The Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition (PICC) joins in solidarity with the Asian and Pacific Islander (API) community. We are disheartened and outraged by the violent deaths of Hyun Jung Grant, Xiaojie Tan, Yong Ae Yue, Suncha Kim, Soon Chung Park, Daoyou Feng, Delaina Ashley Yaun, and Paul Andre Michels along with the critical wounding of Elcias Hernandez-Ortiz. 

We condemn the hatred and violence targeted at our API communities across the country, and join in the fight against the white supremacy, systemic violence, racism, xenophobia, sexism, and misogyny that have motivated not only this act of violence, but countless others.

As we collectively grieve and strategize in response to this tragedy, we know that anti-Asian sentiments and violence have been deeply rooted in our country for hundreds of years. We must work to end all forms of structural racism and violence against Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC), along with our immigrant communities. We must invest in the long-term fight to address the root causes of violence and collectively work to support the well-being and safety of our communities. 

We at PICC recognize that the fight against systemic injustice and the path towards liberation for marginalized and disenfranchised communities is dependent upon the work of us all. We will continue to stand and fight with you until the fight is no longer needed.

In Love and Struggle,

Anita, Emma, Felicia, Kayleigh, Mary, Mary Jayne, Maria, Nyamal, Prudence, Sayeeda, Simanti, Stephanie, Sundrop, and Yeny

Learn more about available mutual aid resources and how to take action as an ally: National Asian American Community Resource page, Anti-Asian Violence Resources, Philly Stops Anti-Asian Violence - National Day of Action

Support local API-led organizations. PICC members include: Asian Americans United (AAU), Bhutanese Community Association of Pittsburgh (BCAP), Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia (CAGP), Philadelphia Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), Southeast Asian Mutual Association Association Coalition (SEAMAAC), VietLead, Woori Center

Latino Community Center (LCC) is a by Latino for Latinos organization that empowers, advocates with, and celebrates Latinos in Allegheny County. The LCC seeks to ensure that all Latinos are valued and have equal and equitable access. Some of the programs offered include K-12 educational programming within the Pittsburgh Public Schools, a Drop-In Center that provides all families with immediate access to urgent needs, and bilingual service coordination and case management support. LCC also manages the Community Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which is grassroots support fund initiative led by a committee of Latino individuals who meet monthly to review requests for financial assistance from the families most in need.

As a member of the National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA), PICC is part of a national effort to promote policies that promote immigrant inclusion. The New Deal for New Americans Act (NDNA) aims to transform the federal government’s approach to immigrant integration and increase federal support for the proactive inclusion of immigrants and refugees into the social, economic and civic fabric of our country. NDNA’s provisions would establish new programs in key integration areas like language training, workforce development and legal services, while removing common obstacles that impede access to naturalization, refugee status and other immigration benefits. The legislation would also streamline federal cross-agency coordination on policies that affect immigrants and refugees and facilitate alignment between federal, state and local approaches to immigrant inclusion.

The NDNA represents a vision of an inclusive nation that embraces immigrants and refugees and thrives because of their contributions. We need our Members of Congress to support this vision by signing on to the NDNA and pledging to pass legislation that provides for a just and humane immigration system. Call your Members of Congress today!

We are excited to invite you to the PICC’s 5th Annual Pennsylvania Immigrant and Refugee Rights Convening on June 5-6, 2021.

Just five months after the new Administration takes seat in the White House and Congress, join us to reflect on the year and build collective power with PICC partner organizations and communities to fight for the policies we need.

This Convening will bring together members of the immigrant and refugee communities, grassroots organizations, advocates, and allies from across the state, and will includes live virtual workshops, networking sessions, and opportunities to meet with legislators to discuss the issues impacting our immigrant and refugee communities.

Save the date and stay tuned for registration details and program!