​(Washington, DC) – GOP candidates continue to promote their hateful brand in hopes to win over voters after last week’s contested Republican presidential debate. Following previous remarks about anchor babies and immigrant tracking systems, the Republican presidential candidates continued their racist rhetoric by adding to Anti-Muslim sentiment to criminalize people of the Muslim religion.

During a Q&A session at Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump’s rally in New Hampshire on September 17th, one of his supporters asserted that America has a Muslim problem, even claiming that President Obama was a Muslim. Trump stayed silent in acknowledgement instead of addressing the disgraceful claims that were made. Days later, Republican presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson stated his fear of a Muslim becoming President during his Meet the Press interview on September 20th. Carson further elaborated that he would not support a Muslim candidate for President because the religion of Islam is not compatible with the constitution. 

“The constant fear mongering tactics used by Republicans to gain bigoted and racist votes does not benefit America whatsoever,” said Johanna Puno Hester, APALA National President. “Trump’s inability to correct the hateful anti-Muslim rhetoric amongst his supporters and Carson’s categorization of Muslims as unfit leaders exemplifies how racism, xenophobia and anti-Muslim sentiment has no boundaries within the GOP." 
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The freedom of religion is a right granted to all Americans under the constitution and should not be used against any individual. “We are not surprised about the bigoted views of members of the GOP given what we seen already in this presidential cycle so far,” said Gregory Cendana, APALA National Executive Director. “APALA denounces the use of anti-Muslim--and any racist rhetoric--that criminalizes millions of Muslims or people of color that make up the new American majority. We will continue to follow the statements of candidates and will ensure voters will not tolerate fear mongering to win votes.”

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​(Washington, DC) – Every year, Labor Day serves as a reminder of the labor movement’s vast contributions to the American workforce. The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO (APALA) is proud to celebrate Labor Day this year by commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Delano Grape Strike in 1965 with the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS).

“APALA is honored to join generations of activists in Delano, CA celebrating the accomplishments of Filipino farmworkers, or the Manongs, that helped grow the AAPI labor movement to what it has become today,” said APALA National President Johanna Puno Hester. “We praise the leadership of the Filipino Farm Workers who organized with the Mexican Farm Workers to build collective worker power during the Delano Grape Strike.”

The success of the Delano Grape Strike and the eventual formation of the United Farm Workers of America in 1966 signify how workers came together to fight for a common goal. Their victory demonstrated the power of workers as it showcased the strength of union organizing. 
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“The Manongs are the unsung heroes of the labor movement and APALA is committed to telling their stories of organizing, struggle and resistance. Their legacy inspires us as we advance worker, immigrant and civil rights,” said Gregory Cendana, APALA National Executive Director. “The AAPI population, including the workforce, continues to grow as seen through the rising AAPI unionization rates. APALA will continue to build a stronger labor movement by utilizing our worker power and building a collective movement the way Delano Grape Strikers did 50 years ago.”

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​(Washington, DC) – The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO (APALA) continues to be in awe at the persistent anti-immigrant rhetoric by Republican presidential hopefuls, further showcasing how problematic their solutions are for our communities and country. 

During Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie’s campaign speech in New Hampshire on August 28th, he proclaimed that he wanted to devise a system to track new immigrants in America by utilizing the technology FedEx uses to track packages. Christie conveyed that keeping tabs on all immigrants upon entry into the country would help the government “go get you” when your visa expires.

“Criminalizing all new immigrants/ foreigners by monitoring them like packages is a violation of human rights,” said Johanna Puno Hester, APALA National President. “Christie’s strategy to track immigrants at all times upon entry is disgusting and it exemplifies how Republicans are willing to say anything to further their agendas.”

Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina further exacerbated the derogatory term Anchor Babies last week during her speech in Iowa on August 27th. She stressed the need for more enforcement on industries that are set up for Asian tourist to have babies in America. Fiorina’s comment mirrors her previous claim that Chinese people “don’t innovate, that is why they are stealing our intellectual property” back in January of 2015.

Moreover, Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump released his attack ad on August 31st showing 3 pictures of murderers while playing Jeb Bush’s comments about undocumented immigration in the background. Trump’s hateful attempt to use scare tactics in connection with undocumented immigration exposes his pursuit to criminalize immigrants by exploiting isolated incidents.
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“The tactic to criminalize immigrant communities in America exhibited by Christie, Fiorina and Trump reflect the GOP’s anti foreign ideologies,” said Gregory Cendana, APALA National Executive Director. “APALA will not stand with Republican candidates that think targeting and threatening immigrants is a solution to the immigration crisis in America.”

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