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제 2차 세계 대전중에 일본 제국 주의와 맞서 싸운 필리핀 참전 용사들의 가족들에게 미국 시민권을 가질 수 있는 기회를 준다고 미국 이민국은 밝혔다. 그 당시 필리핀인들은 미국군의 휘하에서 일본군과 맞써 싸웠으며, 대부분 게릴라전에 참가한다거나 또는 필리핀에 상주한 일본군을 교란하는 임무를 맡아 전쟁에서 필리핀을 일본군에게서 탈환하는데 기여하기도 했다. 그들은 전쟁 후 미국 시민권을 받았지만 그들의 가족들은 받지 못했다가 오는 6월 1일 부터 이민국에서 그들 참전용사 가족들에게 미국 시민권 신청 접수를  허용할 방침이라고 밝혔다.

그 당시 필리핀 참전 용사들은 적어도 250,000 명은 넘은 것으로 추산하고 있다.

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published details about a new policy that will enable family members of Filipino World War II veterans to apply to come to the United States while waiting the issuance of their visas, many of which have been backlogged for decades. This policy change is in recognition of “the extraordinary contributions and sacrifices of Filipino veterans who fought for the United States during World War II.”

“Advancing Justice | AAJC is proud to have played a leading role in the advocacy effort that resulted in this long-awaited relief for Filipino World War II veterans and their families,” said Mee Moua, president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice. “This action is long overdue.”

This policy change is a victory for our veterans, the youngest of whom are in their late 80s, who can look forward to being reunited with family members who have been waiting for decades to immigrate to the United States.

The parole policy also covers veterans’ surviving spouses who petition for their adult children to join them in the U.S. Furthermore, family members may be able to seek reinstatement of immigration petitions filed through veterans who are now deceased, and then self-petition for parole.

Moua continued, “Even as we celebrate this victory and rejoice that our veterans will finally reunite with their loved ones, we recognize there are many in the Asian American and Pacific Islander community who remain separated from their family members.  Advancing Justice | AAJC advocates for reforms to the immigration system so that immigrants will not have to endure decades-long backlogs as they await reunification with their loved ones.”

Advancing Justice | AAJC will continue to work with the Obama Administration and fellow advocates to reach out to the Filipino American community and their relatives in the Philippines with information about the program. In addition, the organization looks forward to supporting outreach efforts and expedient implementation of the program.

USCIS will accept requests for parole starting on June 8, 2016.

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