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Press Statement:
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
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Contact:
Lisa Chen, Asian Law Caucus
(760) 580-8598
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SF Board of Supes, Board of Education Both
Decry Immigration Detainment of CCSF Student
As popular student still faces devastating deportation to Peru,
Anguished supporters plan vigil next week
SAN FRANCISCO - Yesterday, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and Board of Education overwhelmingly passed resolutions denouncing the planned deportation of Shing Ma "Steve" Li, a 20 year old City College nursing student who has been living in the U.S. since 2002. Both Boards called for the immediate release of Li and urged California Senators Feinstein and Boxer to intervene and halt his deportation.
"Steve's detention deprives our community of the best and the brightest and serves as an example of why we need to pass the federal DREAM Act immediately," said Supervisor Mar, the sponsor of Tuesday's resolution. After hearing from friends and teachers of Li, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously denounced his deportation. A group of twenty five of Steve's supporters enthusiastically cheered after the Board vote of 11-0.
"The deportation of Steve is fundamentally an issue about equal access to education; our ICE officials would rather deport young smart students then let them pursue higher education," said Sang Chi, teacher and mentor of Li at the Board of Education vote.
"These resolutions send a clear message that there is broad support for Steve," noted Sin Yen Ling, senior staff attorney at the Asian Law Caucus and Steve's legal counsel. "We have yet to get a response from either Senator Feinstein or Boxer and it's actions like these that will make sure our voices are heard," added Ling.
Organizers around Steve's case are gearing up towards a candlelight vigil on Wednesday November 17th at 4:30PM in front of Senator Feinstein's office.
DREAM Act is a bi-partisan legislation that would allow undocumented students that arrived before the age of 16 a pathway to legalization if they either attend two years of community college or serve two years of the military.
Text of resolutions available upon request.
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About The Asian Law Caucus:
The Asian Law Caucus was founded in 1972 as the nation's first legal and civil rights Asian American organization. Recognizing that social, economic, political and racial inequalities continue to exist in the United States, ALC 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 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The Asian Law Caucus is a member of the Asian American Center for Advancing Justice.
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