Policy Updates: February 2018
February 2018 Policy Updates
- Senate Vote Tracker: Who has been voting according to OCA’s recommendations?
- OCA Immigration FAQ
- OCA Senate Vote Recommendations
- AAPI Lifeline Comments sent to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai
- OCA Higher Education Act (HEA) Priorities
IMMIGRATION
This month, OCA worked tirelessly to push forward a clean DREAM Act. Through hundreds of calls from our local chapters and members, along with DC congressional office meetings, we reminded them of the importance of passing a clean DREAM without compromises to any visa categories. Although we are disappointed at the outcome of Senate votes, we are appreciative of the fact that 60 members of the Senate voted against the anti-immigrant amendment proposed by Senator Toomey.
Additionally, the Supreme Court has decided not to expediate the DACA court case. As such, individuals who already have DACA status that will be expiring soon should still submit their DACA renewal applications. No new DACA applications will be accepted by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. And DACAmented individuals who are currently outside the country and still be denied their return to the US.
Congresswoman Chu also reintroduced the Reuniting Families Act (“RFA”), a bill that would strengthen the family reunification system and more quickly process the visa backlogs. OCA worked with the Congresswoman to help gain cosponsors for RFA in order to protect the family system. OCA continues to support a clean DREAM Act with no compromises on any visa categories. If you have a family immigration story you’d like to share, please fill out THIS FORM.
EDUCATION
Through the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans’ education committee, OCA submitted comments to the Senate regarding the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. You can view OCA’s individual comments HERE. OCA continues to advocate for affordable and equitable higher education all.
TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
In Technology and Telecommunications, OCA and Asian Americans Advancing Justice — AAJC led comments on the national Lifeline program to ensure that all Americans can stay connected. OCA also signed onto the National Urban League and the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights’ Lifeline letters. We continue to track the filing and will be submitting reply comments. Additionally, OCA will keep meeting with members of Congress to support affordable broadband and other modern communications for all.
Please direct any questions or comments to Kham S. Moua, OCA Associate Director of Policy and Advocacy.
Originally published at https://www.ocanational.org in February 2018.
