#319 NYU Shanghai; JACL et al v Musk/DOGE; Birthright/SB17/Student Visa Ban; Mahmoud Khalil

In This Issue #319

·        NYU Shanghai Receives Record Number of Applicants

·        JACL and OCA Join Lawsuit Against Musk and DOGE

·        Latest on Birthright Citizenship, Texas SB17, and Ban on Student Visas

·        Who Will Be Next After Mahmoud Khalil?

·        News and Activities for the Communities

NYU Shanghai Receives Record Number of Applicants

According to Washington Square News, a New York University (NYU) student newspaper, on March 12, 2025, NYU Shanghai received a record-breaking 24,000 applications for its class of 2029. This surge aligns with NYU’s overall admissions growth, making it the most-applied-to private university in the U.S. The Shanghai campus maintains an enrollment of about 500 students per class, with half of the spots reserved for domestic Chinese students from China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and the other half allocated to international students, with around 53% from the United States and the rest from 156 other countries.  NYU Shanghai’s class of 2027 received just 16,773 applications from 84 different countries. The campus’ class of 2026 received 16,059 applications and its class of 2024 received over 13,000.  The rise in applications, particularly from Chinese students, reflects a growing interest in international education without leaving China.The university’s unique position as the first Sino-U.S. research institution in China contributes to its appeal, offering students opportunities for cross-cultural exchange and career advancement. However, while NYU Shanghai and other joint programs like Duke Kunshan University (an all-time high of 11,884 applications this year) have seen application increases, American student enrollment in China has sharply declined, largely due to political and visa restrictions. NYU Shanghai requires all students to study abroad for at least one semester, though some Chinese students worry about potential travel limitations.  David Pe, Dean of Students at NYU Shanghai, emphasized the importance of encouraging more students from NYU’s New York campus to study in Shanghai, citing the growing need for global engagement.

JACL and OCA Join Lawsuit Against Musk and DOGE

As of March 15, 2025, the number of lawsuits against President Donald Trump's executive actions reported by the Just Security Litigation Tracker has grown to 126 with two closed cases.  The New York Times is tracking court rulings that have at least temporarily halted some of the president’s initiatives. As of March 15, 2025, there are at least 46 such rulings.On March 5, 2025, the Campaign Legal Center filed a lawsuit, Japanese American Citizens League v. Musk (1:25-cv-00643), in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on behalf of Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates, Sierra Club and Union of Concerned Scientists.  The complaint alleges that under Musk’s leadership, DOGE has acted illegally to “slash federal funding, dismantle federal agencies and fire federal employees” to harming everyday Americans.JACL issued a statement that said: “Neither Elon Musk nor DOGE have the lawful authority to exercise the sweeping power that they currently wield in the federal government. However, since President Trump created DOGE and placed Elon Musk at its helm, Musk has exercised significant unconstitutional authority and taken control over our agencies and our funding systems. This illegal and reckless control over the federal government has upended the lives of countless individuals, both within the United States and abroad.”JACL Executive Director David Inoue said, “JACL joins this lawsuit to stop DOGE from making reckless cuts that will directly impact national historic sites under the National Park Service that are among those where over 125,000 Japanese and Japanese Americans were unjustly incarcerated during WWII.

Regarding what DOGE has done thus far, OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates Executive Director Thu Nguyen said, “The reckless budget cuts at the Department of Education are a direct assault on Pell Grant recipients, student organizations, and AANAPISI institutions that are vital to advancing educational equity.”Sierra Club Executive Director Ben Jealous said, “We are taking DOGE to court to defend Americans’ ability to safely and freely access the landscapes that unite us.”Union of Concerned Scientists President Gretchen Goldman said, “DOGE’s actions have interfered with life-saving research and scientific collaboration on cancer, vaccines, extreme weather and more. They have pulled funding for job-boosting clean technology initiatives and fired civil servants who enforce laws that protect us from air, water and climate pollution.”

Latest on Birthright Citizenship, Texas SB17, and Ban on Student Visas

1. Birthright Citizenship

According to Reuters on March 11, 2025, a third federal appeals court has ruled against President Donald Trump's executive order seeking to restrict birthright citizenship, marking another legal setback for the administration. On March 11, 2025, the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston rejected the administration’s request to lift a nationwide injunction issued by a Massachusetts judge. This follows similar rulings by the 4th and 9th Circuit Courts, keeping the executive order blocked. Trump’s directive, signed on January 20, aimed to deny automatic U.S. citizenship to children born in the U.S. if neither parent is a citizen or lawful permanent resident, affecting an estimated 150,000 children annually.The 1st Circuit panel upheld the injunction, citing longstanding constitutional protections under the 14th Amendment and the 1898 Supreme Court case United States v. Wong Kim Ark, which affirmed birthright citizenship. Chief Judge David Barron criticized the administration for failing to present a constitutional defense of the order, instead attempting to disrupt established legal precedent. The lawsuits, led by 18 Democratic attorneys general, San Francisco officials, and immigrant advocacy groups, argue that the order would harm states by reducing federal funding tied to newly born citizens. According to the Washington Post and multiple media reports, the Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court on March 12, 2025, to allow its birthright citizenship ban to take effect in about half of the country while legal challenges continue. The administration argues that these injunctions limit executive power and wants them restricted to only the states involved in the lawsuits. Critics say this would create legal chaos, forcing migrants to travel between states to give birth and overwhelming courts with challenges.

The policy faces at least eight lawsuits, and four nationwide injunctions have already been issued against it. Opponents argue the order is blatantly unconstitutional, violating the 14th Amendment and Supreme Court precedent from United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898). The ACLU and state attorneys general argue that the executive branch cannot bypass the Constitution and must pursue a constitutional amendment to change birthright citizenship. Judge John C. Coughenour, a Reagan appointee, called the order politically motivated and unconstitutional, and his ruling is now on appeal to the 9th Circuit, with arguments expected in June.On March 8, 2025, Stanford School of Medicine hosted a teach-in on Birthright Citizenship and the 14th Amendment.  Watch the video at: https://bit.ly/421Nnux (1:04:27)*****

Trump Offers U.S. Citizenship to White Farmers in South Africa

As Trump tries to strip birthright citizenship, according to CBS News on March 10, 2025, he reaffirmed his offer to grant U.S. citizenship to White farmers in South Africa, accusing the government of treating them "terribly" and promising "safety" and a "rapid pathway to citizenship." He criticized new land expropriation laws as "racist" and a violation of "human rights," leading to the halting of U.S. foreign aid.White farmers, reportedly making up less than 10% of South Africa's population, own around 70% of South Africa's arable land. This concentration of land ownership has been a focal point in debates about land reform in the country.

Elon Musk, who was born in South Africa and still holds dual nationality, took to his X platform and criticized the government in Pretoria, claiming his Starlink satellite network was "not allowed to operate in South Africa, because I'm not black."  

South Africa's Electronic Communications Act, which, since 2005 has regulated broadcasting and telecommunications in the post-Apartheid country, requires that at least 30% of a company must be owned by previously disadvantaged groups as part of the criteria to gain a communications license.  Starlink has not applied for a license to operate in South Africa.   

Clayson Monyela, the head of public diplomacy for the South African government's Department of International Relations and Cooperation, replied to Musk on X, saying: "Sir that's NOT true, and you know it! It's got nothing to do with skin color." 

2. Texas Alien Land Bill SB17 Hearing

According to AsAmNews on March 7, 2025, the Chinese community in Texas mobilized in large numbers to testify against Senate Bill 17 (SB17), which seeks to restrict property ownership for individuals from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea due to national security concerns. While the bill exempts citizens, lawful permanent residents, and asylum seekers, opponents argue it unfairly targets Asian Americans, discourages investment, and echoes past discriminatory policies like the Chinese Exclusion Act and Alien Land Laws. Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, who authored the bill, defended it as a measure to protect Texas’ land and resources.  Lily Trieu of Asian Texans for Justice contends there is no substantial evidence of foreign land ownership posing a security threat.The hearing on March 6, 2025, saw strong opposition, with testimonies emphasizing the bill’s impact on Asian American communities and Texas’ pro-business reputation. Debbie Chen of OCA Greater Houston warned, “This bill echoes historic anti-Asian policies... fostering discrimination and anti-Asian hate.” Another speaker called it a “job killer” that undermines fundamental property rights and economic growth. With Texas home to over 1.5 million Asian Americans, opponents argue the bill casts every Chinese individual as a potential adversary. The Senate Committee on State Affairs adjourned the hearing without taking a vote.

3. House Bill to Ban Chinese from Student or Research Visas

According to AP News, Northwest Asian Weekly, South China Morning Post, and multiple media reports, a new bill to ban Chinese nationals from obtaining student visas is set to be introduced by Rep. Riley Moore (R-WV), reigniting debates over national security, racial profiling, and academic exchange. The Stop CCP VISAs Act seeks to block all student and research visas for Chinese citizens, going further than previous restrictions targeting specific fields. Moore's bill aligns with broader Republican efforts, including Project 2025, which calls for reducing visas from "enemy nations".Asian American advocates, however, call the bill xenophobic and counterproductive.Representative Grace Meng, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, said that banning only Chinese students was “xenophobic and wrong-headed.  We cannot give in to fearmongering tactics that will restrict the freedoms and economic opportunities that make America the envy of the world.”  Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) also denounced the bill, emphasizing that Chinese students contribute to U.S. academia and democracy, warning, “Unilaterally cutting off pathways of study for Chinese students… will make our country less innovative and the world less safe.”  Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) warned that security concerns should be addressed “with a scalpel, not a bludgeon.”“No policy should target individuals solely on the basis of their national origin,” Fanta Aw, executive director and CEO of Association of International Educators (NAFSA), said in a statement. Yangyang Cheng, research scholar at Yale Law School’s Paul Tsai China Center, said the bill “should be seen as part of a broader effort to restrict academic freedom and hurt higher education in this country, to control what can be taught, which research projects can be pursued, and who have access to the classrooms and laboratories.”

John Yang, president of Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, denounced the proposal, stating, “We strongly reject this move to paint all Chinese students as a threat and caution against racial profiling based on geography and not fact.”  Democratic lawmakers and civil rights groups argue that such bans harm U.S. innovation, education, and diplomacy, while increasing discrimination against Asian Americans.  In a public statement, Asian American Scholars Forum cautions that legislation like this would effectively harm the talent pipeline of Asian American scientists, scholars, and researchers, thereby undermining U.S. leadership in science and innovation. 

Who Will Be Next After Mahmoud Khalil?

According to AP News, Intercept, New York Times, Washington Post, and other media reports, Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, a legal U.S. resident and former Columbia University protest leader, was arrested by federal immigration officials and now faces deportation.  Despite holding a green card, Khalil was detained on claims that his student visa had been revoked, and later, that his permanent residency was being revoked as well.  Permanent residents are entitled to due process before any revocation of their status.  Khalil's wife is a U.S. citizen and is eight months pregnant.The lawsuit Mahmoud Khalil v. William P. Joyce (1:25-cv-01935) was filed in the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of New York on March 9, 2025. District Judge Jesse Furman temporarily blocked Khalil's removal the next day, pending further judicial review on March 21. Khalil is currently being held at a federal immigration detention center in Louisiana.  ACLU and NYCLU issued a statement that they have joined Khalil's legal team in filing a motion under the All Writs Act to compel ICE to return Khalil to New York, where he can have access to his legal counsel and family.

According to a statement by the Asian American Legal and Education Defense Fund (AALDEF) on March 12, 2025, The arrest of Mahmoud Khalil is illegal and discriminatory. Its intended effect is to chill free speech and create a climate of fear among immigrants, chiefly Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim communities.  In the 1950s, during the McCarthy “red scare” era, people with opposing viewpoints were labeled as communist and targeted for investigation, arrest, and harassment by law enforcement. In the past several weeks, ICE has raided Asian communities, seizing family members without warning, detaining and then deporting them. The new administration has weaponized the immigration system as a tool for policing and now political oppression, against many people who themselves came to this country to escape political oppression.The Khalil case raises broader concerns about free speech, racial profiling, and immigration enforcement that could impact Asian Americans, particularly activists and immigrants. His detention over alleged political affiliations—without criminal charges—mirrors past government crackdowns on dissent, such as post-9/11 surveillance of Muslims and the "China Initiative" targeting Chinese researchers. The case also highlights the vulnerability of green card holders, a status many Asian immigrants hold, as Khalil faces deportation without a conviction. If his case sets a precedent, Asian American activists, students, and immigrants could face increased scrutiny, government targeting, or restrictions on political expression.On March 14, 2025, AP News reported that Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian from the West Bank, was arrested by immigration officers for overstaying her student visa.  The Trump administration also revoked on March 5 the visa of Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian citizen and doctoral student “for advocating for violence and terrorism.”*****

2025/03/18 Stop AAPI Hate Community Town Hall on Anti-Immigrant Attacks

WHAT: Stop AAPI Hate’s Community Town Hall on Anti-Immigrant AttacksWHEN: March 18, 2025, 7:00 pm ET/4:00 pm PTWHERE: Virtual Town HallHOSTS: Stop AAPI Hate DESCRIPTION:  ICE officials are raiding communities, businesses, and private homes. Asian immigrants are being shipped off to Central American countries. And millions of immigrants and people of color are living in fear of racial profiling, detention, and deportation. The Trump administration’s anti-immigrant agenda has put a target on the backs of our nation’s most vulnerable Asian communities — and we’re prepared to fight back.  We’re bringing together advocates, organizers, and impacted folks for a virtual town hall on mass deportation and what it means for us. Register now to learn what’s at stake for immigrant communities and how different people are fighting for policies that protect our communities and our right to call this nation home.REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/4iudJLv

News and Activities for the Communities  

1. APA Justice Community Calendar

Upcoming Events:2025/03/18 Stop AAPI Hate’s Community Town Hall on Anti-Immigrant Attacks2025/03/21 Fighting Racial Profiling and the Criminalization of Academia in North America2025/03/26 Policing White Supremacy: The Enemy Within2025/03/30 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/04/07 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/04/13 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/04/24-26 Committee of 100 Annual Conference and Gala2025/04/27 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/05/05 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/05/11 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details.

2. 03/21 SFU Webinar: Fighting Racial Profiling and the Criminalization of Academia in North America

WHAT: Fighting Racial Profiling and the Criminalization of Academia in North AmericaWHEN: March 21, 2025, 4:00 pm-6:30 pm PT/7:00 pm-9:30 pm ETWHERE: Hybrid eventHOST: Simon Fraser University, Labor Studies ProgramDESCRIPTION: Join us for an important discussion on the case of Dr. Anming Hu, a respected scientist who was wrongfully targeted under the previous Trump administration’s China Initiative. Dr. Hu’s case highlights critical issues of racial profiling, academic freedom, and the growing surveillance of scholars in North America.This event will feature insights into Dr. Anming Hu’s case and experience, the broader implications for researchers of Chinese origin, and the fight for justice in academia in North America. We will also discuss what universities, scholars, and policymakers can do to protect academic integrity and prevent future injustices.REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3Fd11SD  

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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.