Civil Rights Org. Expresses Concerns about Napolitano Appointment

Below is a press release from the Asian Law Caucus on today’s “interesting” announcement that Napolitano is resigning as DHS secretary AND taking on the job as president of the University of California system.

For immediate release:

July 12, 2013

Contact:   Angela Chan, Senior Staff Attorney

415-848-7719 / angelac@advancingjustice-alc.org

Civil Rights Organization Expresses Strong Concerns About

Appointment of DHS Secretary Napolitano to President of UC System

In response to the appointment of Department of Homeland Security Director Secretary Napolitano to president of the University of California system, senior staff attorney at Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus, Angela Chan, releases the following statement:

“DHS Secretary Napolitano is a terrible fit for the University of California system.  Under her direction, ICE’s controversial and out of control “Secure” Communities deportation program is responsible for the deportation of almost 100,000 Californians as of May 31st.   These deportations are more than any other state, and disproportionately high compared to our estimated undocumented population.  S-Comm has drained our state’s resources, undercut our community policing efforts, and destroyed Californian families. The TRUST Act (AB 4), a pending bill in California that would set reasonable limits on the S-Comm program to reduce its harmful impact, is needed now more than ever.  By contrast, Secretary Napolitano’s appointment to the UC president is not.”

Charles Sanchez, a core leader of Asian Students Promoting Immigrant Rights through Education (ASPIRE) and a UCLA student, also expressed serious concerns about Secretary Napolitano’s appointment:

“The appointment of Secretary Napolitano to fill the role of President of the University of California system is not only unconventional, but also disturbing. The very same person who oversaw a record number of deportations of our families, friends, and neighbors will be in charge of the public universities that enroll the most undocumented students; this is simply not right. The UC system will not benefit from an individual with her kind of experience; instead we need someone that is an accomplished and dedicated educator. California must do better than this.”

Sign a petition today to oppose the appointment of DHS Secretary Napolitano to UC President:  http://action.dreamactivist.org/notojanet/.

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The mission of Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus is to promote, advance, and represent the legal and civil rights of Asian and Pacific Islander communities. Recognizing that social, economic, political and racial inequalities continue to exist in the United States, the Asian Law Caucus is committed to the pursuit of equality and justice for all sectors of our society with a specific focus directed toward addressing the needs of low-income, immigrant, and underserved APIs.

At this important moment of the Asian American civil and human rights movement, the Asian Law Caucus is strengthening its alliance with three other leading organizations–the Asian American Institute (Chicago), the Asian American Justice Center (DC), and the Asian Pacific American Legal Center (LA)–by coming together under one name, the Asian American Center for Advancing Justice.

 

Angela Chan
Senior Staff Attorney, Criminal Justice Reform Program
__________________________________________

Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus
(Formerly Asian Law Caucus. Please note our email and website addresses have changed.)

Direct Tel: (415) 848-7719
Fax: (415) 896-1702
Email: angelac@advancingjustice-alc.org
Website: www.advancingjustice-alc.org

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