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Press Releases

APALA responds to Jeb Bush, Denounces Use of "Anchor Babies" and other Xenophobic Rhetoric

8/24/2015

 
​(Washington, DC) – Washington, DC – The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO (APALA) is outraged that the GOP presidential hopeful Jeb Bush used the derogatory term “anchor babies” to reference Asian children being born to immigrant families. His offensive comment exemplifies the consistent anti-immigrant rhetoric the Republican party uses to criticize communities of color.

“Whether directed towards Latinos, AAPIs or any other community, this demonstrates just how out of touch Bush is with our nation's changing demographics. His use of 'anchor babies' is plain wrong, offensive and hypocritical,” said Johanna Puno Hester, APALA National President. “APALA members denounce the use of any xenophobic or racist rhetoric, especially as a means to earn our community's votes.”

The rich AAPI immigration history is neglected by people like Jeb Bush who do not believe the distasteful term is offensive at all, undermining generations of AAPI immigrant contributions to America.

“APALA stands with all immigrants and communities of color. We won't allow Jeb Bush or any other candidate to divide and conquer us,” said Gregory Cendana, APALA National Executive Director. “Instead, this moment will signify to the growing AAPI voter bloc and rising American electorate, how the GOP does not reflect our values. As the presidential election season ramps up, we will continue to engage our communities, monitor the statements and policies of candidates and ensure voters know who stands with them--and who doesn't.”
###

APALA Elects First Undocumented & Youngest Person Ever to National Executive Board

8/24/2015

 
(Washington, DC) – Last week, during its 13th Biennial Convention, the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO (APALA) elected the first undocumented and youngest person ever to their national executive board. Yves Gomes was elected to APALA’s highest governing body on Sunday, August 16, 2015.

The election came off the heels of one of the largest convenings of undocumented Asian and Asian American and Pacific Islander (undocuAPI) youth. In partnership with ASPIRE Los Angeles (ASPIRE LA), APALA supported more than 40 undocuAPI youth from across the country to build with labor leaders and draw connections between mass deportation, mass incarceration, and other forms of criminalization in our communities. Trina Lei Pasumbal, ASPIRE LA CORE member, said, “A lot of amazing things came out of this year’s APALA convention, we were able to build with labor and our new found undocuAPI community, and it was amazing to see Yves taking on a new leadership role. It’ll make a positive impact on the undocuAPI movement and I’m excited for what’s to come.”

Gomes, a pharmacy technician and proud union member, was supported by the leadership of his union. UFCW 400 President Mark P. Federici added, “Our members understand the devastating impact our broken immigration system has on working families. While Congress has failed to act to address this crisis, leaders like Yves continue to step up to fight for the rights of all hard-working men and women. We couldn’t be more proud of Yves and we know he will make a valuable contribution to the board of APALA.”

“It’s important for APALA to be grounded by those directly impacted by the issues we champion. From rank and file workers to women to youth of color and undocumented youth, we believe these voices should be uplifted at levels of the organization.” stated APALA National President Johanna Puno Hester. “We welcome Yves Gomes to the board and know that he will be a critical voice as we continue to advance worker, immigrant and civil rights.”

Yves Gomes said, “I am honored to be on the National Executive Board of APALA and I am astounded at APALA’s boldness in investing their trust in me as a young worker who is also undocumented. With my position on the board, I want to serve my undocumented and labor communities in fostering meaningful and strategic dialogue between each other so our movement can grow. I am incredibly humbled at the opportunity to serve our brothers and sisters in APALA, fellow young workers, undocumented youth and represent my union, UFCW Local 400.”

​To set up an interview with Yves Gomes, Trina Lei Pasumbal or Johanna Hester, contact William Chiang at wchiang@apalanet.org. Visit www.apalanet.org for more information.
###

Trump and GOP Sustain Offensive Onslaught on Immigrant Communities

8/20/2015

 
(Washington, DC) – The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO (APALA) is disgusted that another member of the Republican Party insulted the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community one day after Jeb Bush called Asian children “Anchor Babies”. During his campaign speech in Iowa last night, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump uses broken English to impersonate and mock Asian negotiators. 

“Trump’s racist impression and assumption that AAPIs can’t speak English epitomizes the GOP’s anti-foreign positions,” said Johanna Puno Hester, APALA National President. “Trump’s utter xenophobic stereotype of AAPIs symbolizes the ignorance and disrespect towards immigrants and communities of color.” 

Moreover, Univision News Anchor Jorge Ramos was forcefully removed from a Trump press conference after Ramos challenged the Republican presidential front-runner about his plan to deport 11 million undocumented immigrants. Trump crudely told the Mexican-American reporter to sit down and go back to Univision instead of addressing his disturbing immigration stance. 
​

“Trump’s sheer disrespect and prejudice coincides with the glaring racist ideologies that the GOP has exhibited throughout their campaigns,” said Gregory Cendana, APALA National Executive Director. “Jeb Bush’s derogatory comments and Donald Trump’s bigoted actions will serve as another reminder that the Republican Party does not represent the interest of communities of color and our country.”
###

    For Immediate Release

    Contact:
    apala[at]apalanet.org

    For full list of all press releases and statements, please click here.

    ​

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Founded in 1992, the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), AFL-CIO, is the first and only national organization of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) workers, most of whom are union members and our allies, building power for AAPI workers and communities.
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