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The US Senate voted 87 to 9 on May 24 to pass the family reunification amendment, the first step towards reuniting US-based Filipino World War II veterans with their adult children living in the Philippines.

            Sen. Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) introduced on May 23 the amendment to the controversial Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2007. with Sen. Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI) as original co-sponsor.

 The US Senate was scheduled to vote on the bipartisan compromise on the comprehensive immigration bill May 21. But it deferred voting to this month, after the huge outcry from Democratic senators, who called it “unrealistic,” and Republicans who say it’s “amnesty.”  Debate and voting on the bill is expected this month.

If the immigration bill passes in the 110th U.S. Congress with the incorporated Akaka amendment: 1) Adult (over-age 18) children of Filipino WWII veterans could come to the US next year; 2) Those with already approved petitions could be in the US within months, and 3) Adult, married children could bring their minor (below 18) children.

In re-introducing the amendment, Akaka noted, only 20,000 survive today–13,000 in the Philippines and 7,000 in the US. This is out of the total “200,000 Filipinos who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II, either as members of the Commonwealth's Army or New Philippines Scouts.”

            In 1941, the Philippine Commonwealth Army answered the call for service by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Akaka said in 1990, the US finally recognized their service by enacting the Immigration Act of 1990 (IMAC). The law enabled Filipino veterans to become US citizens.

But “the opportunity to obtain U.S. citizenship was not extended to the veterans' sons and daughters, approximately 20,000 of whom have been waiting for their visas for years,” Akaka said.

            On learning the good news May 24, Eric Lachica, executive director of the Washington, D.C.-based American Coalition for Filipino Veterans (ACFV), immediately thanked lawmakers Akaka and Inouye, veterans leaders and community supporters nationwide.

Photo:

#1. Seattle Filipino War Veterans led by Cmdr. Amador Montero & supporters led by Thelma Sevilla, Sluggo Rigor & others at the Beacon United Methodist Church International Drop In Center community forum, May 20, 2007. Courtesy of Eric Lachica.

#2. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) is thanked by leaders of the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans for his cosponsorship of their Family Reunification and Equity pension bills. (L to R) Senator Reid met Candida Romulo of Maryland, Alberto Bacani, Guillermo Rumingan and Amadeo Urbano of Virginia at the May 16, 2007 Asian American Town Hall Senate forum. Courtesy of ERIC LACHICA