FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Feb. 7, 2017

Contact: Mary Tablante; (202) 706-6768; [email protected]

NCAPA Strongly Opposes Bill Limiting Legal Immigration

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) introduced a bill today that would dramatically reduce the number of immigrants who can obtain green cards and other visas every year--cutting legal immigration by 40 to 50 percent. It would eliminate the ability of U.S. citizens to sponsor parents, adult siblings and adult children for green cards, and the ability of lawful permanent residents to sponsor their unmarried adult children. It also would limit refugees to 50,000 per year.

The National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) vehemently opposes this bill. We are a nation of immigrants, and Asian Americans are the fastest-growing population, with two-thirds of our community being foreign born. We have seen restrictive immigration laws in our nation’s past that have had devastating impacts on our communities. In addition, more than 40 percent of people waiting in the family immigration backlog are from Asian countries, with some families already waiting decades to be reunited. We strongly oppose any measure that would separate our families even longer or eliminate extended family reunification. 

This bill runs counter to our nation's most cherished values. We urge Congress to redirect its focus to welcoming immigrants and refugees, not limiting their opportunity to continue aiding  our economy and becoming part of our nation’s fabric.

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Based in Washington, D.C., the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans is a coalition of 35 national Asian Pacific American organizations that serves to represent the interests of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities and to provide a national voice for our communities’ concerns. Our communities are the fastest growing racial/ethnic group in the United States, currently making up approximately six percent of the population.

Responses from NCAPA member organizations:

Asian Americans Advancing Justice Strongly Opposes Restrictionist Immigration Bill

South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) Vehemently Opposes Bill Limiting Legal Immigration