#310 Getting China Right at Home; Trump Action Tracker; Birthright Citizenship; DEI Attacks
In This Issue #310
· Launch of ACF: Getting China Right at Home
· Litigation Tracker: Legal Challenges to Trump Administration Actions
· Lawsuits Against Executive Orders on Birthright Citizenship and DEI
· Understanding Attacks on DEI in Higher Ed
· News and Activities for the Communities
Launch of ACF: Getting China Right at Home
On February 3, 2025, the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) of Johns Hopkins University offcially launched the Institute for America, China, and the Future of Global Affairs (ACF). ACF aims to add rigor and reason to the public and policy conversation about China and the variety of domestic and international issues that intersect China’s global role, bringing together experts and practitioners to foster informed public dialogue, promote evidence-based research, and support the next generation of scholars and practitioners. Jim Steinberg, Dean of Johns Hopkins University SAIS, and Jessica Chen Weiss, Inaugural Faculty Director of ACF and David M. Lampton Professor of China Studies, Johns Hopkins University SAIS, led off the all-day event with welcoming remarks. Senator Andy Kim discussed what is at stake in U.S. policy on China in a Fireside Chat .According to the inaugural ACF report titled Getting China Right at Home: Addressing the Domestic Challenges of Intensifying Competition, there is bipartisan agreement that advancing American interests requires getting policy right at home on issues from technology, data, trade, investment, energy, law, and labor, to the concerns of local constituencies, including governors, mayors, and Chinese Americans. Getting China Right at Home offers a spectrum of fresh perspectives on ways to center the vitality of American democracy, economy, and society in the United States’ strategy toward China.ACF is in Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center, 555 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001. Contact saisacf@jh.edu for more information.In an interview with the South China Morning Post on February 3, Weiss argues that the U.S.-China rivalry need not be a zero-sum game. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing areas where both nations can cooperate for mutual benefit, suggesting that a collaborative approach could lead to more positive outcomes than a purely competitive stance. Weiss advocates for policies that balance competition with engagement, aiming to manage differences while working together on global challenges. Read the South China Morning Post interview: https://bit.ly/3Qa8h3K
Litigation Tracker: Legal Challenges to Trump Administration Actions
On January 29, 2025, Just Security launched a Tracker monitoring legal challenges to Trump Administration actions. The Tracker is expected to expand with periodic updates. It features a search function and allows sorting by Topic, Executive Action, Case Name, and Date Filed. To help maintain its accuracy and completeness, missing cases and updates should be reported to lte@justsecurity.org. As of February 5, 2025, the Tracker at https://bit.ly/3QpPIsR has 35 entries:Immigration and Citizenship (12)
· Birthright Citizenship Executive Order (7)
· Punishment of sanctuary cities and states (1)
· "Expedited Removal" Executive Order (2)
· Discontinuation of CBP One app Executive Order (1)
· Access of Lawyers to Immigrants in Detention Executive Order (1)
Structure of Government/Personnel (12)
· Reinstatement of Schedule F for Policy/Career Employees Executive Order (3)
· Establishment of "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) Executive Order (4)
· Solicitation of information from career employees (1)
· Disclosure of personal and financial records to DOGE (2)
· "Fork Directive" deferred resignation offer to federal employees OPM Directive (1)
· Removal of agency employees (1)
Government Grants, Loans and Assistance (2)
· “Temporary Pause” of grants, loans, and assistance programs (2)
Civil Liberties and Rights (5)
· Housing of transgender inmates Executive Order (2)
· Ban on transgender individuals serving in the military Executive Order (1)
· Ban on gender affirming care for individuals under the age of 19 ender Ideology Executive Order; Denial of Care Executive Order (1)
· Immigration enforcement against places of worship Policy Memo (1)
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (1)
· Ban on DEIA Initiatives in the executive branch and by contractors Executive Order; Contracting Executive Order (1)
Removal of Information from Government Websites (1)
· Removal of information from HHS websites under Executive Order on "Gender Ideology Extremism" Executive Order; Policy Memo (1)
Actions Against FBI/DOJ Employees (2)
Lawsuits Against Executive Orders on Birthright Citizenship and DEI
According to the National Park Service, "Chinese Americans filed more than 10,000 lawsuits to fight the discriminatory laws enacted in the United States in the late 1800s and early 1900s.” Twenty of these cases were heard by the US Supreme Court. These cases set legal precedents for many landmark human rights lawsuits. In addition, Part 2 of the 2003 PBS Documentary on "BECOMING AMERICAN: The Chinese Experience" describes how the Chinese boldly filed over 10,000 lawsuits challenging laws and practices designed to harass and oppress them. When Wong Kim Ark, a 22-year-old cook born in San Francisco, sued to be considered a citizen, it was a decisive victory against discriminatory legislation. We thank those who came before us for their courage and perseverance in securing the freedoms we enjoy today. It is our responsibility to honor their legacy by continuing the fight for future generations.On January 30, 2025, OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates filed a lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship. OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates v. Rubio (1:25-cv-00287) argues that the order is unconstitutional and would cause irreparable harm to immigrant families, including OCA members expecting children who would be denied citizenship. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, it is one of eight known lawsuits against the order (one of which was consolidated in the same U.S. District Court). The legal team is led by Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP and Asian Americans Advancing Justice-AAJC. Read the complaint: https://bit.ly/3WMKlHA.According to New York Times on February 5, 2025, Judge Deborah L. Boardman issued a preliminary injunction blocking President Trump’s attempt to unilaterally eliminate automatic U.S. citizenship for children born to undocumented or temporary immigrants on U.S. soil. The injunction applies nationally and is more permanent than the 14-day temporary restraining order issued on January 23 by a federal judge in Seattle. In most cases, a preliminary injunction remains in force until a case is resolved or a higher court overturns it. “The executive order conflicts with the plain language of the 14th Amendment, contradicts 125-year-old binding Supreme Court precedent and runs counter to our nation’s 250-year history of citizenship by birth,” Judge Boardman ruled. “The United States Supreme Court has resoundingly rejected the president’s interpretation of the citizenship clause of the 14th Amendment. In fact, no court in the country has ever endorsed the president’s interpretation. This court will not be the first.” The Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection at Georgetown University Law Center is representing the plaintiffs in CASA Inc. et al v. Trump et al (8:25-cv-00201)
On January 20, 2025, the Chairs of the Congressional Tri-Caucus—Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06), Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chair Rep. Yvette Clarke (NY-09), and Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) issued a joint statement condemning President Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship, calling it a violation of the 14th Amendment and his constitutional duty. They emphasized that birthright citizenship, upheld in the 1898 Wong Kim Ark case, is a fundamental right and vowed to oppose any efforts that undermine equality, justice, and civil rights.On February 4, 2025, a coalition of higher education and civic leaders filed a lawsuit to stop President Trump’s anti-DEI executive orders. National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education v. Trump (1:25-cv-00333) challenging two Trump executive orders that seek to eliminate diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives. The first order mandates the removal of DEIA programs and professionals from federal agencies and halts “equity-related” grants and contracts. The second order threatens federal funding, civil investigations, and enforcement actions against DEIA programs, both in the public and private sectors. National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, American Association of University Professors, Restaurant Opportunities Centers United, and Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, Maryland, argue that these orders are unconstitutional, violate free speech protections, and unlawfully usurp congressional control over federal funding. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the state of Maryland. The legal team is led by Asian Americans Advancing Justice-AAJC and Democracy Forward Foundation. Read the complaint: https://bit.ly/42JONuC.
Understanding Attacks on DEI in Higher Ed
On January 31, 2025, the Chronicle of Higher Education announced a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) Legislation Tracker on bills that would prohibit colleges from requiring classes to graduate that promote concepts such as systemic racism, reparations, and racial or gender diversity, or from offering student-orientation programs with such content. The Tracker allows readers to quickly understand what practices are at risk of being banned, where legislation is making progress, and what laws have been enacted. If the summations of the legislation are not enough, links to browse through the bills themselves are provided. The Chronicle invites questions and comments to editor@chronicle.com. Read the DEI Legislation Tracker: https://bit.ly/4goHoDXThe Chronicle of Higher Education has also been documenting the reduction of DEI initiatives across numerous U.S. colleges and universities. As of January 31, 2025, their tracking indicates that 232 campuses in 34 states have altered or eliminated DEI-related offices, positions, training programs, diversity statements, and other activities. These changes are largely in response to anti-DEI legislation and mounting political pressure. The pace of these modifications has increased, especially with the federal administration's intent to remove DEI efforts across various sectors, including higher education. The Chronicle's resource provides detailed information on these developments, helping readers understand the evolving landscape of DEI in academia. Read the most recent updates: https://bit.ly/3CPOT9f
News and Activities for the Communities
1. APA Justice Community Calendar
Upcoming Events:2025/02/10 Federal Employees: What are my whistleblower rights?2025/02/12 Federal Employees: How might my benefits be affected?2025/02/13 China Initiative: Impacts and Implications2025/02/13-15 2025 AAAS Annual Meeting2025/02/16 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/02/18 Protecting Our Organizations: 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Compliance Virtual Training2025/02/23 World Premier of "Quixotic Professor Qiu" with Xiaoxing Xi2025/03/02 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/03/03 APA Justice Monthly MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details.
2. February is Black History Month
Black History Month is an annual observance in February that honors the history, achievements, and contributions of African Americans. It was established by historian Carter G. Woodson in 1926 as Negro History Week and later expanded to a month-long celebration in 1976. The month serves as a time to recognize the struggles and triumphs of Black Americans throughout U.S. history, from the fight against slavery and segregation to advancements in civil rights, culture, politics, science, and more. Various events, educational programs, and community activities are held nationwide to celebrate and reflect on African American heritage.
3. Book: The Rise of Chinese American Leaders in U.S. Higher Education
The softcover edition of The Rise of Chinese American Leaders in U.S. Higher Education: Stories and Roadmaps, has been released with a discount code valid until February 12, 2025. The book explores the history, challenges, and achievements of Chinese Americans in academia, featuring 36 narratives from chancellors, presidents, deans, and other leaders. It highlights their contributions to higher education, diversity, and social justice while addressing barriers like the "bamboo ceiling." For more information, visit: https://bit.ly/411FQeF
# # #
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.
February 7, 2025