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Washington, D.C. -- They came from all over the country, from Los Angeles to New York City. More than 500 Asian Pacific Americans, determined to let their voices heard, rallied on Capitol Hill today, waving banners and placards bearing their demands to "Keep Families Together" and "Protect Immigrant Families" and chanting "Legalization, Now!"

Spurred on by civil rights advocates, religious leaders and community activists, the participants of the historic APA national mobilization vowed to visit as many congressional offices during a two-day blitz which started on April 30, and keep up the pressure through next year's presidential elections.

 "Among the stereotypes about us as Asian Pacific Americans is that we are supposed to be quiet," said Rep. Mike Honda (D-Calif) during the rally. "But we are not going to be quiet when families are going to be separated. We will be loud and say "No" to anti-immigrant, anti-family and anti-worker legislation."

Honda, chairman of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, was introduced by Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-ILL), who co-sponsored with Rep. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) the Security Through Regularized Immigration and a Vibrant Economy Act, or STRIVE Act. In his remarks, Gutierrez noted that Asian Pacific Americans face the longest family immigration backlogs in the world, often waiting decades to reunite with loved ones. "That's too long a wait," he said. The STRIVE Act would reduce to six years the current 23-year backlog.

Other speakers echoed the same theme - just and humane immigration reform that respects family values, due process and worker rights. The speakers included Hillary Shelton, Director of the NAACP's Washington Bureau and representatives from the convening organizations:  National Korean American Service & Education Consortium, Asian American Justice Center, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, Japanese American Citizens League, Organization of Chinese Americans, South Asian Resource Action Center, and NaFFAA.

The national mobilization, with its theme "Building America's Future Together: Immigration Reform Now," kicked off APA Heritage Month and featured a community dialogue, panel discussion, film screenings and training.

"Immigration reform is one of the most important policy issues that Congress and the White House will decide on this year," says Ernie Ramos, NaFFAA Regional Chair who led a delegation from Miami. "Today's immigration system is not working and we have more than 1.5 million from our community who have been living in the shadows, and millions more waiting to reunite with their families." Adds Romy dela Paz, a community leader from Palm Beach, Florida: "We need to stop the raids and deportations that are separating children from their parents. We need to stop the deaths at the desert by turning the illegal flow to a legal one." Both Ramos and dela Paz brought this message when they met with their Florida representatives and senators.

"We need to be at the table and let our representatives know that America's economic and social strength come from the hard work of immigrants, that strong communities are built by families who are united, not separated," says Gloria T. Caoile, executive director of the Asian Pacific American Alliance (APALA) and director for external affairs, National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA).

NaFFAA National Chair Alma Kern calls on the Filipino American community to add their voices and join local coalitions working on this issue. "The future of our community is at stake," she says. "We must send a message to the White House and Congress that we will not give up this fight until a just and humane comprehensive immigration reform is a reality.