CAPAC and AAPI Leaders Meet with President Barack Obama
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Judy Chu, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Congressman Mike Honda, CAPAC Chair Emeritus, and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) business and faith leaders from across the country met with President Obama at the White House to discuss immigration reform. This is the second meeting CAPAC had with the Administration this week. On Wednesday, CAPAC members met with the Secretary of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson, to discuss immigration reform and the Administration’s review of its deportation and enforcement policies.
CAPAC leaders released the following statements:
Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair:
“I am encouraged by our meeting with President Obama and the Administration’s efforts to improve our immigration system. We had a productive discussion with the President about immigration challenges affecting the AAPI community – from immense visa backlogs to policies that tear families apart. However, Congress must send a comprehensive bill to the President’s desk to establish a permanent solution to our nation’s immigration problems.”
Congressman Mike Honda (CA-17), CAPAC Chair Emeritus:
“I’m grateful for the leadership the President showed today in meeting with myself, Congresswoman Chu, and faith and business leaders of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Community to discuss comprehensive immigration reform. I was impressed with the President’s ability to work with each and every Asian American community, and his commitment to changing our broken immigration system. He knows that our current system is hurting the AAPI community, and our economy. We’re looking forward to working with the White House to get comprehensive immigration reform passed.”
Participants in today’s meeting include:
- Congresswoman Judy Chu, Chair, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
- Congressman Mike Honda, Chair Emeritus, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
- Billy Dec, CEO and Founder, Rockit Ranch Productions
- Toa Do, President, Business Development Assistance Group
- Hyepin Im, President and CEO, Korean Churches for Community Development
- Rev. Abhi Janamanchi, Senior Minister, Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church
- Daphne Kwok, Chair, President’s Advisory Commission on AAPIs
- Rev. Eun-sang Lee, Pastor, First United Methodist Church
- Shekar Narasimhan, Managing Partner, Beekman Advisors
- Rebecca Yemin Shi, Executive Director, Illinois Business Immigration Coalition
- Rich Stolz, Executive Director, OneAmerica
- Sach Takayasu, President and CEO, Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship
###
The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) is comprised of Members of Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and Members who have a strong dedication to promoting the well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Currently chaired by Congresswoman Judy Chu, CAPAC has been addressing the needs of the AAPI community in all areas of American life since it was founded in 1994.