#323 4/7 Meeting; Texas Rallies; US Science; Profiling Scholars/Students; Litigations; More

In This Issue #323

·        2025/04/07 APA Justice Monthly Meeting

·        First Report on Texas Tri-City Rallies Against Alien Land Bills

·        The Decline of Science in the U.S. under Trump 2.0

·        Chinese Scholars/Students Face Heightened Scrutiny and Profiling

·        Latest on Litigations Against Trump's Executive Actions

·        News and Activities for the Communities

2025/04/07 APA Justice Monthly Meeting

The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, April 7, 2025, starting at 1:55 pm ET.In addition to updates by Judith Teruya, Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Joanna YangQing Derman, Program Director, Advancing Justice | AAJC, and Gisela Perez Kusakawa, Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), invited and confirmed speakers are:

·        Mark Takano, First Vice Chair, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC); Member, U.S. House of Representatives

·        Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean, Jesse H. Choper Distinguished Professor of Law, University of California, Berkeley

·        Cindy Tsai, Interim President, Committee of 100

·        X. Edward Guo 郭向东, President, Asian American Academy of Science and Engineering (AAASE)

The virtual monthly meeting is by invitation only. It is closed to the press. If you wish to join, either one time or for future meetings, please contact one of the co-organizers of APA Justice - Steven Pei 白先慎, Vincent Wang 王文奎, and Jeremy Wu 胡善庆 - or send a message to contact@apajustice.org.

Congressman Mark Takano will make his remarks via recorded video on unprecedented challenges to our communities.In a recent opinion published by the New York Times, Dean Erwin Chemerinsky raised an alarming question: if Trump defies the Courts, then what?  He also commented on President Trump's unprecedented demands on Columbia University.  He will share his thoughts on these recent developments and more.The Committee of 100 (C100) is a nonprofit leadership organization of prominent Chinese Americans dedicated to advancing U.S.-China relations and promoting the full participation of Chinese Americans in American society.  On April 25-26, 2025, it will host its annual conference and gala in Los Angeles to share insights on the state of Chinese Americans and the current and future condition of the U.S.-China relationship.  Interim President Cindy Tsai returns to update us on recent developments with C100 and the annual event.  Professor X. Edward Guo, Stanley Dicker Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Professor of Medical Sciences at Columbia University, is current President of Asian American Academy of Science and Engineering (AAASE).  Professor Guo will introduce AAASE and comment on recent developments in higher education and research communities.

First Report on Texas Tri-City Rallies Against Alien Land Bills

On March 28, 2025, United Chinese Americans (UCA) issued a press release announcing protest rallies to be held in Austin, Dallas, and Houston, Texas. Asian Pacific American communities, alongside other ethnic groups, are mobilizing against Texas Senate Bill 17 (SB 17) and House Bill 17 (HB 17)—legislations that seeks to ban or restrict real estate ownership by certain foreign nationals under the guise of national security.

A letter co-signed by Texas and national AAPI organizations reminds state legislators that the 59th Texas Legislature abolished the previous version of alien land laws in 1965 in a bipartisan effort. The letter states.

"These bills are unconstitutional and discriminatory, as they target individuals based on their nation of origin. In other words, individuals are being denied their rights not for anything they have done, but simply because of where they come from." The letter urges lawmakers not to repeat past mistakes that echo historical injustices.

Representative Gene Wu 吴元之, chair of Texas House Democratic Caucus, points out that "The Texas Senate listened to our community's repeated pleas for fairness and respect, and instead they gave us more discrimination by passing SB 17 that puts us even closer to repeating the forced internment of Asian Americans 80 years ago. Our community must respond and mobilize, otherwise we will be welcoming this hate and suffer no less."

Meanwhile, organizers of the Houston rally—Texas Multicultural Advocacy Coalition (TMAC) and United Chinese Americans (UCA)—are placing ads in the Houston Chronicle to amplify this call to action. UCA Action is also running print and digital ads in the Austin American-Statesman, San Antonio Express-News and Dallas Morning News to highlight the protest letter and mobilize public support.

The tri-city rallies started in Austin at the Texas Capitol Grounds East Steps on March 29, 2025.

According to CBS-19, elected officials, including Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin), State Rep. Vikki Goodwin (D-Austin) and Austin City Council Member Mike Siegel of District 7, spoke against HB 17 and SB 17 at the rally.“Ultimately this fight, in my eyes, is about who gets to be American,” said Daniel Wang. “I think America is great and has been great and was made great by its promise that, you know, we welcome everyone who wants to come here and contribute.”SB 17 passed the Texas Senate on March 19.  A public hearing for HB 17 will be held on April 3 in the Texas House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans Affairs Committee. The meeting starts at 10:30 a.m.

APA Justice will report on March 30 rallies in Dallas and Houston and continuing developments in the next newsletter.

The Decline of Science in the U.S. under Trump 2.0 

According to multiple media reports, the United States has experienced a notable decline in scientific research and development under Trump 2.0, marked by significant policy shifts and funding reductions. One of the administration's early actions was a freeze on federal grants, leading to widespread uncertainty within the scientific community. This freeze has disrupted ongoing research projects and hindered the initiation of new studies.The Trump administration has imposed substantial funding cuts to prominent universities, which are heavily reliant on federal research grants. These cuts have compelled institutions to make difficult decisions, including reducing graduate student admissions and implementing hiring freezes, thereby affecting the future landscape of American research and innovation.Environmental and climate science programs have faced particularly severe setbacks. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has undergone significant budget reductions and staff layoffs, undermining its capacity to enforce environmental regulations and conduct critical research.  Climate science initiatives at agencies like NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have experienced funding cuts, impeding efforts to monitor and address climate change. 

The administration has also appointed conspiracy theorists skeptical of established scientific consensus to key positions, such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appointment to head the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which has announced plans to cut 10,000 full-time employees across health agencies on top of 10,000 employees who have left voluntarily, shrinking the workforce from about 82,000 full-time employees to 62,000.On March 28, 2025, the Washington Post reported that the Trump administration pushed out Peter Marks, the nation’s top vaccine regulator and an architect of the U.S. program to rapidly develop coronavirus vaccines amid a worsening U.S. outbreak of measles.  “It has become clear that truth and transparency are not desired by the Secretary, but rather he wishes subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies,” Marks wrote in his resignation.  He was offered the choice to resign or be fired.  He opted to resign, with an effective departure date of April 5.These collective actions have prompted widespread concern among scientists and researchers, leading to organized protests such as the "Stand Up for Science 2025" rallies. These demonstrations reflect the scientific community's alarm over policies as undermining scientific integrity and progress. These policies have prompted many scientists to consider relocating abroad.​  According to Nature on March 27, 2025, more than 1,200 scientists who responded to an online poll — three-quarters of the total respondents — are considering leaving the United States following the disruptions prompted by Trump. Europe and Canada were among the top choices for relocation.  The trend was particularly pronounced among early-career researchers. Of the 690 postgraduate researchers who responded, 548 were considering leaving; 255 of 340 PhD students said the same.

According to Science on March 17, 2025, Emma, an early-career chemist, withdrew from a faculty position at the University of Mississippi due to concerns over the Trump administration’s impact on higher education, including threats to federal funding and diversity initiatives. Her decision reflects a broader trend of U.S.-based researchers seeking opportunities abroad as uncertainty grows over academic stability. Countries like France and China are actively recruiting displaced scientists, with initiatives such as Aix Marseilles University’s “Safe Place for Science” and direct outreach from researchers like Yi Rao at Peking University.However, while some nations welcome this talent shift, financial constraints in countries like Canada, the UK, and the Netherlands may limit their ability to absorb U.S. researchers. Experts warn that Trump’s policies could trigger a broader exodus from global science, as universities face funding cuts and instability. Although legal challenges may delay the full impact, the trend suggests a potential loss of scientific talent, with no clear destination for displaced researchers.

Chinese Scholars/Students Face Heightened Scrutiny and Profiling

Under Trump 2.0, Chinese and Asian scholars and students have faced heightened scrutiny and profiling.

Visa Restrictions and Deportations

Republican members of Congress and the Trump administration have intensified visa restrictions, notably through the Stop CCP VISAs Act, introduced by Representative Riley Moore (R-WV). This proposed legislation aims to halt the issuance of student visas to Chinese nationals, citing concerns over espionage and intellectual property theft.  International students have also become targets of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), leading to detentions and deportations from college campuses. Notable cases include students from Columbia and Cornell universities, sparking protests and legal actions by organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). 

Scrutiny of Chinese Students and Scholars

Republican members of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), chaired by Representative John Moolenaar (R-MI), has targeted Chinese students in U.S. universities under the pretense of national security. In March 2025, the committee sent letters to presidents of six universities, requesting detailed information about their Chinese student populations and research activities. Without substantive facts and evidence, the committee alleges that the CCP has established a systematic pipeline to embed researchers in leading U.S. institutions, providing them direct exposure to sensitive technologies with dual-use military applications.Impact on Higher Education InstitutionsUniversities with significant Asian and Asian American populations have faced increased scrutiny over international collaborations, especially those involving Chinese researchers. For example, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in Pittsburgh has highlighted potential impacts due to proposed federal funding cuts and restrictions on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. These measures threaten the region's economy and its identity as an innovation hub.

Challenges to Diversity InitiativesBy diverting resources to investigate and potentially sue universities implementing diversity programs, the Trump administration threatens to reverse progress toward educational equity. This move has been criticized as an attempt to exploit divisions among communities of color and disrupt policies that help marginalized groups gain access to higher education.Rise in Anti-Asian SentimentFollowing President Trump's 2024 election, there has been a marked increase in anti-Asian hate, particularly in online spaces. Between November 2024 and January 2025, anti-Asian slurs and threats of violence surged, with South Asian communities being disproportionately targeted. This rise in xenophobic rhetoric has created a hostile environment for Asian American students and scholars, affecting their sense of safety and belonging within academic institutions.

Latest on Litigations Against Trump's Executive Actions

As of March 30, 2025, the number of lawsuits against President Donald Trump's executive actions reported by the Just Security Litigation Tracker has grown to 152 (3 closed cases). These are some of the latest developments:

·        Block on Alien Enemies Act Deportations Extended.  On March 27, 2025, the legal team led by ACLU, Democracy Forward, and the ACLU of the District of Columbia filed a motion to extend the Temporary Restraining Orders (TROs) set to expire on March 29 for 14 days, claiming that good cause exists to extend the TROs.  On March 28, the Court ordered the extension of the TROs until April 12, 2025.

·        Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility.  In the case of State of California v. U.S Department of Education (1:25-cv-10548), eight states challenge the Department of Education’s decision to terminate approximately $250 million in federal grants under the Teacher Quality Partnership and Supporting Effective Educator Development programs. On March 24, Judge Myong J. Joun granted Plaintiffs’ request to extend the TRO until April 7.  On March 26, the government appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court to vacate the order by the district court and issue an administrative stay.  In the case of Chicago Women in Trades v. Trump (1:25-cv-02005), U.S. Judge Matthew Kennelly for the Northern District of Illinois granted a Temporary Restraining Order to block the implementation of two of Trump's DEI Executive Orders.

·        Actions Against Law Firms Blocked.  On March 28, 2025, the law firm WilmerHale sued the Executive Office of the President and several government agencies over Trump’s March 27 executive order (EO) terminating government contracts, denying members of the firm access to federal employees, and suspending employees’ security clearances. U.S. Judge Richard Leon of the District of Columbia granted the law firm’s request to temporarily block several sections of the EO.  In a separate lawsuit Jenner & Block LLP v. U.S. Department of Justice (1:25-cv-00916),  U.S. Judge John Bates of the District of Columbia also granted the Temporary Restraining Order to temporarily block several sections of the EO.

News and Activities for the Communities

1. APA Justice Community Calendar

2025/04/07 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/04/13 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/04/15 China Connections: A Conversation with Emily Feng2025/04/24-26 Committee of 100 Annual Conference and Gala2025/04/27 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/05/05 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/05/12-14 APAICS Annual Summit and GalaVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 

2. Temporary Injunction on Florida State Law (SB846)

On March 28, 2025, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction against a Florida law known as SB846 that essentially bans international students from China and six other countries. This is a milestone victory for racial equity and academic freedom as other red states and the Congress are considering similar discriminatory laws. The lawsuit Yin v. Diaz (1:24-cv-21129) is led by Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance 华美维权同盟 (CALDA), ACLU Florida, and Perkins Coie.  Clay Zhu 朱可亮, Co-Founder of CALDA, gave an update at the APA Justice monthly meeting on March 3, 2025: https://bit.ly/4iOexLD

3. CAPAC Chair Meng Statement on the Anniversary of United States v. Wong Kim Ark Decision

On March 28, 2025, Rep. Grace Meng 孟昭文, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, released a statement marking the 127th anniversary of the United States v. Wong Kim Ark decision upholding birthright citizenship as a constitutionally protected right:“Today marks 127 years since the landmark United States v. Wong Kim Ark decision that affirmed birthright citizenship to anyone born in our country, including those born to immigrant parents. This was established by the Supreme Court, even as the Chinese Exclusion Act and anti-Asian sentiment was in full force in the 1800s, because the Constitution made clear that ‘all persons’ born in the United States means ‘all persons.’“Despite this century-old legal precedent, President Trump issued an unlawful executive order to revoke birthright citizenship and eliminate the core principle that has allowed millions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to become U.S. citizens. It is a flagrant violation of the Fourteenth Amendment and the President’s oath to protect and defend the Constitution.

“This is nothing more than a desperate attempt to sow division and stoke xenophobic sentiment for political gain. We will not allow this administration to trample over the Constitution and redefine who is American. I vow to fight tooth and nail against this unlawful action and to protect the principles that have made our country into what it is today.”  

# # # 

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.