#341 Dr. Jane Wu; Class Action Injunction; Farmland Ownership; AI Summit; Affirming DEIA; +

In This Issue #341

·        Dr. Jane Wu's Estate Sues Northwestern University

·        New Nationwide Injunction Blocking Birthright Citizenship Executive Order

·        Agriculture Department on Chinese Ownership of American Farmland

·        ACLU AI Summit: Civil Rights in a Digital Age

·        Congressional Caucus Leaders Affirming DEIA as American Values

·        News and Activities for the Communities 

Dr. Jane Wu's Estate Sues Northwestern University

Madeleine Gable, APA Justice Communications Associate, contributed to this report.According to the Daily Northwestern, NBC, South China Morning Post, and multiple media reports, Dr. Jane Ying Wu 吴瑛 's family, acting through her estate, filed a civil lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court alleging that the Northwestern University discriminated against her and contributed to her suicide.  She was a tenured professor at Northwestern's Foenberg School of Medicine.As a Chinese-born neuroscientist, Dr. Wu, a naturalized U.S. citizen, conducted influential research on neurodegenerative diseases. Her work was derailed following investigations by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) tied to her Chinese background, part of the defunct "China Initiative." During this period, her lab space, funding, and team were stripped, even after NIH formally cleared her after investigations from 2019 to 2023.Following the NIH’s investigation and Northwestern’s subsequent efforts to block her work, Dr. Wu suffered from a loss of vision as a result of a stroke she had under the stress of the investigation. She also experienced depression and obsessive behavior, but she was still able to work. In May 2024, Northwestern University handcuffed and removed Dr. Wu from her office, using her emotional disability as a “pretext” to evict her. The school then partially shut down her laboratory, dismantled her research team, reassigned her grants to white male colleagues, and committed her involuntarily to psychiatric care—actions taken without family consultation. 

Tragically, Dr. Wu passed away by suicide on July 10, 2024, two weeks after her release from the hospital.The lawsuit claims institutional discrimination based on her national origin, sex, and disability, citing violations of the Illinois Human Rights Act and seeking both compensatory and punitive damages.In an email, Northwestern University said that its heart goes out to the family, but it “vehemently denies” the allegations in the suit. The school “plans to file a motion to dismiss it before our next pleading is due in early September” and declined to provide further details on specific allegations.Following the one-year anniversary of her mother’s passing, Dr. Wu’s daughter, Elizabeth Rao 饶婕, opened up for the first time in an exclusive interview on the devastating impact of her mother’s treatment on their family and her own life.Rao describes her mother as a melophile, enjoying a wide variety of music from Tanya Tucker to Taiwanese pop musician Teresa Teng, and Dr. Wu ardently enjoyed spending time with her two children.Rao’s fondest memories of Dr. Wu are of her as a parent. She describes Dr. Wu as the opposite of strict and demanding, through their various moves from St. Louis to Nashville, and finally to Chicago. In each of those cities, Dr. Wu “turned simple houses into warm homes.” Rao fondly recalls holding hands with her mother while watching movies or singing along to music during long drives. “She made sure that my brother and I had got not only a great education but also got to do all the stuff of a quintessential American childhood. Sports, road trips, dance classes, choir, you name it,” Rao said.Finally, Rao articulates the lesson her mother left with their family: “her upstanding morals and conviction to fight against injustice.”Dr. Wu's case highlights broader consequences of the “China Initiative” era, as it fostered bias and mistrust toward Chinese American academics.  Her tragic death and the lawsuit by her estate bring attention to serious concerns about discrimination tied to national origin and gender, university responses to federal racial profiling, and the potentially catastrophic impact of institutional mistreatment on individuals' well-being.

Gisela Perez Kusakawa, executive director of the Asian American Scholar Forum, said that universities must be places of “community, support and fairness, not fear and coercion”.  “We urge institutions of higher education to adopt meaningful safeguards, to prioritise mental health, and to reaffirm their commitments to non-discrimination, justice, and fairness,” she said.  “Dr. Wu’s story shows us how the effect of unjust investigations into Chinese American scholars does not just end careers, it can end lives. We stand with Dr. Wu’s family and all those demanding justice and systemic change.”Read the Jane Ying Wu story at this APA Justice web page: https://bit.ly/JaneYingWu

New Nationwide Injunction Blocking Birthright Citizenship Executive Order

Author: Madeleine Gable, APA Justice Communications Associate

According to CNN, LAist, NBC, and multiple media reports, U.S. District Judge Joseph Laplante of the District of New Hampshire issued a new injunction blocking President Trump’s executive order (EO) seeking to end birthright citizenship for the children of foreign visitors and undocumented immigrants.

The lawsuit Barbara v. Trump (1:25-cv-00244) was brought on behalf of a pregnant immigrant, immigrant parents, and their infants and had sought class action status for all babies and their parents who would be affected by the EO nationwide. Petitioner “Barbara” is a citizen of Honduras living in New Hampshire.  Petitioner “Sarah” is the daughter of petitioner “Susan,” a citizen of Taiwan. They live in Utah.  Petitioner “Matthew” is the first child of petitioner “Mark,” a citizen of Brazil.  Mark resides in Florida and is in the process of applying for lawful permanent status. Matthew was born in Florida in March 2025, and has received a U.S. passport.  Mark’s wife does not have lawful status in the United States.The plaintiffs’ lead attorney is Cody Wofsy, the deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s Immigrants’ Rights Project.“We're asking the court to protect the constitutional rights of our specific class members who happen to be babies located all over the country,” said Aarti Kohli, executive director of the Asian Law Caucus, part of the coalition of civil rights groups filing the lawsuit.Laplante’s decision is significant, given the Supreme Court’s recent decision. Just two weeks ago on June 27, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled to narrow the use of nationwide injunctions, limiting the ability of lower courts to block federal policies for the entire country while litigation is pending. Effectively, this made the Supreme Court the only court in the country with the authority to block presidential policies nationwide. While the Supreme Court did not rule on the constitutionality of President Trump’s executive order seeking to limit birthright citizenship, they did pause the order for 30 days, clearing the way for the order to go into effect in the 28 states that have not challenged it. This would create a patchwork system in which each state has different rules regarding citizenship.

However, the Supreme Court’s ruling kept intact the ability of plaintiffs to seek a widespread block of orders through class action lawsuits. As Laplante granted class action status to the lawsuit, he was able to issue a preliminary injunction blocking the EO from being enforced against any child born after February 20. Laplante only granted class action status to the children who would be affected by the restrictions, not the parents.During the hearing, Laplante insisted that “the deprivation of U.S. citizenship and an abrupt change of policy that was longstanding … that’s irreparable harm.” He added that birthright citizenship is “the greatest privilege that exists in the world.”Laplante paused the order for several days, granting the Trump administration ample time to appeal his decision.

Agriculture Department on Chinese Ownership of American Farmland

Author: Madeleine Gable, APA Justice Communications AssociateAccording to the New York Times and the Washington Post, the Department of Agriculture released a seven-point national security plan on July 9, 2025, enhancing public disclosures of foreign ownership of farmland, enacting steeper penalties for false filings, and working with Congress and states to ban purchases of farmland by foreign adversaries.

Agriculture secretary Brooke Rollins claimed that American agriculture is “under threat from criminals, from political adversaries and from hostile regimes that understand our way of life as a profound and existential threat to themselves.” Rollins points specifically to the ownership of American farmland by Chinese nationals, and she advocates for the use of presidential authority to reclaim farmland currently owned by foreign entities.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke highly of the plan, insisting “no longer can foreign adversaries assume we’re not watching and we’re not paying attention and we’re not doing something about it — because we are.” Hegseth called the defensive aspects of the plan “common sense.”

This follows a recent trend of growing concern over foreign ownership of American farmland. In 2023, the Senate voted to block businesses based in China from acquiring American farmland. According to a recently released report by the Committee of 100, U.S. Congress is currently considering 15 such bills and 25 states have passed bills restricting foreign property ownership.

Of the bills that have been passed in the 25 states into law, 2 bills single out Chinese citizens and prohibit non-permanent residents from owning any form of property in the state: Florida’s SB 264 (2023), and West Virginia’s HB 2961 (2025).

At least two lawsuits have been filed against Florida’s SB 264:

·  SHEN v. SIMPSON (4:23-cv-00208). A group of individual Chinese plaintiffs argue that SB 264 is discriminatory under the Fair Housing Act and the 14th Amendment, vague, and conflicts with federal law.  The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals has temporarily halted the enforcement of SB 264 against the Chinese plaintiffs while the case proceeds.

·  National Fair Housing Alliance, Inc. v. Secretary of Commerce (1:24-cv-21749).  The National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA), the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA), and others, allege fair housing discrimination.

In 2023, foreigners owned nearly 45 million acres of farmland in the U.S., accounting for about 3.5% of all agricultural land in the country but a 70% increase from a decade earlier. Canadians owned about a third while China held 270,000 acres or about 0.6%. 

The Agriculture Department’s plan also includes a myriad of measures aimed to increase agricultural productivity and safety; only some are not concerned with foreign ownership.  National Agricultural Law Center provides extensive information and resources on foreign ownership of agricultural land in the United States, offering resources like FAQs, legislative roadmaps, and webinars to help understand the complexities of this issue.

ACLU AI Summit: Civil Rights in a Digital Age

On July 10, 2025, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) hosted its “AI Summit: Civil Rights in a Digital Age,” convening civil rights leaders, legal scholars, technologists, and philanthropists to examine how artificial intelligence is reshaping civil liberties—and how society must respond.

Opening the event, ACLU General Counsel Terrence Dougherty traced today’s challenges back to the organization’s founding during the Palmer Raids of 1920, when the U.S. government targeted immigrants in mass warrantless arrests and deportations.  Just as the ACLU then stood against unchecked state power, Dougherty warned that AI now presents similarly urgent threats—enabling new forms of surveillance, bias, and systemic inequality if left unregulated.

Rather than embracing the Silicon Valley mantra to “move fast and break things,” the ACLU has built an in-house technology team to pursue a different path: ethical, transparent, and justice-centered AI. Dougherty emphasized that this summit aimed to bring together partners from across sectors to shape an AI future rooted in constitutional values and civil rights.

In a fireside chat moderated by ACLU Chief Technology Officer Ijeoma Mbamalu, ACLU President Deborah Archer and Patrick J. McGovern Foundation President Vilas Dhar explored four central themes.  It was followed by an afternoon session moderated by Marissa Gerchick, Data Science Manager at ACLU, with a team of specialists at ACLU.

The four major themes were:

1.      Balancing Innovation with Values:  Innovation must serve justice, not just profit. Speakers urged civil society to actively shape AI, not merely react to it. That means centering community voices in system design and development, and reframing innovation to prioritize equity, agency, and dignity—especially for marginalized groups historically excluded from technological influence.

2.      The Government’s Approach—Speed Over Safety: Panelists expressed concern that federal AI policy prioritizes rapid deployment over civil rights safeguards. While traditional laws like Title VII and the Fair Housing Act apply to algorithmic systems, their limitations reveal the urgent need for updated regulations. The shift away from federal oversight toward industry-led initiatives leaves a gap civil society must fill.

3.      Bias, Inequality, and Civil Society’s Role: AI often magnifies entrenched discrimination—in hiring, housing, criminal justice, and beyond. The root issue is not only faulty technology but the systemic bias embedded in data and institutions. Civil rights organizations must fight for equitable access to AI infrastructure, tools, and education to prevent a deepening digital divide.

4.      Building a Just and Hopeful AI Future: Looking forward, speakers called for community empowerment. Civil society must be not just watchdogs, but builders—co-creating technology that serves the public good. This includes public investment in ethical AI, grassroots innovation, and sustained legal and policy advocacy.

Calls to Action

The summit concluded with a series of actionable priorities for both internal ACLU efforts and broader societal engagement:

·        Community-Centered AI Development: Involve marginalized communities from the start—as co-designers, not passive recipients. Fund local expertise and create advisory structures that ensure ongoing input.

·        Philanthropy and Civil Society Responsibility: Fund not just oversight, but community-led AI solutions. Civil rights groups must lead in articulating a vision of technology that supports justice.

·        Stronger Legal and Regulatory Frameworks: While existing laws apply, new rules are needed to mandate algorithmic audits, transparency, and accountability.

·        Public AI Infrastructure: Invest in open-source tools, public data trusts, and academic partnerships to shift power away from monopolistic tech firms and toward the common good.

·        Ethical Innovation Culture: Shift from speed to intentionality. Evaluate AI through risk-based, mission-aligned frameworks that prioritize long-term equity over short-term gain.

Watch the ACLU AI Summit video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul73KZfy5P0 (2:14:15)

Congressional Caucus Leaders Affirming DEIA as American Values

On July 10, 2025, six major Congressional Caucuses—the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), Congressional Equality Caucus (CEC), Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), the Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC), and the Congressional Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Caucus (DEIC) introduced a joint resolution affirming that diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are fundamental to the American Dream and to our national prosperity, safety, and democracy. The resolution comes in response to growing attacks on DEIA programs and policies across the country. It calls on all levels of government, educational institutions, workplaces, and other organizations to uphold and promote inclusivity, remove barriers to opportunity, and ensure equal access to services and resources. "Every American deserves to have a fair shot at success, but for far too many in our country, this is simply not the reality. Millions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, along with other historically marginalized communities, continue to face discrimination in housing, healthcare, education, and employment," said Rep. Grace Meng, Chair of CAPAC. "Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility is about building a future where everyone can succeed and thrive. We will not let this administration sow division and roll back the progress we have made to ensure equal opportunity for all."On May 21, 2025, Senator Mazie Hirono led 11 of her Senate colleagues, including every Democratic member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, in introducing Senate Resolution 240 reaffirming the importance of DEIA as fundamental values in the United States.“Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility are fundamental to our country’s history and culture,” said Senator Hirono. “Our diversity is one of our nation’s greatest strengths, as Americans from different backgrounds come together to move their communities and our country forward. As Donald Trump and Republicans attack marginalized communities across the country and attempt to erase their contributions from our shared history, I’m proud to lead this resolution reaffirming the importance of these values that truly make our nation great.”

News and Activities for the Communities

1. APA Justice Community Calendar

 Upcoming Events:2025/07/25-27 Asian American Pioneer Medal Symposium and Ceremony 2025/07/27 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/07/29 C100 Conversations – “Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes” with Linda Chao Yang2025/07/29 From Heartland to Mainland: 2025 Future Ag Leaders Delegation2025/08/02-07 2025 Joint Statistical Meetings2025/08/04 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/08/10 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details.

2.  From Heartland to Mainland: 2025 Future Ag Leaders Delegation

WHAT: From Heartland to Mainland: 2025 Future Ag Leaders DelegationWHEN: July 29, 2025, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm CTWHERE: WebinarHOST:  US Heartland China AssociationSpeakers: 

·  Morgan Barba, Kansas State University

·  Imani Murphy, Tuskegee University

·  Parker Havard, Michigan State University

·  Samuel Martin, Iowa State University

·  Lauren Thornhill, Ohio State University

·  Nathan Unruh, Dickerson State University 

DESCRIPTION: As participants of the recent trip organized by USHCA, these delegates had a front-row-seat opportunity to observe and explore the impact of U.S.-China collaboration around agriculture as they visited Beijing and Zhengzhou, capital city of Henan Province. Hear the firsthand experiences of students as they delve into the complexities and opportunities in U.S.-China agricultural collaboration and the realities of on the ground engagement.REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/46GqqzN

# # # 

APA Justice Task Force is a non-partisan platform to build a sustainable ecosystem that addresses racial profiling concerns and to facilitate, inform, and advocate on selected issues related to justice and fairness for the Asian Pacific American community.  For more information, please refer to the new APA Justice website under development at www.apajusticetaskforce.org. We value your feedback. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org.