Skip to content
LPBN-Icon-v1
ImmigrationProf Blog
A Member of the Law Professor Blogs Network

Filipino Veterans Equity Act

By immigrationprof

The U.S. failure to recognize the naturalization rights of Filipino war veterans who fought valiantly on behalf of the United States during World War II is an embarrassment. See, e.g., INS v. HIBI, 414 U.S. 5 (1973); but see Matter of Naturalization of 68 Filipino War Veterans, 406 F. Supp. 931 (ND Cal. 1975). In recent years, advocates have sought veterans benefits for these individuals. Here is a recent call to action from Filipinos for Affirmative Action:

Call, Email and Fax Members of the House and Senate to Support Filipino Veterans Equity Act Today!

Dear Friend:

The window of opportunity for passing the Filipino Veterans Equity Bill in the 110th Congress is closing fast.  In this highly politicized election season, it will be increasingly difficult to pass new legislation. This injustice has gone more than 60 years overlooked. IF THE EQUITY ACT DOES NOT PASS BY MARCH, IT IS UNLIKELY TO DO SO THIS YEAR!

The Congress needs to hear from you.  The leadership of the Senate and the House need to know that they must pass the current bill, S. 1315 in the Senate and HR 760 in the House, AND OPPOSE ANY EFFORTS TO WEAKEN THE BILL.  Our veterans deserve nothing less.

What YOU can do:

1. Contact both your Senators and Representatives where you live: Send calls, e-mails and faxes and call on them to co-sponsor the Filipino Veterans Equity Act (S. 1315/HR 760) and to vote for it when it comes to a floor vote.  You can contact the Capitol Hill switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to be connected to any member of Congress. (see below for a sample script)

2. Contact Senate and House leadership and urge them to bring the bill to the floor for a vote. It does not matter if you are not in the district of the member of Congress you are contacting. CLICK HERE to send a letter of support now.

We encourage you to tell the Congress how important the Filipino Veterans Equity Act is to you.  If you are directly connected to a Filipino veteran, let them know the impact this bill has for you.

When calling, please make the following points:

-The 1946 Rescission Act took away US veterans status promised to them and the Filipino Veterans Equity Act will not only restore this status, but will give them the honor and recognition of their service that they deserve.

-Nationals from more than 60 other countries receive US veterans status; Filipinos were singled out for discriminatory treatment.

-All of our veterans deserve to be treated the same way; we are committed to full and equal benefits in line with what US veterans currently receive.

-Pass the Filipino Veterans Equity Act NOW!

The following list represents Senate and House leadership who can move this bill to the floor for a vote (It does not matter if you are not in the district of these members of Congress, please contact them today!)  Senate Veterans Affairs Ranking Member Richard Burr (R-NC); Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK); Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV); Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Daniel Akaka (D-HI); Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA); House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA); Co-Sponsor of the House Bill Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA); Co-Sponsor of the Senate Bill Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI); Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY); Senator John McCain (R-AZ); Senator Barack Obama (D-IL)

For more information, please feel free to contact us at (510) 465-9876.

bh