Asian Immigration Rally Gathers in Chicago
By Anthonia Akitunde in News on Aug 22, 2009 5:45PM
Taking the reins from Hispanic-focused immigration rallies, hundreds of Asian and Pacific Islander immigration advocates will gather for a “town hall meeting” in North Park today, Chicago Breaking News reports.
The rally, located in a Salvation Army church, will be one of many Asian immigration events held across the nation this week and the first of its kind in Chicago, according to the report. Regional Asian immigration groups have made gains in organizing the community of almost 350,000 Asian and Pacific Islander immigrants living in the area.
Organizers interviewed in the article say the rally marks a positive move toward publicly discussing issues that were once kept silent. Although the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was abolished in 1943, current immigration policies are still felt by families and individuals of other Asian and Pacific Island nations.
The event will allow immigrants and citizens who have family members going through the immigration process abroad a chance to hear others stories and object roadblocks to immigration such as "bureaucracy surrounding temporary work visas for high-tech jobs," the report said.