Obama announces help for FilVets at gala for Asian Americans

WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Barack Obama announced the finalization of a policy for Filipino World War II Veterans at the annual Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies gala in Washington, D.C.

The Department of Homeland Security will allow certain family members of WW II manongs to come to the U.S. to provide care and support.

“It’s the right thing to do. Our Filipino World War II Veterans have sacrificed for us and it speaks to his commitment of being a family,” Council President of Jersey City Rolando Lavarro said.

The president said that while congressional actions are needed to pass laws such as immigration reform, the in-action in congress has prompted him to issue executive orders that are within his legal powers.

“These actions have made this country stronger by welcoming people like Regina Ledesma,” Obama said at the gala. “Regina came to the United States from the Philippines when she was 5 years old. But when her father, who was an engineer, fell ill he had to give up his job, which meant he could no longer secure documentation for his family.”

The undocumented Filipina student benefited from Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

“Today, she’s a sophomore studying economics at the University of Maryland. Her future is bright and America’s better off because she is here,” Obama said.

APAICS reached out to all the presidential candidates for the event, but Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton was the only one to attend.

“I know how important the Asian American Pacific Islander Community is here to our country. I also know how important it is that we understand what is going on in Asia,” Clinton said at the gala. “”And I want you to know that I am looking forward to making sure that you are well represented in my administration, if I’m so fortunate enough to be your President.”

Clinton recently named Filipino American Jason Tengco her campaign’s AAPI outreach director.

“It would be great if she can continue the tradition that we’ve seen in the Obama Administration of AAPI’s given the opportunity to serve,” National Field Director at Asian & Pacific Islander American Vote Eric Salcedo said.

The Democratic race to the presidential nomination is not over yet, but kababayans said the former Secretary of State already won their hearts by keeping her promise to attend the APAICS’ gala despite her busy campaign schedule.