battleship iowa to honor black history month SEE PAGE 2
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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2015 - FEBRUARY 15, 2015
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Immigration Reforms Affect Thousands in Orange County by Vickie Vértiz The Orange Country Register reported that at least forty Asian, Asian-American and Pacific Islander organizations are asking President Barack Obama to address the backlog in visa reviews that has prohibited relatives from entering the United States. Orange County is well known for its productive and significant Asian population. “Many have been waiting more than 20 years for family members to join them in the United States. The current system is clearly not working, and it particularly impacts the Asian-American community because nearly half of the 4 million waiting in the backlog are from Asian countries,” Mee Moua told the Register. Moua is the president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAAJ) based in Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, many Americans are not educated about immigration issues and tend to ignore they are global labor issues exacerbated by
VOLUME 2, NO. 6
Man Sentenced for Pimping and Trafficking Defendant was Charged in Case Prior to Passage of Proposition 35
mores from Magnolia, Western, and Savanna high schools who currently participate in Cal State Fullerton’s GEAR UP college-prep program. Many are considered “at risk” because they come from disadvantaged backgrounds, yet they exhibit leadership poten-
A pimp accepted a court offer and was sentenced Feb. 3 to four years in state prison and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration for pimping a 16-year-old girl and trafficking a 22-year-old woman. Omaka Cash Johnson, 25, Oakland, pleaded guilty to one felony count each of human trafficking, pimping, pandering, pimping a minor, pandering with a minor over 16 for the purpose of prostitution, and one misdemeanor count of dissuading a witness from testifying. Circumstances of the Case: In January 2012, Johnson met 16-year-old Jane Doe #1 at a concert in Sacramento and had a sexual relationship with the victim. Approximately two days later, Johnson picked up Jane Doe #1 at her home and exploited her as a prostitute on the streets in Sacramento for two weeks. The defendant also collected the victim's payments she earned from engaging in commercial sex. The defendant had Jane Doe #1 work as a prostitute in Oakland, Chatsworth, and Lake Forest. The defendant
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– Photo from Asian Americans Advocating Justice website
international policies that force workers out of their countries because their ability to take care of their families has been destroyed. A Gallup poll released in the last two weeks reported that six in ten people say they are “dissatisfied with the level of immigration into the country,” according to the Register. However, it must be noted that the survey is slightly flawed in that
it does not distinguish between legal and illegal immigration. Only 804 adults were polled from Jan. 5th through the 8th. The Register did not say where people were polled. The Register noted that “Orange County is home to the third-largest Asian American population in the country: nearly 600,000 Asians.” They also Please see page 3
AUHSD Business Mentoring Program Off to Great Start Forty-five Anaheim Union students networked recently with Kaiser Permanente professionals who will be acting as their mentors, providing hands-on experience and career guidance. The students and adults came together for the first of four mentoring sessions at the Kaiser Permanente facility in
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Anaheim Hills. Students were warmly welcomed by Kaiser Permanente Executive Director Mark Costa, Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait, AUHSD Superintendent Michael B. Matsuda, and Darren Bush, associate vice president for student affairs at CSU Fullerton. Those selected for the mentoring program are sopho-
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Battleship Iowa to Honor Black History Month With Series of Special Events and Tributes February is Black History month. Battleship IOWA will honor and celebrate the impact African Americans have had in the United States Navy and to this country with a series of free events and tributes, culminating with the presentation of the second annual Admiral Samuel L. Gravely Service and Leadership Award. On Sunday Feb. 1, a new display entitled “Celebrating the American Spirit – Battleship Iowa Salutes Black History Month” will be unveiled. Artifacts, news clippings, and photography will offer visitors insight into five pioneering black servicemen. Focusing on the contributions of Robert Penn (1872-1912), Alex Haley (1921-1992), John Henry “Dick” Turpin (1876-1962), Doris “Dorie” Miller (19191943) and Samuel L. Gravely (1922-2004), the display will be part of the ship’s tour through Feb. 28. On Saturday, Feb. 8 at 5:00 p.m., the first in the monthly series “Movie Under the Guns” will open with a FREE viewing of “Tuskegee Airmen,” starring Laurence
Admiral Samuel L. Gravely – Courtesy Photo
Fishburne and Cuba Gooding, Jr. This is the story of the first group of African-American military aviators in the United States Armed Forces, who fought the spread of fascism in Europe while facing racism at home. Special guest Lt. Col. Robert Friend will be on hand to introduce the film and do a brief question and answer session. Lt. Col. Friend is one of the surviving members of the Tuskegee
Airmen and flew 142 combat missions over Europe in WWII. On Wednesday Feb. 18, the Admiral Samuel L. Gravely Service and Leadership Award, which is conferred annually, will be presented. This prestigious award recognizes African Americans leaders in Southern California area who exemplify the trailblazing, courageous service of the late U.S. Navy Vice Admiral. Gravely was the first African American to command a warship, command a major warship, to achieve flag rank and eventually vice admiral and command a numbered fleet. His naval career lasted 38 years, including serving as a radio communications officer aboard USS Iowa in 1952. In 2010, the Navy honored Admiral Gravely’s service by commissioning the guided missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107). Battleship IOWA is The West Coast’s only Battleship open to the public. Operated by the nonprofit Pacific Battleship Center (PBC), the IOWA opened on July 7, 2012 as an interactive naval museum at the L.A. Waterfront. It is dedicated to “Celebrating the American Spirit” through the preservation and interpretation of the Battleship IOWA. By sharing the accomplishments and sacrifices of American patriots and engaging visitors in unique and exciting ways PBC brings the ship to life by connecting the past with the future. Battleship IOWA is open to the public daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information on these events and more, please visit www.pacificbattleship.com
Man Sentenced for Pimping and Trafficking Continued from page 1
forced 22-year-old Jane Doe #2 work as a prostitute throughout various cities in Northern California and the United States. The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) learned of Jane Doe #1's disappearance and possible involvement in human trafficking through the Innocence Lost Project. The FBI and Anaheim Police Department (APD) organized a covert operation at a hotel in Lake Forest after contacting Jane Doe #1 through an online advertisement on a website known for prostitution. The Orange County District Attorney's Office (OCDA) filed charges against Johnson on July 26, 2013. APD, FBI, and the Hayward Police Department arrested Johnson in Hayward on July 28, 2013. Johnson was charged with this case before Proposition 35 (Prop 35) was enacted in the state of California. Had Johnson been tried under the strictures of Prop 35, he would have faced a maximum sentence of 24 years in state prison due to the expanded definition of trafficking a minor as detailed in Prop 35. Members of the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force (OCHTTF) and the OCDA work proactively to protect women and minors from falling victim to commercial sexual exploitation. This case was investigated by OCHTTF, a partnership between the APD, California Highway Patrol, FBI, Huntington Beach Police Department, OCDA, Orange County Sheriff's Department, and community and non-profit partners. Deputy District Attorney Bradley Schoenleben of the HEAT Unit prosecuted this case.
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Immigration Reforms Affect Thousands Continued from page 1
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reported that there are “more orphans, according to the letter Sadly, the actions of the than 19,000 native Hawaiian quoted in the Register. President have come under and other Pacific Islanders,” The letter did recognize fire by people who forget they according to the U.S. Census. using executive authority to come from immigrant famiMany Pacific Islanders have recommend a path for at least lies who likely were undocubeen forced from their homes five million undocumented mented, too. In a short-sighted because of former move, the U.S. House passed plantation economies a spending bill that eliminates “Orange County is home to the and climate change, funding for the work permit third-largest Asian American caused in large part by plan, eliminating the possibility population in the country...” first world nations. for additional people to conLittle Saigon in tribute to our economy in what Westminster is a thrivis still a terrible recession. ing Vietnamese enclave and people working to make the Republicans in Congress so is Little Seoul, the Korean economy run to “apply for continue their inaction with Business District in Garden temporary work permits and immigration and are considerGrove, added the Register. Ir- deferment from deportation,” ing filing a lawsuit against the vine has a “large percentage said the Register. President. of Chinese and Koreans, is home to 212,375 Asians, the largest number in the county and fourth-highest in terms of percentage” of the population of the city, said the paper, according to the census. “Our community members come to the U.S. in various ways – as students, family members, workers, or refugees and asylees,” wrote the Asian American and Pacific Islander organizations in a letter quoted by the Register. The letter was addressed to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. In November of 2014, Long Beach Office President Obama announced 3780 Kilroy Airport Way the creation of a Visa Modernization Task Force. OrgaSuite 360 nizations are now asking that Long Beach, CA 90806 four steps be taken to ease the Ph. (562) 472-0071 backlog of visas, a legal and Fx. (562) 689-0071 legitimate process. One step includes “maximizing available visas in the future by counting Los Angeles Office dependent family members as 5701 South Eastern Avenue part of the same family unit,” said the paper. “A family of Suite 100 four would count as one visa, Los Angeles, CA 90040 not four,” added the Register. Ph. (323) 727-1144 An additional request asks Fx. (323) 727-9198 that the administration use its power to reunite families of citizens and legal permanent www.heger-industrial.com residents. This was expedited Lic. #00814086 most recently to help Haitian
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AUSD Business Mentoring Program Continued from page 1
tial and a drive to better themselves. Mr. Costa indicated that he views the program as a bridge between what’s going on in class and the real world. “We’re creating connections so students can prepare and be ready for careers, college, and life.” He said he wished he had had a mentor when he was young to help him overcome a paralyzing fear of public speaking, which he had to conquer on his own. “When I was 25, I could barely breathe when standing in front of a group,” he said. His colleagues at Kaiser Permanente “view this program as something they can believe in. Be confident that the people here really want to help you. We hope you have a great experience with your mentors. We will get as much joy helping you as you, hopefully, will get from us.” Mayor Tait spoke about the potential of the program. “Mentorship is very powerful. Nobody got where they are without the kindness of others,” said the mayor, echoing the fact that the City of Anaheim has adopted kindness as its core character. The mayor recalled that the idea for the mentoring
3 Students from Anaheim Union listen to Kaiser Permanente pros discuss career options
program took hold last fall when some 200 AUHSD students presented more than 5,000 petitions to the Anaheim City Council urging officials to participate. The mentoring initiative followed Anaheim’s designation as the nation’s first Partnership for 21st Century Skills, or P21, city. The Partnership for 21st Century Skills was founded as a coalition bringing together the business community, education leaders, and policymakers to help students prepare for 21st century careers.
“We knew we had a lot of great business people who wanted to help young people, and Kaiser stepped forward to lead the way,” the mayor said. “Let’s make this a wild success, have the program spread throughout Anaheim, and change the city. If we can collectively give back, we can create a better Anaheim.” Dr. Bush of CSU Fullerton pointed out that at Kaiser Permanente, a dizzying array of jobs are available, not only in direct health services but in disciplines such as accounting and public relations, and seemingly everything in between. He said. “We hope that, someday, you will look back and say, hey, that program was something.” Superintendent Matsuda told the students that the success of the Kaiser Permanente mentoring program is important because it will serve as a model for businesses that have pledged their support in the future. The students also heard from two engaging and relatable Kaiser Permanente staff
– Courtesy Photo
members—Dr. Crispina ChongHan and critical care nurse Nick Bahner. Dr. Chong-Han spoke of how an immigrant from South Korean became a radiologist, a “very rewarding and gratifying career.” She told students she had to take out loans for medical school, and that a lack of resources for college shouldn't dissuade them. “You can’t be intimidated by the expense of college—just go for it. There are a lot of careers in health care and you can graduate from college without a significant degree of debt.” Additionally, Mr. Bahner spoke of taking a winding path into nursing, having first served as an emergency medical technician in Florida. He has spent the last five years working in the Kaiser Permanente emergency room and intensive care unit. “It’s where the pulse is and it’s where I belong,” he said. After pairing up, the mentoring teams participated in icebreaking activities and toured the Kaiser Permanente facility. The group will come together again on Feb. 11.