Where Barack Stands on AAPI Issues

Provide Universal Health Care: There are nearly 2.4 million Asian Americans without health insurance. Barack Obama is committed to signing legislation by the end of his first term to ensure that all Americans have affordable, quality and portable health care coverage. Obama’s plan will save a typical American family up to $2,500 every year on medical expenditures by modernizing the U.S. health care system and promoting disease prevention and strengthening public health.

End Racial Profiling and Fight Discrimination: Obama has spent his career as a community organizer, civil rights lawyer and elected advocate fighting to end all forms of discrimination. Obama passed a law in the Illinois State Senate to identify and combat racial profiling. He will use his life experiences to enact meaningful policies that protect the rights of minorities.

Reform Immigration: Barack Obama has been a leading voice to comprehensively reform our immigration system by providing a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, securing our border and fixing the broken immigration bureaucracy. As president, he will fight for comprehensive reform that prioritizes keeping families together and improving the H1-B visa program.

Invest in Education: Obama will reform and adequately fund No Child Left Behind. He will hold schools accountable for teaching English-language learners, and will continue his fight to increase and reform college financial aid.

Invest in Small Businesses: AAPIs own more than 1.1 million small businesses. Barack Obama will support federal programs that invest in minority-owned businesses, provide technical assistance to small business owners and reduce discrimination in lending.

Equity for Filipino Veterans: Approximately 250,000 Filipino troops joined American forces in World War II. However, our country has yet to recognize the sacrifice that these veterans have made for our country. Barack Obama is a strong advocate of the Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007, which will fulfill America’s promise to recognize and support these brave veterans.