| | RALLYING FOR DRIVER'S LICENSES FOR ALL |
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In May, The MinKwon Center continued its advocacy efforts for the Green Light New York Campaign, which calls on the state to pass legislation allowing all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status, to obtain a driver's license. Unlicensed immigrants often lack adequate public transportation options and depend on cars to travel for work, school, and to care for basic needs. This is a pressing issue for Asian Americans living in New York. Asian Americans make up 9 percent of the state’s population and 15 percent of New York City’s population, and there are approximately 1.2 million Asian American immigrants in New York. This bill would provide immediate benefits for Asian Americans and the broader immigrant community.
Assembly Member Marcos Crespo introduced Bill A10273, the Driver's Licence Access and Privacy Act, and the MinKwon Center has been calling on our local Queens Assembly Members to sign on and sponsor the bill. On May 10, Assembly Member Ron Kim and Assembly Member Ari Espinal visited MinKwon's offices for a press conference to announce their support for the bill! We thank them for their efforts to improve our communities.
Passing this bill would make driving in New York safer, strengthen the economy, and improve immigrants’ ability to work and care for their families. A study conducted by the Fiscal Policy Institute estimates that the bill would generate $57 million in annual revenue and $26 million in one-time fees for the state. Twelve states, as well as Puerto Rico and Washington D.C., have implemented similar programs without incident. Both New Mexico and Utah reported significant drops in the number of uninsured drivers and traffic fatalities after passing similar legislation. |
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 | | Assembly Members Kim and Espinal joined MinKwon, Asian Americans for Equality, Korean Community Services, and Chinese American Planning Council to support the Green Light NY Campaign on May 11, 2018. |
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TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE FOR SPRING RECEPTION |
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The Spring Reception gives MinKwon an opportunity to update our friends and allies about the important work we are undertaking and raises funds to support immigrant communities. The funds raised from last year’s Spring Reception helped us award $1,100 scholarships to five deserving undocumented Asian American students! This is a critical year for our immigrant communities, especially with the 2018 elections right around the corner. The funds we raise this year will help us support our civic participation and advocacy and organizing programs.
Join us next week, June 6, at LMHQ for free food and drinks and to support the work of our staff! |
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TESTIFYING FOR FAIR REDISTRICTING |
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MinKwon Center Executive Director John Park testified at the New York City Charter Revision Commission and called on New York to reform the redistricting commission. The current process allows current or former elected officials to select members to the commission, which threatens the independence of the commission.
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| | HIGHLIGHTING THE SENIOR HOUSING CRISIS |
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MinKwon visited New York City Council Member Peter Koo’s office to highlight the issues with the current senior housing system. Senior immigrants have difficulties understanding English application and information sources. Also, the current availability of senior housing falls far behind its demand. Two of our community members Mrs. Yun and Mrs. Kim introduced the experiences they have faced in applying for senior housing: they have waited for more than ten years, have limited income to pay high rents, and had trouble understanding the application process.
MinKwon also delivered more than 3,000 petitions from local community members expressing their desire to see better language accessibility in the senior housing proccess. |
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STUDENT VOTER REGISTRATION DAY |
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Student Voter Registration Day was on May 21, and MinKwon participated by registering high school seniors at John Adams High School.
SVRD is a collaboration of NYC Votes, community-based organizations, the New York City Council, and City Hall. The inaugural SVRD was held on March 20, 2015. Since then, over 10,000 students have been registered through this program at more than 70 high schools throughout the city.
MinKwon's civic participation team educated students about the voting process, New York's elected officials, and registered more than 50 students to vote.
If you have any questions about registering to vote, please call the MinKwon Center! |
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|  | | Our immigration attorney Michael recently recorded a Korean language Know Your Rights video. Please share widely with Korean speakers who may need assistance! If you have any immigration related questions, please call 718-460-5600 and speak with our immigration services staff. |
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The MinKwon Center's 34th Annual Gala will be on Thursday, October 18, 2018. Stay tuned for more information!
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