July 3, 2014
Dear Dr. Kumar,
We are writing to invite you to a Wayne County candidate forum on Friday, August 1, 2014, hosted by ACCESS, Asian & Pacific Islander American Vote – Michigan and the Michigan Muslim Community Council.
ACCESS strives to enable and empower individuals, families and communities to lead informed, productive and culturally sensitive lives, honoring Arab American heritage through community-building and service to those in need, of every heritage. APIAVote-Michigan is a nonpartisan organization that serves the Asian & Pacific Islander American community through civic participation, advocacy and education. MMCC unifies communities, promoting the best Islamic and American values, and pursues social justice in America.
This candidate forum is your opportunity to meet Arab American, Asian American and Muslim American voters and community members in Wayne County and perhaps other counties as well. We are hosting this town hall to ensure that the diverse immigrant communities become familiar with their local candidates. This event will connect you to them, giving you the chance to tell Arab American, Asian American and Muslim American voters where you stand on issues that impact our community and answer questions.
What: ACCESS, APIAVote-MI & Michigan Muslim Community Council Candidate Forum
When: Friday, August 1, 2014 – 7:00-9:00pm
Where: Muslim Community of Western Suburbs
40440 Palmer Rd, Canton, MI 48188
RSVP: by Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Also enclosed in this letter is a candidate questionnaire. Your responses will be used in our non-partisan voter guide that may be translated in a variety of language to ensure our community members are making informed decisions on primary and election days. We appreciate all candidates completing the candidate questionnaire by Friday, July 25, 2014.
We expect approximately 100 community members, leaders and ethnic media to attend this candidate forum. The event is free of charge and refreshments will be provided. We look forward to having you join us!
If you have any questions, please contact Theresa Tran at (743) 985-0128 or Amina Iqbal at (510) 761-2477. Thank you and we hope to see you soon.
Sincerely,
Rachid Elabed Theresa Q. Tran Amina Iqbal
Advocacy & Civic Engagement Executive Director Outreach Director
Specialist
www.accesscommunity.org www.apiavotemi.org www.mimuslimcouncil.com
CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE
Please return to and no later than Friday, July 25, 2014
Name: Anil Kumar
City/Town of Residence: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48034
Office Sought: 11th District U.S. Congress
Occupation: Urologists/Surgeon
Education: M.D., M.S., Board Certified Urologist
St. Andrew High School, Mumbai, India
St. Xavier College, Mumbai, India
University of Bombay
Bombay, India
Community Involvement:
General Contact info for your Campaign Headquarters:
Website: Kumar for U.S. Congress
Questions:
1. Why should New Americans like Arab, Asian, and Muslim American voters in your district vote for you? What expertise will you bring to this position sought?
As an immigrant who is an American citizen I understand the cultural differences we face adjusting to the Western culture. I understand that there is a possibility that we may face discrimination. I have experienced the joy and pain of making the transition to become an American citizen and I will fight to give New Americans the rights we deserve as American citizens.
Working and living in the 11th District for 30 years, I know the issues New Americans face. As a doctor I have observed how healthcare and the suffering economy have been detrimental to patients. I know and understand that high deductibles and high co-pays lead to many families functionally without health insurance. I know what is needed to address these medical insurance issues. In the medical arena of politics I have had to work across the aisle to get things done. I know how to create jobs and as a small business entrepreneur I have created jobs. My life and professional experiences have prepared me to serve you in Congress.
2. Do you believe schools are inclusive and meet the needs of immigrant and economically disadvantaged families? If not, why not and what solutions would you propose?
Public schools make an effort to be inclusive and meet the needs of immigrants and economically disadvantage families. Federally funded Title 1 targets low income families. The Federal government reduced Title 1 funds. Those funds are targeted for low-income families. The State of Michigan removed millions of dollars from public school budget which has made it difficult for public schools to address the needs of immigrants and economically disadvantaged families. In Congress I will work to make public schools more inclusive, meet the needs of immigrants and economically disadvantage families. I will work to increase funding for K-12 in public schools and work toward to increase funding for Title 1 which provides additional resources to assist educationally disadvantaged children in high poverty schools.
3. Is it important for Michigan to be a welcoming state for immigrants? Please comment. How familiar are you with current "welcoming" initiatives and what else should be done?
Yes, it is important for Michigan to be a welcoming state for immigrants. Immigration would aid the demographic and economic outlook of Michigan. Michigan, sees first-hand the need to identify ways to inject new vitality into their communities and broader economy.
Michigan is searching for ways to revitalize communities and expand its economy. Michigan recognizes 30% of new high tech starts over the past decade were started by immigrants and growing companies creates more jobs.
The current “welcoming” initiative establishes a statewide EB-5 center to work with immigrants to invest in and open business in the state. An Arabic-language brochure promotes the State of Michigan EB-5 Regional Center (Michigan.gov)
Michigan has asked the federal government to allocate 50,000 EB-2 visas over a five year period for skilled immigrants to live and work in Detroit. To date there has been no response to the request. EB-2 visas are capped at approximately 40,000 per year. These visas target professions holding advanced degrees, or persons or exceptional abilities in arts, science, or business.
Michigan should expand the “welcoming” initiative to allow skilled immigrants to live and work in other Michigan cities, as well as Detroit.
4. What are your views on ensuring equal access to the polls and voting materials for voters of all communities regardless of English speaking and reading ability?
I believe in equal access to the polls and voting materials for voters of all communities regardless of English speaking and reading ability. There is a law that addresses the issue of voting materials language. The Voting Act. Section 203 of the act requires ballots, forms, pamphlets and signs be translated where there is 5% of the local population or more than 10,000 voting age citizens speak the same native language and have limited proficiency in English.
There are 11 states where Asian-American populations are now covered by the federal Voting Rights Act. Section 203. Section 203 of the act requires ballots, forms, pamphlets and signs to be translated wherever 5 percent of the local population or more than 10,000 voting-age citizens speak the same native language and have limited proficiency in English. As of the 2010 census, Michigan is one of the states with new populations covered by the law. Alaska, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Texas and Washington are the other states.
5. What are your views regarding access to in-language, culturally appropriate healthcare?
Federal laws stipulate no one can be denied or forced to wait for medical care due to language barriers. To provide in-language culturally appropriate healthcare one must recognize that our own values may conflict or be inconsistent with those of other cultural or ethnic groups. Developing policies, appropriate cultural competence staff training at all levels, provides the knowledge and the ability to provide culturally appropriate healthcare.
6. What are your views on preventing discrimination in the workplace? How will you address workplace issues generally?
As a small business owner I do not tolerate any discrimination in my workplace. To prevent discrimination an employer should have a comprehensive employee manual of policies and procedures that includes state and federal discrimination laws. Provide training for the staff managers. Review the manual with the management staff, and explain the company policies regarding discrimination to all managers. Encourage managers to ask any questions, and have all managers’ sign a form saying they took the discrimination training and they understood it.
When they are hired I would require all employees to review the discrimination policies and procedures manual, and attend a mandatory quarterly training on discrimination in the workplace. I would have every employee sign a form stating that they took the discrimination training and understand it.
I would set up a way that employees can report discrimination to human resources professional. It is helpful to have a human resources professional that is experienced in handling discrimination complaints, as they require a level of candidness that other human resources issues do not require.