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Advocates Launch Initiative
to Restore Nutrition & Health To Immigrants July 12,Washington, D.C. - Advocates from around the country today announced a new initiative calling on the federal government to restore food stamp and health care benefits for legal immigrants. At a press conference held in Capitol Hill, the coalition of immigrant, health care, domestic violence and anti-hunger advocates – united under the banner "Healthy Solutionsfor America's Hardworking Families," - unveiled the new initiative which includes three key pieces of legislation aimed at restoring vital nutritional and health care supports. The speakers include Sen. Bob Graham (D-FL), Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), Rep. Sandy Levin (D-MI), Rep. Ciro D. Rodriguez (D-TX), Karen Narasaki of the National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium, and Gloria T. Caoile, commissioner, President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and National Chair of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA). At the press conference, Caoile represented a Filipino mother who has survived years of verbal, mental and emotional abuse by her husband and his family. "She could not be here today to tell her own story because she is afraid for her safety and that of her five children," Caoile said. "But she wanted to share her experience in the hopes that we can help to pass legislation that would give victims like herself a way out of family violence. Because of her, it is imperative that the Federal government restore food stamp and health care benefits for legal immigrants. Her children and thousands of others like them, shouldn’t be left behind because they lack basic health care and nutrition as a result of immigrant restrictions." To a hushed, overflow audience that gathered in a senate hearing room, Caoile shared the woman’s story. "Here is her story: "I met Daniel (not his real name) in January of 1987 while he was stationed in the Philippines. After a yearlong courtship we were married in a church in Manila. When we first got married the Air Force ordered him to process my papers. I went to Manila to start the process, but he just put it aside. I kept reminding him to do it, but he always had an excuse. He kept saying ‘We’re not going anywhere.’ "After Daniel was dishonorably discharged from the Air Force, we moved the US. He moved from job to job sometimes not lasting for more than just a few days. We were forced to move around a lot when he could not pay the rent. He gave me little or no money for food. We got by on the kindness of people from the church who often donated money and bags of groceries. I couldn’t work to contribute because I had no papers. "I asked Daniel repeatedly to file for my green card but he would just get furious every time I raised the issue. Once, I asked him if I could do it myself. He said I couldn’t process my paperwork without him and that I was stuck with him. He said that there was nothing anyone could do to help me. He always said that if I tried to leave him, or get someone to help, that he would make sure I got deported and be separated from my kids forever. "When money was really tight we moved in with Daniel’s parents. He allowed his family to be physically abusive to me and the kids. "Tired of the constant emotional and mental abuse, I went stay with friends in Tampa to get help. But Daniel came and physically dragged me across the parking lot and tried to force me into his parent’s van. Fortunately, the police arrived and stopped him. But he had my children, and I could not leave them alone with him, so I went back. "He said he would rather shoot me than let me leave. After that he kept me completely isolated from everyone. He blocked the phone so that I could not receive or make calls; he intercepted my mail and erased my messages. "With the help of some members from the church, I finally decided to flee with my children and file for a divorce. When I did this, my husband cut off all financial support for our children and me. When the divorce came through, the court ordered Daniel to pay child support, but he was so delinquent he was thrown in jail. They let him out of jail so that he would not lose his job, but instead of returning to work he left town and has not been heard from since. "That was two years ago. I was desperately poor, but did not yet have my immigration papers. Once, I was offered work if only I would lie and say I was a citizen. But I could not lie, so I had to let that opportunity pass. "Finally, I was able to get a green card with the help of my church friends. I got a job… But the pay is not nearly enough to provide the minimum necessities for myself and my children. "Meanwhile, I am not eligible for any government assistance because my immigration papers were not filed until recently. People who went to my church, and who know me and what I have been through are so generous. They take care of me, giving me groceries and occasionally money. I don’t know what I would have done if not for their kindness. "I also don’t know what my children would do if something happened to me. I am constantly afraid that I will get sick and be unable to get medical care because of the 1996 laws." Caoile concluded by saying that Janice (not her real name) "simply wants to get back on her feet and be able to provide for her family, and become a productive citizen like everybody else. Families and children are among our precious resources. It is our collective responsibility to see to it that our laws preserve and nurture them. Our treasured values and ideals as a nation require nothing less.’ The bills that comprise the "Healthy Solutions" campaign are: Kennedy-Specter/ Walsh-Clayton (S. 583, H.R. 2142; food stamps); Graham-Chafee/Diaz-Balart- Waxman (S. 583, H.R. 1143; health); and Levin-Morella-Pelosi-Roz-Lehtinen (H.R. 2258; domestic violence victim assistance). Following the press conference, advocates met with members of Congress and Administration officials and delivered hundreds of balloons that represent the thousands of children lacking basic health care and nutrition due to immigrant restrictions. (Taken from Jon Melegrito: NaFFAA Press Release)
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NANAY Inc. is supported by Florida Older Americans Act, Alliance for Aging for Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties, Health Foundation of South Florida, State of Florida Department of Health, Florida Department of Transportation, Miami-Dade Alliance for Human Services, Dept of Health and Human Services, Miami Dade County Department of Health, Miami-Dade County Office of Community and Economic Development, North Miami CDBG, Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO), National Asian Women's Health Organization (NAWHO) and United Way (Miami-Dade Reg. # 161126)
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