#393 Monthly Meeting Today; APA Heritage Month; NSB Fired by Trump; SCOTUS Case; FISA 702+

In This Issue #393

·       APA Justice Monthly Meeting Today

·       May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

·       Entire National Science Board Fired by Trump

·       Supreme Court Case Affecting the Rights of 12.8 Million Green Card Holders

·       More on FISA Section 702

·       News and Activities for the Communities

APA Justice Monthly Meeting Today

APA Justice will hold its monthly meeting today, May 4, 2026, starting at 1:55 pm ET.   We are honored that Congressman Dave Min will lead off the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with opening remarks. Elected in 2024 to represent California’s 47th Congressional District in the heart of Orange County, Rep. Min is the son of Korean immigrants and a proud graduate of California public schools. He previously served in the California State Senate from 2020 to 2024. Prior to his public service, he was a law professor at the University of California, Irvine.

In addition to updates from:

·       Judith Teruya, Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC)

·       Joanna YangQing Derman, Program Director, Advancing Justice | AAJC

·       Gisela Perez Kusakawa, Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF)

We are also honored by the following distinguished speakers:

·       Robert Underwood, former CAPAC Chair; President Emeritus, University of Guam; Co-Founder, Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS)

·       Madalene Mielke, President and CEO, Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS)

·       Martin B. Gold, Partner, Capitol Counsel, LLC

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 - Vincent Wang 王文奎 and Jeremy Wu 胡善庆 - or send a message to contact@apajustice.org.  

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The 1882 Project was a national grassroots effort advocating for U.S. Congressional resolutions formally expressing regret for the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. The successful campaign led to the House and Senate passing these historic resolutions in 2012.

During the monthly meeting, Martin B. Gold, pro bono attorney for the 1882 Project, will offer his perspective on how the milestone of the 2011 and 2022 Congressional regret of the discriminatory Chinese exclusion legislation.

Ted Gong, Executive Director of The 1882 Foundation, will give brief comments following Marty’s remarks to open the Q&A and discussion session.

The 1882 Foundation evolved from the 1882 Project, dedicated to educating the public about the history and ongoing impact of the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act.

On July 4, 2026, The 1882 Foundation will host an event to unveil a mural of Dr. Mabel Ping-Hua Lee 李彬華 at the Chinatown in Washington D.C.

Dr. Lee attended Barnard College and later earned a Ph.D. in Economics from Columbia University in 1921, becoming the first Chinese woman in the United States to earn a doctorate in economics.  Her academic work and public advocacy reflected her belief that education and civic participation were essential to a thriving democracy.  In the 1910s, Lee became an activist for women's suffrage, and participated in the 1912 New York City women's suffrage parade, where she rode on horseback.

In 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified, granting American women the right to vote. Yet Mabel herself could not vote —barred from citizenship under the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.

Watch the NBC4 report about the mural: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgwbaJzQ-h0 (2:50)

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Did you know May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and

·       President Jimmy Carter signed the resolution to create the Asian Pacific American Heritage Week in 1978?

·       Representatives Frank Horton and Norman Y. Mineta introduced the House resolution and Senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga introduced the Senate resolution?

·       President George H. W. Bush expanded the celebration from a week to a month in 1990?

·       Hiram Fong 鄺友良 was the first Asian American U.S. senator, serving from Hawaii from 1959 to 1977?

·       Dalip Singh Saund was the first Asian American elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, serving from California from 1957 to 1963? Patsy Mink was the first Asian American elected to the House. serving from Hawaii (1965–1977 and 1990–2002)?

·       George Ariyoshi was the first Asian American to serve as a U.S. governor, holding office in Hawaii from 1974 to 1986?

·       Bing cherry was developed by Ah Bing in the mid-1850s?

·       Dr. Sammy Lee was the first Asian American man and Vicki Draves was the first Asian American woman to win Olympic gold medals, both achieving this at the 1948 London Summer Olympics?

Visit the website hosted by The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum: https://asianpacificheritage.gov/.

Entire National Science Board Fired by Trump

According to Science on April 25, 2026, President Donald Trump abruptly dismissed all 22 members of the National Science Board (NSB), which governs the National Science Foundation. Because the NSB sets policy and approves major spending, the move marks a sharp break from longstanding governance norms and raises concerns about NSF’s independence.

Former member Keivan Stassun says the action follows a pattern of sidelining the board, particularly by the Office of Management and Budget, which directed major initiatives without required NSB approval. Tensions intensified after the board opposed a proposed 55% budget cut.

Critics, including Rep. Zoe Lofgren and former NSB chair Victor McCrary, warn the firings could politicize oversight. With NSF lacking a permanent director since Sethuraman Panchanathan stepped down, and reports that board directives were already being ignored, the decision deepens concerns about weakened governance and accountability.

Read the Science report: https://bit.ly/48CvOEr

In a report by the American Institute of Physics on May 1, the White House justified its mass firing of the NSB by citing constitutional concerns tied to the United States v. Arthrex decision. The ruling requires that decisions by non–Senate-confirmed officials be reviewable by a Senate-confirmed authority, and the administration argues the NSB’s structure may no longer comply.

The White House says it plans to work with Congress to update the law but has not detailed how. Former board member Julia Phillips said the NSB had already adjusted its role to emphasize advisory recommendations rather than binding decisions to align with the ruling.

Democrats, including Zoe Lofgren and Maria Cantwell, dispute the constitutional rationale and argue the firings undermine scientific governance. The move adds to instability at the National Science Foundation, which lacks a confirmed director, faces proposed budget cuts, and has seen staffing and operational disruptions—prompting concern across the scientific community about U.S. research leadership.

Association of American Universities President Barbara Snyder said the firings leave NSF “rudderless,” and the American Association for the Advancement of Science issued a statement calling the move “destabilizing.” The Association of Public Land-Grant Universities said it was “dismayed” by the firings. Union of Concerned Scientists CEO Gretchen Goldman criticized the firings as an “unseemly political maneuver” aimed at limiting independent science.

The American Chemical Society said it is “deeply concerned” by the firings and connected them to what it called a “troubling recent trend to dissolve scientific advisory bodies.” Since returning to power in 2025, the Trump administration has dissolved or merged more than 100 scientific advisory committees, according to a recent analysis by Nature.

Other scientific societies that issued statements critical of the firings include: the American Astronomical Society, the National Academy of Education, the American Society for Microbiology, the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, the Biophysical Society, and the American Institute of Biological Sciences. (AAS is an AIP member society)

Read the AIP report: https://bit.ly/4cXgTWx

Supreme Court Case Affecting the Rights of 12.8 Million Green Card Holders

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on the case of Blanche v. Lau on April 22, 2026, with a decision expected by early July. The case addresses when a returning lawful permanent resident (LPR) can be treated as an “applicant for admission” rather than a returning resident with presumptive entry rights.

The case arises from the experience of Muk Choi Lau, a green card holder who faced a pending trademark counterfeiting charge in 2012. After traveling abroad, he was “paroled” into the United States instead of being formally admitted—placing his legal status in question.

At issue is the evidentiary standard required at the border. The government argues it can defer proof of a disqualifying crime to later removal proceedings. Lau contends that LPRs are entitled to admission unless the government has clear and convincing evidence at the time of reentry that they committed a disqualifying offense.

A report by Just Security highlights the broader stakes, warning that the government’s position could allow border officials to deny reentry and place green card holders in legal limbo based on pending charges or suspicion, potentially without timely judicial review. The report also questions the case’s factual basis and argues it may not warrant such sweeping legal change.

The Court’s decision could have far-reaching implications for more than 12 million green card holders, shaping whether—and under what conditions—their status can be challenged when they return to the United States.

Read the Just Security report: https://bit.ly/3ORY8fj

More on FISA Section 702

On April 30, 2026, CNBC reported that on April 30 the House and Senate passed a 45-day extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978.

The surveillance program, allowing the U.S. to collect the communications of foreigners, even when interacting with U.S. citizens, was due to expire at the end of April 30.

The extension sets up further debate on the controversial spy program when the House and Senate return from a pre-planned recess in mid-May.

On April 29, 2026, The Hill reported that the House passed a bill to extend Section 702 of FISA for three years and includes modest reforms, such as expanded oversight, stricter internal review of searches involving Americans, and increased penalties for misuse.

However, the bill faced significant opposition from privacy-focused lawmakers in both parties, who object to the lack of a warrant requirement for accessing Americans’ data. Political dynamics have also shifted, with fewer Democrats and more Republicans supporting renewal compared to prior votes.

The legislation now heads to the Senate, where its path is uncertain—particularly due to an added provision blocking a central bank digital currency, which some senators oppose. The debate highlights ongoing tensions between national security priorities and civil liberties protections.

News and Activities for the Communities

1. APA Justice Community Calendar

Upcoming Events:

2026/05/04 APA Justice Monthly Meeting

2026/05/11 Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes - Steven Chu

2026/05/12-14 Celebrating 250 - Building America’s Future Together

2026/05/13 The Model Minority Trap: How ‘Positive’ Stereotypes Harm Asian Americans

2026/06/01 APA Justice Monthly MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details.

2.  Unveiling of Mabel Ping-Hua Lee Mural

WHAT: Unveiling of Mabel Ping-Hua Lee MuralWHEN: July 4, 2026

WHERE: Chinatown Archway on H Street, Washington DCHOST: The 1882 FoundationDESCRIPTION:  Mabel Ping-Hua Lee 李彬華 was a Chinese American suffragist, scholar, and community leader who believed that democracy depends on equal opportunity for all.FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit https://1882foundation.org/Mabel/

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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.