What’s in a name? An immigrant’s perspective

For generations, it has been a rite of passage for newcomers to America’s shore to change our names. We add on new sobriquets in hope for better acceptance, less discrimination, and to help ease our assimilation process into American life. We want to be seen, more often than not, as your Average Joe.

Asian American groups welcome Senate leadership, call on Congress to strengthen family immigration overhaul

A group of senators, dubbed the “Gang of Eight,” released a comprehensive immigration reform bill on April 17, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013. The Asian American Center for Advancing Justice — Asian American Institute, Asian American Justice Center, Asian Law Caucus and Asian Pacific American Legal Center — welcomes the group’s leadership in bringing immigration reform to the forefront. Unfortunately, the family immigration overhaul proposes changes that will dramatically restrict families from reuniting with certain loved ones and excludes LGBT couples from the family-immigration system.

State treasurer Steve Grossman discusses jobs, immigration

State treasurer Steve Grossman held a town hall meeting April 23 at the Asian American Civic Association. The event was organized by Leverett Wing and the Asian American Commission.

Mee Moua Testifies and Urges Senate to Fix Our Broken Family Immigration System

Mee Moua, president and executive director of the Asian American Justice Center, a member of the Asian American Center for Advancing Justice, testified in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on family immigration. Led by Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), the Senate committee held a historic hearing focused on the impact of immigration reform on the needs of women and families in a Senate Judiciary Committee room packed with women advocates from around the country.

Chinese journey to America marked by trials and triumph

Boston native Alice Kane, nee Yee, spoke at the Central Library on “They Came for the Gold and Stayed: An Introduction to Chinese-American Genealogy” on Feb. 27.

Boston’s Chinatown shows no sign of demise, scholar says

The fate of Chinatown is far from grim, based on affordable housing demand, community activism and immigration trends, said Tunney Lee, retired professor of Urban Studies and Planning at MIT. He discussed “Boston’s Chinatown: Beyond Stereotypes, Food and Boundaries” during a lecture at the Boston Central Library on Feb. 13.