On September 27th, 2014, SAAPRI co-hosted a discussion on immigration in the South Asian American community in the Chicago Public Library – Northtown Branch. The conversation focused on concrete ways that South Asians can bring about change, hold government leaders accountable, and bring fair and holistic changes to the immigration system. Speakers included Suman Raghunathan, Executive Director of South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), Ami Gandhi, Executive Director of South Asian American Policy & Research Institute (SAAPRI), Chirayu Patel, DREAMer and SAAPRI Volunteer, and Aditi Singh, SAAPRI Volunteer
The facts of South Asian immigration in the United States: Nearly 70% of South Asian Americans in Illinois are immigrants. Indian Americans are the second largest immigrant group in the Midwest. 67% of Indian Americans think that visa backlogs are a serious problem. Children from Punjab and Gujarat are held in detention facilities in the Chicago area. Growing numbers of undocumented youth from India and Pakistan are eligible for relief through DACA, but relatively few are applying. All our families and businesses are affected by the immigration system.
Co-hosts: South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) & Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Chicago
Co-Sponsors: Indo-American Center (IAC), Apna Ghar, Inc., Indian American Bar Association-Chicago,
Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Chicago (AAAJ-C), Chicago Desi Youth Rising
SAAPRI thanks Woods Fund of Chicago for its critical support of this event.
Thank you to all those who attended our event!
- Read more about our 2013 Idli & Immigration event here