#364 ICE Arrests and Deaths; Friends of NAPAM Veterans Day/Honors; APAICS Opportunities; +

In This Issue #364

·       ICE Arrests and Deaths Surge Under Trump

·       2025 Friends of NAPAM Veterans Day Event and Honors

·       2026 APAICS Congressional Fellowships and Internships Open

·       Chen Institute and Science Prize for AI Accelerated Research

·       News and Activities for the Communities

ICE Arrests and Deaths Surge Under Trump

According to the Washington Post on July 3, 2025, the Trump administration is sharply increasing arrests of undocumented immigrants, with total arrests from January 20 to June 11 more than doubling compared with 2024 and nearing 1,000 per day. Despite claims that United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) targets the “worst of the worst,” most people arrested or deported have no criminal conviction, and the share with criminal records has dropped from 46% in January to 30% in June. More than 60% of removals since January 20 involved people without convictions. Arrests rose especially in Texas, Florida, and California. Venezuelan arrests have surged after Trump canceled protections, though Mexicans still make up the largest group. While the administration is far below its stated goal of 3,000 arrests per day or 1 million deportations this year, a massive new DHS funding boost could accelerate operations.According to AsAmNews on November 14, 2025, ICE detention deaths have surged dramatically under the Trump administration, reaching crisis levels in 2025. In just ten months, 21 people have died in ICE custody—nearly matching the total number of deaths (26) during Biden’s entire four-year presidency. This is the deadliest year since 2004, and advocates warn the toll is still rising. Nearly one in four of those who died were Asian immigrants, reflecting both increased arrests and worsening detention conditions.A July report from the UCLA Asian American Studies Center found that arrests of Asian immigrants nearly tripled in early 2025, from under 700 in 2024 to nearly 2,000 between February and May. Most were from China (about a third), India (about a quarter), and Vietnam (about a sixth). This enforcement surge coincides with a series of deaths marked by inadequate medical care, overcrowding, lack of language access, and unresolved questions surrounding the circumstances of each fatality.Among the Vietnamese detainees who died, 55-year-old Nhon Ngoc Nguyen passed away on April 16 after months of transfers between detention and hospitals. An autopsy cited acute pneumonia and dementia, and his family believes ICE may have been negligent. On July 19, another Vietnamese detainee, Tien Xuan Phan, died after seizures and loss of consciousness while detained in a Texas facility that has been chronically overcrowded, at times holding nearly 400 more people than its contracted capacity.Three Chinese nationals also died this year. On September 29, Huabing Xie died after an apparent seizure just two weeks after entering ICE custody. On October 25, 63-year-old Kai Yin Wong died in San Antonio from complications following heart surgery. On August 5, 32-year-old Chaofeng Ge was found hanging in a shower with his arms and legs bound behind him in a Pennsylvania facility. According to the South China Morning Post on November 14, 2025, the brother of Chaofeng Ge has filed a federal lawsuit demanding answers about Ge’s death in ICE custody. The complaint alleges Ge was isolated due to the facility’s lack of Chinese-speaking staff, received no mental-health support, and that U.S. authorities failed to respond to a FOIA request for records about his detention and death. ICE ruled the death a suicide, but the family disputes how suicide would have been possible under the circumstances.On November 13, 2025, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) announced that seven people detained by ICE sued the Trump administration over inhumane conditions at California’s largest immigration detention center, the privately owned California City Detention Facility located in Kern County.The plaintiffs, who seek to represent a class of all people held at California City, describe in their complaint:

·       Punishing conditions including dirty housing units, inadequate food and water, very cold temperatures, and restrictions on family visits

·       Enforced isolation caused by frequent lockdowns, no access to programming, and excessive solitary confinement

·       Terrifyingly inadequate medical care that deprives people of critical treatment for cancer, life-threatening heart conditions, diabetes and other serious medical needs

·       Neglect of people with disabilities including failing to provide sign language interpreters, wheelchairs, and other necessities people need to live safely

·       Encroachment on freedom of religion, including confiscation of prayer mats, head coverings and even holy texts

·       Denial of access to counsel, with weeks-long delays for legal calls and long waits for in-person visits

2025 Friends of NAPAM Veterans Day Event and Honors 

On November 10, 2025, Friends of National Asian Pacific American Museum (NAPAM) hosted an Annual Veterans Day Inaugural Event to honor 200 years of Asian American Pacific Islanders Military History at the Army Navy Club in Washington DC.Dr. Ravi Chaudhary, Former Assistant Secretary of the Air Force and Advisory Board Member of Friends of NAPAM, led the 2-hour program that included Fife and Drum display, live and taped remarks, a fireside chat, South Asian Tabla, and a short documentary telling the story of Asian American Pacific Islanders in the U.S. military since the War of 1812.

Congressional Gold Medal

Part of the Friends of NAPAM program described the award of the Congressional Gold Medal to three groups of Asian American veterans:

·       The 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service (October 8, 2010). Public Law 111–254 (text).  “The United States remains forever indebted to the bravery, valor, and dedication to country these men faced while fighting a two-fronted battle of discrimination at home and fascism abroad.”

·       Filipino World War II Veterans (December 14, 2016).  Public Law 114–265 (text).  “The loyal and valiant Filipino Veterans of World War II fought, suffered, and, in many instances, died in the same manner and under the same commander as other members of the United States Armed Forces during World War II.”

·       Chinese American Veterans of World War II (December 20, 2018). Public Law 115–337 (text).  “The United States remains forever indebted to the bravery, valor, and dedication that the Chinese-American Veterans of World War II displayed.”

The Congressional Gold Medal is the oldest and highest civilian award in the United States, alongside the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  It is bestowed by vote of the U.S. Congress, signed into law by the president. The Gold Medal expresses the highest national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions by individuals or institutions.  U.S. citizenship is not a requirement.The congressional practice of issuing gold medals to occasionally honor recipients began with members of the military during the American Revolution. The practice soon extended to individuals in all walks of life and in the late 20th century also to groups. The congressional medal honors those, individually or as a group, "who have performed an achievement that has an impact on American history and culture that is likely to be recognized as a major achievement in the recipient's field long after the achievement."As of November 29, 2023, 184 people, events, or institutions have been awarded a Congressional Gold Medal.  George Washington was the first recipient in March 1776.Two-thirds of the members in both chambers of Congress, a super-majority sponsorship rule, must co-sponsor a bill before it can advance to the floor for a vote in the US Senate and House of Representatives.  Once the bill is passed, a ceremonial signing by the President can take place. The US Mint, which manufactures American coins, produces a unique design for each Congressional Medal. The US Mint commissions artists to prepare designs for the obverse (front) and reverse side of the medal. Once a design is selected, the US Mint works with the honoree to review every detail of the medal design to ensure its historical accuracy.The US Mint presents the final designs to two commissions—the US Commission of Fine Arts and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee—for their review and recommendation. The final selection is then sent to the Secretary of the Treasury for approval.  Each medal is uniquely designed and cast in gold. Thus, there are significantly fewer gold medals than presidential medals. Bronze replicas of the Congressional Gold Medal are made available for purchase at the U.S. Mint. Once the medal is minted, Congress can hold a ceremony to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the honoree at the US Capitol.

Recognition of Asian American Gold Medal Recipients

The Congressional Gold Medal ceremony for Japanese American World War II veterans was held on November 2, 2011 https://www.c-span.org/program/public-affairs-event/congressional-gold-medal-for-japanese-american-veterans/264325 (50:06). The Smithsonian Institute also dedicates a web page on the Congressional Gold Medal for Japanese American Nisei veterans in general, recognizing their exceptional contributions, particularly the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team, alongside the Military Intelligence Service, which are celebrated for their pivotal roles in European and Pacific theaters.The Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP) was the primary driving force behind securing the Congressional Gold Medal for Filipino and Filipino-American World War II veterans, leading the national campaign to raise awareness, lobbying Congress for the necessary legislation, and continuing their mission to document their stories and educate future generations through the "Duty to Country" educational program. The Congressional Gold Medal ceremony for Filipino American WWII veterans was held on October 25, 2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEpncxUSMUA (1:08:37).  Three FilVetREP representatives sang the national anthem at the Friends of NAPAM event.The Congressional Gold Medal ceremony for the Chinese American World War II Veterans was held virtually on December 21, 2020, due to the pandemic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iETfRFJHtm4 (57:35).  On October 25, 2021, an in-person ceremony was held in Boston's Faneuil Hall https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I37qokeVCzU (1:43:55).  The National Museum of the U.S. Army produced a History Talk video "From Bombardier to Congressional Gold Medal: A Chinese American WWII Pilot’s Story" on May 24, 2023:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqYBOseaz84 (42:54)

2026 APAICS Congressional Fellowships and Internships Open

Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) offers Internship and Fellowship programs designed to build a strong pipeline of AANHPI (Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander) public service leaders.

Applications for the 2026-2027 Congressional Fellowships are open with a deadline of December 12, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET.  The Fellowship gives qualified applicants the opportunity to work for a year in a Congressional office or committee to expand their public policy portfolio and build meaningful connections with leaders in Washington DC. The 2026-2027 program dates are: September 8, 2026 to August 27, 2027.Learn more and apply for the APAICS Fellowship here: https://apaics.fillout.com/fellowshipappApplications for the 2026 Congressional Internships are currently open. This paid, 8 or 10 week program will allow interns the chance to experience the legislative process firsthand by supporting a congressional office or committee.Summer 2026Dates: June 2 - July 24, 2026Application Deadline: February 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM ETFall 2026Dates: September 9 - November 20, 2026App. Deadline: March 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM ETLearn more and apply here: https://www.apaics.org/congressional-internship

Chen Institute and Science Prize for AI Accelerated Research

The Chen Institute and Science launched the "Chen Institute and Science Prize for AI Accelerated Research" in August 2024. This initiative aims to drive advancements in artificial intelligence that can expand scientific research. Young scientists from around the world are invited to submit AI-driven projects that demonstrate significant potential to improve research and lives.The competition will award a Grand Prize of $30,000, with the winner's essay published in Science and an accompanying five-year AAAS membership. Additionally, up to two runners-up will receive $10,000 each, with their essays published on Science Online and the same membership benefits, promoting sustained engagement with scientific progress. Visit and apply at https://bit.ly/3WTQq4K. The deadline is December 13, 2025.

News and Activities for the Communities

1. APA Justice Community Calendar

Upcoming Events:2025/11/25 Committee of 100 Conversations – “Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes” with Elaine Chao2025/12/01 Cook County Circuit Court Hearing - Estate of Jane Wu v Northwestern University2025/12/01 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/12/08 Conversations, Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes: Alice Young2026/01/05 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2026/01/13 Conversations, Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes: Leroy Chiao2026/01/29-30 The Jimmy Carter Forum on U.S.-China Relations Visit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details.

2. Conversations with Leroy Chiao 

WHAT: Conversations, Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes: Leroy ChiaoWHEN: January 13, 2026, 6:00 pm - 6:45 pm ETWHERE: Online eventHOST: Committee of 100Moderator: Peter Young, Chair of the Conversations Initiative, Committee of 100 New York Regional Chair, and Board MemberSpeaker: Leroy Chiao, Ph.D.; Former NASA Astronaut and Co-Founder and CEO of OneOrbitDESCRIPTION: Dr. Leroy Chiao is a Chinese American NASA astronaut and International Space Station commander and the CEO of OneOrbit. He has worked extensively in both government and commercial space programs, and has held leadership positions in commercial ventures and NASA. Dr. Chiao has extensive experience as a NASA Astronaut and prior to that, as a Research Engineer. Dr. Chiao is a fellow of the Explorers Club, and a member of the International Academy of Astronautics and Committee of 100.REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/4pahs3M

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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.