CALIFORNIA: Hundreds of Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs), including elected officials and busloads of Filipino-Americans from across California and Nevada, have rallies their support behind Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton, media reports said.
Part of her two-day campaign stop in Southern California, Clinton’s appearance at the launch of AAPIs for Hillary was an effort to appeal to that population, which is considered the fastest-growing minority group in the country that could be the critical swing vote in the next several presidential election cycles, reported Asian Journal.
Taking the stage after an introduction by Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) — the first Chinese-American woman elected to Congress — Clinton reportedly said being in the area holds a personal meaning to her.
“When I think about this part of California, the first thing I think about is my mom, and how kind people were to her here when her own family was not,” Clinton was quoted as saying in the report as she recalled her mother who worked as a maid and went to high school in nearby Alhambra.
“I know how important family is to all of you. That is how I see our country. I see us when we are at our best, as lifting up families, helping families be strong, helping families get the support they need to do the best they can for their children and for their parents.”
Clinton reportedly touched upon several issues “that keep families up at night” and those that resonate with AAPIs, such as college affordability, tax breaks for family caregivers and immigration.
In a $350-billion proposal called the New College Compact, Clinton reportedly aims to end student loan debt by cutting tax deductions from the wealthy and instead, give grants to states so students can cover tuition costs at four-year public colleges and universities.
She also proposed a new tax credit last November that offsets up to $6,000 in costs for middle-class families who care for their aging parents or grandparents and disabled family members, said the journal.
The plan also reportedly outlined providing caregivers with additional Social Security benefits and reforming work-family policies to support paid and unpaid caregivers. On immigration, Clinton defended her vote on a comprehensive bill in Senate and promised to continue on President Barack Obama’s executive actions.
“When I was a senator, I worked to reduce the backlog on visas and reunite immigrant families — I will keep up that fight. Immigrants from the Asia Pacific Region make up 40 percent of the family visa backlog,” she was quoted saying. “Some from the Philippines have been waiting for a visa for 23 years.”
Fil-Ams for Hillary Buses of Fil-Ams bearing “Filipinos-Americans for Hillary” signs came from Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and Las Vegas, the report pointed out.
Amid chants of “Mabuhay Hillary,” Fil-Ams were one of the largest groups represented in the crowd, and were acknowledged in Clinton’s remarks.
In her speech, Clinton also reportedly mentioned Cheska, a Fil-Am DREAMer from Las Vegas, who now works for the campaign. “The day after I announced that I was running for president, Cheska volunteered with our campaign. Now she’s a field organizer in Las Vegas.
She put her own college education on hold because she wants to shape the country that has given her so many opportunities,” Clinton reportedly said. “I want to give young people like Cheska every change to succeed…but I need your help to do that.”
When asked what a Hillary Clinton presidency would mean for Fil-Ams, Melissa Ramoso — a member of the National AAPIs for Hillary Leadership Council and a founding member of Filipino Americans for Hillary — said that it would bring more recognition to the community.
“[She] and her husband’s administration have had Filipino Americans as their top advisers and have elevated Filipino Americans into positions of leadership. Secretary Clinton understands the important issues relevant to our community, such as immigration reform and caring for the elderly. These are issues important to me personally and am grateful for a candidate that understands that they are for Filipino Americans,” Ramoso was quoted as saying in the Asian Journal report.
Added Fil-Am businesswoman and community leader Loida Nicolas-Lewis, who flew from New York for the launch, “Filipino-Americans should really be voting for her because she’s the only candidate — whether Democrat or Republican — who has recognized the Fil-Am community. In 1999, she was the keynote speaker at the National Federation of Filipino American Associations’ (NaFFAA) event, the first White House occupant to come to a Filipino event…She knows our issues very well. Early on, she has been for Filipino World War II veterans, for immigration reform, for education and for more funds for small businesses, all of which are issues important to Fil-Ams.”
Arnel Dino, vice chair of the Filipino-American Democratic Caucus of the California Democratic Party, reportedly said that “it’s her time — she has the experience and we want someone who is a friend of AAPIs.”
Las Vegas-based community leaders Gloria Caoile and Rozita Lee was quoted as saying that the presence of Fil-Ams in the crowd showed that “it is a great time for us to speak out with our voices at the ballot box,” Caoile said.
Together with the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) and NaFFAA, Caoile and Lee have been getting AAPIs to register to vote in Southern Nevada, and will organize town hall meetings in the coming months.
“In this room today, as a veteran — and I say that with pride — it’s a great reunion of folks who have worked on campaigns for the last 30 years and have empowered AAPI communities all over the country,” Caoile reportedly said, adding that a Clinton presidency would be advantageous to the Fil-Am community.
“Our voices will be heard, our issues will be addressed. Her record has really been tested for her stand on social and economic justice, for families and minorities. As a two-fer — as a Filipina and a woman — I really feel comfortable that we will now be part of this great political infrastructure,” Caoile reportedly said.
Added Lee, “Hillary understands our culture and she’s going to protect us.”
Clinton called out the “hateful rhetoric” of the GOP, including that of frontrunner Donald Trump, who recently called for the ban of Muslims entering the United States. “[Republicans] forget a fundamental lesson about our great country. Being an open and tolerant society does not make us vulnerable — it’s at the core of our strength of who we are,” she was quoted as saying by Asian Journal.
“Hillary Clinton’s policy proposals will not benefit our Fil-Am communities here in California or across the country. We need a Republican candidate who will fight for our values – lower taxes, religious liberty and protecting our national security,” Cecile Ramos of the Fil-Am Republican Party of Los Angeles reportedly said.
