California Assembly Joint Resolution Regarding Filipino World War II Veterans' Family Reunification (AJR 25)

Assemblymember Furutani is currently carrying Assembly Joint Resolution (AJR) 25 related to the family reunification of Filipino American veterans at the California State Legislature.

Essentially, AJR 25 would have the Legislature urge Congress of the United States in further acknowledging the service of Filipino and Filipino American World War II veterans in the Armed Forces of the United States by requesting that the President and Congress pass S.1337 and H.R. 2412.  These two Federal bills would exempt children of certain Filipino American World War II veterans from the numerical limitations on immigrant visas, thus allowing for family reunification. 

Since the US Government did not recognize these veterans’ service, they were unable to petition for their families at an earlier time, and most of these veterans have had their family petitions backlogged for 10 – 15 years.    Many of these veterans are in their late 80’s and early 90’s, and they need family to take care of them in their golden years.  It would be great to have broad support for this resolution.

See background info on AJR 25 below.

YOUR ACTION:  Write Assemblymember Warren Furutani to express your support of Assembly Joint Resolution (AJR 25).   Personalize the following sample letter:

• email to Andrew Medina <Andrew.Medina@asm.ca.gov>
• transfer to your letterhead and fax to 916.319.3268
• transfer to your letterhead and mail to the address indicated on sample letter

The Honorable Warren Furutani

State Capitol Building, Room 3126

Sacramento, CA 95814

 

Dear Assemblymember Furutani:

 

I write to you on behalf of (yourself or organization you represent) to support Assembly Joint Resolution (AJR) 25 regarding Filipino World War II Veterans’ Family Reunification.

 

In July of 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered into the service of the Armed Forces of the United States all of the organized military forces of the Commonwealth of the Philippines.  Thus, Filipinos honorably served in the Armed Forces of the United States during World War II.  However, the Supplemental Surplus Appropriations Rescission Acts of 1946 stated that Filipinos who served the Philippine Commonwealth Army and the New Philippine Scouts did not serve under U.S. military service, denying Filipino Veteran’s benefits from their military service.

 

In 1942, the Nationality Act of 1940 authorized the naturalization of all aliens serving in the U.S. armed forces.  At this time, only Filipino soldiers serving in the U.S. armed forces outside the Philippines were naturalized.  Naturalization for all Filipinos who served the U.S. in the Philippines did not come until the Immigration Act of 1990. 

 

Under the current immigration system, there is a cap on the number of visas issued, blocking the children of Filipino World War II Veterans from immigrating.  Naturalized veterans who filed visa petitions for their children back in the Philippines in 1990 still await their arrival today.  Sadly, many of these Filipino World War II Veterans—now in their eighties and nineties—continue to wait for their children into their golden years.  

 

AJR 25 will have the California Legislature further acknowledge the service of Filipino World War II veterans in the Armed Forces of the United States by requesting that the President and Congress pass S.1337 and H.R. 2412, which would exempt children of certain Filipino World War II veterans from the numerical limitations on immigrant visas, thus allowing for family reunification.

 

We are pleased to support AJR 25.  Please contact me at __________ if you have any questions.

 

Sincerely,

 

Name

Title

Organization