Fil-Am political group lauds reunification for WWII vets families

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A political organization of young Filipino Americans applauded the Obama Administration’s recommendation July 15 that the family members of Filipino American World War II veterans be granted entry into the United States to care for aging veteran relatives currently residing in the United States.

With the recommendation made in the report issued by the Visa Modernization Task Force, family members will be eligible to request parole, which would allow them to come to the United States to care for their elderly Filipino American veteran relatives.

KAYA: Filipino Americans for Progress Co-Chairs Romeo Ymalay and Genevieve Jopanda. LINKEDIN PHOTOS

“This program is long overdue,” said Genevieve Jopanda, co-chair of KAYA: Filipino Americans for Progress. “Frustration is an understatement to describe what these veterans have had to go through despite all they have done for their country. With this program, Filipino American World War II veterans will finally be reunited with their family members, some of whom have been waiting for as long as 23 years.”

“We appreciate President Obama’s recommendations and it is now Congress’ turn to act,” said Romeo Ymalay, KAYA co-chair. “Congress should extend full veteran benefits and privileges to these brave men and finally modernize our immigration system.”

On Capitol Hill, Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) applauded the decision, stating that this “action is the right thing to do for these brave people who served our country.”

Hirono has been one of the most vocal Congressional supporters for Filipino American World War II veterans. In addition to sponsoring measures to address immigration backlogs, Hirono is spearheading efforts to recognize Filipino American World War II veterans with the Congressional Gold Medal for their service during the war.

During World War II, more than 260,000 Filipinos answered President Roosevelt’s call and enlisted in the United States military. Despite their heroism, Congress passed the Rescission Act in 1946, which reduced the veteran status of these men to “reserve forces.”

This legislation effectively barred Filipino American veterans from claiming benefits that the government provided to all active duty veterans after the war, including the ability to apply for an American citizenship.

It was not until legislation was passed in 1990, nearly 50 years after the war, that these veterans finally became eligible for American citizenship. This meant that these veterans were finally eligible to file immigration petitions for their families. However, due to family visa backlogs, many of the veterans are still waiting to be reunited with their family members.

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