#347 USHCA/AAJC Updates; 4th Court Blocks Birthright Citizenship EO; Immigration; TX SB17;+

In This Issue #347

·        Update from the U.S. Heartland China Association

·        Update from Advancing Justice | AAJC

·        Fourth District Court Blocks Trump's Birthright Citizenship Restrictions

·        Reuters: Refugee Cap of 40,000 with Focus on White South Africans

·        Lawsuit Against Texas Alien Land Law Dismissed

·        News and Activities for the Communities

Update from the U.S. Heartland China Association

Min Fan 范敏, Executive Director, U.S. Heartland China Association, returned to speak at the APA Justice monthly meeting on August 4, 2025.The U.S. Heartland China Association (USHCA) is a bipartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering constructive engagement between the U.S. Heartland and China. Contrary to assumptions based on its name, the organization was not founded by Chinese Americans. It was established by the late U.S. Senator Adlai Stevenson of Illinois and is now chaired by former Missouri Governor Bob Holden. USHCA explicitly does not engage in lobbying or political advocacy, adhering strictly to its nonprofit charter.USHCA serves as a neutral platform to promote dialogue, education, cultural exchange, and economic engagement between Middle America and China. The organization recognizes that many communities in the Heartland— particularly rural areas and underserved minority populations — have historically had limited access to international and cross-cultural education, especially regarding China. USHCA seeks to fill this gap by connecting communities, promoting awareness, and building people-to-people ties.Min is the first Chinese American to lead USHCA. When she joined the association at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, USHCA had limited ties to the broader Chinese American community, despite its long-standing role as a cultural and diplomatic bridge. By partnering with national Chinese American networks, USHCA led a large-scale Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) relief effort. Over 800,000 pieces of PPE were collected and distributed across the Heartland, including to rural and underserved health clinics. This initiative helped address severe shortages and brought together volunteers through state agencies and nonprofit groups. It also introduced many Heartland residents to Chinese Americans for the first time—a transformative experience for all involved.

Min recognized the need to explain why U.S.-China relations matter at the local level. USHCA publishes a comprehensive report, “Why U.S.-China Relations Matter to the Heartland,” that quantifies the multifaceted relationship that each of the 21 states in the Heartland region has with China, such as:

·        Hundreds of millions (up to half a billion dollars in some cases) contributed by Chinese international students to state economies.

·        Jobs created through Chinese investment and exports.

·        Historical ties between Heartland communities and China dating back generations.

Although the report does not constitute political advocacy, it has become a practical tool for local stakeholders, elected officials, and educators to explain the relevance of U.S.-China relations in concrete, community-focused terms.Beyond policy and economic dialogue, USHCA supports cultural exchange and education. It promotes the work of Chinese language teachers in Heartland states like Kentucky and Missouri—even as demand for Mandarin instruction declines nationally. The association also supports cultural projects, such as the “Far East Deep South” documentary tour along the Mississippi River, to strengthen cultural awareness of the long history of Chinese Americans in the Mississippi River basin community.

A centerpiece of USHCA’s current efforts is the Yangtze-Mississippi Regional Dialogue, launched in 2023. This subnational diplomacy initiative connects local leaders in the Heartland with their counterparts in China. The first round included six U.S. mayors visiting China to initiate discussions on economic development, climate resilience, and public health. In 2024, a reciprocal delegation from China visited Memphis, Tennessee, where the original U.S. mayors and other community leaders hosted a series of dialogues. In 2025, the third round of this initiative is set to take place in Wuhan, Hubei Province—a symbolic and strategic location. These dialogues are deliberately kept out of the media spotlight to ensure continuity and a neutral learning experience for the American delegates. USHCA, like many organizations working in the U.S.-China space, is operating under increasing political scrutiny from both sides. The association has faced indirect attacks by groups such as State Armor.  Some of the U.S. mayors who previously participated in USHCA-led trips to China had experienced harassment on social media or being criticized by their political opponents.These developments underscore a broader trend where China-related efforts — even cultural or educational — are weaponized in political discourse, especially during election cycles.Due to the expiration of its initial grant funding, USHCA is now reaching out to the community for two key forms of support:

·        Leadership Identification: Helping the organization identify open-minded local officials and civic leaders interested in engaging with Chinese counterparts.

·        Financial Support: Providing or sourcing funding to allow local delegations to continue participating in the Yangtze-Mississippi Dialogue and other exchange programs.

Despite political headwinds, USHCA continues to witness strong interest from local leaders across the Heartland. Many mayors and nonprofit leaders are eager to address shared global challenges—including climate change, healthcare access, and economic revitalization—through international cooperation. USHCA believes these dialogues can promote a more nuanced understanding and help reshape the narrative surrounding China, shifting away from confrontation and toward mutual understanding and stability.USHCA remains a critical actor in maintaining and nurturing people-to-people diplomacy at a time of strained U.S.-China relations. Through programs like the Yangtze-Mississippi Dialogue, cultural education efforts, and community-driven initiatives, the organization continues to serve as a rare but vital bridge between the American interior and one of the world’s most consequential nations. 

Update from Advancing Justice | AAJC

Joanna YangQing Derman, Director, Anti-Profiling, Civil Rights & National Security Program, Advancing Justice | AAJC, is a regular invited speaker at APA Justice monthly meetings.  On August 4, 2025, she gave the following update:1. Monitoring of China Initiative Language in CJS Appropriations ReportJoanna reaffirmed Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC’s vigilance in tracking attempts to reintroduce elements of the discontinued China Initiative through language in the Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Appropriations Subcommittee report. The China Initiative was widely criticized for encouraging racial profiling, particularly of individuals of Chinese descent in academic and scientific communities. AAJC is working with partner organizations to oppose any provisions that attempt to revive these discriminatory practices.2. Advocacy Letter to CongressA joint letter—led by AAJC in partnership with Stop AAPI Hate, Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA), and the Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF)—was submitted to Congress, urging the removal of harmful language tied to the China Initiative. However, the full Appropriations Committee vote has been postponed until after the House returns from the August recess. AAJC plans to recirculate the letter to gather additional organizational endorsements in the interim.Groups that missed the initial tight turnaround are encouraged to sign on during this extended opportunity.

3. Clarification on West Virginia Land Law – HB 2961AAJC addressed concerns regarding HB 2961, a land law enacted in West Virginia on April 28, 2025, which has raised questions among community organizations.The law defines a "prohibited foreign party" to include individuals from China, but the ban applies only to those acting on behalf of foreign-owned entities—not individuals purchasing land for personal use. It affects all types of real estate, including mineral rights, when transactions involve entities under foreign control. In the event of a violation, the law allows six months for divestment, enforced by state courts and the West Virginia Attorney General.AAJC remains committed to defending the rights of Asian American communities and is actively engaged in legislative advocacy to combat discriminatory policies. Organizations are urged to stay informed, join collective efforts, and support ongoing monitoring and response strategies.

Fourth District Court Blocks Trump's Birthright Citizenship Restrictions 

Author: Madeleine Gable, APA Justice Communications AssociateAccording to CBS News, The Hill, Maryland Matters, and multiple media reports, a federal judge in Maryland blocked President Trump’s executive order (EO) targeting birthright citizenship on August 7, 2025. This marks the fourth such decision since the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in June limiting nationwide injunctions.Previously, U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman indicated she planned to issue a nationwide injunction blocking the restrictions, but she did not have jurisdiction at the time because the case was under the authority of an appeals court. Last week, the appeals court remanded the case to her for ruling.The June Supreme Court ruling did not directly address the constitutionality of President Trump’s executive order, instead ruling that lower courts exceeded their authority by issuing nationwide injunctions. However, the justices did maintain that lower courts could issue nationwide stays if the lawsuits were class-action suits, which is what Judge Boardman did.Judge Boardman identified a class of children born on U.S. soil who “unquestionably would be citizens but for the Executive Order.” She added that the EO was “almost certainly unconstitutional” by violating the Fourteenth Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to “all persons” born in the U.S.President Trump’s executive order seeks to deny birthright citizenship to children without at least one parent who is a citizen or permanent legal resident.Judge Boardman’s ruling followed The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and the District Courts in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

Read more about the Birthright Citizenship issue at https://www.apajusticetaskforce.org/birthright-citizenship. 

Reuters: Refugee Cap of 40,000 with Focus on White South Africans

According to an exclusive report by Reuters on August 15, 2025, the Trump administration is weighing a refugee admissions cap of about 40,000 for fiscal year 2026, with an unprecedented majority—some 30,000 slots—earmarked for white South African Afrikaners. This marks a sharp shift in U.S. refugee policy, which has traditionally emphasized global humanitarian priorities and bipartisan support. The proposed cap would be far lower than the 100,000 admissions under President Biden in 2024 but higher than Trump’s record-low 15,000 ceiling in 2021. While Trump has argued that Afrikaners face discrimination and violence in South Africa, the South African government has rejected those claims. Officials also noted that smaller caps, as low as 12,000, were discussed, and that some admissions could go to Afghans, Ukrainians, or other groups.Implementation has faced challenges. The State Department has laid off refugee program staff, forcing inexperienced Health and Human Services (HHS) workers to take on refugee screening and assistance. Early arrivals from South Africa have already reported hardship, with reduced benefits, difficulty obtaining Social Security numbers, and limited access to jobs or housing. Refugees expressed frustration at spending thousands of dollars to cover basic needs after Trump cut support programs that previously lasted a year down to just four months. White House officials stressed that no final decision has been made and that refugee caps will be determined in September.

Lawsuit Against Texas Alien Land Law Dismissed

Author: Madeleine Gable, APA Justice Communications Associate

According to AsAmNews, Daily Guardian, South China Morning Post, and multiple media reports, Federal Judge Charles Eskridge dismissed a lawsuit against Texas’ recently passed alien land law, Senate Bill 17 (SB 17), finding that the plaintiffs lacked standing.

On July 3, 2025, the Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance (CALDA) filed a lawsuit on behalf of three Chinese nationals, Wang v. Paxton (4:25-cv-03103), arguing SB 17 discriminates against Chinese people based on race and ethnicity and creates fear for those trying to secure housing while living in Texas legally. The lawsuit also asserts that the bill violates federal preemption, the principle that state law cannot supersede conflicting federal law.

Set to take effect on September 1, 2025, SB 17 prohibits noncitizens from China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea from purchasing homes, acquiring land, or leasing apartments in Texas. It also grants the governor the authority to add other countries to the list. The bill applies to all “real property,” not just land near critical infrastructure, but it does not apply to dual citizens, permanent residents, and individuals legally residing in the U.S. on temporary work or student visas.

For citizens of China, the restriction is especially severe. While students or workers on visas are still free to purchase their principal residence, they are prohibited from acquiring holiday homes or investment properties. Leasing too is restricted, with lease contracts limited to terms shorter than one year.

Proponents of the bill insist it is necessary to ensure national security by targeting governments and companies deemed hostile by the federal government. However, opponents of the bill argue it is unconstitutional and discriminatory, promoting racial profiling and xenophobia.

Gene Wu, Chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, called the bill “a loud and clear message that Asians don’t belong in this country.”

The Texas Attorney General’s office successfully contended that the law is not discriminatory and that the court lacks jurisdiction over police powers exercised “to protect Texans from foreign governments that intend to harm them.”

Following Judge Eskridge’s decision, CALDA announced that it would appeal.

According to Justin Sadowsky, lead counsel for CALDA, “Chinese people in this state of Texas will be terrified of so much as renting a place to live, because if it turns out this law does apply to them it is a state jail felony, and they can end up in jail for two years.”

Prior to the hearing, a press conference was held in front of the courthouse, featuring speakers from a variety of advocacy organizations.

News and Activities for the Communities

1. APA Justice Community Calendar

Upcoming Events:

2025/08/19 China Connections - Bridging Generations of U.S.-China Education Exchange: Chinese Scholars to America2025/09/06 The 2025 Asian American Youth Symposium2025/09/08 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/09/08 Committee of 100 Conversations – “Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes” with Janet Yang2025/09/09 China Connections — Chinese Encounters with America: Profiles of Changemakers Who Shaped China2025/09/16-17 2025 AANHPI Unity Summit Visit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details.

2. USCET Events on 8/19 and 9/9

WHEN: August 19, 2025, 8:00 - 9:15 pm ETWHAT: China Connections - Bridging Generations of U.S.-China Education Exchange: Chinese Scholars to AmericaWHERE: WebinarREGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3UzJuILWHEN: September 9, 2025, 5:30 - 7:00 pm ETWHAT: China Connections — Chinese Encounters with America: Profiles of Changemakers Who Shaped ChinaWHERE: Lindner Family Commons, George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs, Washington DCREGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/45zuRKE 

3.  2025 AANHPI Unity Summit

WHEN: September 16-17, 2025WHAT: 2025 AANHPI Unity SummitWHERE: 

·        Sept 16: Holiday Inn National Airport

·        Sept 17: U.S. Capitol – Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2044

REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/4fDJ9hO

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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.