OCA Comments on President Biden's First 100 Days in Office

Washington, DC - OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates has been tracking the Biden-Harris Administration’s actions during their first 100 days in office. When running for office, the Biden-Harris team made promises on the campaign trail ranging from reforms to overhauls of the systems in place from the former presidency. We have highlighted certain items below that are active policy and advocacy priorities:

• Anti-Asian Hate: President Biden has made many commitments to combating anti-Asian hate. The President has issued executive orders that list out steps the federal government must take to curb anti-Asian hate and the impact on our communities. Alongside stopping hate, proper education, resources, and support must be provided with the input and assistance from community organizations that do this work daily. We applaud the passage of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Bill in the Senate, and the House must follow suit in order to provide full support for our communities.

• Cabinet Positions & Other Appointments to Office: We have voiced disappointment in the lack of Asian American and Pacific Islander representation in President Biden’s cabinet. This is the first Administration in the past two decades to not have an AAPI serve in a high-level cabinet role. Although we acknowledge the Biden Administration’s efforts to increase diversity in the White House and in other appointment-based roles, diversity and inclusion of AAPI voices and needs must go beyond representation.

• COVID-19 Relief: Vaccine rollout has moved relatively smoothly in the United States. Vaccine mistrust exists within our communities for a variety of reasons. Through strategic partnerships, OCA and our chapters have taken steps to educate, promote safety, and assist in nation-wide vaccination efforts. Pacific Islander communities have been disproportionately affected by the virus and not provided the necessary resources to protect themselves-- the Administration must address this issue.

• Immigration Reform: We applaud the end of the public charge rule and look forward to the other ways the Biden Administration will make immigration accessible, humane, and equitable, like the proposed Citizenship Act of 2021. Despite progress on this front, the Administration has continued to allow the deportations of Southeast Asian refugees, among others. 

• Technology and Telecommunications (Broadband Access): In the era of COVID-19, the digital divide has shown us the necessity of internet connectivity in all communities. We know that the internet is no longer just a necessity, but quickly becoming a basic human right. The implementation of Emergency Broadband Benefit through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is a great quick fix for a growing issue. The Administration must work with the telecoms industry, the FCC, and community partners to make sure all Americans are connected.

• Voting Rights: Communities of Color have been disproportionately disenfranchised from having access to the right to vote. We appreciate President Biden’s commitment to ensuring voting rights access for all Amerians, but Congress must pass HR 4 the “John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act,” HR 1/SR1 “For The People Act,” HR 51 “Washington DC Admission Act” to ensure no further eligible votes are forgotten or inhibited. Our work in civic engagement and participation of AAPI communities cannot stop with the 2020 election, but push forward so that all eligible voters can cast their votes.

“We’ve seen various changes in the first 100 days of President Biden’s administration. In both the helpful and harmful actions that affect AAPI communities and communities of color everywhere, we will continue to work towards equity and compassion in all aspects of life,” states Linda Ng, National President of OCA. “We cannot forget to address the issues that have yet been resolved, including, but not limited to: the deportation of Southeast Asian refugees, other refugees and undocumented immigrants of color, accessible broadband connectivity to bridge the digital divide, and voting rights access and protections for all.”

If you, your family members, someone you know, or community members have experienced xenophobia, discrimination, or harassment, please report the incident using our hate crime/incident reporting tool at www.aapihatecrimes.org.

OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates is a national civil rights organization dedicated to improving the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs).

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