#302 Thank you Judy Chu! Franklin Tao Sues KU; Birthright Citizenship; WP Cartoonist Quits

In This Issue #302

·       Thank You, Congresswoman Judy Chu!

·       Breaking News: Professor Franklin Tao Sues Kansas University

·       Birthright Citizenship, 14th Amendment, Wong Kim Ark, and More

·       Famed Cartoonist Quits Washington Post

·       News and Activities for the Communities

Thank You, Congresswoman Judy Chu!

During the APA Justice monthly meeting on Monday, January 6, 2025, Congresswoman Judy Chu, Chair Emeritus of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), delivered an inspiring New Year’s message to the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities.Rep. Chu was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2009, becoming the first Chinese American woman to serve in Congress. She is the longest-serving Chair of CAPAC, holding the position from 2011 to 2024. She succeeded Norman Mineta (1994–1995), Patsy Mink (1995–1997), Robert Underwood (1997–2001), and Mike Honda (2001–2011). As Rep. Chu transitions to the role of Chair Emeritus, Rep. Grace Meng has begun her tenure as the 6th Chair of CAPAC.

Through her leadership and unwavering advocacy for the community, Rep. Chu has consistently championed the rights and well-being of AANHPI communities. Her impactful accomplishments include:

·       Leadership in Addressing Racial Profiling, Creating APA Justice, and Opposing the China Initiative:  Rep. Judy Chu has been at the forefront of combating racial profiling, particularly in cases like Sherry Chen and Dr. Xiaoxing Xi, who faced wrongful accusations of espionage.  She staunchly opposed the Trump administration's "China Initiative," which disproportionately targeted Chinese American scientists and researchers. Rep. Chu inspired the creation of APA Justice, a platform dedicated to addressing racial profiling, advocating for legal protection, and fighting systemic discrimination.

·       Combating Anti-Asian Hate:  In response to the alarming rise of anti-Asian hate crimes during the COVID-19 pandemic, Rep. Chu championed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act to enhance resources for combating hate crimes and improving their reporting and tracking. She also worked alongside community organizations to support victims and amplify public awareness, playing a key role in the national effort to confront and dismantle racial hatred.

·       Advancing Inclusion and Historical Reconciliation: As CAPAC Chair, Rep. Chu prioritized increasing AANHPI representation in government and leadership while addressing past injustices.  She led the congressional resolution expressing regret for the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, acknowledging its long-standing harm and paving the way for historical reconciliation. Her dedication to inclusion and equity continues to shape a brighter future for AANHPIs across the nation.

A summary of the monthly meeting is being prepared at this time.

Breaking News: Professor Franklin Tao Sues Kansas University

According to The Independent on January 6, 2025, Professor Feng "Franklin" Tao (陶丰), who was targeted by the Trump administration's controversial "China Initiative," has filed a lawsuit against the University of Kansas (KU). The lawsuit alleges that KU improperly reported him to the FBI based on false claims from a disgruntled visiting student attempting extortion. Despite being acquitted in 2024, Professor Tao’s career, reputation, and well-being suffered lasting harm. The lawsuit also criticizes KU for exacerbating racial fears and discrimination under the pretext of national security concerns, calling for accountability for its actions. Notably, the now-defunct "China Initiative," intended to address alleged espionage threats by Chinese academics, faced widespread criticism for racial profiling and targeting Chinese Americans, many of whom were later cleared of wrongdoing. Efforts to reinstate the initiative are still ongoing in Congress.Filed on January 3, 2025, Tao v. University of Kansas (2:25-cv-02005) demands a jury trial. In his complaint, Tao, a distinguished chemist with over 210 peer-reviewed articles and three books, alleges that KU's actions violated contractual, legal, and ethical obligations. Recruited by KU in 2014 for a tenured position, Tao became the first academic arrested under the "China Initiative" in 2019. The lawsuit claims KU terminated him unlawfully, breaching a 2020 agreement to withhold employment decisions until after the criminal trial concluded. Despite his acquittal, KU has refused to reinstate him.Professor Tao further asserts that KU collaborated with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to surveil and prosecute him based on unsubstantiated accusations, provided misleading information to federal authorities, and failed to protect him against xenophobic fearmongering. The lawsuit argues that KU’s conduct reflects discriminatory practices and a betrayal of its commitment to academic rigor and innovation. Tao seeks accountability for the severe damage inflicted on his career, finances, and emotional health, and condemns KU’s role in perpetuating a "racist witch hunt."

Read the Independent report: https://bit.ly/4a7mxDE.  Read the APA Justice web page on Professor Tao: https://bit.ly/3y8SBsm

Birthright Citizenship, 14th Amendment, Wong Kim Ark, and More

During the Q&A session of the APA Justice monthly meeting on January 6, 2025, birthright citizenship emerged as a significant topic of concern for AANHPI communities.President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly pledged to end birthright citizenship for children born to non-citizen or undocumented immigrant parents. He threatens an executive order or other unilateral action on Day 1 of his presidency, bypassing the constitutional amendment process required to alter the 14th Amendment.The 14th Amendment explicitly guarantees birthright citizenship through its Citizenship Clause:"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside."This clause, originally designed to grant citizenship to freed slaves after the Civil War, has served as the foundation for birthright citizenship in the U.S., affirming that anyone born on U.S. soil is automatically a citizen, regardless of their parents' immigration status. Legal interpretation of “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” excludes certain groups, such as children of foreign diplomats or enemy occupiers, but includes children of undocumented immigrants.The landmark 1898 Supreme Court case United States v. Wong Kim Ark reinforced this principle. Wong Kim Ark, born in San Francisco to Chinese immigrant parents, was denied reentry to the U.S. after a visit to China. His case arose during a period of intense anti-Chinese sentiment, codified in laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which severely restricted Chinese immigration and naturalization.  Immigration authorities argued that his parents’ nationality disqualified him from U.S. citizenship. The Court ruled 6-2 in favor of Wong, affirming that birthright citizenship applies to all persons born on U.S. soil, regardless of their parents' nationality, provided they are not foreign diplomats or enemy combatants.  This decision remains a cornerstone of U.S. citizenship law, underpinning the principle of jus soli (right of the soil).

The decision has had lasting significance, serving as the legal basis for birthright citizenship in the United States. It remains a key precedent in debates over citizenship.According to the Pew Research Center, an estimated one million of the 4.3 million babies born in the United States in 2008 were the offspring of immigrants, about 340,000 of them by undocumented immigrants.The issue has resurfaced amid fears of heightened immigration enforcement and challenges to sanctuary city protections.  According to the Voice of San Francisco report authored by John Trasviña, San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu has vowed to lead efforts to defend immigrants against expected rollbacks of rights and attacks on birthright citizenship.  Trasviña led the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) as President and General Counsel and was Dean of the University of San Francisco School of Law. 

According to MSNBC on January 7, 2025, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong emphasized the vital role immigrants play in the U.S., citing his own humble background and upbringing.  He asserted his commitment to upholding the Constitution against "demagoguery." Tong stated, "birthright citizenship is part of our essential character. It is the core of the American Dream." He vowed to rally fellow attorneys general to form a firewall to protect birthright citizenship and other immigrant rights.The same broadcast reported that on January 6, 2025, Pope Francis appointed Cardinal Robert W. McElroy, the former Bishop of San Diego, as the new Archbishop of Washington, D.C. Known for his outspoken defense of immigrants, Cardinal McElroy had said in 2016, when the Trump administration threatened massive deportations, "we must label this policy proposal for what it is — an act of injustice which would stain our national honor in the same manner as the progressive dispossessions of the Native American peoples of the United States and the internment of the Japanese."

Famed Cartoonist Quits Washington Post

According to CNN and multiple media reports, Ann Telnaes, a Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist for The Washington Post, resigned on January 3, 2025, following the newspaper's decision to reject her cartoon satirizing Jeff Bezos, the paper's owner, and other tech moguls. The cartoon depicted these billionaires kneeling before a statue of Donald Trump, symbolizing their efforts to gain favor with the incoming administration. On January 3, 2024, Talnaes posted an explanation of why she quit the Washington Post.   She described how a cartoon criticizing billionaire tech and media executives was killed. This was the first time her cartoon was rejected due to its viewpoint, marking a concerning shift in editorial policy. The cartoon aimed at powerful figures, including Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos, who were seen as cozying up to President-elect Trump. The cartoonist leaves the Post, emphasizing the importance of holding the powerful accountable, stating the Washington Post's motto, "Democracy dies in darkness."On January 4, 2025, The Association of American Editorial Cartoonists condemned The Post’s decision, accusing the newspaper of “craven censorship” and “political cowardice.”“Editorial cartooning is the tip of the spear in opinion, and the Post’s cowering further soils their once-stellar reputation for standing up and speaking truth to power. We weep for the loss of this once great newspaper,” it said, calling on other cartoonists to finish Telnaes’ sketch and post it online in a show of solidarity.

News and Activities for the Communities

1. APA Justice Community Calendar

Upcoming Events:2025/01/15 Master Class: Maintaining the Effectiveness of Organizational Equity Initiatives in the Current Environment2024/01/16 Master Classes: Asian American Career Lessons2025/01/19 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/02/02 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/02/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/02/13-15 2025 AAAS Annual Meeting2025/02/16 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/03/02 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/03/05 APA Justice Monthly MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details.

2. 2025 AAAS Annual Meeting

The 2025 Annual of the American Association for the Advancement Science (AAAS) will be held in Boston on February 13-15, 2025.  During the APA Justice monthly meeting on January 6, 2025, AAAS Chief Executive Officer Sudip Parikh reported that by tradition, the theme of the conference of "Science Shaping Tomorrow" was selected by the President of AAAS, Dr. Willie E. May, a distinguished chemist and research leader who serves as the Vice President for Research and Economic Development at Morgan State University.  Dr. May served as the U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and as Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). According to Sudip, international collaboration is a key focus of the meeting agenda. Large delegations of scholars from countries such as China, India, Japan, and others are expected to engage in robust discussions on the state of science and global collaborations. The breakthrough of the year is a small-molecule drug for HIV that offers six months of protection against HIV transmission.Register for the 2025 AAAS Annual Meeting today: https://bit.ly/3C7Ai8M 

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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.