August 12, 2019 Science and South China Morning Post reported on a joint statement condemning ‘racial profiling’ of Chinese students and scholars over spying fears on August 12, 2019. The statement was co-signed by a broad coalition of over 20 higher education, free expression, and public advocacy organizations. About half of them are Asian American groups, including AAUC, APABA-PA, APAPA, CACA, CBA, CAA, OCA, OCAA, UCA and 80-20. The coalition warns that even with growing suspicion of Chinese espionage in higher education, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies threaten academic freedom and due process if they engage in surveillance of students and scholars based on their national origin. The joint statement “advise[s] universities to zealously safeguard their independence—to maintain their commitment to academic freedom, to uphold the principle of due process, and to respect the privacy rights of students and faculty, no matter their national origins.” Signatories write: “The pursuit of scientific knowledge should be advanced under conditions of intellectual freedom without political or ideological restrictions.” Previous Next Coalition Cautions FBI Against Unwarranted Monitoring of Chinese Scholars

Newsletter - #362 Privacy Cases of Drs. Yanping Chen and Wen Ho Lee; AAJC Update; TX/FL Alien Land Laws+ #362 Privacy Cases of Drs. Yanping Chen and Wen Ho Lee; AAJC Update; TX/FL Alien Land Laws+ In This Issue #362 · Brian Sun Comments on the Cases of Dr. Wen Ho Lee and Dr. Yanping Chen · Paula Madison Comments on Dr. Yanping Chen's Case · Updates from AALDEF and AAJC · Fifth Circuit Weighs Challenge to Texas "Alien Land Law" · Federal Appeals Court Refuses to Block Discriminatory Florida Housing Law · News and Activities for the Communities Brian Sun Comments on the Cases of Dr. Wen Ho Lee and Dr. Yanping Chen During the APA Justice monthly meeting on November 3, 2025, Brian Sun 孫自華 , Partner of Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP, who represented Dr. Wen Ho Lee 李文和 in his landmark Privacy Act case, drew strong parallels between Dr. Lee’s experience two decades ago and Dr. Yanping Chen 陈燕平 ’s ongoing case. Brian emphasized that both involved government leaks of protected information to the media, racialized national security narratives, and the challenge of holding officials accountable for violations of privacy and due process.Brian recounted that Dr. Lee, a Los Alamos scientist falsely accused of espionage in the late 1990s, was subjected to highly publicized national coverage media coverage, intense surveillance, and charged with 59 counts of misconduct despite no evidence he shared secrets with China. The case began with leaks to two Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists from the New York Times, Jeff Gerth and James Risen , that led to the government putting 40 agents on Dr. Lee under 24/7 surveillance between March and December 1999, when Dr. Lee was arrested and indicted. Immediately after his release in September 2000, Brian asked Dr. Lee whether he would still pursue the Privacy Act lawsuit that had been stayed by the District Court judge during the pendency of the criminal proceedings. “Yes. I don’t ever want this to happen again to someone else,” Dr. Lee said. The case became a five-year legal battle.Brian described how his legal team deposed senior officials, including FBI Director Louis Freeh and Energy Secretary Bill Richardson , to prove they had exhausted all avenues before seeking to compel journalists including Jeff Gerth and James Risen to reveal their sources. The District Court granted their motion, and when the reporters refused to comply, they were held in contempt by Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson . The D.C. Circuit Court upheld that ruling, narrowly denying an en banc (before the full court) rehearing.Dr. Lee also did not sue the reporters themselves. They simply sought information from them. But during settlement discussions and mediation, the journalists attended with their lawyers, along with government representatives, as the mediator tried to hammer out a deal.A settlement was reached on the eve of the Supreme Court ruling on the journalists’ petition for certiorari (review). The Supreme Court denied the reporters’ petition anyway.The ultimate settlement was $1.645 million, with the government and journalists sharing the payment. Notably, CNN initially refused to pay, but other media organizations covered its share. Brian credited his then firm, Jones Day, for standing by him even after CNN threatened to sever ties.Reflecting on the controversy, Brian underscored that the issue was not opposition to press freedom, but the need to balance journalist privilege with accountability when leaks destroy reputations. Brian’s wife is a former journalist. He cautioned that blind protection of sources can empower rogue officials to leak information without consequence, harming innocent individuals.Brian concluded that Dr. Chen’s case echoes Wen Ho Lee’s ordeal, calling it “history repeating itself.” Both highlight the dangers of racial bias, media sensationalism, and unchecked leaks in national security cases. He praised Attorney Andy Phillips who represents Dr. Yanping Chen and WilmerHale for pursuing justice on Dr. Chen’s behalf, affirming that such cases are “a noble cause” that defend both the rule of law and the integrity of American justice.A summary for the November 3 APA Justice monthly meeting is bring prepared at this time. Paula Madison Comments on Dr. Yanping Chen's Case During the APA Justice monthly meeting on November 3, 2025, Paula Williams Madison 罗笑娜 , Chairman and CEO of Madison Media Management LLC and 88 Madison Media Works Inc., expressed strong concern over the ethical lapses in the Fox News coverage of Dr. Yanping Chen , which she described as “deeply troubling on several levels.” Drawing on her experience as an investigative journalist and media executive, Paula said she carefully reviewed the Fox reports and found that they relied on inflammatory imagery—such as showing Dr. Chen in a military-style uniform with “red epaulets and stars”—to suggest ties to the Chinese Communist Party without substantiated evidence. “It felt like the story was designed to make viewers believe she was exactly what the anonymous source accused her of being,” Paula said.She emphasized that proper investigative journalism requires at least two independent sources before publishing serious allegations, especially when the Justice Department had closed the case without charges. Paula questioned whether fundamental standards of verification, fairness, and editorial oversight had been ignored, perhaps because of racial bias or national security fearmongering. “Some of the basic commandments of investigative reporting seem to have been overlooked—possibly because she’s Chinese, and therefore ‘scary,’” she observed.Paula also raised concerns about editorial accountability, explaining that in any newsroom she led, a reporter’s confidential sources must be known to the editor or news director; otherwise, the story would not run. “If I don’t know who the sources are, that story will never be published,” she said.In referencing her own background, Paula noted that she is both a member of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA). Paula’s grandfather was Chinese. She is also a close friend of fellow journalist Helen Zia 谢汉兰 , founder of the Vincent Chin Institute, who shares deep concern about broader implications for racialized narratives in the media. Paula suggested that journalism organizations like Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) and the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) should examine this case as a cautionary example of how bias and weak editorial controls can erode public trust. She also questioned whether Fox News or Catherine Herridge herself is now bearing the legal costs, implying that the network may have distanced itself from the controversy. Updates from AALDEF and AAJC During the APA Justice monthly meeting on November 3, 2025, Jane Shim , Director of Stop Asian Hate Project at Asian American Legal and Education Fund (AALDEF), discussed AALDEF’s role in filing an amicus brief in Dr. Yanping Chen v. FBI that was joined by other civil rights groups. She explained that AALDEF intervened because the government and media narratives portraying Dr. Yanping Chen as working for the Chinese Communist Party—though false and defamatory—were being revived in legal filings despite being irrelevant to the legal issues at hand. Jane emphasized the importance of calling out these racialized national security tropes, which continue to shape public perception and legal arguments against Asian Americans.She also noted the stark contrast between AALDEF’s brief and one filed by Senator Ted Cruz , whose filing used “egregiously fear-mongering language,” portraying Dr. Chen as “a most dangerous spy.” Jane underscored that such rhetoric mirrors longstanding patterns of xenophobia and “national security threat narratives” historically weaponized against Asian and Muslim communities.AALDEF’s amicus brief examined the media’s historical role in fueling anti-Asian and anti-immigrant sentiment, tracing examples from past periods like the Red Scare to illustrate how newspapers and pamphlets helped reinforce state-sponsored discrimination. Jane concluded by reaffirming AALDEF’s ongoing commitment to confronting these systemic biases and welcomed continued collaboration with partners working on similar issues.During the same meeting, Joanna YangQing Derman , Director, Anti-Profiling, Civil Rights & National Security Program, Advancing Justice | AAJC, reported that AAJC continues to monitor developments related to the China Initiative and the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations Bill, though progress has been delayed by the government shutdown. In partnership with the Asian American Scholars Forum (AASF) and Gisela, AAJC was co-organizing an Advocacy 101 training on November 3, 2025, to help scholars and academics engage effectively with policymakers. Joanna will explain the federal appropriations process and how the CJS China Initiative language fits within it, joined by Gisela Perez Kusakawa (AASF), Edgar Chen (NAPABA), Kelvin Lum (Stop AAPI Hate), and moderator Professor Xiaodong Zhang .On the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Joanna noted that both chambers of Congress have passed their versions, and AAJC has submitted its annual NDAA letter to the Armed Services Committees as negotiations enter the pre-conference phase. AAJC is particularly concerned about Rounds Amendment No. 3810, which would broaden the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) authority to review foreign agricultural land purchases. While AAJC supports CFIUS oversight, it warns the amendment could transform the process from evidence-based review to broad, prohibitive action against entire categories of persons. Ongoing coordination with Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), House Financial Services, and other congressional allies continues to ensure AAJC’s priorities are reflected in the final legislation. Fifth Circuit Weighs Challenge to Texas "Alien Land Law" According to Courthouse News on November 5, 2025, lawyers from the Texas Attorney General’s Office and the Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance (CALDA) presented arguments before the Fifth Circuit over whether Texas Senate Bill 17 — a new law restricting land purchases by citizens from “adversarial nations” such as China — applies to Chinese citizens residing in the U.S. The law, which took effect on September 1, 2025, bars noncitizens and non–green card holders “domiciled” in China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea from buying or leasing property in Texas for more than a year. Asian American groups denounced it as a modern version of “alien land laws,” which once targeted Asian immigrants. However, the Texas Attorney General’s Office maintains that SB 17 does not apply to Chinese citizens who have established permanent residence in the United States.U.S. District Judge Charles Eskridge previously dismissed CALDA’s challenge, ruling that the plaintiffs lacked standing because they were not domiciled in China under the law’s definition. On appeal, CALDA attorney Justin Sadowsky argued that plaintiff Peng Wang , an F-1 visa holder in Texas for 16 years, remains at risk since visa holders are not considered domiciled in Texas for other legal purposes and must affirm intent to return to their home country. Texas Assistant Solicitor General Benjamin Mendelson countered that Wang is clearly domiciled in the U.S., as his intent is to live and work there permanently. The panel — composed of Judges Andrew Oldham , Kurt Engelhardt , and Jacques Wiener — questioned whether the attorney general’s assurance that he will not enforce the law against Wang ends the case. The hearing parallels an 11th Circuit case in Florida, where a divided panel similarly ruled that Chinese immigrants lacked standing because the state’s comparable law does not apply to those intending to reside permanently in the U.S. Federal Appeals Court Refuses to Block Discriminatory Florida Housing Law With a 2-1 ruling, the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta refused to preliminarily block SB 264, a discriminatory housing law in Florida, on November 4, 2025. The court rejected arguments that the law conflicts with federal law or is discriminatory. The law prohibits people who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and whose “domicile” is in China from purchasing property in Florida. The sole exception is extremely narrow: Individuals with non-tourist visas or those who have been granted asylum may purchase one residential property under two acres, provided it is not located within five miles of any “military installation.” A similar but less restrictive rule also applies to many immigrants from Cuba, Venezuela, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Syria. The 11th Circuit rejected claims that the law’s provisions requiring Chinese citizens to register their properties with the state conflict with a federal law governing foreign investments, or that the statute was improperly motivated by racism against Chinese people and Asians. The court also concluded that the four Chinese citizens represented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance (CALDA), and other organizations lacked legal standing to sue over Florida's 2023 law because it only applies to people "domiciled" in China, and they have lived in Florida for years. According to this ruling, certain Chinese immigrants who live in Florida and intend to remain there indefinitely are “domiciled” in Florida and thus should be exempt from SB 264’s restrictions on property purchases. The legal team who represented plaintiffs of the lawsuit stated in an ACLU press release : "This decision allows Florida’s unconstitutional ban on Chinese homebuyers to remain in effect, but clarifies that the law applies narrowly.” “All people, regardless of where they come from, should be free to buy homes and build lives in Florida without fear of discrimination,” said Ashley Gorski , senior staff attorney with the ACLU National Security Project. “Although today’s decision is disappointing, we’ll continue to fight laws like these that blatantly target immigrants based on their national origin and ethnicity.” “SB 264 explicitly discriminates against Chinese immigrants, and it has broader chilling effects on Asian Americans in Florida who simply want to buy a home,” said Clay Zhu , president of CALDA. “We will continue to fight SB 264 and similar ‘alien land laws’ across the country.” “SB 264 is not just unconstitutional—it harkens back to discredited century-old alien land laws that told generations of Asian Americans that this country was not their home,” said Bethany Li , executive director of AALDEF. “But our communities survived those past assaults on our rights, and we remain. We will continue to fight back for the dignity and belonging we deserve.” Media links: 2025/11/04 Bloomberg Law: Court Block Reversed on Florida Property Ban on Chinese Citizens 2025/11/04 Reuters: US appeals court says Florida can ban Chinese citizens from buying property 2025/11/04 Florida Phoenix: Federal appeals court nixes Chinese land-buying law challenge 2025/11/04 Florida Realtors: Court Refuses to Block Chinese Property Law 2025/11/05 South China Morning Post: Florida can ban Chinese citizens from buying property, US appeal court rules 2025/11/06 Newsweek: Florida Issues Crackdown on Chinese Citizens Buying Real Estate News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/11/14 Film Screening and Discussion: Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story2025/11/25 Committee of 100 Conversations – “Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes” with Elaine Chao 2025/12/01 Cook County Circuit Court Hearing - Estate of Jane Wu v Northwestern University2025/12/01 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/12/08 Committee of 100 Conversations – “Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes” with Alice YoungVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. C100: Conversations with Alice Young WHAT : Conversations, Recollections, Pioneers and Heros: Alice Young WHEN : December 8, 2025, 6:00 pm - 6:45 pm ET WHERE : Online event HOST : Committee of 100 Moderator: Peter Young , Chair of the Conversations Initiative, Committee of 100 New York Regional Chair, and Board Member Speaker : Alice Young , Trailblazing Lawyer and Advocate for Equality DESCRIPTION : Alice Young served as Partner and Chair of the Asia Practice at leading law firms including Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer and Milbank Tweed, specializing in corporate law, international transactions, and Asia business partnerships. As a member of the first graduating class of women of Yale College and one of the first Asian American women to graduate from Harvard Law School, she broke barriers on Wall Street and paved the way for women and minorities throughout her 40+ year law career. Beyond her legal work, Young has been a tireless advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. REGISTRATION : https://bit.ly/47LX0zn # # # 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 . Back View PDF November 7, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #257 6/3 Monthly Meeting; Clear & Fair Law Enforcement; FBI Forum; China Initiative 2.0; + #257 6/3 Monthly Meeting; Clear & Fair Law Enforcement; FBI Forum; China Initiative 2.0; + In This Issue #257 · 2024/06/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · An Urgent Call for Clear and Fair Law Enforcement Guidelines and Procedures for Research Security · A Dialogue Between Academic/APA Communities and The FBI · Condemning Yet Another Attempt to Reinstate The China Initiative · News and Activities for the Communities 2024/06/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, June 3, 2024, starting at 1:55 pm ET.In addition to updates by Nisha Ramachandran , Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC); Joanna YangQing Derman , Director, Advancing Justice | AAJC; and Gisela Perez Kusakawa , Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), confirmed speakers are: · Tam Dao , Assistant Vice President for Research Security, Office of Innovation, Rice University, will report on the future of the National Science Foundation (NSF)’s Research on Research Security program · Haipei Shue , President, United Chinese Americans, will report on the 2024 Chinese American Convention · Jeremy Wu , Co-Organizer, APA Justice, will preview an alpha version of a web page on exonerated Professor Anming Hu · Anming Hu , Professor, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, will give an update of his situation and his family since the end of his ordeal under the China Initiative. 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 . An Urgent Call for Clear and Fair Law Enforcement Guidelines and Procedures for Research Security On May 27, 2024, Neal Lane* , Steven Pei* , and Jeremy Wu* posted a public commentary, urgently calling for the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and other federal law enforcement agencies to coordinate their policies using comparable principles with the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) and set clear, fair guidelines and procedures. The U.S. science and technology enterprise is unparalleled, and its contribution to the security and well-being of the American people is indisputable. In recent years, however, federal initiatives intended to protect American science and technology have strayed from their purpose and are rendering our nation increasingly unable to attract and retain science and technology talent – putting our competitive edge at risk during an era of techno-competition with key competitors.Our scientific success is rooted in core values, including collaboration, honesty, transparency, integrity, the fair competition of ideas, and the protection of intellectual capital. Some foreign entities do not share these values and are working to illicitly acquire our research and innovation. This necessitates laws – and law enforcement.But it is vital that law enforcement guidelines and procedures be clear and fair for maintaining public trust, upholding individual rights, and promoting accountability and consistency within the justice system. Otherwise, we can expect our competitive edge in science and technology to wane, as well as our standing as a leading democracy.The authors address the China Initiative which subjected hundreds of researchers to investigations, with none convicted of espionage, but instilling fear and confusion within academic and research institutions. Since the end of the China Initiative, foreign researchers, students, green card holders, and American citizens have continued to face difficulties at U.S. ports of entry. These incidents raise concerns about the criteria for secondary inspections and highlight a communication gap between policymakers and law enforcement. The U.S., long a leader in science and technology due to attracting global talent, risks losing this advantage if law enforcement does not follow clear, fair policies. This is exemplified by the declining U.S. share of top AI talent and a significant drop in Chinese students studying in the U.S., with China now educating more scientists and engineers domestically than the U.S.Protecting intellectual property and national security is critical. But these initiatives must be balanced with protecting individual rights, welcoming foreign talent, and encouraging international basic research collaboration. Otherwise, we risk repeating past mistakes. There is a way forward.With its sharp focus on research security, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) has set a balanced path to guide policies of federal agencies that support research. There is a similar need for the FBI, HSI, and other federal law enforcement agencies to coordinate their policies using comparable principles and set clear, fair guidelines and procedures.Given OSTP’s unique role and capability within NSTC, it should also coordinate with all key law enforcement agencies to close the apparent gap in communication between national science and technology policy set by NSTC and agents at the forefront of law enforcement. In doing so, it can protect America’s security and economic competitiveness while minimizing the unintended negative impact and associated chilling effects on the science and technology community. * Dr. Neal Lane is Senior Fellow in Science and Technology Policy, Baker Institute, Rice University, and Former Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy at the White House. Dr. Steven Pei is Co-Organizer of APA Justice; Founding Chair of United Chinese Americans; and Professor at the University of Houston. Dr. Jeremy Wu is Co-Organizer of APA Justice; Member of Committee of 100; and Retired from the Federal Government. Read the full commentary: https://bit.ly/4bVdN38 A Dialogue Between Academic/APA Communities and The FBI On June 6, 2024, the Baker Institute and the Office of Innovation at Rice University, the Texas Multicultural Advocacy Coalition, and APA Justice will co-host a hybrid forum titled "A Dialogue Between Academic & APA Communities and The FBI."In 2022, the Department of Justice ended its China Initiative — a strategy to counter Chinese espionage and threats to U.S. research security — after academic and civil rights groups raised concerns about bias and damage to the United States' scientific enterprise. Since then, however, reports of border entry issues have increased for Chinese academic researchers and graduate students.This event brings together Jill Murphy, deputy assistant director of counterintelligence at the FBI, and the leadership of the FBI’s Houston field office for a dialogue with members of the academic and Asian American communities. It will examine gaps between federal science and technology policy and its implementation — particularly in the context of law enforcement at the U.S. border. It will also explore the possibility of establishing a regular communication channel between the academic and Asian American communities with FBI field offices.Read and register to attend the open and free event in person by visiting this Rice University web page: https://bit.ly/4awKUsZ Register to attend the forum via Zoom: https://bit.ly/3wjg759 . For more details about the forum, visit this APA Justice web page: https://bit.ly/3wNL2Xi Condemning Yet Another Attempt to Reinstate The China Initiative During the House Judiciary Committee Markup Meeting on May 22, 2024, Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) delivered the following opening statement in strong opposition to H.R. 1398, the “Protect America’s Innovation and Economic Security from CCP Act,” which is another attempt to reinstate the China Initiative. "Mr. Chairman, in 2018 the Trump Justice Department launched what it called the “China Initiative”. While it was ostensibly designed to counter efforts by the Chinese government to steal American intellectual property, the program ultimately had few successes. For nearly four years, the National Security Division brought a series of unsupportable cases against Chinese academics at the height of their careers. The government was forced to drop many of these prosecutions. Others failed in court. Even more were overturned on appeal. The China Initiative was born out of the understanding that a strategic priority of the United States is countering national security threats from China. Had the DOJ gone in a different direction from this starting point, we might be here lauding the successes of the “defend U.S. trade secrets program.” Instead, the Trump DOJ invested significant resources into targeting individuals of Chinese descent working in the United States, diverting crucial funding and personnel that could have been used to combat economic espionage and trade secret theft across the board. But the China Initiative did not just waste valuable resources. Rather than keeping Americans safe, the China Initiative divided workplaces, ruined careers, and contributed to anti-Asian hate. If you were a person of Chinese descent working in American higher education, you were a suspect. Rather than keeping America safe, the China Initiative divided workplaces, ruined careers, and contributed to Anti-Asian hate at the height of the pandemic, when tensions were already high. Many of my colleagues who served on this Committee during the pandemic remember the vitriol, the carless word choice, and the characterization of “otherness” directed at Asian Americans during that time. Programs like the China Initiative, with its explicit targeting of Chinese citizens working in the United States, only served to amplify these tensions. For many of us, the clear drawbacks and minimal successes of the program were obvious in real time, and I am proud to say that I opposed the China Initiative throughout its short existence. And I was glad to see the program ended in early 2022 by the Biden Administration. Unfortunately, this legislation, which would establish a “CCP Initiative” at the National Security Division, would simply reestablish the China Initiative by another name. My colleagues across the aisle have repeatedly suggested that without the China Initiative, we as a country are not being “tough on China.” But what the majority fails—or refuses—to realize is that programs like these are wholly ineffective at protecting our intellectual property. In fact, they do the opposite. During its four-year tenure, the China Initiative stifled innovation by discouraging foreign talent from moving to American companies and prevented Chinese researchers from accepting positions at our institutions of higher learning. We cannot quantify those missed opportunities. There is no way to know what inventions never came to be, but we can realize when we made a mistake, and move on. This bill would prevent us from doing so. I appreciate that my colleagues have been circumspect when talking about the national security threat posed by China. But it is imperative that we differentiate the many people who live and work in the United States from the threat posed by the government of China, not just in our words but in our actions. It is also concerning that this bill would reestablish a pillar of a program that was repeatedly used to target Chinese professors working at American research institutions.Countries around the world send their best and brightest to the United States for education and to perform valuable research in our academic institutions. But instead of welcoming their contributions to our economy and to our society, programs like the China Initiative encourage them to take their training and their talents elsewhere. In a September 2022 report by the Asian American Scholar’s Forum, researchers found that between December 2021 and March 2022, 42 percent of the over 1,300 faculty members surveyed nationwide reported being fearful of conducting research in the U.S. A further 61 percent felt pressure to leave the U.S., and 45 percent intended to avoid federal grant applications. It is foolhardy to punish China by harming American innovation, but by discouraging researchers from working here, that is exactly what we did. The IP Subcommittee has conducted several bipartisan hearings on the threat posed by the Chinese government’s theft of trade secrets. Democrats and Republicans agreed that there is a real, significant threat to our national security. But this Committee has more important things to do than revisit failed Trump-era programs. If anything, we should expend our oversight resources ensuring that the DOJ is not simply following the practices of the China Initiative in all but name today. This legislation would take us in the opposite direction. I oppose the bill, I encourage my colleagues to do the same, and I yield back the balance of my time." Watch Rep. Nadler's opening remarks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVlXiH1m5uM (5:05). Read the press release: https://bit.ly/3Kf1hjj ***** On May 22, 2024, the Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) issued a statement to condemn the House Judiciary Committee mark-up vote of HR 1398 “Protect America’s Innovation and Economic Security from CCP Act,” and all efforts to reinstate the discriminatory "China Initiative" program. HR 1398 would reestablish the "China Initiative"—a program that raised serious concerns of racial profiling and targeting of Asian Americans and immigrants, particularly of Chinese descent. The reinstatement of the “China Initiative” would have devastating consequences especially for Asian American scholars, many of whom had their lives upended as a result of the harmful Initiative. Gisela Perez Kusakawa , AASF Executive Director, said, "with this most recent attempt to reinstate the China Initiative, we are reminded yet again of discriminatory investigations that create a ‘living hell’ for researchers and their families. There is absolutely no reason for us to take a step back and reinstate a policy that has deeply harmed so many and led to a widespread chilling effect for our communities, especially during Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. While AASF has worked diligently to build bridges and foster trust at the federal level, we also closely monitor the work of our legislators and stand firm in our opposition to any attempt at reinstating the ‘China Initiative,’ including HR 1398. We will continue to work toward healing, trust, and academic equality for all, but this will not be possible if this Initiative is reinstated. Our country is made stronger when Asian Americans and immigrants are able to contribute freely without fear of discrimination or harm—and any legislation from Congress should be a reflection of that.”Read the AASF statement: https://bit.ly/3UXmljr . 2024/05/24 Foreign Policy: When Knowledge Stops at the Water’s Edge 2024/05/24 Tech Policy: When National Security Concerns Become Unjust: Preventing a Second "Yellow Peril" News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2024/06/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2024/06/06 A Dialogue Between Academic/AAPI Communities with The FBI2024/06/20 U.S.-China Relations: Untangling Campaign Rhetoric & Understanding Policy – Teachers Workshop2024/06/20-22 Social Equity Leadership Conference 2024/06/27-30 2024 Chinese American ConventionVisit https://bit.ly/45KGyga for event details. 2. Kei Koizumi on the Science Budget Kei Koizumi is the principal deputy director for policy at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Ina recent podcast from Issues in Science and Technology , he talked about his role at the very heart of US science policy. He discusses what he does at OSTP, how he got there, and the exciting developments in science and technology policy that get him out of bed every morning.OSTP does not provide direct research funding, like the National Science Foundation does. It does not run national labs, like the Department of Energy does. Its annual budget of just under $8 million in the last fiscal year is barely a rounding error compared with, say, the National Institutes of Health’s $48 billion budget.But OSTP does set priorities for how the federal government spends more than $200 billion on research and development. “That is a lot of leverage and power,” says Kei Koizumi, “and shaping that research funding helps shape the direction of research throughout the United States—and indeed the world, because the world does look to ‘What does the US think is important?’ as a clue to ‘Maybe my nation should be thinking about that as an important topic as well.’”Read and listen to the podcast: https://bit.ly/3UXGPbK 3. U.S.-China Relations: Untangling Campaign Rhetoric & Understanding Policy – Teachers Workshop WHAT: U.S.-China Relations: Untangling Campaign Rhetoric & Understanding Policy – Teachers Workshop WHEN: June 20, 2024, 7:00 pm ET WHAT: Online Webinar HOST: 1990 Institute Moderator: Ha-Yu Sebastian Cherng, Vice Dean for Research and Equity, Office of Research and Office of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging; Associate Professor of International Education, New York University Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. Panelists: · Neysun Mahboubi, Director of the Penn Project on the Future of U.S.-China Relations, University of Pennsylvania · Susan Thornton, Senior Fellow and Visiting Lecturer in Law, Yale University Law School Paul Tsai China Center; Director of the Forum on Asia-Pacific Security, National Committee on American Foreign Policy; and Non-Resident Fellow, Brookings Institution. DESCRIPTION: T his workshop addresses the needs of the many middle and high school educators who are interested in deepening their understanding of U.S.-China relations, untangling political rhetoric from actual policies, and incorporating this knowledge into their teaching. This workshop will help attendees promote critical thinking, understand policy implications, augment current knowledge of U.S.-China relations, and build media literacy. REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/4bSemem Back View PDF May 27, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #341 Dr. Jane Wu; Class Action Injunction; Farmland Ownership; AI Summit; Affirming DEIA; + #341 Dr. Jane Wu; Class Action Injunction; Farmland Ownership; AI Summit; Affirming DEIA; + In This Issue #341 · Dr. Jane Wu's Estate Sues Northwestern University · New Nationwide Injunction Blocking Birthright Citizenship Executive Order · Agriculture Department on Chinese Ownership of American Farmland · ACLU AI Summit: Civil Rights in a Digital Age · Congressional Caucus Leaders Affirming DEIA as American Values · News and Activities for the Communities Dr. Jane Wu's Estate Sues Northwestern University Madeleine Gable, APA Justice Communications Associate, contributed to this report.According to the Daily Northwestern , NBC , South China Morning Post , and multiple media reports, Dr. Jane Ying Wu 吴瑛 's family, acting through her estate, filed a civil lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court alleging that the Northwestern University discriminated against her and contributed to her suicide. She was a tenured professor at Northwestern's Foenberg School of Medicine.As a Chinese-born neuroscientist, Dr. Wu, a naturalized U.S. citizen, conducted influential research on neurodegenerative diseases. Her work was derailed following investigations by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) tied to her Chinese background, part of the defunct "China Initiative." During this period, her lab space, funding, and team were stripped, even after NIH formally cleared her after investigations from 2019 to 2023.Following the NIH’s investigation and Northwestern’s subsequent efforts to block her work, Dr. Wu suffered from a loss of vision as a result of a stroke she had under the stress of the investigation. She also experienced depression and obsessive behavior, but she was still able to work. In May 2024, Northwestern University handcuffed and removed Dr. Wu from her office, using her emotional disability as a “pretext” to evict her. The school then partially shut down her laboratory, dismantled her research team, reassigned her grants to white male colleagues, and committed her involuntarily to psychiatric care—actions taken without family consultation. Tragically, Dr. Wu passed away by suicide on July 10, 2024, two weeks after her release from the hospital.The lawsuit claims institutional discrimination based on her national origin, sex, and disability, citing violations of the Illinois Human Rights Act and seeking both compensatory and punitive damages.In an email, Northwestern University said that its heart goes out to the family, but it “vehemently denies” the allegations in the suit. The school “plans to file a motion to dismiss it before our next pleading is due in early September” and declined to provide further details on specific allegations.Following the one-year anniversary of her mother’s passing, Dr. Wu’s daughter, Elizabeth Rao 饶婕 , opened up for the first time in an exclusive interview on the devastating impact of her mother’s treatment on their family and her own life.Rao describes her mother as a melophile, enjoying a wide variety of music from Tanya Tucker to Taiwanese pop musician Teresa Teng , and Dr. Wu ardently enjoyed spending time with her two children.Rao’s fondest memories of Dr. Wu are of her as a parent. She describes Dr. Wu as the opposite of strict and demanding, through their various moves from St. Louis to Nashville, and finally to Chicago. In each of those cities, Dr. Wu “turned simple houses into warm homes.” Rao fondly recalls holding hands with her mother while watching movies or singing along to music during long drives. “She made sure that my brother and I had got not only a great education but also got to do all the stuff of a quintessential American childhood. Sports, road trips, dance classes, choir, you name it,” Rao said.Finally, Rao articulates the lesson her mother left with their family: “her upstanding morals and conviction to fight against injustice.”Dr. Wu's case highlights broader consequences of the “China Initiative” era, as it fostered bias and mistrust toward Chinese American academics. Her tragic death and the lawsuit by her estate bring attention to serious concerns about discrimination tied to national origin and gender, university responses to federal racial profiling, and the potentially catastrophic impact of institutional mistreatment on individuals' well-being. Gisela Perez Kusakawa , executive director of the Asian American Scholar Forum, said that universities must be places of “community, support and fairness, not fear and coercion”. “We urge institutions of higher education to adopt meaningful safeguards, to prioritise mental health, and to reaffirm their commitments to non-discrimination, justice, and fairness,” she said. “Dr. Wu’s story shows us how the effect of unjust investigations into Chinese American scholars does not just end careers, it can end lives. We stand with Dr. Wu’s family and all those demanding justice and systemic change.”Read the Jane Ying Wu story at this APA Justice web page: https://bit.ly/JaneYingWu New Nationwide Injunction Blocking Birthright Citizenship Executive Order Author: Madeleine Gable, APA Justice Communications Associate According to CNN , LAist , NBC , and multiple media reports, U.S. District Judge Joseph Laplante of the District of New Hampshire issued a new injunction blocking President Trump’s executive order (EO) seeking to end birthright citizenship for the children of foreign visitors and undocumented immigrants. The lawsuit Barbara v. Trump (1:25-cv-00244) was brought on behalf of a pregnant immigrant, immigrant parents, and their infants and had sought class action status for all babies and their parents who would be affected by the EO nationwide. Petitioner “Barbara” is a citizen of Honduras living in New Hampshire. Petitioner “Sarah” is the daughter of petitioner “Susan,” a citizen of Taiwan. They live in Utah. Petitioner “Matthew” is the first child of petitioner “Mark,” a citizen of Brazil. Mark resides in Florida and is in the process of applying for lawful permanent status. Matthew was born in Florida in March 2025, and has received a U.S. passport. Mark’s wife does not have lawful status in the United States.The plaintiffs’ lead attorney is Cody Wofsy , the deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s Immigrants’ Rights Project.“We're asking the court to protect the constitutional rights of our specific class members who happen to be babies located all over the country,” said Aarti Kohli , executive director of the Asian Law Caucus, part of the coalition of civil rights groups filing the lawsuit.Laplante’s decision is significant, given the Supreme Court’s recent decision. Just two weeks ago on June 27, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled to narrow the use of nationwide injunctions, limiting the ability of lower courts to block federal policies for the entire country while litigation is pending. Effectively, this made the Supreme Court the only court in the country with the authority to block presidential policies nationwide. While the Supreme Court did not rule on the constitutionality of President Trump’s executive order seeking to limit birthright citizenship, they did pause the order for 30 days, clearing the way for the order to go into effect in the 28 states that have not challenged it. This would create a patchwork system in which each state has different rules regarding citizenship. However, the Supreme Court’s ruling kept intact the ability of plaintiffs to seek a widespread block of orders through class action lawsuits. As Laplante granted class action status to the lawsuit, he was able to issue a preliminary injunction blocking the EO from being enforced against any child born after February 20. Laplante only granted class action status to the children who would be affected by the restrictions, not the parents.During the hearing, Laplante insisted that “the deprivation of U.S. citizenship and an abrupt change of policy that was longstanding … that’s irreparable harm.” He added that birthright citizenship is “the greatest privilege that exists in the world.”Laplante paused the order for several days, granting the Trump administration ample time to appeal his decision. Agriculture Department on Chinese Ownership of American Farmland Author: Madeleine Gable, APA Justice Communications AssociateAccording to the New York Times and the Washington Post , the Department of Agriculture released a seven-point national security plan on July 9, 2025, enhancing public disclosures of foreign ownership of farmland, enacting steeper penalties for false filings, and working with Congress and states to ban purchases of farmland by foreign adversaries. Agriculture secretary Brooke Rollins claimed that American agriculture is “under threat from criminals, from political adversaries and from hostile regimes that understand our way of life as a profound and existential threat to themselves.” Rollins points specifically to the ownership of American farmland by Chinese nationals, and she advocates for the use of presidential authority to reclaim farmland currently owned by foreign entities. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke highly of the plan, insisting “no longer can foreign adversaries assume we’re not watching and we’re not paying attention and we’re not doing something about it — because we are.” Hegseth called the defensive aspects of the plan “common sense.” This follows a recent trend of growing concern over foreign ownership of American farmland. In 2023, the Senate voted to block businesses based in China from acquiring American farmland. According to a recently released report by the Committee of 100 , U.S. Congress is currently considering 15 such bills and 25 states have passed bills restricting foreign property ownership. Of the bills that have been passed in the 25 states into law, 2 bills single out Chinese citizens and prohibit non-permanent residents from owning any form of property in the state: Florida’s SB 264 (2023), and West Virginia’s HB 2961 (2025). At least two lawsuits have been filed against Florida’s SB 264: · SHEN v. SIMPSON (4:23-cv-00208) . A group of individual Chinese plaintiffs argue that SB 264 is discriminatory under the Fair Housing Act and the 14th Amendment, vague, and conflicts with federal law. The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals has temporarily halted the enforcement of SB 264 against the Chinese plaintiffs while the case proceeds. · National Fair Housing Alliance, Inc. v. Secretary of Commerce (1:24-cv-21749) . The National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA), the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA), and others, allege fair housing discrimination. In 2023, foreigners owned nearly 45 million acres of farmland in the U.S., accounting for about 3.5% of all agricultural land in the country but a 70% increase from a decade earlier. Canadians owned about a third while China held 270,000 acres or about 0.6%. The Agriculture Department’s plan also includes a myriad of measures aimed to increase agricultural productivity and safety; only some are not concerned with foreign ownership. National Agricultural Law Center provides extensive information and resources on foreign ownership of agricultural land in the United States, offering resources like FAQs, legislative roadmaps, and webinars to help understand the complexities of this issue. ACLU AI Summit: Civil Rights in a Digital Age On July 10, 2025, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) hosted its “AI Summit: Civil Rights in a Digital Age,” convening civil rights leaders, legal scholars, technologists, and philanthropists to examine how artificial intelligence is reshaping civil liberties—and how society must respond. Opening the event, ACLU General Counsel Terrence Dougherty traced today’s challenges back to the organization’s founding during the Palmer Raids of 1920, when the U.S. government targeted immigrants in mass warrantless arrests and deportations. Just as the ACLU then stood against unchecked state power, Dougherty warned that AI now presents similarly urgent threats—enabling new forms of surveillance, bias, and systemic inequality if left unregulated. Rather than embracing the Silicon Valley mantra to “move fast and break things,” the ACLU has built an in-house technology team to pursue a different path: ethical, transparent, and justice-centered AI. Dougherty emphasized that this summit aimed to bring together partners from across sectors to shape an AI future rooted in constitutional values and civil rights. In a fireside chat moderated by ACLU Chief Technology Officer Ijeoma Mbamalu , ACLU President Deborah Archer and Patrick J. McGovern Foundation President Vilas Dhar explored four central themes. It was followed by an afternoon session moderated by Marissa Gerchick , Data Science Manager at ACLU, with a team of specialists at ACLU. The four major themes were: 1. Balancing Innovation with Values : Innovation must serve justice, not just profit. Speakers urged civil society to actively shape AI, not merely react to it. That means centering community voices in system design and development, and reframing innovation to prioritize equity, agency, and dignity—especially for marginalized groups historically excluded from technological influence. 2. The Government’s Approach—Speed Over Safety : Panelists expressed concern that federal AI policy prioritizes rapid deployment over civil rights safeguards. While traditional laws like Title VII and the Fair Housing Act apply to algorithmic systems, their limitations reveal the urgent need for updated regulations. The shift away from federal oversight toward industry-led initiatives leaves a gap civil society must fill. 3. Bias, Inequality, and Civil Society’s Role : AI often magnifies entrenched discrimination—in hiring, housing, criminal justice, and beyond. The root issue is not only faulty technology but the systemic bias embedded in data and institutions. Civil rights organizations must fight for equitable access to AI infrastructure, tools, and education to prevent a deepening digital divide. 4. Building a Just and Hopeful AI Future : Looking forward, speakers called for community empowerment. Civil society must be not just watchdogs, but builders—co-creating technology that serves the public good. This includes public investment in ethical AI, grassroots innovation, and sustained legal and policy advocacy. Calls to Action The summit concluded with a series of actionable priorities for both internal ACLU efforts and broader societal engagement: · Community-Centered AI Development : Involve marginalized communities from the start—as co-designers, not passive recipients. Fund local expertise and create advisory structures that ensure ongoing input. · Philanthropy and Civil Society Responsibility : Fund not just oversight, but community-led AI solutions. Civil rights groups must lead in articulating a vision of technology that supports justice. · Stronger Legal and Regulatory Frameworks : While existing laws apply, new rules are needed to mandate algorithmic audits, transparency, and accountability. · Public AI Infrastructure : Invest in open-source tools, public data trusts, and academic partnerships to shift power away from monopolistic tech firms and toward the common good. · Ethical Innovation Culture : Shift from speed to intentionality. Evaluate AI through risk-based, mission-aligned frameworks that prioritize long-term equity over short-term gain. Watch the ACLU AI Summit video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul73KZfy5P0 (2:14:15) Congressional Caucus Leaders Affirming DEIA as American Values On July 10, 2025, six major Congressional Caucuses—the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), Congressional Equality Caucus (CEC), Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), the Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC), and the Congressional Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Caucus (DEIC) introduced a joint resolution affirming that diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are fundamental to the American Dream and to our national prosperity, safety, and democracy. The resolution comes in response to growing attacks on DEIA programs and policies across the country. It calls on all levels of government, educational institutions, workplaces, and other organizations to uphold and promote inclusivity, remove barriers to opportunity, and ensure equal access to services and resources. "Every American deserves to have a fair shot at success, but for far too many in our country, this is simply not the reality. Millions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, along with other historically marginalized communities, continue to face discrimination in housing, healthcare, education, and employment," said Rep. Grace Meng, Chair of CAPAC. "Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility is about building a future where everyone can succeed and thrive. We will not let this administration sow division and roll back the progress we have made to ensure equal opportunity for all." On May 21, 2025, Senator Mazie Hirono led 11 of her Senate colleagues, including every Democratic member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, in introducing Senate Resolution 240 reaffirming the importance of DEIA as fundamental values in the United States. “Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility are fundamental to our country’s history and culture,” said Senator Hirono. “Our diversity is one of our nation’s greatest strengths, as Americans from different backgrounds come together to move their communities and our country forward. As Donald Trump and Republicans attack marginalized communities across the country and attempt to erase their contributions from our shared history, I’m proud to lead this resolution reaffirming the importance of these values that truly make our nation great.” News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/07/25-27 Asian American Pioneer Medal Symposium and Ceremony 2025/07/27 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/07/29 C100 Conversations – “Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes” with Linda Chao Yang2025/07/29 From Heartland to Mainland: 2025 Future Ag Leaders Delegation2025/08/02-07 2025 Joint Statistical Meetings2025/08/04 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/08/10 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. From Heartland to Mainland: 2025 Future Ag Leaders Delegation WHAT: From Heartland to Mainland: 2025 Future Ag Leaders Delegation WHEN: July 29, 2025, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm CT WHERE: Webinar HOST: US Heartland China Association Speakers: · Morgan Barba , Kansas State University · Imani Murphy , Tuskegee University · Parker Havard , Michigan State University · Samuel Martin , Iowa State University · Lauren Thornhill , Ohio State University · Nathan Unruh , Dickerson State University DESCRIPTION: As participants of the recent trip organized by USHCA, these delegates had a front-row-seat opportunity to observe and explore the impact of U.S.-China collaboration around agriculture as they visited Beijing and Zhengzhou, capital city of Henan Province. Hear the firsthand experiences of students as they delve into the complexities and opportunities in U.S.-China agricultural collaboration and the realities of on the ground engagement. REGISTRATION : https://bit.ly/46GqqzN # # # 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 . Back View PDF July 14, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #293 11/18 Meeting; Missing Rena D'Souza; Wary Scientists; SOCA/Lancet; CEIP on Coexistence #293 11/18 Meeting; Missing Rena D'Souza; Wary Scientists; SOCA/Lancet; CEIP on Coexistence In This Issue #293 · 2024/11/18 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · Science : "Why Has NIH's Dental Institute Director Been Missing for 6 Months?" · WP : Wary and Uncertain Scientists · 2024 State of Chinese Americans Survey and Letter to Lancet · CEIP: "U.S.-China Relations for the 2030s: Toward a Realistic Scenario for Coexistence" · News and Activities for the Communities 2024/11/18 APA Justice Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, November 18, 2024, starting at 1:55 pm ET. The meeting was moved to avoid conflicts with Election Day. In addition to updates by Nisha Ramachandran , Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Joanna YangQing Derman , Program Director, Advancing Justice | AAJC, and Dr. Kai Li , Vice President, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), confirmed speakers are: · Ambassador Julia Chang Bloch , Founder and Executive Chair, US-China Education Trust · Michael Wong , Board Member and Former National Vice President, Veterans for Peace · Peter Michelson , Luke Blossom Professor in the School of Humanities & Sciences and Professor of Physics, Stanford University; Steven Kivelson , Prabhu Goel Family Professor and Professor of Physics (invited) Senator-Elect Andy Kim is invited to give remarks.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 APAJustice - Steven Pei 白先慎 , Vincent Wang 王文奎 , and Jeremy Wu 胡善庆 - or send a message to contact@apajustice.org .***** Andy Kim made history as the first Asian American from New Jersey elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, and now he is set to break new ground once more as the first Korean American in the U.S. Senate. We warmly welcome and congratulate Senator-Elect Andy Kim as he embarks on this exciting and historic journey.As the first Asian American to serve at the rank of U.S. ambassador, Julia Chang Bloch is a trailblazing diplomat with a distinguished career in international relations, academia, and philanthropy. Ambassador Chang Bloch founded the U.S.-China Education Trust (USCET) to strengthen mutual understanding through conferences, exchanges, and seminars by partnering with Chinese higher education institutions that carry out research in American Studies and teach China’s next generation about the US. Ambassador Chang Bloch will introduce and describe the latest activities of USCET. Veterans for Peace (VFP) is a global organization of military veterans and allies committed to promoting peace and ending war. Founded in 1985, VFP advocates for peaceful solutions to conflicts, addressing issues like nuclear disarmament, veterans’ rights, and the costs of war on communities and the environment. Michael Wong will introduce and describe the latest activities of VFP, including concerns about McCarthyism in Washington and media witch hunt on Chinese Americans . Professors Peter Michelson and Steven Kivelson return to update us on their letter to Congressional leaders opposing the reinstatement of the "China Initiative" and the recent forum on Critical Issues In The US-China Science And Technology Relationship. Science : "Why Has NIH's Dental Institute Director Been Missing for 6 Months?" According to Science on November 4, 2024, Rena D'Souza , Director of the U.S. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), has been on paid administrative leave since April during an investigation into her conduct. This marks her third disciplinary action by the NIH, following two previous suspensions—for 2 days in December 2022 and 2 weeks in late July and early August 2023. On September 15, 2023, D’Souza filed a lawsuit alleging discrimination based on her sex, race, and national origin, asserting that NIH leaders have unfairly targeted her, possibly to force her resignation. D’Souza, 69, was born in India and is the first woman of color to direct an NIH institute.D’Souza’s lawsuit also claims that NIH’s investigations stem from complaints regarding her treatment of subordinates, some involving statements about racial diversity, which she contends were misinterpreted. She disputes additional claims, including one alleging intimidation of a subordinate. Meanwhile, a former trainee has defended D’Souza as supportive and kind, though an anonymous ex-employee cited staff dissatisfaction during her tenure.The lawsuit points to NIH’s alleged double standards, noting that a senior NIH official, Robert Eisinger , faced less severe consequences for confirmed discriminatory actions. D’Souza’s leave has been extended through November, but NIH is legally required to report her ongoing status to Congress. The lawsuit also describes Tabak allegedly berating D’Souza at a large August 17, 2023, meeting of NIH institute and center directors. It says that, during a presentation on diversity, D’Souza volunteered that researchers of Chinese descent in and outside of NIH were feeling stigmatized and targeted by systematic NIH efforts to have scientists investigated for suspected use of NIH grant money on undisclosed work in China. She said NIH should address their concerns. Tabak, the lawsuit states, “showed his discriminatory animus toward Plaintiff by yelling and banging his fist on the table screaming that NIH does not target anyone.” (Tabak later that day sent an email addressed to D’Souza and copied to the other NIH directors. Under the subject line “Mea culpa,” it began: “I am sorry for being so emphatic this morning,” before defending NIH’s approach as colorblind.)This is the statement alleged in the lawsuit: "On August 17, 2023, Dr. Tabak inappropriately and in a demeaning manner, berated Plaintiff at a meeting which was attended by approximately 60 persons, 30 of whom were present in the room and 30 of whom were virtual. The meeting was attended by all NIH institute and center Directors. At around 9:30 a.m. on that date, during a presentation on diversity , Plaintiff engaged in protected EEO activity by pointing out that researchers of Chinese descent within and outside of NIH were feeling stigmatized and targeted and that NIH should address their concerns. Tabak showed his discriminatory animus toward Plaintiff by yelling and banging his fist on the table screaming that NIH does not target anyone. This was embarrassing and humiliating for Plaintiff and many of those in the room were shocked. Tabak later sent Plaintiff and the other Directors a disingenuous apology, in which he continued to dispute that Chinese researchers were being targeted and stigmatized." By law, NIH cannot extend employees’ administrative leave indefinitely without informing Congress. The agency was obligated to submit a report to the relevant congressional committees notifying them that D’Souza is on investigative leave, and explaining why. A spokesperson for the House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce, which authorizes NIH, said it had not received a report as of November 4, 2024.Read the Science report: https://bit.ly/3YEErsb . Read the legal docket for Dsouza v. Becerra (8:23-cv-02517): https://bit.ly/3UJfmeF WP : Wary and Uncertain Scientists According to the Washington Post on November 9, 2024, the return of Donald Trump to the presidency has renewed concerns among scientists who remember his administration’s antagonistic approach to science. His first term was marked by proposed budget cuts for research, climate change denial, and political interference in scientific agencies, leading to protests like the 2017 “March for Science.” Many fear that Trump’s agenda could again threaten funding, research integrity, and environmental policies, especially given the more conservative-leaning Supreme Court and possible full Republican control of Congress. Several scientific organizations are preparing to defend science’s role in government decision-making, with groups like the Union of Concerned Scientists vowing to challenge unqualified appointments to key scientific agencies. Others, like the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), adopt a cautious “wait-and-see” approach, hoping to work with officials to maintain science-backed policies. This has become critical as Trump has promised roles to figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. , whose views on vaccines and public health spark concerns among health professionals.In addition, Elon Musk , one of Trump’s allies, may influence his agenda significantly, especially in areas like space exploration and energy technology. Musk has advocated for budget cuts, pushing for fewer government regulations, and promoting human spaceflight goals such as a mission to Mars by 2028, which could shift NASA’s current plans focused on the moon. His influence may shape Trump’s approach to science funding and policy direction, affecting how resources are allocated in key technological sectors. While scientific funding remained largely intact during Trump’s first term, the broader science community fears a decline in public trust and a polarized view of science itself, exacerbated by Trump’s pandemic responses. Leaders like Holden Thorp , editor-in-chief of Science , highlight declining public trust in scientific institutions as COVID-19 became highly politicized. Many scientists are now cautious but hopeful that bipartisan support for science will sustain critical research and prevent a major rollback of scientific advancements. Read the Washington Post report: https://wapo.st/3UN6hRM 2024 State of Chinese Americans Survey and Letter to Lancet On October 31, 2024, Committee of 100 and NORC at the University of Chicago unveiled the Full Report for its 2024 State of Chinese Americans (SOCA) study, a survey focused on areas of mental health, political preferences, discrimination, and diversity of the Chinese American population.Titled "Surge of mental health issues of Chinese Americans under both popular and policy-driven racism." a letter authored by Professor Xiang Qi was published in the January 2025 issue of the Lancet. The letter cited the SOCA survey and highlights the ongoing discrimination faced by Chinese Americans, with 68% reporting regular exposure to prejudice, including verbal insults (27%) and physical threats (21%). This constant discrimination has severely impacted mental health, with high rates of hopelessness, depression, and worthlessness reported by respondents. Additionally, Chinese Americans face discriminatory policies, including the China Initiative and restrictions on property ownership in several states, exacerbating concerns about anti-Chinese rhetoric.Despite efforts to address these issues, 82% of Chinese Americans believe discrimination remains prevalent. The survey calls for better data collection on hate crimes, culturally competent mental health services, and greater awareness among policymakers and media about the detrimental effects of anti-Chinese sentiment on the community’s mental health. Addressing this persistent discrimination is crucial to alleviating the psychological toll on Chinese Americans."The mental health of Chinese Americans is at stake, and the repercussions of inaction could be severe. It is imperative that healthcare providers, policymakers, and society recognize and address the impact of both popular and policy-driven racism. We can alleviate the psychological burden borne by Chinese Americans through concerted efforts to combat discrimination and provide adequate mental health support," the letter to Lancet concluded.Read the letter to the Lancet : https://bit.ly/4hJktoI Read the 2024 SOCA Survey: https://bit.ly/3YlMTgT According to the Washington Post on November 10, 2024, Montgomery County Police in Maryland have charged Tiffany Zhang , a 29-year-old with a master’s degree in statistics and specializing in biostatistics, with first-degree murder of her 63-year-old mother, Guichun Hu . The opening moments of the case signaled the role mental illness may have played in what happened that day — and in the months leading to it. Tiffany Zhang has been the subject of at least 15 police calls in recent years to check on her welfare. Read the Washington Post report: https://wapo.st/4exxgYU CEIP: "U.S.-China Relations for the 2030s: Toward a Realistic Scenario for Coexistence" The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP) released a report titled " U.S.-China Relations for the 2030s: Toward a Realistic Scenario for Coexistence ," as well as a companion short video, in October 2024.According to the report, the escalating tensions between the U.S. and China have created a pessimistic outlook for their future relationship, with some experts suggesting that war could become a possibility within the next decade. To foster a more constructive dialogue, policymakers need a realistic vision of how U.S.-China relations could stabilize. The report presents a more optimistic scenario in which both nations manage their competition predictably and avoid open conflict, similar to the détente between the U.S. and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.The chapters within the report explore various pathways to de-escalation, acknowledging that the future is uncertain but not predetermined. They emphasize the importance of understanding potential futures to develop effective strategies. Contributions from various authors highlight the need for improved communication, recognition of shared interests, and mutual acceptance of norms to foster a more stable relationship.In addition, the chapters discuss the prospects for economic interdependence, the complexities of military dynamics, and the significance of narratives and public perceptions in shaping future interactions. The authors agree that while conflict may intensify, a cooperative and less confrontational approach is feasible. Ultimately, both countries must seek common ground to ensure peace and stability, supported by their allies globally. Recognizing what a more positive future could look like is crucial for steering their relationship in that direction. Watch the CEIP video: https://bit.ly/3BWbUH2 (3:01). News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events:2024/11/12 Not Going Back: Civil Rights, Immigration, and Representation in the Next Administration2024/11/12 Threats to International Engagement and Academic Freedom2024/11/12 Beyond the Ballot: A Conversation with Dan Quayle2024/11/13 China's Economic Transformation: Policy, Challenges, & Domestic Impact2024/11/14 The U.S. Elections: What Happened? What's Next?2024/11/14 America's Trust in Science: What's Changed, What's Next?2024/11/14 From Tokyo Rose to The China Initiative2024/11/14 An Advice and Networking Event (Financial Services, Investing and Consulting)2024/11/15 Yangtze-Mississippi Regional Dialogue2024/11/15-17 AAASE Inaugural Summit2024/11/18 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2024/11/24 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting Visit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Beyond the Ballot: A Conversation With Dan Quayle WHAT : Beyond the Ballot: A Conversation With Dan Quayle WHEN : November 12, 2024, 4:00 pm ET WHERE : Hybrid in-person and Zoom event HOST : Baker Institute of Public Policy at Rice University Speaker : Dan Quayle, 44th U.S. Vice President DESCRIPTION : In the aftermath of the pivotal 2024 U.S. presidential election, the nation faces a defining moment that will significantly influence its political trajectory. While reflecting the deep divisions within the electorate, the outcome will also raise critical questions about the future of governance, party dynamics, and national unity. As the U.S. navigates this pivotal moment, informed analysis and discussion are essential.To provide such insight, Rice's Baker Institute is honored to host the 44th U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle. In conversation with Andrew Card, former secretary of transportation and White House chief of staff, they will analyze the aftermath of the presidential election, discuss critical challenges awaiting the incoming administration, and reflect on the state of American politics. REGISTRATION : https://bit.ly/4hFzwzU FOR MORE INFORMATION : https://bit.ly/48MkZOH 3. APA Justice Newsletter Web Page Moved to New Website As part of its continuing migration to a new website under construction, we have moved the Newsletter webpage to https://www.apajusticetaskforce.org/newsletters . Content of the existing website will remain, but it will no longer be updated. We value your feedback about the new web page. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org . Back View PDF November 12, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #360 11/3 Meeting; 10/16 Webinar Videos; Advocacy 101; PBS: Builders of the Silicon Dream;+ #360 11/3 Meeting; 10/16 Webinar Videos; Advocacy 101; PBS: Builders of the Silicon Dream;+ In This Issue #360 · 2025/11/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · Video of 10/16 Webinar on Bridging Nations Posted · Advocacy 101 for Scholars, Scientists and Researchers · PBS Documentary: Builders of the Silicon Dream · News and Activities for the Communities 2025/11/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting left to right: Andy Phillips, Jane Shim, Paula Madison, Brian Sun The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held on Monday, November 3, 2025, starting at 1:55 pm ET.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 honored by and welcome the following distinguished speakers: · Andy Phillips , Managing & Founding Partner, Meier Watkins Phillips Pusch LLP · Jane Shim , Director, Stop Asian Hate Project, Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund · Paula Williams Madison , Chairman and CEO of Madison Media Management LLC and 88 Madison Media Works Inc.; Retired Executive, NBCUniversal · Brian Sun , Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP 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 . *****Attorney Andy Phillips represents Dr. Yanping Chen 陈燕平 . On September 30, 2025, the D.C. Circuit unanimously affirmed the district court’s decision in Yanping Chen v. Federal Bureau of Investigation , concluding that the reporter’s qualified First Amendment privilege did not shield Catherine Herridge from being compelled to identify her source after Dr. Chen showed the information was central to her Privacy Act claim and had exhausted other channels. Andy will update us on the ruling by the Appeals Court on Dr. Chen's case.The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) filed an amicus brief in Dr. Chen’s case against the Federal Bureau of Investigation, highlighting the racial profiling and law-enforcement overreach experienced by Asian Americans and supporting her claim that her Privacy Act rights were violated. Jane Shim will discuss the role of AALDEF and the importance of community advocacy.Drawing from her distinguished career in journalism and media/community leadership, Paula Madison will share her observations and insights on the case of Dr. Chen. Brian Sun 孫自華 , renowned trial attorney who represented Dr. Wen Ho Lee 李文和 in his landmark civil lawsuit against the U.S. government and major news organizations two decades ago, will offer his reflections on the Wen Ho Lee and Yanping Chen cases, highlighting their legal and civil rights implications for the Asian American community. Video of 10/16 Webinar on Bridging Nations Posted On October 16, 2025, the Committee of 100, the U.S.-China Education Trust (USCET), and APA Justice, co-hosted a webinar titled "Bridging Nations: People-to-People Exchange in U.S.–China Relations," featuring Ambassador Julia Chang Bloch and Governor Gary Locke as speakers with Professor Jessica Chen Weiss moderating the discussion. Dr. Jeremy Wu , Co-Organizer of APA Justice, and Rosie Levine , Executive Director of USCET, gave opening and closing remarks respectively. This webinar was the first in the "Global Tensions, Local Dimensions: Navigating the U.S.-China Relationship" series. The series focuses on the intersectionality between U.S.-China relations and Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) civil rights concerns. The first installment delved in the importance of people-to-people connections—academic exchange, business collaboration, and community relationships—that has historically stabilized bilateral relations, as well as the downstream effect of the relationship on AAPI communities and U.S. policies. Julia and Gary reflected on their personal experience through cycles of tension and engagement between the United States and China in recent decades. They noted that while competition and disagreement are not new, the current environment is distinguished by a deep sense of strategic rivalry, pervasive mistrust, and the breakdown of traditional channels for cooperation. They underscored the need for balanced leadership that protects national interests while upholding America’s values of inclusion and fairness. USCET has posted its post-program summary at https://bit.ly/4hyaUJW , highlight three quotes from the webinar: · “[Asian Americans] should not have to prove our loyalty than anyone else [should]… and we should not be forced to choose between heritage and country.“ · “We are losing something essential: our ability to see each other as people first.“ · “[Racial profiling and discrimination] are not just some moral failures. They are strategic disasters.“ C100 has posted its summary and video at https://bit.ly/494JtoT . APA Justice posted the webinar video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3I_G37uUY4 (59:33)The next webinar is being planned for mid-January of 2026. Advocacy 101 for Scholars, Scientists and Researchers On November 3, 2025, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) and Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC will co-host a webinar titled " Advocacy 101 for Scholars, Scientists and Researchers ." The training session will equip participants with the knowledge and advocacy tools needed to advocate on issues that directly impact them, such as the China Initiative, research security, fundamental rights and academic freedom in our country.Dr. Xiaodong Zhang 张晓东 , Robert M. Critchfield Professor in Engineering at Ohio State University, will serve as moderators. Speakers are: · Edgar Chen 陳春品 , Special Advisor, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association · Gisela Perez Kusakawa, Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum · Kelvin Lum , Director of Federal Policy, Stop AAPI Hate · Joanna YangQing Derman, Director, Anti-Profiling, Civil Rights and National Security, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC Register to attend the webinar by scanning the QR code above or visit: https://bit.ly/43zA4lk . PBS Documentary: Builders of the Silicon Dream Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) has premiered Builders of the Silicon Dream , a landmark documentary celebrating the often-overlooked and pivotal contributions of Asian immigrants and Asian American innovators to the creation and growth of Silicon Valley. The 51-minute film debuted nationally on October 4, 2025. It is available on https://www.pbs.org/video/builders-of-the-silicon-dream-b60su7/ and https://siliconaapi.com/ . The film traces how U.S.-educated Asian scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs from the 1960s and 70s helped propel Silicon Valley's rise.The film situates this transformation within a broader historical context. The 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act, which abolished racially restrictive quotas, opened U.S. doors to skilled Asian professionals and triggered the first great wave of immigrant talent that would shape the Valley’s emergence. Many of these pioneers came from modest beginnings, facing barriers of language, culture, and discrimination, yet their perseverance and technical brilliance became a driving force of American innovation. Builders of the Silicon Dream features trailblazers whose work and vision redefined industries and communities: · Kenneth Fong 方瑞賢 , a pioneering biotech entrepreneur (Clontech Laboratories) and philanthropist who mentored the next generation · Ta-Lin Hsu 徐大麟 , founder of MediaTek and a cross-Pacific venture capital pioneer who helped establish Taiwan as a semiconductor powerhouse · David Tsang 臧大化, who built multiple storage and semiconductor companies and co-founding Alexander’s Steakhouse with his wife Cathy · Hsing Kung 龔行憲 , an expert in optics, which forms the backbone of internet infrastructure, and a technology executive, civic leader, and advocate for Asian American participation in public life The documentary also covered · 1957 Nobel laureates Chen Ning Yang 杨振宁 and Tsung-Dao Lee 李政道, as well as Chien-Shiung Wu 吳健雄 , a pioneering experimental physicist whose collaboration with Yang and Lee helped reshape modern physics and inspired generations of young scientists from Asia to pursue their dreams in the United States · The "bamboo ceiling" faced by Morris Chang 張忠謀, who returned to Taiwan and founded Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world's largest independent manufacturer of advanced semiconductor chips, after he was passed over for CEO at Texas Instrumen · Chenming Hu 胡正明 , inventor of the FinFET transistor that revolutionized microchip design · Annalee Saxenian , Dean Emerita of UC Berkeley’s School of Information and daughter from Armenian immigrant parents, whose scholarship illuminated how immigrant networks and transnational collaboration fueled Silicon Valley’s success Beyond professional success, the film humanizes the immigrant experience—revealing the sacrifices, family separations, and perseverance behind the pursuit of the American dream. It does not shy away from the darker realities of exclusion, from the Chinese Exclusion Act and the murder of Vincent Chin to the resurgence of anti-Asian hate during the COVID-19 pandemic, reminding viewers that progress and prejudice have always intertwined in the Asian American story.More than a historical account, the documentary celebrates how diversity and shared purpose—rather than competition alone—built the foundation for the Silicon Dream that continues to inspire the world today.Featuring voices such as Congresswoman Judy Chu 赵美心 and Hsing Kung, the documentary calls for greater Asian American civic participation and political engagement to ensure that their stories and contributions are represented in policymaking. It concludes with a timeless message: that technology must enhance humanity, and that true success is not measured by wealth or fame, but by how much one contributes to the greater good.The documentary was directed and produced by Tony Shyu 徐國興 (Himalaya Entertainment) and co-produced by Diana Ding 丁維平 and the Silicon Valley Community Media . News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/11/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/11/03 Advocacy 101 for Scholars, Scientists, and Researchers2025/11/14 Film Screening and Discussion: Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story2025/11/20 Cook County Circuit Court Hearing2025/11/25 Committee of 100 Conversations – “Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes” with Elaine Chao Visit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story WHAT: Film Screening and Discussion: 'Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story' WHEN: November 14, 2025, 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm CT WHERE: In person event: 1370 Southmore Blvd, Houston, TX 77004 HOSTS: Asia Society Texas; Friends of the National Asian Pacific American Museum Moderator : Donna Fujimoto Cole , Founder, Cole Chemical Speakers : · Jennifer Takaki, Director, The Corky Lee Story · Raj R. Vaswani , Producer, The Corky Lee Story DESCRIPTION: For over five decades, Corky Lee 李扬国 used his camera as a tool for activism, capturing the vibrant, complex, and often overlooked stories of Asian American communities across the United States. From Chinatown protests to landmark civil rights moments, Lee's work challenged stereotypes, reclaimed histories, and demanded visibility for the marginalized. The film not only chronicles Lee's remarkable career but also explores the intersection of art, identity, and social justice — a reminder of the enduring power of photography to make change.Following the screening, director Takaki and producer Vaswani will be joined by Cole Chemical President and CEO Donna Cole for a conversation reflecting on Corky Lee's impact and the role of visual storytelling in shaping cultural and historical narratives. The event is free, but registration is required. To learn more, please visit photographicjustice.com/screenings REGISTRATION : https://bit.ly/4qx0EWk # # # 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 . Back View PDF October 27, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #36 Sign-Ons Extended; Event For Zach; "New Red Scare" Wins Award; 01/04 Meeting; More #36 Sign-Ons Extended; Event For Zach; "New Red Scare" Wins Award; 01/04 Meeting; More Back View PDF December 22, 2020 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #126 Nikkei Asia Report; Yale Senate Resolution; New Chancellor/President; Norm Mineta; + #126 Nikkei Asia Report; Yale Senate Resolution; New Chancellor/President; Norm Mineta; + Back View PDF May 25, 2022 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #130 New OSTP Director; 6/6 Meeting Summary; ODNI Report; DOS-Led "China House"; More #130 New OSTP Director; 6/6 Meeting Summary; ODNI Report; DOS-Led "China House"; More Back View PDF June 21, 2022 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #58 05/03 Meeting Summary; 05/15 National Rally; Anti-Racial Profiling Activities #58 05/03 Meeting Summary; 05/15 National Rally; Anti-Racial Profiling Activities Back View PDF May 11, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #181 Heritage Month; Alien Land Bills; C100 Conference; Monica Bertagnolli; Fulbright; + #181 Heritage Month; Alien Land Bills; C100 Conference; Monica Bertagnolli; Fulbright; + In This Issue #181 May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month Latest Developments on Discriminatory Alien Land Bills in Florida and Texas Committee of 100 Annual Conference Who is Monica Bertagnolli, Biden's pick to lead NIH? Want to Improve US-China Relations? Bring back Fulbright Program, Advocates Say Activities and News for the Communities May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month Asian Pacific American Heritage Month originated in June 1977 when Representatives Frank Horton (New York) and Norman Y. Mineta (California) called for the establishment of Asian/Pacific Heritage Week. Hawaii senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga introduced a similar bill in the Senate. Both bills passed, and in 1978 President Jimmy Carter signed the resolution. In 1990, President George H. W. Bush expanded the celebration from a week to a month. It became the AANHPI Heritage Month under President Joe Biden . May was selected as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month to commemorate the arrival in May 1843 of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States and the role of Chinese laborers in the completion of the first transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869.2023/04/28 White House: A Proclamation on Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, 2023 2023/05/01 Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus: CAPAC Members and House Democratic Leader Celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, & Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2023/05/01 National Academy of Public Administration: AAPI Heritage Month Spotlight - Pursuing a More Perfect Union and an Equitable Society by Jeremy Wu On May 1, 2023, CNN updated a story about the terms such as Asian American. APA. APIDA. AAPI. and AANHPI to describe this population of more than 24 million people with roots in East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Hawaii, Samoa, Guam, Fiji, Tonga, Marshall Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands and other Pacific islands. It comprises scores of ethnic groups with distinct histories, cuisines, languages and cultures. It includes recent immigrants, those who have been in the US for generations and those who have endured centuries of colonization.The US government currently defines Asian Americans as those “having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent.” It uses the separate category of “Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander” to describe those “having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands.”Read the CNN report: https://cnn.it/3NX7eo6 Latest Developments on Discriminatory Alien Land Bills in Florida and Texas According to an opinion by the Los Angeles Times on May 3, 2023, while our country celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida legislature are busy resurrecting a long-dead form of anti-Asian discrimination. The Florida Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 264 in April, and on May 3, the Florida House rushed to pass its twin, House Bill 1355, purportedly to prohibit the Chinese government from buying real estate in Florida. By targeting “any member of the People’s Republic of China,” the bill could also wreak havoc on the lives of ordinary people.On May 9, 2023, multiple media including Axios reported that Gov. DeSantis signed legislation that prevents certain foreign nationals from China and six other countries from purchasing what the state deems sensitive American land. It becomes effective on July 1, 2023. DeSantis also signed off on two other bills: one restricting government desktops or servers from downloading TikTok, an app owned by a Chinese company; and another prohibiting Florida colleges and universities from engaging in a partnership with schools overseas without governmental approval. Also on May 9, 2023, United Chinese Americans (UCA) issued a statement calling for national action against the discriminatory law that "among other things, prohibits Chinese nationals from acquiring real property in the state based solely on race, ethnicity and country of origin, ostensibly in the name of national security." According to the statement, UCA will work with Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance (CALDA), Florida Asian American Justice Alliance (FAAJA) and others to challenge this misguided Florida law and see to it that it is struck down by the Federal court or repealed by the people of Florida. UCA calls on Americans in all walks of life, corporations, civic organizations and faith-based groups, to condemn this act of blatant discrimination. A video titled " A Dark Day in America " (4:09) including statements by Haipei Shue, UCA President, and Anders Fung , Member of Millbrae City Council, was posted by Ding Ding TV.Also on the same day, CALDA issued a statement that the Florida bill may seem to be limited to real estate transactions, but in fact it regards the Chinese people as a threat to the national security of the United States and a target for isolation by the whole society. Despite some last minute changes, the bill still contains undisguised racial discrimination. These provisions mainly target ordinary people and various companies in several countries, prohibiting or restricting their basic rights to directly or indirectly purchase real estate. These provisions violate the US Constitution's prohibition of racial discrimination, and also conflict with the basic values of American society such as equality, tolerance and diversity.Once this discriminatory law is established, it will undoubtedly set off a wave of hatred against Chinese and even all Asians, and no one can be alone. States such as Texas, South Carolina, and Georgia are actively promoting bills similar to those in Florida.CALDA announced immediate legal action to overturn this discriminatory bill. It expects to file a lawsuit in Florida court in about a week, and a court injunction preventing the law from taking effect before the end of this month. CALDA has already begun assembling a team of attorneys and contacting potential plaintiff representatives. It will also work with all like-minded groups, including FAAJA and UCA, to stem this latest anti-Chinese wave. Texas Multicultural Advocacy Coalition (TMAC) and Civil Rights Town Hall on 2023/05/13 According to Houston Style Magazine on May 9, 2023, the Texas Multicultural Advocacy Coalition, with the support of Congressman Al Green , is organizing a Civil Rights Town Hall on May 13th, 2023, at 1 pm at FountainLife Center, located at 14083 S. Main St. Houston, TX 77035. The event will bring together a diverse group of community leaders and organizations, including Congressman Al Green, Rep. Gene Wu , Rep. Ron Reynolds , Bishop James Dixon (NAACP, Houston Branch), Wea Lee (International Trade Center), Judson Robinson (Houston Area Urban League), Dr. Steven Pei (United Chinese Americans), Nabila Mansoor (Rise AAPI), Niloufar Hafizi (Emgage Texas), Dawn Lin (Asian Real Estate Association of America), Gary Nakamura (Japanese American Citizens League, Houston), Claude Cummings, Jr. (Communications Workers of America), Kenneth Li (Asian American Business Council), Eileen Huang (United Association of Chinese Alumni), Dr. Sergio Lira (Greater Houston LULAC 4967), Dr. Pretta VanDible Stallworth , Hua Gu (Sino Professionals Association), Guowei Gu (Shandong Fellowship Association of Southern USA), Baohua Yang (Henan Fellowship Association of Southern USA), Liang Han (Southern Jiangsu Association USA), Yizhu Liao (Hunan Club of Houston), Kathy Xu (Texas Northeast Chinese Association), Casey Kang (Korean American Chamber of Commerce), Terrance Koontz (Texas Organizing Project), Ruth Kravetz (Community Voices for Public Education), Lani Cabral Pasao (People Caring for the Community), Stephen Yoe (Myanmar Chamber of Commerce), Harry Sun (Chinese Chamber of Commerce), H.C. Chang (OCA Greater Houston), William White (CAIR Houston) and many others. The participation of these organizations highlights the broad support for the event and the urgent need to stand against the harmful actions that threaten the rights and opportunities of communities of color.The primary objective of the town hall is to unite multicultural organizations and individuals against the racist and xenophobic Senate Bill 147 and the state takeover of the HISD school board. These actions are detrimental to communities of color: SB 147 threatens the right to property ownership, and the HISD takeover imperils access to quality education and equal opportunities.Read the Houston Style Magazine report: https://bit.ly/3nLxkzV Committee of 100 Annual Conference On May 5, 2023, Jeremy Wu , Founder of APA Justice and Member of the Committee of 100, delivered opening remarks to set the context on Turbulent Times for Chinese Americans. The presentations with and without script are posted at https://bit.ly/3NSmYZx . Eight categories of challenges are identified to be of top concerns to the Chinese American and scientific communities. Legalizing discrimination at the state and federal levels Return of the Red Scare and McCarthyism Warrantless surveillance Mini "China Initiative" conducted by the National Institutes of Health Cross-border profiling, interrogation, harassment, and denial of entry Continuing fallout from the now-defunct "China Initiative" Collateral damage from the deteriorating U.S.-China relations Anti-Asian hate and violence 2023/05/07 Los Angeles Post: Focusing on Challenges Faced by Chinese Americans in Turbulent Times, Committee of 100’s 2023 Annual Meeting Concludes in Silicon Valley 2023/05/07 South China Morning Post: Asian-Americans should prepare for more hate, committee warns 2023/05/06 South China Morning Post: Asian-Americans face numerous hurdles to win greater acceptance and influence, experts say Who is Monica Bertagnolli, Biden's pick to lead NIH? According to Science on April 27, 2023, Monica Bertagnolli never had the luxury of easing into her new job as head of the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI).Several weeks after taking over the largest component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in October 2022, the then–63-year-old surgical oncologist was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and underwent surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Early in April, she unveiled a plan to implement President Joe Biden ’s signature Cancer Moonshot initiative. And Biden is expected to cap Bertagnolli’s whirlwind first 7 months in Washington, D.C., by nominating her to become the 17th director of NIH, the federal government’s crown jewel of biomedical research.The previous NIH Director, Francis Collins , stepped down in December 2021. If confirmed by the Senate, Bertagnolli would be only the second woman to lead NIH, following Bernadine Healy , who stepped down in 1993.Once nominated, her first hurdle will be a hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee . Bertagnolli has never testified before Congress (and leading NCI doesn’t require Senate confirmation). The HELP panel is chaired by Senator Bernie Sanders (I–VT).On March 23, 2023, Science published an investigative report titled PALL OF SUSPICION - The National Institutes of Health’s “China initiative” has upended hundreds of lives and destroyed scores of academic careers and an editorial titled Eroding Trust and Collaboration . "Given the information available in the public domain, the scientific community could easily conclude that this is a xenophobic program to harm Chinese scientists and cut off international scientific cooperation. The federal government needs to figure out a way to let the NIH and the institutions reassure the community that this is all worth it," the editorial concluded.Read the Science report at https://bit.ly/3oWH1eY and its editorial at https://bit.ly/3z24z40 Want to Improve US-China Relations? Bring back Fulbright Program, Advocates Say According to the South China Morning Post on April 28, 2023, as tensions between Washington and Beijing keep rising, a loose alliance of former officials, politicians and ordinary US citizens are pushing to restore one of America’s oldest and most prestigious connections to China that observers hail as unmatched in its potential to put the relationship back on track.The Fulbright China program, which for over four decades sent American scholars to the country and brought their Chinese counterparts to the US, was cancelled in 2020 by an executive order from then-president Donald Trump over Beijing’s imposition of the national security law in Hong Kong. President Joe Biden has extended the order twice.Opposition came thick and fast from within and outside the Fulbright community. Seton Hall University professor Margaret Lewis , for example, likened the decision to “shooting ourselves in the foot”, and an alumni-led petition to restore the program garnered more than 700 signatures in two days.“Appalled” by the cancellation, Colleen O’Connor and fellow alumni formed a group of 100 volunteers called the Protect Fulbright China Coalition to push for its restoration. On March 29, 2023 Representatives Rick Larsen of Washington, Don Beyer of Virginia and Judy Chu of California reintroduced the Restoring Fulbright Exchanges bill .Under the Nationalist government in 1947, China was the first country to sign a Fulbright agreement with the US, though the program was paused after the Communist Party came into power in 1949. Since restoring operations after the two countries normalized relations in 1979, the US sent more than 3,500 Americans to China under the program and received more than 1,500 Chinese in the US. Proponents describe its impact as profound.The Fulbright China program counts among its alumni Kevin Nealer , a former member of president Barack Obama’s Intelligence Advisory Board; Scott Kennedy , senior adviser in Chinese business and economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies; John Pomfret , The Washington Post’s former Beijing bureau chief; and legions of academics.As of last October, there were fewer than 400 American students in the country – a sharp contrast from 2018, when China was hosting more than 11,000.There are organizations in the Biden administration, particularly in intelligence and law enforcement, “who are opposing restoring the Fulbright on national security grounds”, said Dennis Wilder , a research fellow at the Initiative for US-China Dialogue on Global Issues at Georgetown University, while noting these concerns were not necessarily shared by the White House. Neither the Trump nor Biden administration spelled out what the concerns with the program were.Read the South China Morning Post report: https://bit.ly/3ngzvLl News and Activities for the Communities 1. Victims of Mass Shooting in Allen, Texas According to multiple media reports, eight people including four Asian Americans were killed, and at least seven others were injured in a mass shooting at the Allen Premium Outlets in Texas on May 6, 2023.Three of the victims killed in Saturday's shooting belonged to one family. Cindy Cho, 35, and Kyu Cho, 37, and their 3-year-old son, James Cho , were among the victims. Their 6-year-old son, William , was also shot and has been released from the ICU. He is now with his extended family. The Korean American family was visiting the Allen Premium Outlets to exchange clothes William had gotten for his birthday four days prior to the shooting. Aishwarya Thatikonda, an engineer from India who lived in the Dallas suburb, was among those killed. She was less than a week away from celebrating her 28th birthday. Thatikonda was at the Allen mall with a friend when the shooting took place. Her friend was wounded in the shooting. Her family is now planning to repatriate her remains to India with the help of the Telugu Association of North America. She received a master's degree in construction management from Eastern Michigan University in the US in 2020. For the last two years, she was working for a Dallas-based contracting firm on a US work visa.On May 9, 2023, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus issued a statement about the mass shooting. “While investigations into specific motive are ongoing, Allen, Texas, and the surrounding areas have among the highest percentage of Asian Americans outside of the coasts and half of the victims are also of Asian descent. With the shooter’s likely social media presence demonstrating an ugly promotion of neo-Nazism and violent white supremacist ideology, it remains clear Congress and elected officials around the country have a lot more to do to fight extremism here at home and create a safe, welcoming multiracial democracy for us all.“This is the second largest mass shooting in this country this year, but every single day Americans die from gun violence. From going to the mall, going to school, to celebrating Lunar New Year, knocking on the wrong door or driving down the wrong driveway, it is clear that the problem is the guns. We must ban assault weapons now. Letting these weapons of war remain on our streets comes at the cost of American lives.” 2. Turbulence Ahead: Racial & Religious Profiling at the Border and Ports According to Advancing Justice | AAJC on April 20, 2023, 22 years after 9/11, racial and religious profiling is still the harsh reality for many Americans. Last March, three Muslim-American travelers from Minnesota, Texas, and Arizona sued the Department of Homeland Security after they were stopped multiple times by U.S. officials over several years at the border and in international airports. They were interrogated to determine if they were Muslims, if they attended a mosque, and how often they prayed. The distress of these experiences has led one man to stop wearing a kufi and to stop carrying religious texts when he travels internationally to avoid scrutiny. In recent months, there have also been reports of academics and scientists of Chinese descent being stopped, questioned, and harassed by law enforcement upon re-entry into the U.S., creating a chilling effect for many in the community.Profiling people at the border due to their race, ethnicity, or religion is illegal under the U.S. Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection under the law. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is required to base its enforcement activities solely on credible intelligence and legitimate law enforcement purposes.In recent years, several racial and religious profiling cases have been widely reported and further highlight the problem at the border. Racial and religious profiling has created an environment of fear for communities of color across the country, but there are steps you can take to stand up for yourself.Read the Advancing Justice | AAJC blog at https://bit.ly/3ndt0ZJ 3 . 'Anti-Asian Racism' names the sin of white supremacy in Catholic Church According to the National Catholic Reporter on April 29, 2023, Servite Fr. Joseph Cheah is hopeful that telling Asian American-centered stories will help communities and individuals begin to understand the ways in which racism and white supremacy have shaped history. In his latest book, Anti-Asian Racism: Myths, Stereotypes, and Catholic Social Teaching , Cheah takes a wide and integral view on how Catholic social teaching can inform the way Catholics engage in the work of anti-racism in the context of Asian American communities. Read the National Catholic Reporter interview at https://bit.ly/3ALaV8F Subscribe to The APA Justice Newsletter Complete this simple form at https://bit.ly/2FJunJM to subscribe. Please share it with those who wish to be informed and join the fight. View past newsletters here: https://bit.ly/APAJ_Newsletters . Copyright © 2023 APA Justice, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in or have expressed interest. Our mailing address is: APA Justice P.O. Box 257 McLean, VA 22101-0257 Add us to your address book We do not share, sell, rent or trade any of your information with third parties unless you provide explicit consent. Read our Privacy Policy here . Back View PDF May 11, 2023 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #333 Hate Crime Victim Speaks; Trump on Harvard/Funding Cuts/Litigations; Meng/Hirono Bill+ #333 Hate Crime Victim Speaks; Trump on Harvard/Funding Cuts/Litigations; Meng/Hirono Bill+ In This Issue #333 · Hate Crime Victim to Speak at 2025/06/02 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · Trump Revokes Harvard’s Authority to Enroll International Students · U.S. Science Faces Crisis Amid Deep Federal Funding Cuts · Latest on Litigations Against Trump's Executive Actions · Meng, Hirono Introduce Legislation to Promote the Teaching of AANHPI History in Schools · News and Activities for the Communities Hate Crime Victim to Speak at 2025/06/02 APA Justice Monthly Meeting According to AsAmNews , BlackNews , KABC , LA Times , Washington Post , and multiple media reports, Aki Maehara , a 71-year-old Japanese American professor and Vietnam War veteran, was struck by a speeding vehicle on April 29, 2025, while riding his electric bicycle near his home in a suburb of Los Angeles. Moments before the crash, Maehara says he heard racial slurs directed at him. The case is now under investigation by the Montebello Police Department as a possible hate crime.Maehara, a longtime professor of Asian American history at East Los Angeles College (ELAC), sustained serious injuries in the attack. He suffered a concussion, fractured cheekbone, deep arm lacerations, and trauma to his hips, lower back, and neck. His electric bike was destroyed in the collision. But what shocked him even more than the physical pain were the words he heard before and after the attack.“I heard, ‘ f**** c***k,’ and I got hit,” Maehara told Eyewitness News. “My bike and I were thrown down. As soon as I hit that row of bricks, I heard the guy say, ‘Go back to f**** c***k land,’ and then he drove away.” “I wear a full-face helmet with a glare visor,” Maehara said. “There’s no way anybody could see my face. So how the hell did he know I’m Asian?”The motive behind the attack appears deeply personal. Maehara is no stranger to harassment. Over the course of his teaching career, which has included courses on the history of racism in the United States and the Vietnam War, he has faced intimidation and threats. He recounted multiple incidents, including classroom protests by Chicano Republicans and even a visit from Ku Klux Klan members during his tenure at Cal State Long Beach.Despite his injuries and the trauma of the attack, Maehara refused to retreat from the classroom. Just weeks after being hospitalized, he returned to teach his final classes of the semester. “It was important for me to show up because they’re trying to stop me,” he said.Friends, former students, and community members have rallied around him in the wake of the attack. Glorya Cabrera , a longtime friend, launched a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for his recovery expenses, including additional in-home care beyond what the VA hospital is currently providing. Community leaders have called for greater awareness and systemic change. “This isn’t just about one man on a bike,” said a spokesperson from the Stop AAPI Hate coalition. “It’s about decades of racism, invisibility, and a failure to protect our communities. Mr. Maehara’s story is one of courage, but also a wake-up call.”Maehara’s attack is yet another stark reminder that anti-Asian hate remains an ongoing battle and underscores the vulnerability that many AAPI individuals feel in their daily lives.Professor Aki Maehara, along with community leaders, has accepted the invitation to speak on the incicent at the APA Justice monthly meeting on June 2, 2025. 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 . Trump Revokes Harvard’s Authority to Enroll International Students According to CNN , New York Times , Reuters , The Hill , and multiple media reports, in a dramatic escalation of its ongoing confrontation with Harvard University, the Trump administration on May 22, 2025, revoked the school’s ability to enroll international students—striking a major blow to one of the university’s most important sources of funding and global prestige.The decision, conveyed in a letter from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem , is part of a broader federal investigation into Harvard’s compliance with immigration and education policies. The move follows tense exchanges between the university and the Department of Homeland Security over the legality of a sweeping request for records related to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).The revocation means that Harvard can no longer admit international students and that current international students must transfer or risk losing their legal status in the United States. The university, which has around 6,800 international students—roughly 27% of its student body—is expected to challenge the move in court. It would be the second legal confrontation between Harvard and the Trump administration in recent weeks. Last month, the university sued the federal government over what it described as unconstitutional attempts to alter its curriculum, admissions policies, and hiring practices.The financial impact of the decision is likely to be significant. With tuition alone approaching $60,000 a year—and total costs nearing $87,000—international students often pay a substantial share of their education expenses, making them a key revenue source.Harvard said the move by the Trump administration was illegal and amounted to retaliation. Harvard rejected the allegations and pledged to support foreign students. The government’s action is unlawful," the university said in a statement. "This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard’s academic and research mission.” The university said it was "fully committed" to educating foreign students and was working on producing guidance for affected students. U.S. Science Faces Crisis Amid Deep Federal Funding Cuts According to reports by the New York Times on May 21 and May 22 , 2025, respectively, a deepening funding crisis is shaking the foundation of U.S. scientific research, with the Trump administration imposing sweeping cuts across key institutions, including Harvard University and the National Science Foundation (NSF). The result is a dramatic slowdown in research activity, jeopardizing America’s innovation pipeline and scientific leadership.At the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the situation is especially severe. Following accusations from federal officials that the school promotes “amorphous equity objectives” and fosters antisemitism, the administration froze federal grants—cutting off a vital lifeline that constitutes nearly 60% of the school’s revenue. More than 130 researchers had their funding abruptly canceled, threatening major studies on ALS, tuberculosis, and multiple sclerosis. Faculty describe the emergency response—cutting programs, ending leases, and training staff in private fundraising—as “all-consuming.” With many scientists considering offers from institutions in Europe and China, administrators fear a permanent brain drain. Simultaneously, the NSF is issuing new grants at the slowest rate in at least 35 years. As of May 21, only $989 million in grants had been awarded for 2025—down 51% from the average of the past decade. The slowdown is hitting virtually every scientific field, including computer science, biology, climate research, and STEM education. Compounding the problem, more than 1,600 active NSF research projects have beenterminated, eliminating around $1.5 billion in previously approved funding.While the administration argues that elite universities like Harvard should rely on their own endowments and that NSF funds must align with conservative priorities, critics warn these ideologically driven cuts threaten the nation’s scientific infrastructure. Economists caution that reduced research investment could have long-term consequences on economic growth, innovation, and global competitiveness. Latest on Litigations Against Trump's Executive Actions As of April 29, 2025, the second Trump Administration has issued 142 executive orders, exceeding the record of 99 set during President Franklin D. Roosevelt 's first term, according to a May 16, 2025, Congressional Research Service (CRS) report . This surge in executive actions has sparked court challenges and injunctions. As of May 21, 2025, the number of lawsuits against President Donald Trum p's executive actions reported by the Just Security Litigation Tracker has grown to 246 (8 closed cases). As of May 21, 2025, the New York Times reported at least 165 of the court rulings have at least temporarily paused some of the Trump administration initiatives due to concerns over presidential authority, constitutional violations, or federal statute infringements. The CRS report identified 25 cases in which district courts had issued nationwide injunctions. Nationwide injunctions are court orders against the government that prevent the government from implementing a challenged law, regulation, or other policy against all relevant persons and entities, whether or not such persons or entities are parties participating in the litigation. Commentators, judges, lawmakers, and executive branch officials debate whether and when it is appropriate for a court to enjoin a government action in its entirety, with some arguing that nationwide injunctions are rarely or never appropriate, while others defend the practice.They 25 nationwide injunctions covered by CRS include: · 10 on federal funding · 3 on birthright citizenship · 2 each on federal agencies, federal employment, immigration, information disclosure, and military service · 1 each on DEI and elections. CRS categorized cases by subject matter manually. While some cases raised multiple legal and policy issues and could potentially be classified in multiple subject areas, CRS selected one primary issue area per case for ease of analysis. National Injunction from terminating the immigration status of foreign students According to the Washington Post on May 23, 2025, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White of the Northern District of California blocked the Trump administration from terminating the immigration status of foreign students, granting nationwide relief to thousands of students caught in the crosshairs of the administration’s crackdown on alleged antisemitism on college campuses. The Trump administration “likely exceeded their authority and acted arbitrarily and capriciously” when officials terminated the legal status of students in a database overseen by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Judge White wrote. “The relief the Court grants provides Plaintiffs with a measure of stability and certainty that they will be able to continue their studies or their employment without the threat of re-termination hanging over their heads.”While many courts have granted relief to individuals suing the administration, the judge’s order effectively bars the federal government from arresting, incarcerating or transferring students in these cases and all other individuals nationwide while similar cases are still pending. Injunction Against Dismantling Department of Education According to Reuters on May 23, 2025, U.S. District Judge Myong Joun in Boston issued an injunction blocking the department from moving forward with a mass termination announced in March of over 1,300 employees, which would cut its staff by half. "The record abundantly reveals that defendants' true intention is to effectively dismantle the department without an authorizing statute," wrote Joun. "This court cannot be asked to cover its eyes while the department's employees are continuously fired and units are transferred out until the department becomes a shell of itself," the judge wrote. He ordered the administration to not just reinstate the workers but also to halt implementation of Trump's March 21 directive to transfer student loans and special needs programs to other federal agencies.The Trump administration has appealed the decision. Meng, Hirono Introduce Legislation to Promote the Teaching of AANHPI History in Schools On May 22, 2025, U.S. Representative Grace Meng (D-NY), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), and U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) introduced the Teaching Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander History Act , bicameral legislation to promote the teaching of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) history in schools across the country. Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have made and continue to make immeasurable contributions to our nation, including in sports, arts, government, science, business, and military service. However, the K-12 education system and social studies textbooks have poorly represented how AANHPIs have played pivotal roles in shaping America for the better. In a recent survey , 42% of respondents were unable to name a famous Asian American, and 42% were unable to name a famous Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. The Teaching AANHPI History Act requires Presidential and Congressional Academies’ grant applicants and recipients to include Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian history as part of their American history and civics programs offered to students and teachers. Every year, hundreds of teachers and students attend these academies, which are funded by the U.S. Department of Education, for an in-depth study of American history and civics. The bill would also encourage the inclusion of AANHPI history within national and state tests administered through the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and promote collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution’s Asian Pacific American Center to develop innovative programming. APA Justice is among the many organizations that have endorsed the Meng-Hirono legislation.Read the CAPAC press release: https://bit.ly/43JYFEs . Read the full text of the legislation: https://bit.ly/4myhBxG . News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events:2025/05/22 Serica 2025 Trailblazers Conference & Gala2025/05/29 U.S. v. Wen Ho Lee - 25 Years Later2025/06/01 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/06/02 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/06/03 The Second Annual State of the Science Address2025/06/15 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/06/15-18 2025 Applied Statistics Symposium2025/06/16-24 Discover China 2025: Summer Youth Exchange to the Greater Bay AreaVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. # # # 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 . Back View PDF May 23, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter