Newsletter - #11 Amicus Brief Filed; "Red Scare" Series Wins Award; Briefing For Senator Warner #11 Amicus Brief Filed; "Red Scare" Series Wins Award; Briefing For Senator Warner Back View PDF August 21, 2020 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #344 [APA Justice] 8/4 Meeting; Ohio's Bills; China Initiative Harms Science, Security, and Dr. GK Chang+ #344 [APA Justice] 8/4 Meeting; Ohio's Bills; China Initiative Harms Science, Security, and Dr. GK Chang+ In This Issue #344 · 2025/08/04 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · Ohio's Pending Alien Land Bills · Revival of China Initiative Harms US Science and Security · Dr. Gee-Kung Chang: "From Injustice to Integrity: A Journey Through Fire" · Third District Court Blocks Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Restrictions · News and Activities for the Communities 2025/08/04 APA Justice Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held on Monday, August 4, 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: · Al Green, Member, U.S. Congress (invited) · Munira Abdullahi , Member, Ohio House of Representatives · Guangya Liu , Member, North Carolina House of Representatives · Min Fan , Executive Director, US Heartland China Association 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 . *****Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) hosted Asian American Pioneer Medal Symposium and Ceremony at Stanford University on July 25-27, 2025. Picture provided by Vincent Wang , Co-Organizer of APA Justice. Ohio's Pending Alien Land Bills Ohio State Representative Munira Abdullahi is a confirmed invited speaker at the APA Justice monthly meeting on August 4, 2025. We have requested her to update us on House Bill 1 and Senate Bill 88 in Ohio, as well as several bills targeting immigrant communities and people of color this year as well.House Bill 1 and Senate Bill 88 seeks to restrict land ownership by foreign governments and nationals from “adversary” nations—particularly China—within 25 miles of military and critical infrastructure sites, citing national security concerns. Opponents argue the bill is overly broad, potentially banning ownership across nearly the entire state, and unjustly targeting ordinary immigrants and visa holders. Critics—including lawmakers, legal advocates, and hundreds of Ohio residents—warn the bill promotes racial profiling, echoes historical discrimination, and violates constitutional rights. A key forced-sale provision was removed, but the bill still faces widespread opposition and potential legal challenges. Read the Ohio Capital Journal report: https://bit.ly/4mh5m7J We thank Ohio State Representative Juanita Brent for bringing these pending bills to our attention during the APA Justice monthly meeting on June 2, 2025. Rep. Brent, the daughter of an immigrant, provided a comprehensive overview of six pending legislative bills in Ohio that raise serious concerns about discrimination against immigrants—particularly those from countries such as China and Korea. These bills reflect a broader national trend and illustrate the state's overreach into matters that should fall under federal jurisdiction. · House Bill 1 and Senate Bill 88 have drawn significant attention. They would prohibit individuals from countries the U.S. designates as adversaries from owning homes or businesses, especially near critical infrastructure. Similar legislation has been introduced in 31 other states. · Senate Bill 281 would require hospitals to allow federal immigration enforcement officers entry. Hospitals that fail to comply could lose grant funding and have their Medicaid provider agreements affected. · Senate Bill 282 proposes that courts consider a person’s immigration status when determining sentencing and bail. · House Bill 200 would create criminal penalties for unlawful presence, including fines and a 72-hour window for voluntary departure. It is currently facing opposition in the Public Safety Committee. · House Bill 42 mandates that certain agencies collect and report data on individuals’ citizenship or immigration status. It has received one hearing in the Government Oversight Committee. · House Bill 26 would require law enforcement to share information about arrestees with federal immigration authorities. It would also prohibit Ohio municipalities from providing benefits to undocumented immigrants. Municipalities that fail to comply could risk losing their Local Government Fund allocations. State Rep. Brent emphasized that these bills effectively legalize discrimination and hate—an alarming development. As a country, we have witnessed the consequences of such discrimination in the past. These proposed laws open the door to legalized bias based solely on a person’s country of origin or immigration status.State Rep. Brent stressed that immigration is a federal issue and not the responsibility of individual states. By pursuing these bills, Ohio is overstepping its authority. None of these proposals address legitimate state-level concerns, and many are likely unconstitutional. Nonetheless, they must be challenged at the state level. Revival of China Initiative Harms US Science and Security According to the South China Morning Post , the US House of Representatives is poised to advance a key spending bill that could revive the controversial “China Initiative” – a program that unfairly targeted Chinese American researchers, derailed careers and devastated lives long after it was ended in 2022. The Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS) appropriations bill does not name the program directly, but language in the accompanying report calls for its re-establishment to “maintain America’s competitive edge” and “counter China’s malign ambitions to steal American research”.A scheduled committee meeting to debate the bill was cancelled on July 23, but experts said the provision was likely to remain as the legislation moved towards the Senate.“As a victim of the past China Initiative, I am disheartened by ongoing efforts in Congress to reinstate the misguided programme,” said Gang Chen 陈刚 , a mechanical engineer at MIT who was arrested in 2021 before all charges were dropped.“It is not only discriminatory, but also harms America’s ability to attract top global talent – ultimately weakening, not strengthening, our national security,” he said in a statement released by the Asian American Scholar Forum, a US-based non-profit organization that advocates for academic belonging and equity in Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities.Professor Chen is among more than 1,000 US researchers and university staff led by Stanford physicists Steven Kivelson and Peter Michelson in signing a letter that urged lawmakers to remove the provision. The letter, dated July 22, warned that reviving the initiative would deter talent, damage innovation and inadvertently advance China’s own recruitment efforts.Read the South China Morning Post report: https://bit.ly/4omPcvo Over 50 civil society organizations inclduing Defending Rights & Dissent have also sent a joint letter urging the full Appropriations committee to strike the provision. Dr. Gee-Kung Chang: "From Injustice to Integrity: A Journey Through Fire" Robert Fisher , Partner at Nixon Peabody, was the attorney who successfully defended MIT Professor Gang Chen 陈刚 . He spoke at the APA Justice monthly meeting on May 5, 2025, and introduced Professor Gee-Kung (GK) Chang 張繼昆 , whom Robert also represented with colleague Brian Kelly .Rob said this is a critical time for the country and for the Asian American community. Although the China Initiative was officially ended, similar prosecutions are still occurring—particularly targeting professors, scientists, and professionals with ties to China.Rob explained that GK was accused of wire fraud based on allegations that he and a colleague from ZTE conspired to misuse J-1 visa students, supposedly having them work at ZTE while being paid by Georgia Tech.However, the defense pointed out that, even according to the government’s own account, the students were working at Georgia Tech. The indictment was fundamentally flawed—it failed to allege that the financial component was the actual object of the fraud. As a result, the court dismissed most of the charges, leaving only one remaining.That final charge—visa fraud—was also challenged. GK had no role in the visa application process, and Georgia Tech had never provided training on compliance or rules regarding foreign collaboration. Without knowledge or training, there could not have been intent to defraud. Eventually, the government dropped the last remaining charge. GK was fully exonerated after a four-year ordeal under the China Initiative.GK's case highlights a broader issue: many professors were once encouraged to collaborate with China, only to later face prosecution as political attitudes shifted. These retroactive investigations have damaged careers and chilled academic collaboration, especially within the Asian American community.Professor GK Chang shared his personal account of a harrowing legal ordeal during the May 2025 APA Justice monthly meeting. Quoting his written statement titled " From Injustice to Integrity: A Journey Through Fire ," GK told his story that "I stand before you today, not as a victim of injustice, but as a witness to the power of integrity, forged in the fiercest fires of adversity. My journey was never just about reclaiming my freedom — it was about turning pain into a higher purpose, one that lights the way for those still suffering injustice."GK was born in China in 1947, moved to Taiwan as a baby during the Chinese Civil War, and came to the U.S. in 1970 for graduate studies in physics. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of California, Riverside in 1976 and became a U.S. citizen in 1981.With 23 years of experience in industry—including leadership roles at Bell Labs, Bellcore, Telcordia, and OpNext—GK became a pioneer in optoelectronic integration and fiber-optic communications, holding over 50 patents. He received multiple awards, including the R&D 100 Award and the Bellcore President’s Award.In 2002, he joined Georgia Tech as an Eminent Scholar Chair Professor. There, he led major NSF-sponsored research on fiber-wireless networks that laid the foundation for 5G and 6G technologies. He advised 30 Ph.D. students, published over 500 papers, and earned Fellow honors from IEEE and the Optical Society of America. He was recognized as a distinguished alumnus of National Tsing Hua University and received Georgia Tech’s Distinguished Faculty Achievement Award.On March 24, 2021, GK’s life was changed forever when nine federal agents arrested him at home without warning, accusing him of conspiracy and wire fraud under the now-defunct “China Initiative.” Despite his clean record and decades of academic and industry contributions, he was publicly indicted without prior notice. Though released on a low bail, the arrest devastated his personal and professional life. The media portrayed him as guilty, his reputation collapsed, and colleagues and friends distanced themselves, leaving him isolated and emotionally shattered.Despite being wrongfully indicted, GK stood firm, relying on his values, family, and a few loyal allies. Through careful review of over a million pages of documents with his legal team of Rob Fisher and Brian Kelly, he uncovered major flaws in the case against him: factual inaccuracies, missing evidence, and prosecutorial misconduct. The charges lacked legal grounding and were based partly on the testimony of a disgruntled former student. The government misunderstood academic norms and pursued the case without proof of intent, fraud, or personal gain—revealing a deeply flawed and unjust prosecution.Faced with multiple plea offers, including one to plead guilty to a single misdemeanor, GK refused to admit guilt for a crime he did not commit. He chose to fight on despite financial strain. A pivotal moment came in August 2023, when a prosecutor admitted in court that GK had not gained any money from the alleged offenses—contradicting the indictment’s claims. This crucial fact had been withheld from the grand jury, exposing serious prosecutorial misconduct and strengthening his case for vindication.The case shifted dramatically after the court dismissed 9 of the 10 charges on March 1, 2024. Empowered by this decision, GK demanded a speedy trial under the Sixth Amendment, confident of full vindication. However, the emotional strain took a serious toll: he suffered a heart attack in May 2024 and underwent emergency surgery. As he recovered, his focus turned not just to clearing his name, but reclaiming his dignity. The ordeal was nearing its end, but had already come at a profound personal cost.The final charge was dismissed on April 14, 2025, through a motion filed by the prosecutor and approved by the judge, fully exonerating GK without a trial. Yet, the long-awaited freedom brought no joy. After four years of legal battles, he was left emotionally scarred, physically worn, and financially depleted. Professionally, the damage was irreversible—four crucial years of innovation and contribution at the peak of his career were lost forever. Despite the pain, the ordeal brought GK clarity and a renewed sense of purpose. He emerged not only as a survivor but as a seeker of truth, justice, and understanding. His faith in the justice system was shaken, as he came to see its vulnerability to error, bias, and ambition. He now believes that justice does not automatically protect the innocent and must be actively pursued with courage and conviction. Upholding what is right requires strength, even in the face of overwhelming adversity—because justice is never guaranteed, only earned. Quoting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. , GK concluded his statement by stating: "I share my testimony, 'A Journey Through Fire,' not for sympathy, but as a warning—and as a beacon."To those suffering similar injustice:"You are not alone."And by standing together,"we can help ensure that no one else must endure this tribulation again." Read the story of Professor GK Chang: https://bit.ly/GeeKungChang . Read his statement " From Injustice to Integrity: A Journey Through Fire ." Watch the video of Robert Fisher and GK Chang at the APA Justice monthly meeting on May 5, 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbh1EkabX6I (19:00). Third District Court Blocks Trump's Birthright Citizenship Restrictions According to AP , Newsweek , The Hill , and multiple media reports, U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin of Massachusetts blocked the Trump administration from ending birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented or temporary immigrants. This marks the third court ruling to do so, despite a recent Supreme Court decision limiting nationwide injunctions.Judge Sorokin found the executive order unconstitutional in a 23-page ruling . He said a patchwork approach to the birthright order would not protect the states in part because a substantial number of people move between states. He also blasted the Trump administration, saying it had failed to explain how a narrower injunction would work. “That is, they have never addressed what renders a proposal feasible or workable, how the defendant agencies might implement it without imposing material administrative or financial burdens on the plaintiffs, or how it squares with other relevant federal statutes,” the judge wrote. “In fact, they have characterized such questions as irrelevant to the task the Court is now undertaking. The defendants’ position in this regard defies both law and logic.”Sorokin acknowledged his order would not be the last word on birthright citizenship. Trump and his administration “are entitled to pursue their interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment, and no doubt the Supreme Court will ultimately settle the question,” Sorokin wrote. “But in the meantime, for purposes of this lawsuit at this juncture, the Executive Order is unconstitutional.” For now, Trump's order remains blocked.Judge Sorokin's ruling aligned with the U.S. District Court in New Hampshire and the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals covering the western states inclduing California. The issue will likely be decided by the Supreme Court. News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/07/28 (Digital) Travel Safety and Security Training2025/07/29 C100 Conversations – “Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes” with Linda Chao Yang2025/07/29 From Heartland to Mainland: 2025 Future Ag Leaders Delegation2025/07/29 Bridging Generations of U.S.-China Education Exchange: American Scholars to China2025/07/31 (Digital) Travel Safety and Security Training2025/07/31-08/10 Asian American International Film Festival2025/08/02-07 2025 Joint Statistical Meetings2025/08/04 APA Justice Monthly MeetingVisit 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 July 28, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #308 2/3 Monthly Meeting; Lunar New Year; Funding Freeze Chaos; KU Faculty Supports Tao + #308 2/3 Monthly Meeting; Lunar New Year; Funding Freeze Chaos; KU Faculty Supports Tao + In This Issue #308 · 2025/02/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · CAPAC Chair Meng Introduces Legislation to Commemorate Lunar New Year · Trump Administration Rescinds Federal Funding Freeze Memo After Chaos · KU Faculty Letters of Support for Franklin Tao's Reinstatement · News and Activities for the Communities 2025/02/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, February 3, 2025, starting at 1:55 pm ET. In addition to updates by Judith Teruya , Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Joanna YangQing Derman , Program Director, Advancing Justice | AAJC, and Kai Li 李凯 , Vice President, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), confirmed speakers are: · Gary Locke 骆家辉 , Chair, Committee of 100; former U.S. Ambassador to China; former U/S. Secretary of Commerce; former Governor of the State of Washington · Julia Chang Bloch 張之香 , Founder and Executive Chair, US-China Education Trust; former U.S. Ambassador · Bethany Li , Executive Director, Asian American Legal Defense Education Fund (AALDEF) · Scott Chang , Senior Counsel, National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) 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 . CAPAC Chair Meng Introduces Legislation to Commemorate Lunar New Year According to a press release by the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), U.S. Representative Grace Meng (NY-06), Chair of CAPAC, reintroduced a legislative package to commemorate Lunar New Year.Congresswoman Meng's legislative package includes the Lunar New Year Day Act which would establish Lunar New Year as the 12th federal holiday recognized across the United States. It also includes a resolution that recognizes the cultural and historical significance of Lunar New Year. On January 29, 2025 - New Year Day of the Year of Snake - CAPAC posted a video on X in which 16 CAPAC members from Hawaii to New York, led by Congresswoman Meng, talked about their favorite Lunar New Year traditions and celebrations. Watch the video: https://bit.ly/40CJbzt (3:03).***** WHAT : DC Chinese Lunar New Year Parade WHEN: February 2, 2025, 2:00 pm ET WHERE: Chinatown, Washington DC HOST: Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of Washington, DC in partnership with the DC Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs DESCRIPTION: In the lunar calendar, it will be the year 4723! The streets of DC’s Chinatown will be filled with revelers and spectators as we celebrate the Year of the Snake. In Chinese zodiac, the snake is associated with wisdom, charm, elegance, and transformation. People born in the Year of the Snake are believed to be intuitive, strategic, and intelligent. People born as Snakes are mysterious, smart, wise, charming, good at talking, determined, and caring. They value knowledge, work hard to achieve goals, and form deep bonds in relationships. FOR MORE INFORATION: www.dcparade.com Trump Administration Rescinds Federal Funding Freeze Memo After Chaos Multiple media reports on January 29, 2025, confirmed that President Donald Trump rescinded a memo from acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget Matthew Vaeth freezing spending on federal loans and grants, less than two days after it led to chaos and widespread confusion and legal challenges across the country. Issued on January 27, the memo alarmed states, schools, and organizations dependent on federal funds. The vague directive left nonprofits, small businesses, universities, and other entities scrambling to assess its impact, while congressional offices were inundated with concerns from constituents fearing financial losses. In addition to creating confusion, the memo sparked numerous lawsuits , including from a coalition of nonprofits and Democratic state attorneys general. By January 28, Medicaid, education, and housing funds had been affected. That evening, a federal district judge temporarily blocked the order, adding to the turmoil in Washington and beyond.On January 29, Rep. Grace Meng , Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), condemned the freeze as appalling and unlawful. She warned it would harm all Americans, including AANHPI communities, by undermining critical programs such as nutrition aid, small business support, clean water initiatives, education, and public safety. Meng stressed that federal aid is a necessity and urged Trump to restore the funds immediately, emphasizing that millions of Americans rely on them.According to Inside Higher Ed , although the Trump administration walked back its plan to freeze trillions in federal grants and loans, a review of thousands of federal programs continues, along with a pause on grant reviews at the National Science Foundation (NSF) and National Institutes of Health (NIH). The White House is still moving forward with plans to stop funding programs that are at odds with the president’s executive orders. As part of the review, agencies will have to answer a series of questions for each program, including whether the programs fund DEI, support “illegal aliens” or promote “gender ideology.” The disruption to federal research funding has set university researchers and scientists on edge, and the grant reviews are still on hold. Given the stakes, this issue is far from settled. The rescission is far from ending the chaos.2025/01/29 CAPAC: Statement from CAPAC Chair Meng on the Trump Administration’s Decision to Freeze Federal Financial Assistance 2025/01/29 The Hill : White House budget office rescinds federal funding freeze memo 2025/01/29 CBS News : Trump administration rescinds federal funding freeze memo after chaos 2025/01/29 Newsweek : Trump Administration Freeze on Federal Grants Ended, Questions Remain 2025/01/29 BBC News : White House rescinds memo on freezing federal grants and loans 2025/01/29 AP News : Trump White House rescinds memo freezing federal money after widespread confusion 2025/01/29 CNBC : White House says Trump funding freeze remains in effect despite rescinding OMB memo 2025/01/29 Inside Higher Ed : NSF and NIH Grant Reviews Still On Hold After White House Rescinds Memo 2025/01/28 Washington Post : Federal judge blocks Trump federal spending freeze after a day of chaos KU Faculty Letters of Support for Franklin Tao's Reinstatement According to the University Daily Kansan on January 27, 2025, faculty members at the University of Kansas (KU) have been actively advocating for the reinstatement of Dr. Feng "Franklin" Tao , a tenured professor who was dismissed following federal charges in 2019. Despite the eventual overturning of all of his charges, KU has not reinstated Dr. Tao, prompting faculty to write letters of support emphasizing his contributions to the university and the importance of upholding academic freedom and justice. The KU Asian and Asian American faculty staff council sent a letter in August to Provost Barbara Bichelmeyer urging for the reinstatement of Tao.KU’s Faculty Senate sent its own letter to the Provost in December after learning of the Asian and Asian-American Faculty Staff Council’s letter.According to Huazhen Fang , Executive Leadership Team Member of the Asian and Asian American Faculty Staff Council, the Council has received no response from university administration. Faculty Senate President Sam Brody said the Faculty Senate did not receive a response to its letter, either.The KU Asian and Asian American Faculty Staff Council argue in its letter that “it would set a dangerous and unjust precedent for a tenured professor, like Dr. Tao, to be removed from his position as a result of failed prosecution.” It questions whether he received due process from the University before being fired. The Council asserts that Tao was targeted as part of a larger campaign against Asians and Asian Americans, comparing Trump’s China Initiative, which was meant to target Chinese espionage, to McCarthyism. The letter states that Asian American academics, students and staff will continue to live in fear of being targeted because of stigma and discrimination unless something changes.The Faculty Senate’s letter echoes the claims of the Asian and Asian-American Faculty Staff Council, stating that KU should “provide a welcoming and safe environment for faculty and staff of all backgrounds.” It also asserts the importance of academic freedom and safety from “frivolous or politically-motivated prosecutions.”Read the University Daily Kansan report: https://bit.ly/4jzy2It National Science, Technology, and Security Roundtable Capstone On January 28, 2025, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) released the proceedings of the Capstone Workshop of the National Academies’ National Science, Technology, and Security Roundtable (NSTSR). NSTSR was established by the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act to address critical issues surrounding U.S. national and economic security while promoting the open exchange of ideas and international talent.According to the NASEM report, U.S. values such as openness and scientific rigor were highlighted as key strengths in research. While international collaboration is essential for advancing research, participants stressed the importance of being mindful of differing values regarding transparency, reciprocity, and accountability when working with other nations. Even trusted allies may have different security and openness policies, prompting some to challenge the assumption of mutual trust in scientific collaborations. Caution was advised in engaging with international partners where these values are not shared.Participants advocated for an "all-of-system" approach to strengthen U.S. national security and science leadership, calling for harmonized research security policies across federal agencies and clearer guidelines for international collaborations. They emphasized the importance of fostering relationships between the research community, law enforcement, and intelligence agencies to enable informed, case-by-case security decisions, with experts supporting these efforts.A flexible, risk-based strategy was recommended to balance openness in research with protecting sensitive work. This approach would evaluate risks and benefits based on the personnel and research topics involved, with institutions tailoring their risk management strategies. Federal agencies were urged to identify and categorize sensitive information carefully to ensure appropriate handling.Many participants stressed that maintaining U.S. national security requires not just protective measures but also significant investment in open, fundamental scientific research. They argued that the U.S. can stay competitive in the global Science and Technology (S&T) race by increasing investments, particularly in talent development and building a workforce capable of supporting the nation's scientific and technological needs. Participants proposed next steps for research security, including developing a comprehensive S&T strategy, boosting STEM education, and improving talent recruitment. They stressed educating the public on the importance of S&T to national security and cautioned against focusing solely on threats from China, noting challenges from other countries. Collaboration with international allies and careful vetting were also emphasized.There was a call to avoid inconsistent application of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) restrictions and to better understand foreign interference in research. Ongoing dialogue among academia, government, and industry was seen as crucial for addressing research security risks.Read Proceedings of the Capstone Workshop and National Science, Technology, and Security website . News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/01/31 2025 Asian American Stories Video Contest: My Gift to America2025/02/02 DC Chinese Lunar New Year Parade2025/02/02 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/02/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2023/02/03 Getting China Right: Launch of ACF Institute at SAIS, Johns Hopkins University2025/02/13-15 2025 AAAS Annual Meeting2025/02/16 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting 2025/02/23 World Premier of "Quixotic Professor Qiu" with Xiaoxing Xi2025/03/02 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/03/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting Visit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. World Premier of "Quixotic Professor Qiu" "Quixotic Professor Qiu," a thought-provoking satirical play, will debut on January 31, 2025, at The Drake, 302 S. Hicks Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102. Written by Damon Chua and directed by Chongren Fan , the production will run through February 23, 2025.Inspired by real-life incidents involving Chinese American scientists accused of economic espionage, the play tells the story of a fictional math professor entangled in a web of suspicion from the FBI and his university colleagues. At the same time, he struggles to maintain a fragile relationship with a childhood friend in China. As tensions rise, Professor Qiu is forced to choose between his birth country and adopted land, between loyalty and self-preservation.Following the 2 pm matinee on Sunday, February 23, 2025, Producing Artistic Director Seth Rozin will host a moderated conversation with Professor Xiaoxing Xi , diving into the play’s themes. Please note that speaker hosts and guests are subject to change. Contact the Box Office at 215-568-8079 ahead for updates.For more information, visit https://bit.ly/4h7OBtp # # # 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 January 31, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #199 8/7 Meeting; Warrantless Surveillance; New Red Scare; Chen v FBI; Understanding FBI; + #199 8/7 Meeting; Warrantless Surveillance; New Red Scare; Chen v FBI; Understanding FBI; + In This Issue #199 2023/08/07 APA Justice Monthly Meeting Warrantless Surveillance - Section 702 of FISA Must Not Be Reauthorized Without Major Reforms The Case of Dr. Yanping Chen vs FBI, DOJ, DOD and DHS Reminder: Webinar on Understanding the FBI: Its Mission, Motivations, and Tactics News and Activities for the Communities 2023/08/07 APA Justice Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, August 7, 2023, starting at 1:55 pm ET. In addition to updates by Nisha Ramachandran , Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC); John Yang 杨重远 , President and Executive Director, Advancing Justice | AAJC; and Gisela Perez Kusakawa , Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), speakers will include: Clay Zhu 朱可亮 , Partner, DeHeng Law Offices 德恒律师事务所; Founder, Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance 华美维权同盟, to report on the latest developments of the Florida lawsuit Echo King 金美声 , President, Florida Asian American Justice Alliance (FAAJA), to provide on-the-ground reports about the July 18 court hearing, press conference, and protests; and a brief report by Professor Shuang Zhao 赵爽 , Co-President, Yick Wo Institution 益和学会 Andy Wong, Managing Director of Advocacy, and Shanti Prasad , Advocacy Manager, Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA), to give a brief introduction of CAA and its recent roles and activities in alien land laws, warrantless surveillance/reauthorization of Section 702, anti-Asian hate, and related topics Christine Chen , Executive Director, to give a brief introduction of APIAVote, observations on the communities' reaction to the alien land bills/laws, the introduction of laws in some states criminalizing those who assist voters (AP report: https://bit.ly/3NM9z3s ), and plans for the upcoming 2024 election The virtual monthly meeting is by invitation only. 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 FCRTV Webinar on July 22, 2023 On July 22, 2023, Florida Chinese Radio Television (FCRTV) 佛州华语广播电视台 broadcast a webinar in Chinese. Titled 从微信禁令案到佛州地产限购法案，朱可亮律师讲解在美华人的维权之路和启发 (From the WeChat Ban Case to the Florida Alien Land Law, Attorney Zhu Keliang explains the road and inspiration of Chinese people in the United States to defend their rights), the featured speaker of the webinar was Attorney Clay Zhu 朱可亮. Watch the FCRTV video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOqobsVDX_A (2:05:26). Warrantless Surveillance - Section 702 of FISA Must Not Be Reauthorized Without Major Reforms On June 26, 2023, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), APA Justice, Brennan Center for Justice, and the Committee of 100 (C100) co-hosted a webinar on "Perils of Warrantless Surveillance - The Case for Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Reform." Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal led off the webinar with opening remarks. Panelists were Gang Chen 陈刚 , Soderberg Professor of Power Engineering, MIT; Elizabeth Goitein , Senior Director, Brennan Center for Justice; Ashley Gorski , Senior Staff Attorney, ACLU; Brian A. Sun 孙自华 , Partner at Norton Rose Fulbright and C100 Board Member. The webinar was moderated by retired Judge Lillian Sing 郭丽莲 , California Superior Court. Section 702 of FISA was first enacted in 2008. The U.S. Constitution protects its people against unreasonable searches and seizures. However, under Section 702, the U.S. government engages in mass, warrantless surveillance of phone calls, text messages, emails, and other electronic communications between Americans and foreigners. Information collected under this law without a warrant can be used to prosecute and imprison people, even for crimes that have nothing to do with national security. Asian Americans, especially Chinese Americans and the immigrant and scientific communities, have been targeted for warrantless surveillance that led to wrongful and unjust prosecutions. They include Temple University Professor Xiaoxing Xi 郗小星 and possibly New York Police Department Officer Baimadajie Angwang 昂旺 . The current authority of Section 702 will expire on December 31, 2023. Congress has started debate on the reauthorization of Section 702. It is not the only tool being used to spy on American citizens without a warrant, which is in possible violation of the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution. A number of civil society organizations and national organizations have already weighed in and issued statements to oppose Section 702 reauthorization and warrantless surveillance unless there are major reforms. Subsequent to the June 26 webinar, a group of diverse national, state, and local organizations and individuals has been formed to plan for follow-up actions by the Asian American communities. A kickoff planning meeting was held on August 3, 2023.Watch the June 26 webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3k56a4KuSn0 . Read the APA Justice web page on Warrantless Surveillance: https://bit.ly/3O6T43Q The Case of Dr. Yanping Chen vs FBI, DOJ, DOD and DHS Dr. Yanping Chen 陈燕平 is a naturalized U.S. citizen born in China. She was a cardiologist and medical researcher with the Chinese astronaut program. She came to the U.S. in 1987 to study and earned a Master’s degree and a Ph.D. in Public Policy from George Washington University. She married a U.S. citizen, became a lawful permanent resident in 1993, and a U.S. citizen in 2001. In 1998, Dr. Chen founded the University of Management and Technology in Arlington, Virginia, to provide secondary and graduate education to working adults. More than 12,000 students have received degrees in the last 20 years.In 2010, Dr. Chen became the focus of a Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) investigation. After 6 years of investigation, Dr. Chen was told that no charges will be filed against her in 2016. However, confidential information from the investigation was allegedly leaked to Fox News in or around 2017. On December 21, 2018, Dr. Chen filed a privacy lawsuit against the FBI, Department of Justice, Department of Defense, and Department of Homeland Security.According to Voice of America on August 3, 2023, Judge Christopher Cooper of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a ruling that would force Catherine Herridge , then a journalist at Fox News and currently a CBS News correspondent, to participate in a deposition regarding the identity of her anonymous sources from her 2017 series of stories. In 2022, Dr. Chen subpoenaed Herridge and Fox News to try to determine the alleged leaker’s identity, but the journalist and news outlet rebuffed her efforts, citing First Amendment protections afforded to the press.But in Cooper’s ruling, he said Chen’s need for the evidence outweighed Herridge’s First Amendment privilege.According to the Washington Post on June 5, 2006, Wen Ho Lee 李文和 , a former nuclear weapons scientist who came under government suspicion of being a spy for China, settled a lawsuit over violation of his privacy rights and received $1.65 million from the government and five news organizations, including The Washington Post. Under the settlement, which was filed in U.S. District Court in Washington DC and cited in a joint statement by the five news organizations, Lee received $895,000 from the government for legal fees and taxes related to his lawsuit accusing the U.S. Justice Department and Energy Department of violating his rights under the Privacy Act by leaking information that he was under investigation for suspected espionage.The five news organizations -- the Washington Post , the New York Times , the Los Angeles Times , the Associated Press and ABC News -- agreed to pay Lee a total of $750,000 as part of the settlement.Read the Voice of America report: https://bit.ly/3OlJ5Gf . Read the Washington Post report : https://wapo.st/43YOM2N . Read the APA Justice web page on Dr. Yanping Chen : https://bit.ly/APAJ_Yanping_Chen Reminder: Webinar on Understanding the FBI: Its Mission, Motivations, and Tactics On August 10, 2023, the Asian American Scholar Forum will host a webinar on Understanding the FBI: Its Mission, Motivations, and Tactics, featuring Michael German. Mike is a fellow with the Liberty and National Security Program of the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University Law School, where his work focuses on counterterrorism, law enforcement, and intelligence reform. He previously served sixteen years as a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (1988- 2004), where he conducted criminal investigations and undercover operations. He is the author of “Disrupt, Discredit, and Divide: How the New FBI Damages Democracy“ (New Press, 2019). Register for the event at https://bit.ly/3pAMzwh News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Launches Community Events Calendar APA Justice has launched a Public Events Calendar on the front page of its website at https://www.apajustice.org/ . The new feature allows readers to view upcoming events with brief descriptions in one stop. Options are available to view the events by day, week, month, and agenda. We thank summer interns Charlotte Ding and Ryan Zhao for implementing this important functionality. 2. 2023/08/26 March on Washington On August 26, 2023, a 2023 March on Washington will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the historic March on Washington, organized by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders in 1963, to continue the fight for democracy, social justice and civil rights. Join the King family at the Lincoln Memorial to honor the past, acknowledge the present and march toward a future of progress and equality.Advancing Justice | AAJC is co-chairing this momentous event along with ADL, Human Rights Commission, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Legal Defense Fund, NAACP, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, National Council of Negro Women, National Urban League and UNIDOS. Read the Advancing Justice | AAJC announcement: https://bit.ly/3E2JUPP . Register to join the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Contingent at the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington: https://bit.ly/3qjWTsY 3. Ji-Hyun Lee - 120th President of the American Statistical Association The American Statistical Association announced the election of Ji-Hyun Lee as its president. Her term begins January 1, 2025, with a one-year term as president-elect beginning January 1, 2024. Lee is believed to be the first person of Asian descent to serve in that capacity. "Understanding basic statistical and data literary is not only just important for students but is becoming increasingly crucial for everyone in the workforce," Lee said. "With the rapid growth of data-driven jobs and widespread use of data in the various sectors, data science and statistical education are vital for building a strong American workforce and maintaining competitiveness." Lee is a professor of biostatistics at the University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions and the University of Florida College of Medicine. She was on the board of directors for the Korean International Statistical Association from 2017 to 2022. Back View PDF August 6, 2023 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #74 Your Action Needed For Rep. Ted Lieu's Letter; Nisha Ramachandran New CAPAC ED #74 Your Action Needed For Rep. Ted Lieu's Letter; Nisha Ramachandran New CAPAC ED Back View PDF July 22, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #196: Florida Hearing Today; TikTok Ban Lawsuit; Chinese Scientists; NASEM Roundtable; More #196: Florida Hearing Today; TikTok Ban Lawsuit; Chinese Scientists; NASEM Roundtable; More In This Issue #196 TODAY, July 18: Federal Court Argument Over Florida’s New Discriminatory Housing Law Texas’ TikTok Ban Hit With First Amendment Lawsuit Who Needs Chinese Scientists? America Does National Academies Roundtable Proceedings News and Activities for the Communities TODAY, July 18: Federal Court Argument Over Florida’s New Discriminatory Housing Law WHAT: The U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Florida will hear arguments in Shen v. Simpson . A press conference with the legal team and community leaders will follow. CONTACT : Dr. Jim Moyer, Press Secretary jimmoyer1956@gmail.com Attorney Echo King, President echokinglaw@yahoo.com Allegra Harpootlian, 303-748-4051, aharpootlian@aclu.org WHEN: Tuesday, July 18, 1:30 p.m. ET WHERE: Joseph Woodrow Hatchett U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building, 111 N. Adams St., Tallahassee, Florida Court information: https://www.flnd.uscourts.gov/tallahassee On July 18, 2023, the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Florida will hear arguments in Shen v. Simpson, a lawsuit challenging Senate Bill 264, a new Florida law banning many Chinese immigrants, including people here lawfully as professors, students, employees, and scientists, from buying a home in large swaths of the state. This law also unfairly discriminates against immigrants from Cuba, Venezuela, Syria, Iran, Russia, and North Korea, but it singles out people from China for especially draconian restrictions and harsher criminal penalties. The lawsuit Shen v. Simpson was filed on May 22, 2023, by four Chinese immigrants who live, work, study, and raise families in Florida, but are now prohibited from purchasing real estate there, as well as a local real estate firm whose business will be affected. The plaintiffs are asking the judge for a preliminary injunction to immediately block the law and declare it unconstitutional.The Chinese immigrants and real estate firm are represented by the DeHeng Law Offices PC, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the ACLU of Florida, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), and the law firm Quinn Emanuel in conjunction with the Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance (CALDA). On June 27, the United States Department of Justice filed an amicus brief in support of plaintiff's motion for a preliminary injunction challenging this prejudicial new law. Nineteen other groups have also express their support for the injunction. Ashley Gorski from ACLU and Clay Zhu from DeHeng Law Office will be in court arguing that this law violates the plaintiffs’ constitutional right to equal protection under the law and codifies and expands housing discrimination against people of Asian descent — something expressly forbidden by the Fair Housing Act. Florida Asian American Justice Alliance (FAAJA) and the Yick Wo Institution will hold a protest rally on July 18, denouncing the discriminatory SB 264 “Interests of Foreign Countries” Act. This demonstration will consist of a multiracial, multi-state coalition of concerned citizens, some of whom will be traveling in “freedom buses” to Tallahassee the morning of the hearing to support the civil rights of all US citizens and residents.Reminiscent of the “freedom rides” of the 1960s civil rights movement, these protestors have embraced the color YELLOW to symbolize the fight for the rights of the AAPI community.Those attending the rally in front of the courthouse will be wearing yellow.FAAJA was created after many Chinese Floridians, Chinese American groups, and countless other supporters protested in Tallahassee on April 19, 2023, against the passage of this bill,which violates Floridians’ civil rights and liberties. Despite FAAJA’s efforts, this unjust bill was signed into law on May 8, 2023, and took effect on July 1, 2023.This Tallahassee rally is supported by many major organizations with diverse backgrounds including APA Justice Task Force, Committee of 100 (C100), Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA), Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), Greater Houston League of United Latin American Citizens (GH LULAC), National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Stop AAPI Hate, United Chinese Americans (UCA) and more.The time and location of the press conference will be announced later.FAAJA hereby urges the court to rule in favor of the plaintiffs’ request for a temporary injunction and against this unfair treatment of certain targeted groups of people based on their race and country of origin.Read more coverage of the hearing by APA Justice: https://www.apajustice.org/ 2023/07/11 Shen v. Simpson Document 65: Plaintiffs' Report in Support of Their motion for a Preliminary Injunction . Update on Alien Land Bills On June 27, 2023, Louisiana Governor signed House Bill 537 into state law. It becomes effective on August 1, 2023.Follow the tracking map and state-by-state list of alien land bills at https://bit.ly/43oJ0YI . Read APA Justice's full coverage of Alien Land Bills: https://bit.ly/43epBcl Texas’ TikTok Ban Hit With First Amendment Lawsuit According to a press statement on July 13, 2023, researchers and the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University have filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Coalition for Independent Technology Research, asserting that Texas’s TikTok ban, initially imposed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott last year, violates the First Amendment. The ban requires all state agencies, including public universities, to bar employees from downloading or using TikTok on state-owned or -issued devices or networks, as well as on personal devices used to conduct state business. The lawsuit challenges the ban’s application to public university faculty, asserting that it compromises academic freedom and impedes vital research. The Coalition for Independent Technology Research is a group of academics, journalists, civil society researchers, and community scientists that works to advance, defend, and sustain the right to study the impact of technology on society. The coalition’s members include professors at public universities in Texas whose research and teaching have been compromised by the ban. Texas is not the only state to have enacted a TikTok ban of one kind or another. At least 35 states have banned TikTok on state devices and networks. State university systems or universities in 20 states have banned TikTok on university devices, university networks, or both. Montana passed a ban in May 2023; two lawsuits have been filed challenging that law, one by TikTok and another by TikTok users. Coalition for Independent Technology Research v. Abbott (1:23-cv-00783) was filed with the Western District of Texas Austin Division.Read the press statement by the Knight First Amendment Institute : https://bit.ly/43r7W0Q Who Needs Chinese Scientists? America Does According to an opinion published by LA Progressive on July 11, 2023, outside the halls of Congress, where alarm bells constantly go off about the Chinese threat, scientists, research laboratory directors, and university officials recognize what a resource the Chinese scientists are. Xie Xiaoliang is one of Harvard’s premier scientists, a biophysical chemist known for his work on DNA. He’s leaving Harvard to take an academic position in his home country, China, one of about 1400 top Chinese scientists who in recent years have given up their US positions and returned to China.The reason is not so much China’s “Thousand Talents” program, which seeks to entice scientists to return home with promises of lucrative academic and research positions. It’s the lingering effects of the Trump and Biden justice department’s China Initiative.That program sought—with outstanding failure—to weed out Chinese scientists, including Chinese Americans, who were supposedly committing economic espionage. The University of Michigan’s president was among many major university leaders who wrote to the US attorney general to complain about the unfairness of the China Initiative, pointing out its racial profiling, lack of evidence of wrongdoing, and pressure on the university to “investigate researchers who are singled out only because of their personal or professional connections with China.” The open letter was signed by the overwhelming majority of Michigan faculty.The China Initiative has ended, but the careers of a number of prominent scientists of Chinese descent in the US were ruined or set back. Fear stalks Chinese visitors and citizens alike. Put simply, the scientific research of Chinese scientists is crucial to international scientific collaboration ( Karin Fischer , The Chronicle of Higher Education, Latitudes, June 14, 2023).There is, to be sure, reason for caution on national security grounds. Concern about research findings here being conveyed to the Chinese military is real. U.S. universities are well aware of the problem and have developed guidelines for collaborative research with security implications. But overwhelmingly, the view at universities and research facilities is that our society and economy would pay a high price if Chinese scientists were suddenly barred from entry. That means US “visa processes should be streamlined, backlogs cleared and talented individuals given expanded opportunities to obtain green cards,” says one writer long involved in promoting US-China ties.Congress isn’t listening, however; right-wing members, with some support from liberals, believe any contact with Chinese scientists is a national security danger. Recently, 10 Republicans on Rep. Mike Gallagher ’s special committee on China wrote Secretary of State Antony Blinken to urge that the U.S. scrap the 1979 US-China Science and Technology Agreement, which is up for renewal. That agreement supports cooperation on many scientific projects in agriculture, physics, and the atmosphere, among other areas. Let’s remember that no one appreciates academic freedom more than visitors from China and other countries under authoritarian rule. When that freedom is violated by harassment and suspicion, word gets back to China very quickly, and the rewards for returning to China, in money and prestige, become tantalizing. Academic freedom is under assault in the U.S. for other reasons these days. It is in our self-interest to protect it from those who really don’t have the national interest at heart. Mel Gurtov , author of the opinion, is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Portland State University (Oregon) and (from 1994 to 2017) Editor-in-Chief of Asian Perspective, an international affairs quarterly. Read the LA Progressive opinion: https://bit.ly/3XPJBAO Science : New Chinese journal gains impact. According to Science on July 13, 2023, just 3 years after launch, The Innovation , a China-based, English language journal, has made a splash. Last month, it notched a citation impact factor of 32.1—behind only Nature ’s 64.8 and Science ’s 56.9 among multidisciplinary journals—in the annual Journal Citation Reports released by the Clarivate analytics company. A group of young Chinese scientists pooled their savings to get the open-access journal up and running, according to the South China Morning Post , which first reported the story. Despite producing nearly 30% of the world’s reviewed scientific papers, China has produced few highly ranked journals. At least two-thirds of The Innovation ’s published papers come from China-based corresponding authors. It accepts only about 13% of submissions; acceptance rates at Science and Nature are below 10%. Read the Science report: https://bit.ly/44vIyss National Academies Roundtable Proceedings On November 14 and 15, 2022, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) convened a two-day workshop under the auspices of the National Science, Technology, and Security Roundtable to assess the state of the U.S. research enterprise in a time of increasing global competition. The workshop also featured discussion of the challenges confronting researchers as they seek to ensure the vitality of research and innovation in America, foster increased international scientific research cooperation, and simultaneously counter illicit foreign interference that threatens national security interests. This publication summarizes the presentation and discussion of the workshop.Read the proceedings of the NASEM workshop: https://bit.ly/3K4zWR4 News and Activities for the Communities 1. Asian American Tech Worker Filed Suit According to NBC News on July 12, 2023, A former Asian American employee is suing the Silicon Valley tech company Lumentum, alleging that a yearslong pattern of racism ended with his termination when he tried to speak out. Andre Wong , 52, filed the complaint in the Santa Clara Superior Court on June 30, seeking $20 million in damages. His suit comes amid others by tech workers who say they’re pushing against the “bamboo ceiling,” barriers that have kept Asians from advancing to high-level leadership positions. Read the NBC News report: https://nbcnews.to/44JXId0 . 2. First Asian American Miss Texas speaks out against Gov. Abbott’s attack on diversity programs According to AsAmNews on July 8, 2023, Miss Texas is asking Governor Greg Abbott and other conservative lawmakers to stop their assault on DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programs in the state. Last year, Averie Bishop became the first Asian American to win Miss Texas and went on to compete in the Miss America competition. Since then, she has been using her platform to promote the idea that “Y’all means All.” MSNBC published an Op-Ed written by Bishop that addressed attacks on DEI policies from conservative Texas state lawmakers. The Texas Senate recently passed S.B. 17, in April. The bill bans diversity equity inclusion departments in public universities. The Op-Ed also comes after a recent U.S. Supreme Court deemed affirmative action programs in university admissions unlawful. Bishop wrote that she worried that the state’s “most vulnerable populations” would be ostracized without DEI policies. She believes the policies are essential to building a better Texas. Bishop herself is a first-generation law school graduate. Her mother was a Filipino immigrant. Growing up, she was one of just two visibly Asian students at her school. Now, she sees a different Texas.Bishop said she’s disappointed that many lawmakers do not want to celebrate that diversity. “Gov. Greg Abbott and state leadership must cease its assault on DEI policy and focus on improving the economic and social livelihood of all of us,” Bishop wrote.Read the AsAmNews report: https://bit.ly/3PZxSxB . Read the MSNBC op-ed: https://on.msnbc.com/43rMVn1 Back View PDF July 18, 2023 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #208 Alien Land Laws; Voice from Guam; Asian American History; Statisticians in China; More #208 Alien Land Laws; Voice from Guam; Asian American History; Statisticians in China; More In This Issue #208 Tell Congress NO to Alien Land Laws and the Rounds Amendment A Voice from Guam - "Applying Leverage to Uncle Sam" Asian American History - The AsianWeek Database Project Statisticians in China Speak Up On Transparency of Chinese Government Data News and Activities for The Communities Tell Congress NO to Alien Land Laws and the Rounds Amendment Reminder: The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) put out a call for the public to tell Congress: Say NO to Discriminatory Land Laws. Tell your Members of Congress to speak out against any law that falsely equates Chinese people with the Chinese government." We cannot allow history to repeat itself. Take one easy step to tell Congress NO to discriminatory land laws at https://bit.ly/3qRsFOh Breaking News: The National Fair Housing Alliance announced that it will file a lawsuit against the discriminatory alien land law in Florida during the APA Justice monthly meeting on September 11, 2023. Correction : Scott Chang, an attorney for the National Fair Housing Alliance, said that NFHA and other organizations are still investigating and are likely to file a lawsuit against the discriminatory alien land law in Florida during the APA Justice monthly meeting on September 11, 2023 1. Call for Action by Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC Advancing Justice | AAJC is also urging the public to join the opposition against Senate Amendment 813 otherwise known as the “Rounds Amendment” and say NO to this discriminatory land law. Follow the link here to voice your concerns to Congress. Additional resources on discriminatory land laws can also be found here . The U.S. has seen a resurgence of discriminatory land laws introduced and enacted in states across the country! Similar legislation has also been proposed in Congress and the latest example is the Senate Amendment 813 which has been included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024.Introduced by Sen. Mike Rounds (R-ND), the provision would effectively prohibit foreign nationals from China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran from owning agricultural land in the United States. It would require the President to block specific types of transactions based on recommendations from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). There are currently no exceptions for visa holders and there is a high standard for a waiver which has to be granted by the President of the United States. The good news is that there is still time to prevent the Rounds amendment from being formally adopted into law.Call your member of Congress and urge them to strike Senate Amendment 813 from the final version of the NDAA. When you talk with your elected official(s), let them know that you oppose continuing the legacy of discriminatory land laws. These types of discriminatory land laws have a long legacy in this country and single out citizens who otherwise have no connection to the actions of their governments, including the countries which have been deemed to be a “foreign adversary.” The amendment was adopted and subsequently included in the Senate version of the NDAA but coalition groups are currently applying pressure to strike out the amendment in conferencing. Help us win this fight! 2. National Iranian American Council (NIAC) Webinar On September 12, 2023, the National Iranian American Council (NIAC) hosted a webinar titled " "Alien Land Laws: What's Happening Now and How You Can Take Action." Texas State Representative Gene Wu 吳元之 , who helped defeat Texas’ alien land law proposal, was the featured speaker to offer his insights. The success in Texas, where grassroots efforts narrowly blocked a reckless alien land law bill, underscores the power of collective action. This event was co-hosted by Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA). The webinar covered an in-depth analysis of the alien land laws, strategies on how to engage and counter these measures, call to action on fighting the Rounds Amendment, and a platform to ask questions and share concerns during a Q&A segment.Watch the NIAC webinar: https://bit.ly/45R0EWr (1:03:55) A Voice from Guam - "Applying Leverage to Uncle Sam" According to the Pacific Island Times on September 11, 2023, August was a busy month for federal travel to Guahan (Guam in Chamorro). The island was treated to the “scoping” meetings on the Enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense System (EIAMDS) on Guam. This occurred over three days in early August. The event was well-managed and well-staffed. We had representatives of the Missile Defense Agency that included flag officers and devoted advocates for the system.According to the report, "the organization of the events in poster sessions rather than townhall-style helped provide in-depth information but also avoided a public question and answer session."Criticisms of the planned EIAMDS were inevitable and on-point. The island is being offered a group of 20 'candidate' sites with little explanation about the actual uses of the sites and the intrusions they would make on our day-to-day lives. There was no explanation about which sites were just shooters or radar or sensor sites. There was no explanation about limitations made on uses of airspace and lands near the candidate sites. "There was a lot of discussion about how the island needs protection from ostensible Chinese missiles and the estimation of potential conflict was rated from probable to inevitable. We were told that we live in a dangerous world in which Chinese initiatives are rearranging the geopolitical character of the region. "At the end of the day, we weren’t being asked about whether we agreed with this assessment or how much of our lives and island we were willing to leverage in order to deal with this ominous trend. We were asked to make comments on the 'environmental impacts' of the proposed activity. The basic decision is out of our hands as a colony of the United States. "Many Guahan elected officials privately told me that 'leverage' is the key word. We shouldn’t worry too much. We will be able to leverage this massive intrusion into our lives in order to benefit the island. Leverage is the key word. "Paraphrasing Isaiah in the Bible, we can turn these Pentagon swords into Guam plowshares for our people. I could hardly wait for the opportunity to start leveraging the EIAMDS into hospitals, schools, jobs and businesses. Maybe we could throw in a little political empowerment. Not too much to ask for a vitally important colony which we were constantly told is part of the U.S. homeland. In the discourse over missile defense, Guam is part of America."The House Committee on Natural Resources held an oversight field hearing on August 24 at the Guam Hilton. The title of the hearing was 'Peace Through Strength: The Strategic Importance of the Pacific Islands to U.S.-led Global Security.' Called to testify were Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and CNMI Gov. Arnold Palacios . The three freely associated states were represented by Foreign Ministers Kaleb Udui Jr. of Palau, Ricky Cantero of the Federated States of Micronesia and Jack Ading of the Marshall Islands. "The purpose of the hearing was basically to build regional support for the U.S.-led Global Security efforts in this part of the world. This means that the Chinese threat across the board demands dramatic American action in order to stabilize the environment and continue U.S. hegemony. The role of the Micronesian islands is key to this effort, especially the recently concluded financial agreements between the United States and the three freely associated states."In order to ensure approval of these agreements by Congress, the identified rationales are the threats posed by China and the necessity of U.S. dominance. This field hearing will be used as part of the corpus of justification for approval of the compacts. The robust financial arrangements that have already been concluded can be seen as the 'leverage' that our Micronesian neighbors have been able to exert in Washington D.C. When and how was the leverage going to be applied by the territories?"Taking center stage were illegal fishing activities by the Chinese, descriptions of Chinese economic penetration in the CNMI (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) and Palau and allegations of bribery of officials in the FSM (Federated States of Micronesia)."Leverage is when you point out to the other side the negative consequences of not going along with your plan. There was no leverage, just the usual typical kind of hat-in-hand request, which many Guam officials have done for decades. "There is a rhetorical pattern that many island leaders can’t seem to shake. They think that loving Uncle Sam is a viable strategy for getting respect and assistance. The use of World War II experiences was vital to this approach. "But there is a lesson which everyone needs to know now. In the 21st century, asking Uncle Sam for assistance because we are poor, but loyal islanders neither attracts attention nor does it get rewarded. It is just old hat in Washington D.C. and actually has been since the time of Congressman Antonio B. Won Pat , who did use it effectively for a few years. But he had an audience in Congress that consisted of World War II veterans. That Congress does not exist anymore."The disruption caused by the ascendency of China is real. It has political, economic and strategic dimensions. It is unfortunate that in response to Chinese economic penetration, the primary antidote that Washington D.C. can think of for us is an anti-missile defense system. It took former National Guard General Rod Leon Guerrero to remind us that diplomacy should come first and that the EIAMDS should be a last resort. It isn’t exactly the message of the protestors, but it was closer than all of the other words uttered that day by our leaders."Author of the report is Dr. Robert Underwood, Former President of the University of Guam and Former Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC). He is also Commissioner to the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Please send your feedback to him at anacletus2010@gmail.com .Read the Pacific Island Times report: https://bit.ly/48c2in2 Asian American History - The AsianWeek Database Project From 1979 to 2009, AsianWeek chronicled the growth and development of Asian Pacific America within American history. Today, the AsianWeek Database Project brings back three decades of news, education, and entertainment surrounding the Asian American community. You can rediscover the people and events documented in the historical pages of the AsianWeek newspaper and website. Anyone can easily access this trove of information — for research, for reference, or to simply remember these important times in the community at: https://www.asianweek.com/ . In a beta version (there are typographical errors in the transcribed text that will be corrected in future versions), AsianWeek reported on "DOE's New Ombudsperson" on March 9, 2000.According to the report, " Jeremy Wu 胡善庆 faces a daunting task as the Energy Department's new ombudsperson, an office created as a result of a January report by the department's task force on racial profiling."He seeks to address the continuing problems within the department, especially among its Asian American staff, about the criminal prosecution of physicist Wen Ho Lee 李文和 . Many Asian Americans have rallied to the defense of Lee, as allegations have been made that he was singled out simply because of his Chinese heritage. "As a result, Wu says one of his goals is restore 'trust and faith through effective actions that would combat racial stereotyping or profiling and other unfair practices in the workplace, making the Energy Department 'a workplace of choice for not just Asian Americans but all Americans.'In an exclusive phone interview with AsianWeek just weeks after taking office, Wu discussed his responsibilities as the person who must 'identify systemic issues; gain some understanding of systematic issues; and recommend to managers or Energy Secretary [ Bill Richardson ] directly policy changes to benefit all managers and employees.'"The report was written by Frank H. Wu 吴华扬 (no relation to Jeremy Wu), an associate professor at Howard University Law School at that time. Today, he is President, Queen's College, City University of New York.Jeremy Wu retired from the federal government and is Founder and Co-Organizer of APA Justice.Dr. Steven Chu 朱棣文 served as the 12th Secretary of Energy under the Obama Administration from January 21, 2009, to April 22, 2013. He is the first person appointed to the U.S. Cabinet after having won a Nobel Prize. He is also the second Chinese American to be a member of the U.S. Cabinet.Bill Richardson passed away on September 1, 2023.Read the beta version of the March 2000 AsianWeek report: https://bit.ly/3sTvvDf Statisticians in China Speak Up On Transparency of Chinese Government Data According to the Center for China and Globalization (CCG), a non-government think tank in Beijing, the decision on August 15, 2023, by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) of China to suspend the release of youth unemployment rates caught many by surprise. The NBS spokesperson's explanation for this decision, which cited differing public opinions on the scope and methodology of statistical calculations, was met with sharp skepticism and stinging cynicism.This development has reignited discussions about the government's transparency in statistical reporting. According to China's leading statisticians, while the NBS has made significant efforts to enhance the quality of statistical data, there remains a crucial need for China to draw lessons from the statistical systems of many Western governments. These systems often feature vibrant and open debates between the government and scholars.Statistical data is foundational for effective and sound economic choices, and the government should either make corrections or provide explanations when official figures are in doubt. The discrepancy between official figures and public perception is not uncommon, usually owing to people’s predominant exposure to specific sectors of the economy. This highlights the importance of providing statistical breakdowns that can help mitigate personal biases and boost public acceptance. It is essential for statistical bureaus to tune into the actual needs of the public and the market, and remain responsive by offering clarity on statistical indicators. A book reading event took place on June 18, 2023, nearly two months before the controversial NBS decision. Excerpts of the discussion by three academics are given below. 1. Wu Xiaoying 伍晓鹰, Research Professor of Economics at National School of Development and head of the Growth Lab "it was a daunting challenge to transform an outdated national statistical system designed for a planned economy and under Soviet influences to align with international standards and integrate into the international market and society."National statistical data are public goods... While national statistical agencies produce and manage data with public resources, they are not and should not be the exclusive owners of statistical data. "By reiterating that such data is a public good, we also encourage public scrutiny."Openness and competition are necessary to improve statistical data quality... the pivotal step is to welcome skepticism and recommendations from scholars at academic institutions and other government agencies."We should learn from the statistical system in many Western governments... Instead of complaining that the West dominates the rules, why can't we proactively participate in the rule-setting process?" 2. Huang Yiping 黄益平, Deputy Dean of the National School of Development and Director of the Institute of Digital Finance "China's statistical data, especially the earlier records, is indeed in doubt."Many may not be aware of the efforts statistical departments have taken to enhance data quality. "The NBS has made tremendous efforts to improve the quality of statistical data... This skepticism isn't baseless – manipulation of data did happen in the past."As someone who uses statistical data on a regular basis, I sometimes find a significant discrepancy between official figures and our intuitive perceptions."Despite differences between personal perceptions and the statistical data, the official figures are not necessarily faulty. "It's crucial to tune into what the public and the market really need. Statistics bureaus should ramp up their communication efforts with both groups to clarify data and indicators. "Even if such insights don't resonate with everyone, they can still significantly boost public comprehension and acceptance of data." 3. Xu Xianchun 许宪春, Distinguished Fellow at National School of Development of Peking University "If everyone publicly praises statistical work but privately criticizes the accuracy of the data, that would be unfortunate. I think different voices should be earnestly listened to to identify areas of concern and make necessary improvements."Whether it's for analyzing economic and social development trends, policy formulation, or academic research, government statistical data holds immense significance."If data discrepancies are found, regional statistical departments cannot alter them; corrections must be made at the enterprise level."Read the CCG report: https://bit.ly/48ckCwa News and Activities for The Communities APA Justice Community Calendar APA Justice has launched a Community Calendar to track events and activities of potential interest to the Asian Pacific American and academic communities. Options are available to look at a monthly, weekly, or a daily calendar, as well as an agenda view with event details. You can find the Community Calendar on the front page of the APA Justice website at https://www.apajustice.org/ . 1. National Science Foundation Listening Sessions According to the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the National Science Foundation will host two listening sessions on the implementation of the Framework for Federal Scientific Integrity Policy and Practice developed by the National Science and Technology Council. The listening sessions, open to the public, aim to collect information perspectives to inform “(1) Federal agencies' finalization of Scientific Integrity Policies, in response to the Framework and its implementation memorandum from the Office of Science and Technology Policy ; (2) Federal agency processes, procedures, and practices related to scientific integrity; and (3) other elements of Federal implementation of the Framework.” The sessions will take place Friday, September 15, 1–3 p.m. ET and Wednesday, September 20, 5–7 p.m. ET. Register for the sessions: https://bit.ly/3PjupIo . The event is posted in the APA Justice Community Calendar: https://bit.ly/45KGyga 2. Teachers Workshop - Teaching Asian American Narratives through Literature WHAT: 2023 Teachers Workshop "Teaching Asian American Narratives through Literature" WHEN: September 27, 2023, 3:30pm PT/6:30 pm ET HOST: 1990 Institute EVENT DETAILS: https://bit.ly/48c4g6K PRESS KIT: https://bit.ly/466d2S2 TARGET GRADES: 6-12 DESCRIPTION: Expert speakers on this subject to help teachers bring a nuanced dialogue on intersectional perspectives into classroom discussions. In particular, we want to encourage teachers to bring oft-missing Asian American perspectives to their students and encourage more inclusive community building and understanding.The event is posted in the APA Justice Community Calendar: https://bit.ly/45KGyga . Back View PDF September 14, 2023 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #147 WSJ on Outflow; 10/3 Meeting; NAPA Fellows; OSTP Director Confirmed; Zhengdong Cheng #147 WSJ on Outflow; 10/3 Meeting; NAPA Fellows; OSTP Director Confirmed; Zhengdong Cheng Back View PDF September 26, 2022 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #271 Yanping Chen Brief; Franklin Tao Speaks; Land Bill Tracker; AASF/Stanford Symposium; + #271 Yanping Chen Brief; Franklin Tao Speaks; Land Bill Tracker; AASF/Stanford Symposium; + In This Issue #271 · AALDEF: Amicus Brief in Support of Dr. Yanping Chen · Professor Franklin Tao and Wife Speak on Their Experience and Plans · C100: Alien Land Bill Tracker Updated · AASF: Asian American Pioneer Medal Symposium and Ceremony · News and Activities for the Communities AALDEF: Amicus Brief in Support of Dr. Yanping Chen On July 29, 2024, the Asian American Legal and Education Defense Fund (AALDEF) and a coalition of 11 organizations filed a 43-page amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in support of Dr. Yanping Chen . The brief addresses issues of racial prejudice and the negative stereotyping of Asian Americans, particularly in the context of government actions against Dr. Chen. Dr. Chen was not charged after six years of FBI investigations started in 2010. She filed a lawsuit in 2018 against the Government for violating the Privacy Act after Fox News aired a series of reports by Catherine Herridge in 2017, based on leaked FBI materials, that suggested she was spying for China, causing her significant personal, professional and financial harm.On February 29, 2024, Judge Christopher Cooper held Catherine Herridge in civil contempt for refusing to divulge her source for her 2017 series of Fox News reports. He imposed a fine of $800 per day until Catherine Herridge reveals her source, but the fine will not go into effect immediately to give her time to appeal.Catherine Herridge appealed to the DC Circuit Appeals Court. The case number is #24 -5050.The brief underscores the historical marginalization of Asian Americans, emphasizing the persistent "forever foreigner" stereotype that depicts Asian Americans as perpetual outsiders regardless of their citizenship status or contributions to society. Such stereotypes have been perpetuated by media representations and have influenced governmental policies and actions, often leading to discriminatory practices. The brief argues that decisions in this case should be informed by a rejection of racial stereotypes and should uphold principles of justice and equality. It stresses the importance of the court recognizing the impact of racial bias on the credibility and reputation of individuals like Dr. Chen and the broader Asian American community.The brief urges the court to consider the broader social and historical context of racial discrimination against Asian Americans when making its decision. It calls for a careful examination of the evidence and arguments presented, ensuring that decisions are based on facts rather than prejudiced assumptions.The brief concludes by reinforcing the need for the judicial system to protect the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of race or ethnicity. It emphasizes that a fair and just outcome in Dr. Chen's case would contribute to the broader fight against racial discrimination and uphold the principles of equality and justice.The coalition of 11 organizations includes Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California, Asian Americans United, the Asian Law Alliance, the Asian Law Caucus, the APA Justice Task Force, Chinese for Affirmative Action, the Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality, Helen Zia and the Vincent Chin Institute, the Japanese Americans Citizens League, Muslim Advocates, and Stop AAPI Hate. For additional information, contact Stuart J. Sia , Communications Director, AALDEF, at (212)-966-5932 x203 and ssia@aaldef.org Read the AALDEF brief: https://bit.ly/3Aa4oY3 . Read the AALDEF press statement: https://bit.ly/3WCm06i . Read Dr. Chen's legal docket: https://bit.ly/3ufnqUP Professor Franklin Tao and Wife Speak on Their Experience and Plans It was a deeply emotional day for Professor Franklin Tao to speak for the first time at the APA Justice meeting on August 5, 2024. He thanked his family, lawyers Peter Zeidenberg and Michael Dearington , thousands of GoFundMe donors, brothers and sisters from his church, and the unwavering support from CAPAC, United Chinese Americans, Asian American Scholar Forum, APA Justice, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Committee of 100, Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance, Alliance for Impact, and many other organizations.Professor Tao’s ordeal has lasted nearly five years. From the day of his arrest on August 21, 2019, to the day the 10th Circuit Court acquitted him of the last count, it has been 1,786 days—each one filled with fear and desperation.A false accusation from a lying whistleblower led to Professor Tao’s arrest under the China Initiative. Professor Tao said he is not a spy, and he should never have been arrested. He was indicted on 10 felony counts. Thanks to his dedicated lawyers, Professor Tao and his wife fought the charges and ultimately prevailed. On July 11, the final count was acquitted.However, this victory is bittersweet. Throughout this ordeal, Professor Tao has lost almost everything. His academic career, built over 20 years of hard work and 16-hour days, has been destroyed. The legal battle was extremely expensive, costing $2.3 million. He and his wife borrowed from friends, tapped into their retirement savings, and raised over $800,000 through GoFundMe. Despite all these efforts, they are still $1.1 million in debt, and he has had no income for the past four years, leaving his family nearly bankrupt. In July 2020, Professor Tao had an agreement with Kansas University (KU) stating that no action would be taken until the conclusion of criminal proceedings. However, KU terminated him in January 2023 before the conclusion of these proceedings. This was a breach of the agreement.Professor Tao appealed because he is innocent of all the allegations. He has proven his innocence, but he has lost his job.He is now focused on regaining his faculty position at KU. In the past few years while he was fighting his case, Professor Tao published 30 papers and retained the capability of working as a faculty member. Hong Peng followed her husband’s talk to share her story. It is a story marked by suffering and injustice, but ultimately ending in a victory for justice.It was very, very hard to live under the dark clouds of injustice for almost five years. Franklin lost his career and nearly everything. Hong had to work long hours, multiple jobs in different hospitals to help her family survive. She could not count how many times she had to work 24 hours straight, how many times she had to pull off the highway to find a gas station to take a short nap or use cold water to wash her face to stay awake.Sometimes she felt so desperate that she cried in her car after work, questioning why this was happening to Franklin and her family. Then she had to wipe away her tears and moved on. She had to tell herself to stay strong for her husband, their kids, and their family. She deeply regrets how this affects their children who are twins.This all began on their first day of high school. They were followed by a drone that the FBI used to surveil them from the moment they got into the car until the moment they got out at curbside and walked into the school.Their son often cried alone in his room because he did not want his parents to worry. Their daughter had to see a psychologist to cope with the trauma.Before they started college last year, her son said to Hong, “mom, don’t worry about us. We are going to start our new life in college. We are going to be fine. There were times before both of us thought about suicide.” Her heart breaks whenever she thinks about how much this has impacted their kids.Franklin was treated like a criminal when he was innocent. He became extremely depressed, and had trouble sleeping and eating. From time to time before he slept, he would say “I almost wish I could just fall asleep and never wake up again. Then I wouldn’t need to think about all of this.”She was heartbroken to witness her loved one suffer so much because of this injustice.Physically, mentally, and financially Hong had to be the center of resource and support for her family. She was so drained. One time she got off the highway and was completely out. She did not know where she was, but it was the road she drove to work daily. It was scary because she could not afford to be sick. She had to be there for her family. Justice finally prevailed with the 10th Circuit Court acquittal of the last count against Franklin on July 11. This victory could not have been possible without the tremendous support they received from the organizations, community, family, friends, legal team, and countless individuals. Hong and Franklin are eternally grateful for the compassion and belief in the truth that were shown to them.In conclusion, Hong and Franklin look forward to Kansas University to reinstate Franklin, starting a new chapter in their lives and to a future where justice is not just a concept but reality for all. A summary for the August 5 APA Justice monthly meeting is being prepared at this time. Read Professor Tao's story: https://bit.ly/3y8SBsm C100: Alien Land Bill Tracker Updated On August 1, 2024, the Committee of 100 (C100) announced that its national database to track harmful alien land laws legislation has been updated. The C100 tracker and interactive maps are located at https://bit.ly/4d6G0Ft Summary of 2024 as of July 22, · 151 bills restricting property ownership by foreign entities have been considered by 32 states (115 bills) and Congress (36 bills). · Of the 151 total bills, 71 are under current consideration that would prohibit Chinese citizens from purchasing or owning property. · Of the 151 total bills, 12 passed and were signed into law in Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa (2 bills), Nebraska (2 bills), Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee (2 bills), and Utah, respectively. · Of the 12 bills passed so far, 7 prohibit Chinese citizens from purchasing or owning some form of property: Georgia’s SB 420, Indiana’s HB 1183, Nebraska’s LB 1301, Oklahoma’s SB1705, South Dakota’s HB 1231, Tennessee’s HB 2553 and SB 2639. Summary since the beginning of 2023: · 241 bills restricting property ownership by foreign entities have been considered by 39 states (205 bills) and Congress (36 bills). · Of the 241 total bills, 194 have been under consideration that would prohibit Chinese citizens from purchasing or owning property; 174 bills have been considered by 38 states and 20 have been considered by Congress. · Of the 241 total bills, 29 passed and were signed into law in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Iowa (2 bills), Idaho (2 bills), Indiana (2 bills), Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Dakota (2 bills), Nebraska (2 bills), Oklahoma (2 bills), South Dakota, Tennessee (4 bills), Utah (2 bills), Virginia, (2 bills), and West Virginia. · Of the 29 bills passed so far, 11 prohibit Chinese citizens from purchasing or owning some form of property: Arkansas’ SB 383, Florida’s S 264, Georgia’s SB 420, Indiana’s HB 1183 and SB 477, Nebraska’s LB 1301, Oklahoma’s SB1705, South Dakota’s HB 1231, Tennessee’s HB 2553 and SB 2639, and West Virginia’s SB 548. AASF: Asian American Pioneer Medal Symposium and Ceremony According to a press statement on August 2, 2024, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) hosted, in partnership with Stanford University Asian American Activities Center, the very first Asian American Pioneer Medal Symposium and Ceremony on July 27, 2024, at Stanford Memorial Auditorium. More than 1,300 persons registered for the event.The six Pioneer Medal Award recipients are Nasir Ahmed , Frank C Chang , Dawon Kahng , Teresa H. Meng , Raj Reddy , and Simon M. Sze . The symposium and award ceremony brought together some of the most distinguished minds in energy, artificial intelligence, life sciences, and leadership – including Nobel Prize laureates Steven Chu and Randy Schekman , Turing Award laureates Raj Reddy and John Hennessy , and leading industry figures, such as CEO and Founder of Zoom, Eric Yuan . It also included academic leaders such as Jonathan Levin , the 13th president of Stanford University; Arun Majumbar , the dean of the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability; Tsu-Jae King Liu , the dean of the College of Engineering at UC Berkeley; and Andrea J. Goldsmith , the dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science at Princeton University. The event also featured notable speakers such as Dr. Arati Prabhakar (U.S. Cabinet member and Science Advisor to the President and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy), Sethuraman Panchanathan (Director of the U.S. National Science Foundation), and Representative Judy Chu (D-CA 28th District and Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus). Read the AASF press statement: https://bit.ly/4dxYkHl News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2024/08/19 DNC Convention, AAPI Briefing & Reception, Chicago, IL2024/09/01 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/09/09 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2024/09/19-20 AANHPI Unity Summit2024/10/06 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/10/07 APA Justice Monthly MeetingThe Community Calendar has moved. Visit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Nobel Prize-winning physicist Tsung-Dao Lee dies at age 97 According to AP, New York Times, and multiple media sources, Chinese American physicist Tsung-Dao Lee 李政道 (1926-2024), who in 1957 became the second-youngest scientist to receive a Nobel Prize, died at his home in San Francisco at age 97.His death was announced in a joint statement by the Tsung-Dao Lee Institute at the Jiao Tong University in Shanghai and the China Center for Advanced Science and Technology in Beijing. Born on November 24, 1926, in Shanghai, Tsung-Dao Lee made groundbreaking contributions to physics, leaving a lasting impact on both theoretical and experimental physics. Lee's academic journey began at the National Chekiang University and the National Southwest Associated University from 1943 to 1945. He then pursued graduate studies at the University of Chicago from 1946 to 1950, where he was chosen by Enrico Fermi, a Nobel laureate in physics, as a doctoral student. In 1950, Lee earned his Ph.D. degree. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1962.In 1953, he joined Columbia University as an assistant professor. Three years later, he became the youngest-ever full professor there. He became the Enrico Fermi Professor of Physics at Columbia University in 1964.In 1957, Lee, at age 31, was awarded the Nobel Prize in physics together with Chen-Ning Yang 楊振寧 . Robert Oppenheimer , known as the father of the atomic bomb, once praised Lee as one of the most brilliant theoretical physicists of the time, whose work showed “remarkable freshness, versatility and style.”Read the New York Times report: https://nyti.ms/4dBZ3qZ . Read the AP report: https://bit.ly/4d82uWo . 3. Verge : Customs Agents Need a Warrant to Search Your Phone Now According to the Verge on July 29, 2024, a federal judge in New York ruled that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) can not search travelers’ phones without a warrant. The ruling theoretically applies to land borders, seaports, and airports — but in practice, it only applies to New York’s Eastern District. The ruling stems from a criminal case against Kurbonali Sultanov , a naturalized US citizen from Uzbekistan, who was ordered to hand his phone over to CBP after his name triggered an alert on the Treasury Enforcement Communications System identifying Sultanov as a potential purchaser or possessor of child sexual abuse material.The judge, Nina R. Morrison of New York’s Eastern District, denied Sultanov’s motion to suppress evidence, but ruled in favor of Sultanov on Fourth Amendment grounds, finding that the initial search of his phone was unconstitutional. CBP’s ability to search travelers’ phones has received increased scrutiny in recent months. In April, a bipartisan group of senators sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas asking for information on what data the government retains from these searches and how the data is used. “We are concerned that the current policies and practices governing the search of electronic devices at the border constitute a departure from the intended scope and application of border search authority,” Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), Rand Paul (R-KY), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Mike Crapo (R-ID) wrote. Read the Verge report: https://bit.ly/46wX7h6 . Back View PDF August 7, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #140 Arrowood Nomination; Help Jamie; Prof. Xi's Appeal; Briefing; Stanford; Asia Society #140 Arrowood Nomination; Help Jamie; Prof. Xi's Appeal; Briefing; Stanford; Asia Society Back View PDF August 30, 2022 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #170 3/6 Meeting; Updates on Texas; FISA Surveillance/Border Harassment; House Committee; + #170 3/6 Meeting; Updates on Texas; FISA Surveillance/Border Harassment; House Committee; + In This Issue #170 2023/03/06 APA Justice Monthly Meeting Updates on Texas Senate Bill 147 and Opposition to Revival of Alien Land Laws Warrantless Surveillance and Border Harassment The House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party Asian American Community News and Activities 2023/03/06 APA Justice Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held on Monday, March 6, 2023. Confirmed speakers include: Nisha Ramachandran , Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), to provide updates on the latest developments and activities of CAPAC John Yang 杨重远 , President and Executive Director, Advancing Justice | AAJC to provide updates on the Anti-Profiling, Civil Rights & National Security Program and related Activities Gisela Kusakawa , Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum, to provide updates on AASF activities Peter Toren , Attorney and Member of Sherry Chen Legal Team, to be recognized and share his reflections on the Sherry Chen case (new addition) Helen Shih 施慧伦 , Vision-Mission coach, community activist with RiseAAPI-Texas, Emerging Voters, and United Chinese Americans, to provide updates on Texas Senate bills and opposition to discriminatory land laws Grace Meng 孟昭文 , Member, U.S. Congress and Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, to remark on the latest developments and legislation for the Asian American community Baimadajie Angwang 昂旺 , New York Police Department (NYPD), and John Carman , Attorney, to share Angwang's story of injustice as another victim of racial profiling under the "China Initiative" (new addition) William Colton , Member (District 47), New York State Assembly, to give opening remarks before the Q&A session The virtual monthly meeting is by invitation only. 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 . Read past monthly meeting summaries here: https://bit.ly/3kxkqxP .Latest Chinese-language media reports on NYPD Officer Angwang 2023/03/02 侨报网: 联邦撤销指控 华警昂旺首谈两年多艰难遭遇 世界新聞網: 藏警昂旺：有信心重歸警局 擬提告政府 美国中文网 : 拘半年终撤诉 纽约藏裔警察讲述幕后故事 星𡷊日報: 藏族警察昂旺擬提告政府 律師指司法系统存在問题 Updates on Texas Senate Bill 147 and Opposition to Revival of Alien Land Laws 1. Video Posted for Webinar on A Call to Stop SB 147 and All Alien Land Laws The February 17, 2023, webinar featured Rep. Judy Chu with opening remarks and Rep. Gene Wu , David Donatti , Jamal Abdi , and Clay Zhu . Video of the webinar including a clip of the march and rally in Houston on February 11 has been posted. The event was sponsored by the 1882 Foundation, APA Justice, and United Chinese Americans.Watch the clip and webinar: https://bit.ly/3mtMU1L 2. Historic Turnout to Testify in Texas Senate Committee on State Affairs Hearing on SB 147 and SB 711 On March 2, 2023, Texas Independence Day, the Texas Senate Committee on State Affairs held a public hearing on Senate Bill 147 and Senate Bill 711. According to onsite eyewitness report by H.C. Chang , an estimated 140 witnesses testified in the 6-hour event. About 130 were against SB147 and 711. It was historic in terms of Asian turnout, including the Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, Iranian, Muslim, and many other communities. The witnesses came from many walks of life, to include students, lawyers, realtors, business leaders, moms, and even one 10-year-old kid. Most of them testified for the first time in front of legislators. Texas icon Martha Wong 黄朱慧爱 , a Republican who was the first Asian American woman to be elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2002, testified against SB 147 and 711. Her testimony resonates and is a must-watch classic for the ages https://bit.ly/41QEyBU (12:33 with Chinese and English subtitles) Watch the video of the entire hearing https://bit.ly/41Ma6IN (6:17:08). 3. JACL Denounces Rising Anti-Chinese Rhetoric and Actions On March 2, 2023, Rafu Shimpo reported on a statement released by the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) that denounces rising anti-Chinese rhetoric and actions. According to the statement, recent events have led to a further resurgence of anti-Chinese rhetoric to a point that is becoming all too familiar to the Japanese American community specifically, as echoes of World War II incarceration begin to resurface.¶ The JACL condemns these accusations against both Dominic Ng and Rep. Judy Chu and joins CAPAC, elected officials, and other community members in calling for an immediate apology from Rep. Lance Gooden and others who have questioned the loyalty of Chinese Americans.¶ In addition to charges of disloyalty, we are seeing proposals for legislation targeting Chinese immigrants similar to laws passed 100 years ago that targeted Japanese immigrants. Texas legislators have proposed a law that would bar any “foreign national” from China, Russia, North Korea, or Iran from owning any land throughout the state.¶ The so-called Alien Land Laws of the early 20th century barred first-generation Japanese Americans, Issei, from owning land, first in California and then in 12 other states.¶ This proposed Texas law and similar ones being discussed in Virginia, Wyoming, Montana, and North Dakota are unequivocally xenophobic and racist.¶ These laws were deemed unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment in 1952, and yet 70 years later we see the same laws and rhetoric being brought up again.¶ The JACL calls for an end to the baseless demagoguery of anyone with Chinese heritage. The presumption of disloyalty because of one’s country of origin or ancestry is unfortunately a well-worn tradition, but one that we must not revive. Read the JACL statement http://bit.ly/3kL2vJW 4. San Francisco Chronicle Letter to the Editor On March 2, 2023, the San Francisco Chronicle published a letter to the editor authored by John Trasvina , fair housing and employment official, Obama and Clinton Administrations. The letter titled Texas bill is illegal said, "Regarding 'While Florida targets Black history, Texas Republicans plan to make life miserable for Asian Americans" (Open Forum, SFChronicle.com , Feb 17): Texas' SB147 violates the laws mentioned by Judge Lillian Sing and Julie Tang as well as the federal Fair Housing Act and principles of immigration and tax law.¶ It treats U.S. permanent residents as agents of the foreign countries they may have fled from buying homes.¶ I enforced fair housing and immigration employment protections for two presidential administrations. We know that employers and home sellers, contrary to law, may mistakenly or intentionally deny job and housing opportunities to U.S. citizens and others who look like the "wrong" population.¶ Texas lives under and must follow the same laws as the rest of the country. 5. Texas Asian History - Who were the "Pershing Chinese?" According to Chinese American Heroes , hundreds of Chinese from Texas and Mexico supported the US Army in 1916 and were allowed to stay in America and eventually became citizens. They were dedicated and loyal Chinese immigrants who served our military without ever wearing the uniform.¶ The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was emblematic of official American attitudes towards the Chinese, making Chinese Texans vulnerable to deportation at government whim as they were not legal American residents and by law were barred from becoming American citizens.¶ In March 9, 1916, Pancho Villa and his rebels crossed the border and killed eighteen American soldiers and civilians in Columbus, New Mexico. On March 15, 1916, Major General John J. Pershing , stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, was ordered to pursue and capture Villa by President Woodrow Wilson .¶ This mission was known as the Mexican Punitive Expedition. Read the story of the Pershing Chinese some of whose descendants still live in Texas and the Southwest https://bit.ly/3ZkVdLX Warrantless Surveillance and Border Harassment 1. FISA Section 702 - Warrantless Surveillance. In 2008, Congress enacted Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Its six-year reauthorization will expire on December 31, 2023.¶ According to the Washington Post on February 28, 2023, Section 702 allows the FBI and the National Security Agency to gather emails, text messages and other electronic data from U.S. tech firms like Google, Microsoft, Apple and Meta without a traditional warrant based on probable cause when the target is a foreigner overseas.¶ However, because the foreign target may have been in communication with a U.S. citizen or resident and the email may be in the database, the lack of a warrant requirement has long concerned privacy advocates.¶ Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) years ago dubbed that the " backdoor search loophole .” As a result, many Chinese Americans are swept into this loophole.¶ Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, this month tweeted “any FISA reauthorization must include meaningful reforms to protect Fourth Amendment rights.”¶ The "only way to fully protect Americans’ Fourth Amendment rights and prevent abuses is to require the government to obtain a probable-cause court order before performing U.S. queries,” the Brennan Center for Justice’s Elizabeth Goitein argued in an article for the website Just Security .¶ The battle for reauthorization lies principally in the Republican-controlled House. Rep. Jim Jordan is chairman of the Judiciary Committee, which will have first crack at the Section 702 bill in the House.¶ Unlike previous rounds of Section 702 renewal, it is no longer clear that there is a majority in the House that is convinced of the value of the statute. Read the Washington Post report https://wapo.st/3ZIQp34 2. Border Harassment Reported. According to a report by the Chronicle of Higher Education on March 1, 2023, Advocates for Asian American academics are raising alarms about Chinese American researchers, and their families, being stopped and questioned when re-entering the United States.¶ The Asian American Scholar Forum said there have been “multiple incidents” in which scientists and professors have been “harassed or interrogated” at airports or other border crossings. The incidents, which have occurred over the last few months, have sparked fears that federal government scrutiny of researchers with ties to China is continuing, despite the end of the controversial China Initiative, the U.S. Department of Justice investigation of academic and economic espionage by China.¶ “Although the China Initiative has ended — and that was a very important and critical step — for many Chinese Americans, it is clear that they still live in a climate that’s less welcoming,” said Gisela Perez Kusakawa , the forum’s executive director.¶ The incidents, in which travelers were subjected to additional questioning, a process known as secondary screening, have occurred when scholars were returning to the United States after going abroad for professional reasons. The screenings have also happened following personal travel, and in some cases, academics’ family members have been pulled aside.¶ In one case, a graduate student was questioned by border officials about his lab’s research which is unrelated to national security. In another case, the young daughter of a Chinese American scholar traveling by herself was stopped for several hours and asked about her father’s work.¶ Border officers should receive anti-bias training, Kusakawa said. In the meantime, the group has organized a virtual session with immigration, national-security, and criminal-law experts to give Chinese American researchers information about what to do if they are stopped for secondary screening. Among the advice offered: Carry the name and contact information of a lawyer, travel with a laptop and phone that contain only necessary work materials, and log out of all social-media and email accounts when crossing the border.¶ Read the Chronicle of Higher Education report http://bit.ly/3ZokiWz The House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party According to Reuters , the Select Committee held its first hearing on February 28, 2028. The Committee is chaired by Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) with Rep. Raja Krishanmoorti (D-IL) as the Ranking Member. The Select Committee has 13 Republican and 11 Democratic members. It will not write legislation, but will draw attention to competition between the United States and China on a range of fronts and make policy recommendations.The hearing had four witnesses: H.R. McMaster , a retired Army lieutenant general who was former Republican President Donald Trump's national security adviser Matt Pottinger , a long-time China hawk who was deputy national security adviser to Trump Yong Ti , a Chinese human rights advocate Scott Paul , president of the Alliance for American Manufacturing The committee's leaders saw the hearing, the first of what is expected to be many over the next two years as Republicans hold control of the House, as part of an effort to convince Americans why they should care about competing with China, and to "selectively decouple" the U.S. and Chinese economies. In his written testimony, Pottinger wrote that the committee must protect the rights of Chinese Americans by "standing up against bigotry and discrimination here at home." "Protect, also, Chinese nationals studying and working in the United States so they can enjoy the freedoms that so starkly distinguish the American way of life from the increasingly oppressive atmosphere in China today," Pottinger said. Although the committee is bipartisan, some Democratic lawmakers have voiced concerns that it could fuel anti-Asian sentiment within the United States. Krishnamoorthi referred to such concerns, and the need for bipartisanship, in his remarks.Read the Reuters report: https://reut.rs/3ITV6Qw According to a report by Asia Times on March 2, 2023, there were five key takeaways from the hearing: The days of engagement are over. Engagement had been the policy of successive governments from Nixon’s landmark visit to China in 1972 onward. But there was a general acceptance among committee members that the policy is outdated and that it is time to adopt if not outright containment then certainly a more competitive policy. This proposed hardening of the US policy is driven by internal developments in China as well as any perceived external threat. Reframing the debate. As Gallagher’s remarks suggest, US issues with China was framed as a battle between two very different visions of society. The committee is clearly modeled on the January 6 House panel – for example, by airing hearings in prime time and with dramatic testimony from witnesses. The idea seems to be that the issue is of such importance that to pursue it successfully the U.S. public needs to be educated, invested and mobilized. As the US heads into the 2024 presidential race, both parties will be looking to stress how tough they are on the US’s adversaries. Confronting China’s leaders, not its people. With anti-Asian sentiment having risen during the Covid-19 pandemic, US lawmakers are walking a fine line here – they will need to focus any criticism on Chinese leaders rather than its people. This balancing act may be more difficult in future hearings when issues of Chinese students at US universities, immigration and cooperation with China on certain scientific issues come up. That is when they will need to weigh concerns over Chinese espionage against not coming across as anti-Chinese visitors and immigrants. Reshaping policy on three fronts. Although this first hearing was very much a table-setter, there were three broad policy recommendations implicit in the testimony: (a) Taiwan, (b) Economic Competitiveness, and (c) Human Rights. A boilerplate response from Beijing. China’s response to the committee’s inaugural hearing was standard. In a statement, the foreign ministry in Beijing said it rejected Washington’s attempt to engage in what it called a “Cold War” mindset. Chinese media also tried to make it sound as if anti-China policy is driven by special interests, including defense contractors and members of the Taiwanese diaspora. The narrative that the US is warmongering was aided by the interjection of two protesters from the Code Pink activist group, who held up a sign during the hearing stating that “China is not our enemy.” Read more about the Asia Times report: http://bit.ly/3YoZwol Asian American Community News and Activities 1. Building A Sustainable Platform and Pipeline for AAPI Leadership in Higher Education. On March 9, 2023, a webinar will be convened as part of the 2023 Conference on Diversity, Equity and Student Success: Can We Handle Truth? Participants will learn about the importance of creating a platform for collaboration and synergy among AAPI leaders who have reached the position of president/chancellor in higher education, and a sustainable pipeline to support ascending AAPI leaders. Panelists are: Ellen Junn , President, California State University, Stanislaus; Les Wong , President Emeritus, San Francisco State University; and Frank Wu , President, CUNY Queens College. Joyce Moy , Former Executive Director, Asian American/Asian Research Institute, CUNY, will moderate. Register for this workshop webinar: http://bit.ly/3xPv6Rj 2. 1990 Institute Video - Waves of Migration Journey through the treacherous and brave path of the Asian Americans who came to the U.S. before us. At times, arriving freely and by choice. At times, arriving forcibly, coerced, or out of necessity. And for decades, excluded and barred from entry. Sometimes with a choice to stay, sometimes with no choice but to stay. Through the lens of the earliest surviving films and the eyes and pens of historical illustrators and photographers, see how, together as a community, they endured politics, imperialism, capitalistic development, and xenophobia. How their tenacity helped shape immigrant rights – not just for Asian Americans – but for many who are citizens of America today. The video is narrated by fifth generation Chinese American Krista Marie Yu and produced by the 1990 Institute. Watch the video: http://bit.ly/3JdAAff (15:55) 3. Workshop on Asian American Trailblazers in Civil Rights. On Wednesday, March 22, 2023, the 1990 Institute and the Alice Fong Yu Alternative School invite middle and high school teachers to learn more about the Asian Americans who fought for civil rights that benefited all who call America home. By 2025, a majority of states will have requirements in place for Asian American and Pacific Islander studies be taught in school. This multifaceted event will highlight Asian American pioneers and the pivotal court cases that have changed the landscape of U.S. civil rights, including the U.S. Supreme Court decision in United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898) that established the constitutional guarantee of birthright citizenship. The 125th anniversary of this landmark case is on March 28, 2023. Register for the event: http://bit.ly/3ZpBLgN 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 . Back View PDF March 5, 2023 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #233 2/5 Monthly Meeting; USHCA; Restore Scholarship Programs; Enter The Dragon; More #233 2/5 Monthly Meeting; USHCA; Restore Scholarship Programs; Enter The Dragon; More In This Issue #233 · 2024/02/05 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · US Heartland China Association (USHCA) · Call to Restore Severed Scholarship Program · Enter The (Year of The) Dragon · News and Activities for the Communities 2024/02/05 APA Justice Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, February 5, 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), invited and confirmed speakers are: · Erika Moritsugu (invited), Deputy Assistant to the President and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Senior Liaison, The White House, will kick off the Lunar New Year by reviewing the Year of the Rabbit (2023) and looking forward to the Year of the Dragon (2024). · Lora Lumpe, Chief Executive Officer, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, will tell us about the Quincy Institute and its plans and activities. The Quincy Institute promotes ideas that move U.S. foreign policy away from endless war, toward military restraint and diplomacy in the pursuit of international peace in a world where peace is the norm and war is the exception. On November 13, 2023, it led a coalition of diverse organizations in a letter to Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping calling for more stable and productive bilateral ties. · Min Fan 范敏, Executive Director, US Heartland China Association (USHCA) will introduce USHCA and describe its mission and activities. See below for more description of USHCA. · Sandy Shan, Executive Director, Justice is Global, will share how individuals and organizations can help support grassroot rollout of a US-China climate cooperation bill this spring. In 2020 and 2022 , Justice is Global conducted two community canvassing projects that engaged swing state voters susceptible to anti-immigrant sentiments in conversations about the future of US-China cooperation. The positive outcomes from these two projects informed Justice is Global’s current work in supporting the rollout of a climate cooperation bill. 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 Year of The Dragon - Empowering Justice, Embracing Change According to ChatGPT, "Empowering Justice, Embracing Change: Welcoming the Year of the Dragon 2024 with APA Justice. May this year be a symbol of strength, resilience, and transformative justice for the Asian American community. Let us unite, roar against injustice, and soar towards a future where equality prevails. Happy Lunar New Year from APA Justice - Advocating for a brighter and more just tomorrow!" US Heartland China Association (USHCA) Originally the Midwest U.S.-China Foundation, US Heartland China Association (USHCA) was founded by U.S. Senator Adlai Stevenson (IL); John Rodgers , Lawyer and Professor, and Governor Bob Holden (MO), former Chairman of the Midwest Governors Association. USHCA covers 20 states that stretch from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. 430 Fortune 1000 companies are headquartered in 84 of the cities within the Heartland region. Our mayors lead 37 of the 100 largest cities in the United States. In the first such visit since the pandemic; USHCA led a bipartisan delegation of six U.S. mayors representing communities along the Mississippi River Basin to visit their counterparts in the People's Republic of China in November 2023. Watch the video of the visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJsS8beUppg (8:25). The six mayors are: · Mayor Jim Brainard , Carmel, Indiana · Mayor Robyn Tannehill , Oxford, Mississippi · Mayor Barbara Buffaloe , Columbia, Missouri · Mayor Kim Norton , Rochester, Minnesota · Mayor Lee Harris , Shelby County, Tennessee · Mayor Chokwe Lumumba , Jackson, Mississippi Min Fan 范敏, Executive Director of USHCA will introduce USHCA and describe its mission and activities at the February 5 APA Justice monthly meeting. Call to Restore Severed Scholarship Program According to a report by Diplomatic Courier on January 31, 2024, nearly 300,000 Chinese higher–education students studied in the U.S. during the 2022–2023 school year , while only around 350 U.S. students studied in China. Closing this gap will be key to improving U.S.–China relations in the long–term.In the 2022–2023 school year there were just under 300,000 Chinese higher–education students studying in America. That is down from a peak of over 370,000 in 2019–2020, yet China remains the largest source of international students in the U.S. education system. By contrast, it has been reported that there are roughly 350 American students currently studying in China [according to US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns , that number has doubled to about 700 during the Jimmy Carter Forum last month], down from 11,639 in the 2018–2019 school year and its peak of just under 15,000 in 2011–2012. Much of this drop has to do with the pandemic preventing study in China, but also deteriorating relations have kept American students away.What is the best method to increase this number? The U.S. should begin sending students to China again through programs like Fulbright, Peace Corps, and the Boren Awards, which have all been closed to China within the past four years.Peace Corps volunteers in China received notice in January 2020 that all programs in China were shutting down. President Donald Trump terminated the China and Hong Kong Fulbright programs on July 14, 2020 via executive order as a response to the Hong Kong national security law that broadly eroded Hong Kong’s independence. These moves were politically charged, short–sighted, and aimed at worsening U.S.–China relations. These programs have been questioned before as a wasteful use of taxpayer dollars, yet they have received bipartisan funding for decades. Shutting these programs down did not set back the Chinese government, but it did constrain American students, would–be China experts, and U.S. national security interests. Why should the U.S. reinstate these programs and increase the number of American students studying in China? Firstly, these programs create the next generation of China experts. Secondly, the U.S. should reimplement these programs to improve U.S.–China relations. There is a bill to bring back the Fulbright program , but it has been sitting in the House Committee on Foreign Affairs for almost a year with three cosponsors. These programs also help improve relations in the day–to–day lives of citizens. For many Chinese, the first American they met was in one of these programs. Participants become pseudo–ambassadors for America, sharing our values and views with Chinese who otherwise might never have heard directly from an American.Ultimately, suspending the Fulbright, Peace Corps, and Boren Awards for Americans in China harms, rather than protects, national security and the future of U.S.–China relations. A crucial step in improving and preparing for the future of U.S.–China relations is to reestablish these government–funded grants. This way, future public servants will be able to more accurately understand, interact with, and create policy on China.Read the Diplomatic Courier report: https://bit.ly/3HGQrRO According to AP News on January 29, 2024, the Chinese government has protested to the United States over the treatment of Chinese arriving to study in America, saying some have been interrogated for hours, had their electronic devices checked and in some cases were forcibly deported from the country. Xie Feng , the Chinese ambassador in Washington, said dozens of Chinese holding valid visas have been denied entry over the past few months when returning to school from overseas travel or visiting relatives in China. The protest comes as the U.S. and China try to boost student and other exchanges to shore up their relations, which have turned confrontational in recent years over trade, technology, human rights and, more fundamentally, the future direction of the world.China’s state media have reported at least three cases since November at Dulles where Chinese students lost their valid student visas, received a five-year entry ban and were repatriated following long hours of interrogations. They were asked if their studies were financed by the Chinese government, if they were members of the Chinese Communist Party or its youth arm, and if their research was linked to the Chinese government, the Chinese military or key state laboratories. The students were headed to the National Cancer Institute, Yale University and the University of Maryland respectively.Read the AP News report: https://bit.ly/3OpWMF5 Enter The (Year of The) Dragon According to NBC News , it is the Year of the Dragon, and people can expect a lot of good fortune — but only if they are harnessing the animal’s most important quality: compassion.Lunar New Year — which includes Chinese New Year, Seollal in Korea, Tet in Vietnam and more — will begin February 10, kicking off more than two weeks of festivities, customs and plenty of feasts. It celebrates the arrival of spring and the start of a fresh year based on the Chinese lunisolar calendar.The upcoming year’s dragon sign is perhaps the most popular zodiac creature, associated with a host of positive qualities such as nobility, wealth and wisdom. The year’s dragon sign is, more specifically, a wood dragon. The element of wood is seen in Daoist tradition as a return to the natural state of being, which in the dragon’s case, points to a return to kindness. And Confucian thought interprets wood as a symbol of unlimited potential. The dragon, which corresponds to years 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 and 2024, has long been associated with highly valued traits, according to Jonathan H. X. Lee , a professor of Chinese folklore and religion at San Francisco State University. Those born in the year of the dragon are often said to be generous, make great leaders and have a lot of charisma. Read the NBC News report: https://nbcnews.to/47XogZy News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2024/02/01 CAMDC Deadline for Essay Contest2024/02/04 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/02/05 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2024/02/10 New Year's Day of the Year of the Dragon2024/02/13-15 Senior Executives Association Senior Executive Leadership Summit2024/02/13 Committee of 100: The Career Ceiling Challenges in Journalism Visit https://bit.ly/45KGyga for event details. 2. Committee of 100: The Career Ceiling Challenges in Journalism WHAT: Committee of 100: The Career Ceiling Challenges in Journalism WHEN: February 13, 2024, 5:00 - 6:00 pm Eastern Time WHERE: Online Fireside ChatHOST: Committee of 100MODERATOR: Peter Young, Committee of 100 member and Chair of the Committee of 100 Asian American Career Ceiling InitiativeSPEAKERS: · Nicole Dungca, Investigative Reporter, Washington Post and President of the Asian American Journalist Association · Amy Qin, National Correspondent, The New York Times DESCRIPTION: Asian Americans have faced significant career obstacles in the Journalism industry, as is true in many industries,. Our two panelists will share their observations about the career ceilings problem in Journalism, their own personal experiences, and the advice that they would give to Asian Americans pursuing careers in the industry. REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3u0p6qM 3. SEA: Senior Executive Leadership Summit WHAT : Hybrid Event 2024 Senior Executive Leadership Summit WHEN: February 13-15, 2024 WHERE: Online and In-Person: Partnership for Public Service, 600 14th Street NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005 HOST: Senior Executives Association DESCRIPTION: As the premier annual conference on public service leadership, the summit will inspire, develop and connect leaders across government, with a focus on current and aspiring Senior Executive Service (SES) members. This three-day event will include world-class keynote speakers, esteemed panels and productive group breakout discussions that will address the current obstacles federal leaders are facing and how to break boundaries and lead despite these challenges. REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3HDSaay Back View PDF February 1, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter