The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) International, in collaboration with eight other local and national Asian American organizations, co-hosted the 2024 National Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Unity Summit. Organized by the Asian American Unity Coalition (AAUC), the event took place from September 19-20, 2024, in Washington D.C.
As a founding member of AAUC, GOPIO actively campaigns on broad issues affecting Asian Americans. The Unity Summit served as a platform for AANHPI organizations and leaders to engage and collaborate on key issues facing their communities.
According to a press statement by GOPIO, a delegation of 70 individuals participated in a White House briefing on the morning of September 19 to discuss matters affecting their diverse communities. This was followed by a White House tour for 100 Summit attendees. In the afternoon, representatives from the Department of Justice and the FBI met with Asian American community leaders at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The day concluded with a youth session that addressed racial bias in schools and explored cross-cultural identities.
The White House Briefing began with a welcome from Kristal Ka’ai, Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI), who discussed the administration’s efforts to support these communities. Special Advisor Kota Mizutani followed, addressing Asian American engagement with the White House.
AAUC President Angela Anand, and Board Chair Dr. S.K. Lo, also spoke. Various co-hosting organizations discussed key Asian American issues, including immigration, education, violence, and discrimination.
GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham emphasized the backlog in legal immigration, especially for Indians, who make up 62 per cent of the 2 million affected. He highlighted two bipartisan bills (HR-6543 and S-3269) that could address the issue, while also proposing short-term executive actions the Biden Administration could take before legislative solutions are enacted. The following are the suggestions:
They include: “Instruct USCIS to remove the ‘Compelling Circumstances’ clause for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) and Travel Documents (Advance Parole) for approved immigrant petitioners and their dependents who have legally resided in the US for at least ten years; Instruct USCIS and Department of State to create a Rule that will Lock the age of dependent and non-US born children as on the approval date of the very first immigrant petition (I-140) so that these kids do not have to self-deport; For EAD and Travel Documents, consider charging premium fees, may be as much as $5,000 per applicant, which will generate substantial revenue for USCIS to enhance the infrastructure to process these applications; and AAUC and GOPIO have requested and urged the Biden Administration to execute these administrative measures immediately and in good faith.”
President Biden’s Deputy Assistant Erika Moritsugu delivered the President’s message at the welcome dinner of the AAUC/GOPIO Summit.
In his message President noted, “America has a heart and soul that draw from old and new. We all come from somewhere, but we’re all Americans. And since our nation was founded, our spirit has been enriched by the immense contributions and diverse cultures of the Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) communities – and that includes those attending 2024 National Unity Summit,” emphasizing “By elevating AA and NHPI voices, encouraging civic engagement and advocating for the issues that matter most to your communities, each one of you demonstrates a commitment to our country that continues to propel our great American experiment ever forward.”
He further said “People like you and events like this are a big part of the reason why I have been never more optimistic about the future of this nation. As you gather for 2024 National Unity Summit” hoping they are proud of their achievements not only of those around them and but also of AA and NHPI members across the United States.
