Immigration rights activists now in their 19th day of fasting for immigration reform have received a big boost.
The President and First Lady took time Friday to stop by the National Mall to visit with them, reports Talking Point Memo.
“The President told them that it is not a question of whether immigration reform will pass, but how soon,” a White House official said. “He said that the only thing standing in the way is politics, and it is the commitment to change from advocates like these brave fasters that will help pressure the House to finally act.”
Among those President Barack Obama spoke with was Dae Joong “D.J.” Yoon, executive director of National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC).
Yoon is one of at least five Asian Americans taking part in the fast.
“I’ve joined the fast to urge leaders in the House of Representatives to end people’s suffering and the pain of family separation, Yoon was quoted as saying by Asian Week at a news conference earlier this month. “Children are going to bed crying and missing their mothers who have been deported,”
“So we are sending a wake-up call to House Speaker John Boehner and House Republicans that now is not the time for lip service or delaying tactics,” said another faster, S.J. Jung, president of MinKwon Center for Community Action. “As we go without food here in Washington, we highlight that immigration reform is not only a moral imperative, but also an indispensable bridge that will connect us to a more prosperous and secure America. Our nation needs real immigration reform now.”
The House is not expected to act on immigration reform before the end of the year. but Boehner has said he doesn’t think the issue is dead.
