On December 20th, the New Hope Family Worship Center held a “Christmas Celebration of Love and Community” event at the City Council of Lake Forest in Orange County. The event aimed to strengthen connections and promote communication within the Chinese community, utilizing the Christmas season as a platform. It also featured expert speakers who shared insights on how to address tax reforms next year and potential changes under the presidency of Donald Trump, assisting new immigrants and local Chinese residents in overcoming various challenges in their lives.
Pastor Peter Wang, the organizer of the event, expressed that as the year comes to a close, many community groups host year-end banquets, but he wanted to focus on providing practical information for the local Chinese community on issues such as immigration, taxes, and loans. By inviting professionals to offer consultation services, the event not only brought people together for Christmas festivities but also aimed to address the “pain points” faced by the Chinese community as a way to give back.
Wang emphasized, “You don’t need to join the church, we are willing to help anyone in need.” He hoped to enhance connections and mutual assistance among the Chinese community, particularly aiding newly arrived immigrants in dealing with common challenges faced by many upon moving to the US.
Councilman Benjamin Yu, a Chinese-American representative from Lake Forest, attended and supported the event. He mentioned that the city has a population of about 90,000 people, with approximately 20% being of Asian descent, equating to nearly 20,000 individuals, half of whom are Chinese. There is a high demand for Chinese language events in the area, and Yu was pleased that the Chinese community could come together for a social gathering and feel blessed in the United States.
In addition to the keynote speeches, the event organizers prepared an array of gifts for prize quiz competitions, and sponsors provided exquisite raffle prizes, leaving attendees feeling satisfied and rewarded.
Lawyer Jenny Wang highlighted the potential significant changes in immigration policies under the Trump administration. She cautioned individuals without legal immigration status or with a criminal record in the US to seek advice from legal professionals promptly to seek legal assistance, as they may face the risk of deportation. Despite potential policy challenges, Wang believed that there are always strategies within the Chinese community to adapt and comply with new environments and regulations.