Representative Kim betrayed her own constituents and millions of others who have lived in the shadows, denied basic rights and human dignity. The Congresswoman has dangled her ‘immigrant experience’ to win hearts and votes but when given the platform to act in favor of the communities she serves, she simply turns her back on them. As an immigrant herself, Rep. Kim knows first-hand the trials and tribulations of the immigrant community, consequently, her vote against the bill is cruel and devoid of empathy.
After voting against the bill, the Congresswoman’s public statement explained that she did not agree with the fact that the bill granted legal status to immigrants who have only been in the U.S. since January 2021, when countless others have been waiting in line. When pressed even further by KRC’s network organization NAKASEC, she provided a different statement asserting that the bill was not bipartisan enough. Let us be clear that both her statements were mere excuses to exonerate herself from not participating in good faith in the much needed and awaited immigration system reform process that we at KRC along with many others have been fighting for decades.
The American Dream and Promise Act is only one piece of the legislation that is helping to build momentum for the more comprehensive immigration bill that will provide a path to citizenship to all the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the county. If the Congresswoman’s vote against the first bill is any indication at all for how she will vote on ensuing ones, the prospects are disheartening. We urge Congresswoman Kim to back her rhetoric on being pro-immigration reform with action and wield her power to advocate and vote favorably on subsequent Immigration Reform Bills. We urge all our community members, advocates and supporters to hold Congresswoman Kim accountable. We have come this far and will not back down until we secure Citizenship for all undocumented immigrants in this country. We will keep all eyes on her and make sure she delivers for her constituents in California’s 39th district.
Onward and Upward!