APALA stands with the 500 Indian guest workers who were lured to the US with promises of permanent residency in exchange for working in the hard-hit area of New Orleans. The workers scrapped together $20,000 each to fradulent immigration brokers for Signal International, a manufacturing company that promised green cards and visas for their families as well. After arriving here, they found themselves in deplorable forced labor camps, in debt for more money than their meager wages could ever repay, and with guest worker visas for only 10 months. In June, worker leaders went on a hunger strike in Washington DC to pressure lawmakers to allow them to stay in the country while the government investigates abuses of the guest worker program. View our full statement.

 

At long last, Filipino veterans of World War II and their families have something to cheer! The Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007, which was sponsored by Sen. Daniel Akaka of Hawaii, passed the Senate 96-1 and now moves onto the House for consideration. The bill will provide equity to the remaining veterans who bravely fought alongside US forces and were promised U.S. citizenship and full veterans benefits by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. These benefits were later removed by Congress. This bill helps restores some benefits including a pension plan for veterans here and in the Philippines. Find out more about the campaign here.
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