Newsletter - #325 Rep. Mark Takano; Birthright Citizenship; "Hands Off!"; Xiaofeng Wang; Litigations; + #325 Rep. Mark Takano; Birthright Citizenship; "Hands Off!"; Xiaofeng Wang; Litigations; + In This Issue #325 · Remarks by Rep. Mark Takano at APA Justice Monthly Meeting · Birthright Citizenship: Legal, Historical, and Civic Resistance to EO · Nationwide "Hands Off!" Rallies · China Initiative 2.0? The Case of Professor Xiaofeng Wang · Latest on Litigations Against Trump's Executive Actions · News and Activities for the Communities Remarks by Rep. Mark Takano at APA Justice Monthly Meeting Rep. Mark Takano, First Vice Chair of Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) in the 119th Congress, opened the April 7, 2025, APA Justice monthly meeting with a recorded video message, now available at https://bit.ly/3R595Yv (2:23).In his remarks, Rep. Takano strongly condemned the Trump administration’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act—a law historically used to incarcerate Japanese Americans, including members of his own family, during World War II. He expressed deep concern that this authority is now being used to deport individuals without due process, warning that such actions edge the nation toward a constitutional crisis. He criticized the Justice Department’s refusal to provide transparency regarding those detained or deported, which has left families in anguish and non-citizen residents in fear. Rep. Takano further warned that these abuses are part of a broader pattern of civil liberties violations, particularly targeting the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community. He cited disturbing policies such as the revival of the discredited China Initiative, attacks on birthright citizenship, and the promotion of racial suspicion. These actions, he said, are aimed at silencing and sidelining those who do not "agree, act, or look like" those in power. Reaffirming his commitment to justice, Rep. Takano pledged to use his voice and platform to defend vulnerable communities and urged APA Justice and its allies to continue their advocacy. He welcomed input from the meeting that could support CAPAC’s work and broader community efforts.Rep. Takano’s office can be contacted at Takano.Press@mail.house.gov or 202-225-2305. A summary of the full April 2025 APA Justice monthly meeting is currently in preparation. Birthright Citizenship: Legal, Historical, and Civic Resistance to EO On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued Executive Order 14160, seeking to revoke birthright citizenship for certain children born in the United States. The move triggered swift and widespread legal opposition. States, civil rights organizations, and advocacy groups, promptly filed multiple lawsuits, asserting that the order violates the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment and defies mor than 125 years of established legal precedent, most notably the Supreme Court's landmark 1898 decision in United States v. Wong Kim Ark . 1. Trump Administration's Retcon 特朗普政府的重塑 Edgar Chen 陳春品 served for a decade at the U.S. Department of Justice, including as Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division, in the Office of Legislative Affairs, and as senior trial attorney leading investigations and civil and criminal cases against suspected human rights violators. Among his previous work, he was Policy Director for the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association and continues to advise the organization on combating anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination. Chris M. Kwok 郭文 is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in Asian American studies at Hunter College.On March 28, 2025, Edgar and Chris published an article for the Just Security Litigation Tracker on legal challenges to actions taken by the Trump administration. Titled " The Trump Administration’s 14th Amendment Retcon: ‘Wong Kim Ark’ Does Not Limit Birthright Citizenship ," the article argues: "It was no coincidence that President Donald Trump announced on the campaign trail that he would seek to end birthright citizenship via executive order on the heels of the 125th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in United States v. Wong Kim Ark. For well over a century, Congress, the courts, the executive branch, and the American public have understood and adhered to the principle set forth by the Court in 1898 that U.S. citizenship is automatically conferred to anyone born in the United States (except the children of diplomats and occupying foreign powers). Trump’s Executive Order No. 14160, however, distorts the Wong Kim Ark decision, apparently in the belief that the Court’s language provides a blueprint to limit birthright citizenship only to the children of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (“LPRs” or green card holders). Not so. To retcon Wong Kim Ark’s parents as the equivalent of current day green card holders is both legally and historically mistaken."Read the full article: https://bit.ly/4chB1SA 陳春品（Edgar Chen ）在美国司法部任职十年，期间曾担任刑事司助理司法部长的法律顾问、立法事务办公室成员，并担任高级审判律师，主导对涉嫌侵犯人权者的调查以及民事和刑事案件的处理。在此之前，他曾担任全美亚太裔律师协会的政策总监，并持续为该协会提供建议，协助应对反亚裔仇恨犯罪和歧视问题。 郭文 (Chris M. Kwok) 是亨特学院亚裔美国人研究的兼职助理教授。2025年3月28日，陳春品和郭文在《Just Security Litigation Tracker》上发表了一篇关于法律挑战特朗普政府政策的文章。标题为《特朗普政府重塑《第十四修正案》—《黄金德案》并未限制出生公民权》，文章主张："特朗普总统在竞选期间宣布，他将通过行政命令终止出生公民权，这一决定恰逢美国最高法院在《美国诉黄金德案》（United States v. Wong Kim Ark）判决125周年之际。这绝非巧合。在过去一个多世纪里，美国国会、法院、行政部门和公众都一直遵循并承认该案确立的原则，即在美国出生的人（除外交官及外国占领国的子女外）都自动获得美国公民身份。然而，特朗普签署的第14160号行政命令（Executive Order No. 14160）曲解了《黄金德案》的裁决，似乎认为该判决提供了一种限制出生公民权的法律依据，使其仅适用于美国公民和合法永久居民（即“LPR”或“绿卡持有者”）的子女。但事实并非如此。将黄金德的父母错误地“重塑”（retcon）为现代绿卡持有者，既不符合法律，也不符合历史事实。"阅读APA Justice的张涓全文翻译: https://bit.ly/3FYgQx1 2. Timeline Visualization: Past and Present on Birthright Citizenship With few exceptions (such as children of foreign diplomats), anyone born on U.S. soil automatically becomes a U.S. citizen at birth. Birthright citizenship grants automatic citizenship to individuals born within a country's territory, regardless of their parents' nationality or immigration status. In the United States, it is enshrined in the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, which states: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside." Despite its deep-rooted history, President Donald Trump issued an executive order in January 2025 attempting to strip birthright citizenship, bypassing the constitutional amendment process. APA Justice's Jeremy Wu and Madeleine Gable have created a timeline visualization of 39 stories that traces the historical background, legal struggles, and ongoing battles surrounding this fundamental right. With exceptions of the Native Americans and Pacific Islanders, the United States is a nation built and prospered by immigrants. Some came earlier than others. Some came more willingly than others. But we all belong to this nation. Watch the timeline visualization in 2D or 3D: https://bit.ly/4hvY4L4 3. Amicus Briefs Filed with Supreme Court According to the New York Times on April 4, 2025, immigrant groups and leaders of 22 Democratic-led states pushed back sharply against the Trump administration’s request that the Supreme Court lift a temporary nationwide ban blocking the president’s order to end birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants and foreign residents.Three federal courts, in Massachusetts, Maryland and Washington State, have blocked the Trump executive order while litigation proceeds. · Casa Inc. v. Trump (8:25-cv-00201) @Maryland. “There is nothing ‘modest’ about the government’s request for emergency relief in this case,” according to the brief filed on behalf of two immigrants’ rights groups, CASA Inc. and the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project. If the justices granted the government’s request, the challengers argued, “chaos would ensue.” Supreme Court Case Number is 24A884. · State of Washington v. Trump (2:25-cv-00127) @Washington. The Plaintiffs emphasize in a brief that the injunction upholds over 125 years of constitutional precedent under the Fourteenth Amendment and warn that lifting it would cause profound and irreversible harm to fundamental rights, risking statelessness for newborns and violating core democratic principles. They urge the Court to preserve the injunction while appeals proceed. Supreme Court Case Number is 24A885. State of New Jersey v. Trump (1:25-cv-10139) @Massachusetts. A number of attorneys general of Democratic-led states filed a brief that said lifting the nationwide block would allow the administration “to strip thousands of American-born children of their citizenship, in every state or at least in 28 states, while these challenges proceed — even if doing so would contravene settled nationwide precedent.” Supreme Court Case Number is 24A886. 4. APA Justice Monitors Continuing Developments APA Justice has developed a web page to cover the Birthright Citizenship issue at https://bit.ly/3CNjtR1 . It currently covers: · What is Birthright Citizenship? · Donald Trump Executive Order · Why Protect Birthright Citizenship? · Timeline Visualization · Historical Context · Related Media · Legal Battles · Summary Readers are encouraged to visit the website and send their suggested edits and additions to contact@apajustice.org . Nationwide "Hands Off!" Rallies According to AP News , AsAmNews , CNN , Washington Post , and multiple media reports, on April 5, 2025, " Hands Off! " demonstrations were organized for more than 1,200 locations in all 50 states by more than 150 groups, including civil rights organizations, labor unions, LBGTQ+ advocates, veterans and elections activists. According to AP News , hundreds of thousands of protesters across the United States participated in "Hands Off!" rallies, expressing opposition to President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk . The demonstrations, spanning from New York to Alaska, were fueled by concerns over the administration's policies and Musk's involvement in government affairs, particularly through the "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE). Protesters voiced fears about government downsizing, potential privatization of public services, and the overreach of Musk's influence in public policy. These nationwide protests underscore a growing public apprehension regarding the direction of current governmental actions and the roles played by influential private individuals in shaping policy decisions. According to CNN , the "Hands Off!" protests unfolded across all 50 U.S. states and globally, including London and Paris. Florida Rep. Maxwell Frost spoke at a rally in Washington DC, urging people to take action by protesting, donating to mutual aid, participating in direction action and focusing on legislative strategies. “Throughout human history, authoritarians, they’re never satisfied with the power they have, and so they test the bounds, they push the limits, they break the law, and then they look at the public to see if they’re quiet or if they’re loud,” said Rep. Frost.According to the Washington Post , tens of thousands of protesters gathered in front of the Washington Monument to oppose President Donald Trump and adviser Elon Musk 's policies, including the dismantling of federal agencies and the imposition of sweeping tariffs. Speakers like Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) criticized the administration for economic downturns and authoritarian tendencies. There is no future with a president who has “the politics of Mussolini and the economics of Herbert Hoover... Our founders wrote a Constitution that does not begin with ‘We the dictators,’ the preamble says ‘We the people,’” Rep. Raskin said , holding signs condemning the administration. “No moral person wants an economy-crashing dictator who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.” The White House postponed spring garden tours due to the anticipated size of the protests. AsAmNews published a collection of pictures of Asian Americans participating at the "Hands Off! protest in St. Paul, Minnesota. China Initiative 2.0? The Case of Professor Xiaofeng Wang According to multiple media reports, Xiaofeng Wang 王晓峰 , a prominent cybersecurity professor at Indiana University Bloomington (IUB), was terminated from his position on March 28, 2025—the same day that FBI and Department of Homeland Security agents searched his residences in Bloomington and Carmel, Indiana. The university has not publicly disclosed the reasons for his dismissal.As of now, neither Professor Wang nor his wife, Nianli Ma —a systems analyst at the university—have been arrested or charged with any crimes. Their attorney confirmed that the couple is safe and unaware of any pending criminal charges.The American Association of University Professors' Bloomington chapter has criticized the university's handling of Professor Wang's termination, asserting that it violated due process and university policies. Professor Wang had recently accepted a position at a university in Singapore prior to his dismissal from IUB.The specific reasons behind the federal investigation remain undisclosed, and the search warrants have been sealed. Efforts have been made to unseal these documents to gain clarity on the situation. According to Indiana Public Media , Professor Wang is represented by Attorneys Jason Covert and Jackie Bennett Jr. of Taft Law .APA Justice is monitoring developments in Professor Wang’s case: https://bit.ly/42tbPVR Latest on Litigations Against Trump's Executive Actions As of April 8, 2025, the number of lawsuits against President Donald Trump 's executive actions reported by the Just Security Litigation Tracker has grown to 178 (4 closed cases). These are some of the latest developments: · According to AP News , on April 7, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled in a sharply divided 5-4 decision that the Trump administration can proceed with deporting Venezuelan migrants under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act -- so long as each individual receives a court hearing prior to removal. The decision stems from President Trump's classification of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua as an "invading force" in J.G.G. v. Trump (1:25-cv-00766) . TheCourt's conservative majority also determined that legal challenges must ve filed in Texas rather than Washington, D.C. In response, ACLU has filed an emergency lawsuit seeking a new temporary restraining order in a different court, consistent with the Court's ruling, to prevent immediate deportations and ensure due process protections. · Attorneys general from 21 states, led by Rhode Island, have filed a federal lawsuit State of Rhode Island v. Trump (1:25-cv-00128) to block President Trump’s March 14 executive order to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and six other federal agencies. The plaintiffs argue the order violates both the Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act by bypassing Congress and abruptly defunding programs without due process. The suit notes that 85% of IMLS staff were placed on leave, grants were rescinded, and no public explanation was offered. The states are seeking an emergency injunction to restore agency functions and prevent irreparable harm to public services and interstate programs. · The New Civil Liberties Alliance, funded by conservatives Leonard Leo and Charles Koch , has filed suit against Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs on Chinese imports. The group argues that this action is unlawful, as the IEEPA was not designed for tariffs and the power to impose them lies with Congress. The lawsuit, Emily Ley Paper Inc v. Trump (3:25-cv-00464) , contends that IEEPA was never intended for economic tariffs and that such powers rest with Congress. The suit is supported by Simplified, a Florida-based importer, and underscores growing unease among business leaders and even some Republicans about the economic fallout of Trump’s tariff policies. The plaintiffs also challenge the administration’s attempt to link the tariffs to the fentanyl crisis, arguing that the rationale is pretextual. News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar 2025/04/13 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/04/14 State of Play Virtual Town Hall2025/04/15 China Connections: A Conversation with Emily Feng2025/04/22 Scholars Not Spies: Fighting for International Academic Workers’ Rights in an Era of Rising US-China Conflict2025/04/24 CHINA Town Hall: The First 100 Days: President Trump's China Policy2025/04/24-26 Committee of 100 Annual Conference and Gala2025/04/27 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/05/05 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/05/06 Asian American Careers - How to Build Your Personal Network, including Through Strategic AlliesVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Discover China 2025: Summer Youth Exchange to the Greater Bay Area Founded in 2019, US-Sino Culture Exchange Consortium (USCEC) 美中文化促进会 is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering mutual friendship and cultural exchanges between the United States and China. Its mission encompasses four key objectives: · Promoting people-to-people cultural exchanges between China and the United States. · Supporting the development of local U.S. artists. · Promoting traditional Chinese cultural arts. · Safeguarding and advancing the well-being of Chinese Americans. As part of its activities to build lasting connections between the people of the United States and China, USCEC will host a 9-day immersive program titled "Discover China 2025: Summer Youth Exchange to the Greater Bay Area." Total cost is $980 which includes round trip air, visa applications, local accommodations, local transportation, guided tours, and workshops. Application deadline is April 18, 2025. WHAT : Discover China 2025: Summer Youth Exchange to the Greater Bay Area WHEN : June 16-24, 2025 WHERE : Greater Bay Area, China HOST : US-Sino Culture Exchange Consortium (USCEC) 美中文化促进会 DESCRIPTION : A 9-day immersive program for American youth (18-38) to explore China's innovation, culture, and academic exchanges. PROGRAM ITINERARY: https://bit.ly/3R51XLH APPLICATION : https://bit.ly/42nvOUG (deadline April 18, 2025) 3. 2025/04/24 China Town Hall: President Trump's China Policy Each year, the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations (NCUSCR) hosts a nationwide town hall, inviting three keynote speakers and broadcasting through their partner network. This year's online event will be held on April 24, starting at 6:30 pm ET. The topic is "The First 100 Days: President Trump's China Policy," featuring: · Ryan Hass , Director, John L. Thornton China Center, Brookings Institution · Matthew Turpin , Visiting Fellow, Hoover Institution · Lingling Wei , Chief China Correspondent, The Wall Street Journal As part of the town hall, there will also be in-person discussions hosted by local network partners.In Atlanta, the Carter Center’s China Focus Initiative, in partnership with NCUSCR, Emory University’s Asia Global Collective, and China Research Center, will feature Jeremy Goldkorn , Editor of the China Week, and Editorial Fellow, ChinaFile, as the keynote speaker. His talk will be on “China in the Age of American Isolation.” The in-person event will be held at Emory University, Math and Science Center, Room E208, in Atlanta, with door opening at 5:15 pm ET. Register for the in-person event: https://bit.ly/3Ym8vJI . Register for the virtual event: https://bit.ly/4lCTyNA In Washington DC, the US-China Education Trust, in partnership with NCUSCR and Young China Watchers, will feature Sean Stein , president of the US-China Business Council, as the keynote speaker. The in-person event will be held in Room 505, Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University in Washington DC, starting at 5:30 pm ET. For more information and to register for the events, visit https://bit.ly/42tDaGn # # # 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 . 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Newsletter - #254 Citizenship Question; Lawsuit vs Florida SB 264; AA State Legislators; WIRED Report; + #254 Citizenship Question; Lawsuit vs Florida SB 264; AA State Legislators; WIRED Report; + In This Issue #254 · House Vote on "The Equal Representation Act" · Florida's Land Law Impacting Homebuyers and Industry Prompts Another Lawsuit · Trailblazing Asian American State Legislators · "Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act" and WIRED Report · News and Activities for the Communities House Vote on "The Equal Representation Act" During the APA Justice monthly meeting on May 6, 2024, Nisha Ramachandran , Executive Director of Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), alerted the attendees that a vote on H.R. 7109 , the Equal Representation Act, in the House of Representatives was coming up. On May 8, 2024, Chairs of the Tri-Caucus, including CAPAC, Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), recommended their Members vote against this legislation in a joint statement . H.R. 7109 passed the House by a vote of 206-202 along the party line. According to NPR , a growing number of Republican lawmakers are making a renewed push for an unprecedented change to the country's election maps. Their proposals call for excluding millions of non-U.S. citizens from the census results that determine each state's share of House seats and Electoral College votes. In the current Congress, GOP lawmakers have filed at least a dozen measures related to using the next once-a-decade head count to tally how many noncitizens are living in the country, and then subtracting some or all of those U.S. residents from what are known as the congressional apportionment counts.Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the top Democrat on the House oversight committee, referenced the Supreme Court's unanimous 2016 decision in the redistricting case known as Evenwel v. Abbott , which said that the 14th Amendment "calls for the apportionment of congressional districts based on total population" - the "whole number of persons in each state." Since the country's first population tally in 1790 — when one of the first lines of the Constitution required that an enslaved person be counted as "three fifths" of a free person and "Indians not taxed" not to be counted at all — both citizens and noncitizens living in the United States have been included in the apportionment counts, which the federal government has used to determine the size of each state's congressional delegation and slate of presidential electors.After the Civil War, the 14th Amendment called for the count to include the "whole number of persons in each state." (It took decades before the Census Bureau stopped omitting some American Indians from that tally.)According to The Hill , the government and nonprofits have dedicated years to education efforts encouraging noncitizens to respond to the Census, noting participation is never a basis for immigration enforcement.“A citizen’s only census, as this legislation intends, is reckless, cynical, and frankly, illegal,” Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) said on the House floor. “It is not the Census Bureau’s job to keep track of immigration status.”In a statement of administration policy , the Biden administration said it “strongly opposes” the measure “which would preclude the Department of Commerce’s Census Bureau from performing its constitutionally mandated responsibility to count the number of persons in the United States in the decennial census.”The Supreme Court ruled against a last-minute effort by the Trump administration to add the citizenship question to the 2020 Census. Media reports:2024/05/08 NPR : Republicans in Congress are trying to reshape election maps by excluding noncitizens report 2024/05/08 The Hill: House GOP passes bill to add citizenship question to census 2024/05/08 Government Executive: The House has voted to bring back a citizenship question to the census 2024/05/08 AP News: Republicans renew push to exclude noncitizens from the census that helps determine political power 2024/05/08 Forbes: 'An Insult': Jamie Raskin Trashes GOP Effort To Include Citizenship Question On The Census (7:36) Florida's Land Law Impacting Homebuyers and Industry Prompts Another Lawsuit The New York Times reported on May 6, 2024, that Florida's recent legislation, SB 264, restricting home purchases by Chinese citizens is increasingly affecting both buyers and the state's real estate sector.According to the report, more than three dozen states have enacted or are considering similar laws restricting land purchases by Chinese citizens and companies, arguing that such transactions are a growing threat to national security and that the federal government has failed to stop Chinese Communist Party influence in America. Florida’s law, which went into effect in July, is among the furthest reaching. In addition to barring Chinese entities from buying agricultural land, it effectively prohibits most Chinese individuals without a green card from purchasing residential property.The New York Times conducted more than a dozen interviews. Chinese residents in Florida voiced frustrations about being cut off from the ultimate American dream. Other residents of Chinese descent said they faced discrimination as they tried to buy a home. Some said they lived in fear over whether they may have inadvertently violated the law. The report further pointed out that the law has also had an apparent chilling effect on the real estate industry, an important part of the state’s economy. Developers often rely on Chinese investors to help build projects in Florida, and the law appears to have barred such financing, prompting pushback from a prominent real estate lobbying group. Chinese interests own less than 1 percent of foreign-held agricultural land in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. National security experts said that the specific threat posed by Chinese people owning homes has not been clearly articulated. Civil rights groups and residents have challenged the Florida law in federal court on grounds that it violates the Equal Protection Clause and the Fair Housing Act, and that it undercuts the federal government powers on foreign affairs. “There’s no evidence that Chinese homeownership poses harm to national security,” said Ashley Gorski , senior staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, one of several groups that brought the suit.In addition, according to a press release on May 6, 2024, the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA), the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA), Housing Opportunities Project for Excellence, Inc., and the Fair Housing Center of the Greater Palm Beach filed a fair housing discrimination suit in federal court in Miami challenging Florida’s SB 264.“Xenophobia has no place in our country—and let there be no mistake, that’s precisely what SB 264 is,” said Noah Baron , Assistant Director of Litigation at Advancing Justice - AAJC. “This legislation echoes last century’s ‘alien land laws,’ which also restricted the property rights of Asian Americans on the basis of stereotypes and prejudice. The United States must not continue down this dangerous road; we know where it leads because we have traveled it before: during World War II when unfounded suspicions of Japanese Americans led to the forced imprisonment of over 120,000 Japanese Americans by the U.S. government and going as far back as the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act.” The lawsuit filed by Relman Colfax, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC, and Courtney Cunningham asserts that SB 264 violates the federal Fair Housing Act, which prohibits acts that are motivated by a person’s national origin or have a disproportionate harmful effect on people from specific countries. As described in the complaint, SB 264 is based on stereotyped and xenophobic generalizations, and is transparently motivated by discrimination against people from the seven targeted countries.Read the New York Times full report: https://nyti.ms/4bldrmi . Read the NFHA press release: https://bit.ly/3UQqGpB . Read the Advancing Justice | AAJC press release: https://bit.ly/3QD0o7Y .Lawsuits against Florida SB 264: · SHEN v. SIMPSON (4:23-cv-00208) , filed on March 22, 2023 · National Fair Housing Alliance, Inc. v. Secretary of Commerce (1:24-cv-21749) , filed on May 6, 2024 Juan Zhang, editor at US-China Perception Monitor, contributed to this report. Trailblazing Asian American State Legislators According to the 19th News , When Dr. Michelle Au mounted her first run for office in Georgia, a political operative said she shouldn’t “waste too much of her time” reaching out to Asian American voters. “Asian people don’t vote,” she was told. Au — elected as a state senator in 2020 and then, after new district lines were drawn, as state representative in 2022 — knows that this is not only inaccurate, but a dangerous miscalculation for anyone who wants to win races in Georgia. There are now more than 328,000 eligible AAPI voters in the state, making up just over 4 percent of the electorate. In Fulton County, where Au’s district is, AAPI voters constitute 10.5 percent of the eligible voter share. Dr. Michelle Au chairs the Georgia legislature’s first AAPI caucus, which is the largest state AAPI legislative caucus in the continental United States. Read the 19th News report: https://bit.ly/4buqUbv According to KGW8-TV , Mae Yih broke barriers to become the first Chinese-born woman in the United States elected to a state legislative chamber. She graduated from Barnard College in New York and was married in 1953. With her husband's job, Mae would soon find herself moving to Albany, Oregon. It was a place neither of them had ever heard of. "We had to look it up on map," said Yih. She became active on the school boards where her sons went to school and admits she was controversial. She would get noticed and soon get an invitation from the Democratic Party to run for office. "I was able to defeat a 14-year incumbent to be elected to the legislature. That's how I got started." She served 6 years in the Oregon House of Representatives (1977–1983) and 20 years in the Oregon Senate (1983–2003). She believes it's important for Asian Americans to keep breaking barriers, especially in politics. "We need more elected Asian Americans in government to uphold equal opportunity and equal justice for all," Yih said. At 95 years old, Mae Yih enjoys staying active. Read the KGW8-TV report and watch the video: https://bit.ly/4bpLgT2 (3:57). On May 6, 2024, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a proclamation marking May as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in Michigan. “Michigan is a beacon of opportunity where people from all over the world came to for economic opportunity and success,” said Governor Whitmer. “In Michigan, we not only value and respect our differences, but we embrace them." Featured in the Proclamation were state Senator Sam Singh (D-East Lansing), state Senator Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), state Representative Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton), and state Representative Mai Xiong (D-Warren). Read Governor Whitmer's press statement: https://bit.ly/4bry00n "Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act" and WIRED Report During the APA Justice monthly meeting on May 6, 2024, Joanna YangQing Derman , Director, Anti-Profiling, Civil Rights & National Security Program, Advancing Justice | AAJC, reported that the Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act was signed into law, reauthorizing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). It did not include two of the priorities: 1. Requiring the government to obtain a warrant to search through Americans sensitive communications and 2. Closing the data broker loophole. It was not the pursued policy outcome. However, Joanna highlighted that intervention by many AAPI groups has achieved results and paves the way for the longer term, including very strong House and Senate champions on the issue and a clean reauthorization that was not included in a must-pass vehicle. Reauthorization will come up again in two years.According to a report by WIRED on May 8, 2024, a top FBI official is encouraging employees to continue to investigate Americans using a warrantless foreign surveillance program known as Section 702 in an effort to justify the bureau’s spy powers. Obtained by WIRED , an April 20 email authored by FBI deputy director Paul Abbate to employees states: “To continue to demonstrate why tools like this are essential to our mission, we need to use them, while also holding ourselves accountable for doing so properly and in compliance with legal requirements.” Added Abbate: “I urge everyone to continue to look for ways to appropriately use US person queries to advance the mission, with the added confidence that this new pre-approval requirement will help ensure that those queries are fully compliant with the law.” “The deputy director's email seems to show that the FBI is actively pushing for more surveillance of Americans, not out of necessity but as a default,” says US representative Zoe Lofgren , a Democrat from California. “This directly contradicts earlier assertions from the FBI during the debate over Section 702’s reauthorization.”The limits of the 702 program remain murky, even to congressional members insisting that it should not be curbed further. The Senate Intelligence Committee chair, Mark Warner , acknowledged to reporters this week that language in Section 702 needs to be “fixed,” even though he voted last month to make the current language law.FISA experts had warned for months that new language introduced by the House Intelligence Committee is far too vague in the way it describes the categories of businesses the US government can compel, fearing that the government would obtain the power to force anyone with access to a target’s online communications into snooping on the NSA’s behalf—IT workers and data center staff among them.A trade group representing Google, Amazon, IBM, and Microsoft, among some of the world's other largest technology companies, concurred last month, arguing that the new version of the surveillance program threatens to “dramatically expand the scope of entities and individuals” subject to Section 702 orders.“We are working on it,” Warner told The Record on Monday. “I am absolutely committed to getting that fixed,” he said, suggesting the best time to do so would be “in the next intelligence bill.”Read the WIRED report: https://bit.ly/4dwJDoE News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2024/05/13-14 2024 APAICS Legislative Leadership Summit2024/05/14 2024 APAICS: 30th Annual Awards Gala2024/05/14 Serica Initiative: 7th Annual Women's Gala Dinner 2024/05/14 National Historic Landmark Committee Meeting 2024/05/22 Heritage, Culture, and Community: The Future of America's Chinatowns2024/06/02 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/45KGyga for event details. 2. National Historic Landmark Committee Meeting The National Historic Landmark (NHL) Committee under the National Park Service will meet virtually May 14-15, 2024. The Committee will consider eleven new nominations for National Historic Landmark designation, three updated nominations, and one withdrawal. One of the new nominations is Summit Camp, Tahoe National Forest, CA The Committee will recommend NHL actions to refer to the National Park System Advisory Board (NPSAB) for consideration. At its subsequent meeting, the NPSAB will vote on whether to recommend that the Secretary of the Interior proceed with these proposed designations, updated documentation, and withdrawal of designation. Read the meeting agenda and register to attend at https://bit.ly/3WB4bGq 3. Save the Date: 2024 National AAPI Leadership Summit & Presidential Town Hall APIAVote will hold its 2024 National AAPI Leadership Summit on July 11-12, 2024 at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown, where partners, experts, and communities nationwide converge to explore key issues and mobilize the AAPI community for the 2024 elections. The Summit will culminate with the Presidential Town Hall on July 13, 2024, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. This event connects presidential candidates with AAPI community leaders and organizers to discuss crucial issues. For more information, contact admin@apiavote.org Back View PDF May 10, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #122 OSTP Hour; Senate Probes FBI; 4/4 Meeting; Sherry Chen Injustice; Video/Audio Reports #122 OSTP Hour; Senate Probes FBI; 4/4 Meeting; Sherry Chen Injustice; Video/Audio Reports Back View PDF March 31, 2022 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #368 Gary Locke Honored by NAPA; William Tong Elected; APA History in CT; NAPABA Updates; + #368 Gary Locke Honored by NAPA; William Tong Elected; APA History in CT; NAPABA Updates; + In This Issue #368 · NAPA Honors Gary Locke for Excellence in Public Service · Connecticut AG William Tong Elected President of NAAG · Asian Pacific American History in Connecticut Schools · Update from NAPABA · News and Activities for the Communities NAPA Honors Gary Locke for Excellence in Public Service On December 10, 2025, the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) announced that Secretary Janet L. Yellen , American Economist, former Treasury Secretary and former Chair of the Federal Reserve of the United States, and Governor Gary F. Locke 骆家辉 , former U.S. Ambassador to China, U.S. Secretary of Commerce and Washington State Governor, will receive the Elliot L. Richardson Prize for Excellence in Public Service on January 28, 2026.The award ceremony will take place at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center at 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C, from 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday, January 28 after a reception beginning at 6:00 p.m. Journalist Jenn White , host of NPR’s 1A program, will moderate a discussion with the two award recipients as part of the event.The Elliot L. Richardson Prize is presented on a biennial basis to individuals exemplifying the public service virtues demonstrated by the award’s namesake. The prize in the amount of $50,000 will be split between the two awardees. Consistent with the public-spiritedness of Elliot L. Richardson, recipients of the award are required to designate one or more charities to receive half the prize amount they are awarded. Elliot L. Richardson is considered to be one of the nation’s finest public servants. An Academy Fellow, he served in four Cabinet-level positions in the U.S. government: Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW); Secretary of Defense, Attorney General; and Secretary of Commerce under both Republican and Democratic Presidents. Richardson is remembered for his integrity and courage that saved the nation from a constitutional crisis during the “Saturday Night Massacre” incident during the Nixon administration.Gary F. Locke’s legacy has many dimensions reflecting his varied roles as a trailblazing politician, public servant, and a diplomat who has been a leader in the areas of education, employment, trade, human services, and the environment.Locke served as the 10th United States Ambassador to China from 2011–2014, the 36th U.S. Secretary of Commerce from 2009–2011, and Washington State’s 21st Governor from 1997–2005. He was the first Chinese American elected governor in U.S. history, the first Asian American governor in the continental United States, and the first Chinese American Secretary of Commerce.As Governor, Locke earned national recognition for innovations in government efficiency, customer-focused service delivery, and priority-based budgeting. Under his leadership, Washington State was ranked among the nation’s best-managed states, with major initiatives delivered successfully and under budget. His work has been cited by leading scholars and institutions, including Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.Locke later brought his pragmatic, cross-cultural leadership to diplomacy, strengthening U.S.–China engagement while advancing American economic and strategic interests. He currently serves as Chairman of Locke Global Strategies, advising clients on trade, regulatory, and investment matters, and as Chair of the Committee of 100 .Previous recipients of the Elliot L. Richardson Prize include Secretary Norman Mineta . NAPA is a Congressionally chartered, nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization that advances excellence in public administration through its research programs and its nearly 1,000 elected Fellows. Comparable in structure and mission to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), NAPA serves as a national resource for objective expertise on governance and public management.Read the NAPA press release: https://bit.ly/4rX1FaI . Register to attend the January 28 event in person or virtually: https://bit.ly/4iZPIgu . Connecticut AG William Tong Elected President of NAAG On December 12, 2025, the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) elected Connecticut Attorney General (AG) William Tong 湯偉麟 as President of the association during its annual Capital Forum, held December 8–10. Attorney General Tong succeeds New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella , who served as NAAG President in 2025.William Tong is the 25th Attorney General of Connecticut, first elected in 2018 and currently serving his second term. A national leader in high-impact litigation and investigations, Attorney General Tong has led bipartisan, multistate efforts to hold the addiction industry accountable for the opioid crisis, restore competition in the generic drug market, and protect consumers from data breaches and unfair practices. He has also prioritized reducing energy costs, expanding broadband access, and ensuring affordable healthcare.The son of immigrant small-business owners, Attorney General Tong brings a personal understanding of the challenges facing working families. He has worked to safeguard civil rights, defend Connecticut’s gun safety laws, and hold corporations accountable for climate-related deception. Before becoming Attorney General, Tong served 12 years in the Connecticut General Assembly and practiced law for nearly two decades. He is the first Asian American elected to statewide office in Connecticut and the first Chinese American elected Attorney General in the United States.During the APA Justice monthly meeting on May 5, 2025, Attorney General Tong reflected on the significance of his historic election, noting that its rarity underscores the continued underrepresentation of AAPI communities in political leadership. He spoke candidly about persistent xenophobia and racism, and about how Asian Americans—particularly East Asian Americans—are often perceived as perpetual foreigners who are quiet, passive, and unlikely to lead, contributing to the rise in anti-Asian hate. Tong argued that greater AAPI representation in positions of power would allow communities to prevent discrimination rather than merely react to it, and he strongly defended birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment as central to his own identity. Drawing on the long history of Chinese American contributions to the nation, he emphasized that AAPI stories are deeply American, concluding with a call for solidarity, collective voice, and mutual protection so that no one in the community faces discrimination alone. Read his remarks at the APA Justice monthly meeting: https://bit.ly/4oYIMSf Asian Pacific American History in Connecticut Schools According to AP News on December 12, 2025, three years after Connecticut mandated Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) history in K–12 education, West Hartford Public Schools are rolling out a comprehensive, year-round curriculum that integrates AAPI history across most grade levels. Students will learn not only about familiar topics like Japanese American incarceration during World War II, but also lesser-known stories such as Medal of Honor recipient Sadao Munemori , as well as immigration history, birthright citizenship cases like Wong Kim Ark ’s, and contemporary figures such as architect Maya Lin . Educators say the expanded curriculum addresses long-standing gaps that left many students feeling invisible and reflects the district’s diverse population. The effort is part of a broader national movement accelerated by the surge in anti-Asian hate during the pandemic, with roughly a dozen states now requiring AAPI history.At the same time, the push for inclusive education has exposed tensions within the AAPI community and across states, particularly where lawmakers resist teaching systemic racism or broader ethnic studies. While AAPI history mandates have sometimes gained bipartisan support, critics argue that similar openness has not been extended to Black, Latinx, or LGBTQ+ histories, raising concerns about sanitized or selective narratives. Educators in Connecticut emphasize that the goal is not ideological instruction but a “deeper, richer” understanding of American history—one that includes struggle, resilience, and achievement. District leaders plan to continue refining the curriculum, using literature and age-appropriate lessons to embed AAPI experiences into a balanced and inclusive view of the nation’s past. Update from NAPABA During the APA Justice monthly meeting on December 1, 2025, Edgar Chen 陳春品 , Special Advisor, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), provided an overview of NAPABA’s recent annual convention and the organization’s broader civil-rights–focused work. He began by thanking APA Justice for the opportunity to share updates and participate in discussion of Florida’s SB 264 during the Q&A.Edgar explained that NAPABA represents more than 80,000 Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students across the United States, with additional Canadian affiliates. Each year, NAPABA convenes members in a different host city for its annual convention. The 2025 gathering took place in Denver, Colorado, and was NAPABA’s second-largest convention ever, with over 2,800 attendees. He noted that last year’s Seattle convention reached a record 3,400 attendees and featured Governor Gary Locke as an opening speaker.Edgar highlighted several elements of the Denver convention that intersect with current civil rights issues. Responding to earlier panel discussion about the federal Community Relations Service (CRS), he noted that CRS — often called “the nation’s peacemakers” — has historically had four directors of Asian American descent: Grand Lum , Rose Ochi , Justin Locke , and Julius Nam . Grand Lum participated in a Denver panel on alternative dispute resolution. Edgar also connected other speakers’ points to NAPABA’s recent work, noting, for example, that NAPABA included the Congressional Gold Medal for Chinese American WWII veterans as part of its 2018 lobby-day agenda.NAPABA’s continuing legal education offerings at the convention spanned more than 43 breakout sessions covering emerging and specialized practice areas, including artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, healthcare law, tariffs, and even Asian American leadership in the outdoor and skiing industries — a nod to the Colorado setting. From this broad program, Edgar emphasized several civil rights sessions that were most relevant to the APA Justice audience. These included programming on birthright citizenship, such as a reenactment of the landmark Wong Kim Ark case; discussions about discrimination against Pacific Islander women; sessions addressing sexual violence; and a program on language access in the wake of the recent rescission of the Clinton-era executive order guaranteeing federal language-access services. The convention also explored book bans and the erosion of intersectional identities in public education and discourse.Edgar personally moderated a panel on immigration enforcement featuring Greg Chen of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. He summarized the panel’s key conclusion: the central issue currently shaping immigration outcomes is “discretion,” particularly the growing use of negative discretion across U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and other parts of the federal immigration system. He stressed that, beyond ICE, these shifts have implications for refugees, asylum seekers, and vulnerable communities — especially in the context of the recent shooting in Washington, D.C., which has further intensified national debate over immigration policy and public safety. The convention also featured a major plenary session with Justice Goodwin Liu of the California Supreme Court and Ajay Mehrotra of the American Bar Foundation. They discussed the “Portrait Project,” a data-driven analysis of AANHPI representation in the legal profession and the barriers that impede career advancement. The research identifies three persistent barriers: lack of mentorship, limited networking infrastructure, and insufficient development of soft skills that are rarely taught in law school but crucial to professional success. Edgar emphasized that first-generation lawyers in particular face challenges in navigating these unwritten rules of the legal profession, and that part of NAPABA’s mission is helping to close these gaps.He also noted that NAPABA honored several Trailblazers this year, including Committee of 100 member Alan Tse and Rutgers Law Professor Rose Cuison-Villazor , both widely recognized for their leadership and contributions to civil rights and legal scholarship. The convention concluded with a gala featuring an in-depth conversation between actor Rich Ting and journalist Katie Fang — a session Edgar described as especially compelling.Looking ahead, Edgar announced that the next NAPABA convention will take place in Los Angeles, where attendance could reach 5,000 members. He invited APA Justice participants and interested community members to follow upcoming announcements about the 2026 program.A summary of the December 1 APA Justice monthly meeting is being prepared at this time. News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2026/01/05 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2026/01/13 Conversations, Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes: Leroy Chiao2026/01/29-30 The Jimmy Carter Forum on U.S.-China Relations2026/02/02 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 December 15, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #183 2/6 Meeting Summary; Alien Land Bills/Louisiana; NIH Director; Heritage Month Videos+ #183 2/6 Meeting Summary; Alien Land Bills/Louisiana; NIH Director; Heritage Month Videos+ In This Issue #183 2023/02/06 Monthly Meeting Summary Posted Latest Developments on Discriminatory Alien Land Bills Including Louisiana Monica Bertagnolli Nominated to Head NIH Heritage Month and Educational Videos/Events 2023/02/06 Monthly Meeting Summary Posted The February 6, 2023, APA Justice monthly meeting summary has been posted at https://bit.ly/42N0htX . We thank the following speakers for their updates and discussions: Nisha Ramachandran , Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), provided updates from CAPAC Gisela Kusakawa , Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), provided updates from AASF Les Wong , President Emeritus, San Francisco State University, and Frank Wu , President, Queen's College, City University of New York, provided updates on forming a network of Asian American university leaders Michele Young , Attorney, Michele Young Law; Member of Sherry Chen Legal Team was recognized for her historic achievements in the Sherry Chen case. Michele also shared her thoughts and reflections on Sherry's case and the civil rights and civil liberty concerns in the meeting Gene Wu , Member, Texas House of Representatives, led the discussion on Asian American groups and other communities across Texas building a coalition to rally against Texas Senate Bill 147 on "Relating to the purchase of or acquisition of title to real property by certain aliens or foreign entities." Video of his portion of the meeting is posted at https://bit.ly/3DVEdU6 (video 56:48) Latest Developments on Discriminatory Alien Land Bills Including Louisiana 1. CAPAC Chair Statement on Florida Law Banning Chinese Nationals from Purchasing Land, Need for Federal Legislation On May 15, 2023, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Chair Rep. Judy Chu released the following statement:“I am incredibly outraged by the signing of SB 264 into law. This is the latest state-level effort to restrict the property ownership of Chinese home seekers, who are aspiring small business owners, students, and families seeking to build better lives for themselves here in America. In addition, SB 264 places a disproportionate burden on current Chinese homeowners who now must register their property with a state agency. And as a result of SB 264, Asian Americans living in Florida will now likely face undue suspicion when purchasing property, including potential racial profiling by realtors, lenders, and other professionals in the real estate industry.“The government’s scapegoating and stripping of the land ownership rights of Asian American communities are stains on our nation’s history. SB 264 repeats this shameful discrimination and further stokes current anti-Asian sentiment by equating Chinese people with certain immigration statuses as agents of the Chinese Communist Party. That is why I am currently working with CAPAC Housing Task Force Chair Rep. Al Green of Texas to introduce a bill to preempt at the federal level such discriminatory state laws, and reaffirm my commitment to ensuring the safety of our communities.”“Let me be clear—elected officials must be vigilant about addressing specific threats that foreign state-owned enterprises and entities, companies, and individuals with ties to the foreign government pose to our national security, but policies that target and profile individuals and communities because of their national origin, race, ethnicity, or immigration status, however, are discriminatory and wholly unconstitutional. They harken back to nativist anti-Asian alien land laws in the 19th and 20th centuries after Chinese immigrants first arrived here, and later, a xenophobic suspicion of Japanese Americans during World War II that also led to their blanket incarceration. I will continue to fight for the civil rights of our communities, including the right to purchase and own property, and stand up against all attempts to racially profile our communities.”Read the CAPAC Chair statement: https://bit.ly/3BvCUtk 2. Testimony of High School Senior Abigail Hu in Louisiana Legislature On May 15, 2023, High School Senior Abigail Hu testified in the Louisiana State Legislature against Louisiana House Bill 537 . This is a transcript of her testimony:"Good afternoon Honorable Chairman Miller and distinguished members of the committee,My name is Abigail Hu. I am a proud product of the Louisiana public school system and a recent high school graduate. I'll be attending college in the fall to study Education and Political Science, and I hope to come back to Louisiana to teach middle and high school in the future.My parents, Tony and Chloe, have been living in the US for over 22 years. They came here as young students with very little money, looking for an opportunity to work hard, get good jobs, and start a family.During the COVID-19 pandemic, my dad worked around the clock to help contain the spread of the virus in our city of New Orleans. My brothers and I volunteer regularly, coaching for the local children’s sports club, helping clean up our local park, and registering and canvassing voters in our area. I am incredibly grateful to belong to a country that is a fundamental part of who I am.To us, ownership and belonging are as important as the piece of paper that makes us citizens.House Bill 537 strips us of such rights—rights to owning a house, education, secured employment, rights to starting the kind of life we sacrifice so much for. It prevents stories like my family’s from ever coming to fruition.This bill tells us that we are not good Americans, we are not Americans deserving of protection under the law, we are not Americans that the legislators we elect care to serve. This bill tells us that we are Americans whose lives are pure political pawns, subject to the whims of the state and condemned to exist under a perpetual instability.I would like to take some time to address some of the remarks that were made by Representative Hodges. I believe the language in this bill continues to have an anti-immigrant, xenophobic, fearmongering undertone, regardless of how many amendments we make, it will continue to create suspicion against immigrants and immigrant families in the communities that they live in. It leaves us vulnerable to unlawful investigations, unlawful search and seizure, and loyalty tests by the state. Representative Hodges has also repeatedly said that it is not about the individual, but under this legislation, any individual can be perceived as connected to a "foreign adversary." If you want a more specific example, anybody who is Chinese can be perceived as "nefarious" and acting on behalf of what Representative Hodges calls the communist tyranny of China.The vagueness of this bill presents undeniable dangers to not only our Chinese American community, but to any group of people who could be ambiguously tied to what the legislation describes as foreign adversaries or governments. It brands us as enemies of a country that we love so deeply.This is a civil rights issue, and I urge that the committee to recognize its dire implications and reject the passage of HB 537 before it becomes a civil rights legislation." Monica Bertagnolli Nominated to Head NIH According to Reuters on May 15, 2023, the Biden administration said it intends to nominate cancer surgeon Dr. Monica Bertagnolli to lead the National Institutes of Health (NIH) following a 16-month search for a permanent successor to the agency's long-serving director Dr. Francis Collins, who stepped down in December 2021. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Bertagnolli will become the second woman to lead the NIH, the largest biomedical research agency in the world with a budget of $45 billion in 2022. NIH falls under the direction of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Read the Reuters report: https://reut.rs/3MvKzya On March 23, 2023, Science published an investigative report titled PALL OF SUSPICION - The National Institutes of Health’s “China initiative” has upended hundreds of lives and destroyed 6 scores of academic careers and an editorial titled Eroding Trust and Collaboration . "Given the information available in the public domain, the scientific community could easily conclude that this is a xenophobic program to harm Chinese scientists and cut off international scientific cooperation. The federal government needs to figure out a way to let the NIH and the institutions reassure the community that this is all worth it," the editorial concluded. Read the Science report at https://bit.ly/3oWH1eY and its editorial at https://bit.ly/3z24z40 Heritage Month and Educational Videos/Events 1. White House Forum on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders On May 3, 2023, the White House celebrated Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a community-wide program in Washington, DC. This historic forum on Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities features Biden-Harris Administration officials, groundbreaking artists, and trailblazers. Watch the video at https://bit.ly/3BwrPZ9 (video 4:35:34) 2. Exclusion: The Shared Asian American Experience According to a video produced by the 1990 Institute, America has been represented as an open society that welcomes immigrants to a land of opportunities. Many immigrants from Asia came to find a better life for their family, escaping from poverty, prosecution, colonialism, and other political atrocities. But America did not receive them with open arms. Throughout history, people from Asia have been excluded, discriminated against, subjected to violence, and prevented from becoming American citizens. Laws were passed that kept them from voting, owning land, marrying the person they loved, and seeing their relatives again. Though coming from different countries and cultures, the pioneering Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, Indians, Filipinos, and more Asians who arrived here each faced similar conditions of exclusion, which forged the beginnings of a common, shared Asian experience in America. This educational video takes you through exclusion experiences that Asians endured then and what they continue to face as Americans now. Watch the video at https://bit.ly/42I4BLq (video 17:24) 0:00 Introduction 0:50 19th Century and Prior 6:36 20th Century 13:03 1965 Immigration Act 3. "Between Black & White: Asian Americans Speak Out" premieres on PBS In honor of Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the Sirica Initiative announced its newest film collaboration with WNET/PBS Between Black & White: Asian Americans Speak Out is premiering Thursday, May 18, 2023.The conversation about race in America is often between Black and White, leaving Asian Americans out of the dialogue. Between Black & White: Asian Americans Speak Out is a three-part series about communities building bridges, confronting racism, discovering surprising connections, and fighting hate – together.To celebrate each episode's launch, three events will be hosted this month, featuring distinguished speakers including President of Queens College, Frank Wu ; media mogul Paula Madison ; and first Filipina American Rabbi Mira Rivera . Watch the Between Black & White trailer at https://bit.ly/3pKsZh1 (video 0:35) 4. AANHPI Heritage Month Celebration in Guangzhou, China Los Angeles-Guangzhou Sister City Association and Asia Pacific and American Network will sponsor the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2023 Gala at the Garden Hotel, Guangzhou, China, on May 27, 2023. The event honors Paula Williams Madison 's work on creating the Finding Samuel Lowe documentary and book and enlightening the public on the immigrant experience, family separation, and family connections, all common themes shared by Asian Americans. Paula Williams Madison and Luo Man Kwan will be keynote speakers. 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 May 18, 2023 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Racial Profiling Politicization of NIH Grant The EcoHealth Alliance has been studying human and animal infectious diseases for 20 years. When unconfirmed reports that Alliance funding had been sent to the Wuhan Institute of Virology emerged in April 2020, the National Institutes of Health cut all future funding toward their research project on bat-human virus transmission. The scientific community is expressing their fear and concern about the politicization of peer-reviewed science. Timeline The New York Times reported that 77 Nobel laureates has asked for an investigation into the cancellation of a federal grant to EcoHealth Alliance, a group that researches bat coronaviruses in China. The pre-eminent scientists characterized the explanation for the decision by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as “preposterous.” May 21 2020 The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) issued a press release and sent a letter of protest to the NIH Director on behalf of 31 scientific societies representing tens of thousands of members. The letter said the grant cancellation politicized science and concluded, “The action taken by the NIH must be immediately reconsidered.” May 20 2020 According to a report by the Daily Beast , "a military contractors’ report circulating on Capitol Hill claims to have evidence that COVID-19 escaped from a Chinese lab. It’s filled with information that’s just plain wrong." May 17 2020 CBS 60 Minutes broadcasted "Why it matters that the NIH canceled a coronavirus research grant " with the byline "Faulty allegations led to cutting $3.7 million dollars to ecologists studying coronaviruses. The ramifications may be felt in future pandemics." May 10 2020 Sarina Neote, ASBMB Science Policy Manager, expressed concerns about increasing fear within the scientific community of being targeted as a result of race or identify and the cancellation of the EcoHealth grant in the APA Justice conference call . She followed with an ASBMB position statement after the call and welcomes Asian American and other organizations to join the effort. May 4 2020 In a CNN opinion piece , Benjamin Corb, ASBMB Public Affairs Director, raised the question: Why did the NIH terminate a grant that supports leading research into how coronaviruses can be transferred from their natural host of bats to humans in the middle of a pandemic? "Politicizing peer-reviewed science is a dangerous threat to the independent American scientific enterprise and is the first step on a deeply concerning slippery slope. If Daszak's research can be stopped by funding cuts at the whim of the President, what other research grants in the future will be pulled because of the left or right leanings of any future president? What damage would such a decision have on the world-leading productivity and reputation of the National Institutes of Health? Science must remain independent and nonpoliticized if it is to be trusted and productive during this pandemic crisis and beyond," Corb said. Apr 30 2020 Politico broke the story that NIH told EcoHealth Alliance, the study’s sponsor on bat-human virus transmission for the past five years, that all future funding was cut. “At this time, NIH does not believe that the current project outcomes align with the program goals and agency priorities,” Michael Lauer, NIH Deputy Director for Extramural Research, wrote in a letter to Dr. Pete Daszak, who is President of EcoHealth Alliance. Apr 27 2020 Please contact APA Justice Task Force facilitator Dr. Jeremy Wu at Jeremy.S.Wu@gmail.com or ASBMB Science Policy Manager Sarina Neote at sneote@asbmb.org if you would like to join this very important effort.

Newsletter - #28 Meeting Summaries; Profiling Updates; Presidential Transition; More Events #28 Meeting Summaries; Profiling Updates; Presidential Transition; More Events Back View PDF November 13, 2020 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #62 Sen. Wicker's Statement; The Sherry Chen Story; Implications&Questions #62 Sen. Wicker's Statement; The Sherry Chen Story; Implications&Questions Back View PDF May 26, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #63 Rallies With Yellow Whistle Continue; Racial Profiling At DOC; Congrats To Krystal! #63 Rallies With Yellow Whistle Continue; Racial Profiling At DOC; Congrats To Krystal! Back View PDF May 30, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #200 8/7 Monthly Meeting; US-China Science Agreement; Maui Need Help; March on Washington #200 8/7 Monthly Meeting; US-China Science Agreement; Maui Need Help; March on Washington In This Issue #200 2023/08/07 APA Justice Monthly Meeting Future of 44-year-old Science Agreement Caught in Middle of U.S.-China Tensions Maui Inferno - The Communities Need Help 2023/08/26 March on Washington 2023/08/07 APA Justice Monthly Meeting APA Justice held its monthly meeting on August 7, 2023. Speakers included Nisha Ramachandran , Joanna Derman , Gisela Perez Kusakawa , Clay Zhu 朱可亮 , Echo King 金美声 , Shuang Zhao 赵爽 , Andy Wong , Shanti Prasad , and Christine Chen . A written summary of the monthly meeting is being prepared at this time. Presentation by Clay Zhu on Florida Chinese Radio Television (FCRTV) On July 22, Clay Zhu 朱可亮 , Founder of Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance (CALDA) and a lead attorney in the lawsuit against Florida discriminatory alien land bill, gave a webinar "从微信案到佛州案：在美华人的维权之路和启发" to describe the road from the WeChat Ban to the Florida lawsuit and the inspiration of Chinese people in the United States to defend their rights. The webinar in Chinese was broadcast by FCRTV 佛州华语广播电视台. Watch the video at : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOqobsVDX_A (2:05:26). Clay's 61-slide presentation is posted by the Florida Asian American Justice Alliance (FAAJA) at https://bit.ly/3OWbYdy Chinese for Affirmative Action 华人权益促进会 During the August 7 monthly meeting, Andy Wong andywong@caasf.org , Managing Director of Advocacy, and Shanti Prasad sprasad@caasf.org , Advocacy Manager, Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA), gave an introduction of CAA and described its recent roles and activities. CAA was founded in 1969 to protect the civil and political rights of Chinese Americans and to advance multiracial democracy. Today, CAA is a progressive voice in and on behalf of the broader Asian American and Pacific Islander community. It is also a co-founding partner of Stop AAPI Hate - the national coalition to address anti-AAPI racism in the U.S. Their 6-slide presentation is located here: https://bit.ly/3QBqQPQ APIA Vote During the August 7 monthly meeting, Christine Chen , Executive Director, APIAVote, gave an introduction of APIAVote and a report on "The Growing AAPI Electorate and What is at Stake." APIAVote’s work revolves around collaborating with national, regional, and local partners in order to equip advocates with the training, tools, resources, and best practices they need to do their best work as “trusted messengers” in their communities. Together, APIAVote’s Alliance for Civic Empowerment (ACE) envisions a world that is inclusive, fair, and collaborative, and where Asian Americans and Pacific Islander communities are self-determined, empowered, and engaged. ACE is missing partners in some states in the Mid-West, South, and Northeast. Christine's presentation included the trend and historic AAPI turnout in 2020, a presidential election year, with 64% registered and 60% turnout. Christine also gave an outline of activities and training in 2023 and 2024. Her 18-slide presentation is located here: https://bit.ly/3DZBKY4 Future of 44-year-old Science Agreement Caught in Middle of U.S.-China Tensions According to Axios , the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and the South China Morning Post , one of the most foundational agreements between the United States and China, the Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement (STA), will expire on August 27, 2023.Originally signed in 1979, STA has been renewed about every five years with the last time being in 2018. The agreement laid out the terms for government-to-government cooperation in science, opening the way for academic and corporate interactions. It opened the door for scientists to collaborate in physics, chemistry, health and other areas. Cooperation between the countries helped China to transition from ozone-depleting CFCs and enabled the sharing of influenza data used to devise yearly vaccines.The STA signing gave "a form of permission for lab-to-lab, university-to-university, scientist-to-scientist cooperation," says John Holdren , former director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) during the Obama administration. "It legitimized the whole notion that collaboration was respectable."More than four decades into the agreement that included a pandemic and several administrations of fiery rhetoric, the broader nature of that cooperation is being scrutinized over concerns about Beijing-backed intellectual property theft and the Chinese military benefitting from knowledge about U.S. scientific advances.Making a case for renewal, Deborah Seligsohn of CSIS, a think tank in Washington, said that as the first deal signed between Washington and Beijing after the normalization of ties, the agreement was of “enormous historic significance”.Seligsohn said the agreement had resulted in “many specific science and technology outcomes” that had greatly benefited the US and the rest of the world, from cooperation on the study of birth defects and influenza to fighting air pollution and HIV/Aids prevention.Over the years scientists on both sides had also worked together on almost 100 protocols and annexes under the agreement, “specifically, a number of changes to intellectual property protections”, she said. Seligsohn said non-renewal could complicate recent attempts to find areas of cooperation, including the “the types of people-to-people connections and educational exchanges” that Secretary of State Antony Blinken agreed to promote during his visit to Beijing in June.“There is a real risk that any such improvements, including access to key health information and the ability to train the United States’ next generation of China experts, will be put at risk if the agreement lapses,” she said. Richard Suttmeier , a US-China science and tech cooperation expert at the University of Oregon, said letting the agreement lapse would not be “productive for finding the right terms for the larger relationship with China”.Suttmeier said it would probably be a mistake to let the deal lapse and the two countries needed to come up with an agreement that reflected the “realities of the third decade of the 21st century”. Suttmeier acknowledged that China had been the biggest beneficiary of the agreement – “largely because the US had been so far ahead of China in science and technology; there was less to learn from China than China could learn from the US”. “Nevertheless, the US benefited in a variety of ways,” he said. “Now, however, with China emerging as a scientific superpower, the flow of knowledge is going in both directions, so, in principle, the benefits to the US could be greater.” 2023/08/12 South China Morning Post : Clock ticks down for China-US science deal amid tech theft fears 2023/08/05 Axios : Future of 44-year-old science agreement caught in middle of U.S.-China tensions 2023/08/04 CSIS: The Case for Renewing the U.S.-China S&T Cooperation Agreement Maui Inferno - The Communities Need Help According to multiple media reports, Maui's wildfires have killed at least 96 people, a toll expected to rise. The fast-moving inferno, which started on August 8, 2023, spread from the brush outside of town and ravaged the historic city of Lahaina that was once the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom. It was one of three major wildfires on Maui.According to AP News on August 12, 2023, in the hours before a wildfire engulfed the town of Lahaina, Maui County officials failed to activate sirens that would have warned the entire population of the approaching flames and instead relied on a series of sometimes confusing social media posts that reached a much smaller audience.Governor Josh Green said the inferno that reduced much of Lahaina to smoldering ruins was the worst natural disaster in the state's history, making thousands of people homeless and leveling at least 2,700 buildings and “an estimated value of $5.6 billion has gone away.” Crews with cadaver dogs have covered just 3% of the search area,A potent mix of high winds from Hurricane Dora, low humidity levels and a high pressure system over the North Pacific created deadly fire conditions in Hawaii. The fate of some of Lahaina's cultural treasures remains unclear. The historic 60-foot-tall banyan tree marking the spot where Hawaiian King Kamehameha III's 19th-century palace stood was still standing, though some of its boughs appeared charred.The fire that destroyed the historic town of Lahaina in West Maui is now the deadliest US blaze in over 100 years, according to US Fire Administrator Lori Moore-Merrell . Thomas Leonard , a 74-year-old retired mailman from Lahaina, didn’t know about the fire until he smelled smoke. Power and cellphone service had both gone out earlier, leaving the town with no real-time information about the danger. He tried to leave in his Jeep, but had to abandon the vehicle and run to the shore when cars nearby began exploding. He hid behind a seawall for hours, the wind blowing hot ash and cinders over him. Firefighters eventually arrived and escorted Leonard and other survivors through the flames to safety.President Joe Biden signed a Major Disaster Declaration to deliver additional federal resources and support for the emergency response. The action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Maui and provides aid on top of the actions already underway by federal agencies to help state and local search-and-recovery efforts. The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement is partnering with Native Hawaiian and community organizations and businesses to match up to $1,500,000 in donations for ʻohana (Hawaiian term meaning "family") impacted by the devastating wildfires on Maui. 2023/08/13 Maui Now: Here’s what critical aid FEMA, federal partners are providing for Maui fire response, recovery 2023/08/12 The Hill: Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sanchez pledge $100 million to help Maui wildfire recovery 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.Advancing Justice | AAJC is working on a common gathering place for the AANHPI community place while at the same time making sure that we are well integrated into the March.Advocate Qian Huang 黄倩 reported that the National Action Network (NAN) is looking for hospitality volunteers on Friday, August 25, at 6:30 pm with a walk-through of all the volunteers. The set up work (stage, chairs, booth, flyer, t-shirts...) will be done by NAN. On August 8, 2023, ADL East hosted a webinar titled "The March on Washington: Together Towards Justice." It featured Rutgers University President Jonathan Holloway and NAACP New Jersey State Conference President Richard T. Smith . The discussion focused on the historic 1963 March on Washington, the civil rights movement today, the importance of allyship, as well as how to register for this year's March on August 26. Watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1MlImhhgbk (57:56) Back View PDF August 15, 2023 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #250 FBI Official Remarks; Florida Hearing/Rally/Ban; Contentious FISA; Commissioner Lee; + #250 FBI Official Remarks; Florida Hearing/Rally/Ban; Contentious FISA; Commissioner Lee; + In This Issue #250 · FBI Senior Official: "FBI Did Not Intend Negative Impact" · Florida: Hearing and Rally in Miami; Hiring Ban Harms Research · Biden Signs Bill Reauthorizing Contentious FISA Surveillance Program · Commissioner Yvonne Lee on USDA Equity Report and Asian American Farmers · News and Activities for the Communities FBI Senior Official: "FBI Did Not Intend Negative Impact" Speaking at the Committee 100 conference on April 19, 2024, a senior FBI official said the Bureau did not intend to create negative impact of prosecuting Chinese Academics with ties to Beijing under the previous China Initiative, according to a report by the South China Morning Post . “We value your ideas and your criticisms,” said Jill Murphy , deputy assistant director of counter-intelligence with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. “It makes us better.”Murphy added that she is a supporter of scientific collaboration with China, and that the FBI values its relationship with the Asian American community, but said it must also ensure that American secrets are protected.“Hold us accountable,” she added. “My hope is that we can continue our work together.” Shan-Lu Liu , a virology professor with Ohio State University, said too many academics had been caught up in the law enforcement campaign, undermining US competitiveness, particularly in areas that have nothing to do with national security, such as the search for a cure for cancer.The scientific community has legitimate concerns, said David Zweig , professor emeritus with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.There are currently 100,000 Chinese-born scientists in the United States making an enormous contribution to US science and competitiveness.There’s nothing wrong with trying to entice talent to return and blunt the brain drain, he added. Several economies have talent programs, including Germany, Canada and Taiwan. “I am one of those drains,” said the Canadian, who now lives in the US. One lesson Asian Americans need to draw from this experience, said participants in the conference, is the need to stand up more forcefully politically and ensure the right balance is maintained between security and successful collaboration.China Initiative was launched in November 2018 under the Trump administration. It originally aimed at stemming industrial espionage by Beijing; instead, the program prosecuted scientific researchers and academics with ties to China, often without strong evidence for their charges. Facing strong backlash from the Asian American and scientific communities, the Biden administration disbanded the China Initiative in 2022. Brian Sun , Partner at Norton Rose Fulbright and C100 member, served as moderator for the session.Read the South China Morning Post report: https://bit.ly/4d3L0uP At the Committee of 100 gala in the evening of April 19, 2024, a lively discussion unfolded between Nicholas Burns , the current U.S. Ambassador to China, and Gary Locke , former U.S. Ambassador to China and current Chair of the C100. They engaged in an insightful exchange, delving into the current state and recent developments in U.S.-China relations, including an upcoming visit to China by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, a pair of pandas from China is coming to the San Francisco Zoo in 2025, and the need for more U.S.-China people-to-people exchanges. Ambassador Burns said only about 900 American students are studying at Chinese universities today. This is far too few in a country of such importance to the United States. Rebuilding the student exchanges is under active consideration. Beijing has also taken steps to attract American students to study in China. Xi Jinping , President of China, said China is ready to invite 50,000 American students to exchange and study programs in the next five years during the APEC summit in San Francisco last year. Florida: Hearing and Rally in Miami; Hiring Ban Harms Research 1. Appeals Court Hearing and Community Rally Against Florida's Anti-Chinese Alien Land Law in Miami According to AP, Bloomberg News, Courthouse News, and other media reports, Ashley Gorski , senior staff attorney of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), told a three-judge panel from the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals that “Florida is unlawfully restricting housing for Chinese people.” The state law known as SB 264 bars Chinese nationals and citizens from Russia, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Cuba, and Venezuela that Florida sees as a threat from buying property near military installations and other “critical infrastructure.” She asked the court to block the Florida law, calling it discriminatory and a violation of the federal government’s supremacy in deciding foreign affairs. Three of the individual plaintiffs reside in Florida on time-limited, nonimmigrant visas, and the fourth is seeking political asylum. They are being represented by ACLU, ACLU of Florida, DeHeng Law Offices PC, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), and the law firm Quinn Emanuel.The panel of three judges holding the hearing are Judge Charles R. Wilson , a Clinton appointee, and Trump-appointed Judges Robert J. Luck and Barbara Lagoa .Gorski compared SB 264 to long-overturned laws from the early 20th century that barred Chinese from buying property. “It is singling out people from particular countries in a way that is anathema to the equal protection guarantees that now exist,” Gorski told the court. The law specifically restricts people from China who are not citizens or lawful permanent residents from owning any real property in Florida, regardless of location. The sole exception is that people with a valid non-tourist visa or who have been granted asylum are permitted to purchase one residential property, but only if it is less than two acres and not within five miles of a military installation. Any person living in Florida that is “domiciled” in China must register their existing property with the state or face civil penalty and forfeiture consequences for failure to comply. Under the law, Chinese immigrants face up to five years in prison for trying to buy a home — the seller faces up to one year in prison — as well as thousands of dollars in fines.The challenge to Florida SB 264 is the biggest legal test so far for a torrent of state laws restricting land ownership by foreign individuals or entities. SB 264 revives a 100-year-old, discredited legal precedent that unconstitutionally discriminates against Asian immigrants. The 1920s case law has been superseded by subsequent rulings, Ashley Gorski told the Eleventh Circuit panel. SB 264 goes even further than that case, Terrace v. Thompson, in its explicit discrimination.The law has had a “chilling effect” for not only Chinese immigrants but Asian Americans generally in the state, said Bethany Li , legal director at AALDEF. “The law sends the message that Asians aren’t welcome in the state of Florida and some of the interactions that we’re seeing day-to-day are certainly reflective of that,” Li said in an interview.The U.S. government filed an amicus brief in support of the plaintiffs, arguing that the law violates the Fair Housing Act and equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment. "These unlawful provisions will cause serious harm to people simply because of their national origin, contravene federal civil rights laws, undermine constitutional rights, and will not advance the state’s purported goal of increasing public safety," the government wrote in its brief.Florida was one of 16 states that enacted legislation restricting land ownership by foreign entities or individuals last year, according to the Congressional Research Service. And lawmakers introduced bills to regulate foreign property ownership in another 20 states, it found. Opponents say Florida’s law is one of the most sweeping adopted so far.Read the AP report: https://bit.ly/4cZ4wZg . Read the Bloomberg Law report: https://bit.ly/44bPCes . Read the Courthouse News report: https://bit.ly/3w3zRte A coalition of Asian American organizations, community members, elected officials, and allies held a rally on April 19, 2024, in opposition to SB 264, a Florida law banning many Chinese immigrants from buying homes in large swaths of the state. The rally was held immediately following oral arguments at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit.Activists from all over the country showed up for the rally. “Many people are leaving or considering [leaving]. The people are selling houses, because we don’t know what to do, you see, not welcoming,” Echo King , co-founder and President of the Florida Asian American Justice Alliance (FAAJA), told AsAmNews . “We don’t feel welcome. So you know, people are leaving.”King expressed during the rally that it is dangerous to conflate individuals with their country of birth. Bethany Li, legal director of AALDEF, echoed the sentiment that the law cannot be divorced from the current political climate, where both Republicans and Democrats have voiced anti-China rhetoric. “Unfortunately, from casting China as the enemy, what we see is that the direct impact of that type of anti-China rhetoric is actually on everyday interactions for Asian Americans in the United States. It worsens the types of daily interactions that we have on streets, in schools, and the workplace, trying to get homes,” Li told AsAmNews .Read the AsAmNews report: https://bit.ly/4b6WnQD . Read the press release by Stop AAPI Hate: https://bit.ly/4d4n62d 2. Science: Hiring Ban Disrupts Research at Florida Universities A report by Science on April 12 shared insights on the disruption caused by a new Florida law prohibiting the state’s 12 public universities from employing graduate students and postdocs from China and six other “countries of concern” without special permission. The report featured Zhengfei Guan , an agricultural economist at the University of Florida (UF), who failed efforts to recruit a new Chinese postdoc to join his research team last summer. The candidate rejected his offer because of concerns about the new law. The article further stated that the new law disrupts graduate admissions across Florida’s public universities. One UF department removed every student from a country of concern from a list of people the department wanted to hire as graduate assistants. Another UF department, dependent on students from the country on the list, has asked to lower its usual GPA requirement due to a lack of qualified local applicants.While universities can still hire faculty from targeted countries like China, the law is affecting recruitment. In UF's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the top two candidates for a tenure-track position declined offers due to the law's employment restrictions.Read the Science report: https://bit.ly/4aI2ET3 Biden Signs Bill Reauthorizing Contentious FISA Surveillance Program According to AP and multiple media reports, President Joe Biden on April 20, 2024, signed legislation reauthorizing a key U.S. surveillance law known as Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA. The law gives the government expanded powers to monitor foreign terrorists and allows the government to gather communications from foreigners overseas without court warrants. For months, privacy and rights groups have argued that it violates Americans' constitutional right to privacy. The bill was blocked three times in the past five months, before passing the House last week by a 273-147 vote when its duration was shortened from five years to two years. Though the spy program was technically set to expire at midnight, the Biden administration had said it expected its authority to collect intelligence to remain operational for at least another year, which was approved by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.Barely missing its midnight deadline, the Senate approved the bill by a 60-34 vote. Hours before the law was set to expire, U.S. officials were already scrambling after two major U.S. communication providers said they would stop complying with orders through the surveillance program.A group of progressive and conservative lawmakers who were agitating for further changes had refused to accept the version of the bill the House sent over the previous week.The lawmakers had demanded that Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y., allow votes on amendments to the legislation that would address civil liberty loopholes in the bill. In the end, Schumer was able to cut a deal that would allow critics to receive floor votes on their amendments in exchange for speeding up the process for passage. The six amendments ultimately failed to garner the necessary support on the floor to be included in the final passage. One of the major changes detractors had proposed centered around restricting the FBI’s access to information about Americans through the program. Though the surveillance tool only targets non-Americans in other countries, it also collects communications of Americans when they are in contact with those targeted foreigners. Sen. Dick Durbin , the No. 2 Democrat in the chamber, had been pushing a proposal that would require U.S. officials to get a warrant before accessing American communications. “If the government wants to spy on my private communications or the private communications of any American, they should be required to get approval from a judge, just as our Founding Fathers intended in writing the Constitution,” Durbin said.Read the AP report: https://bit.ly/4a2k1gB Commissioner Yvonne Lee on USDA Equity Report and Asian American Farmers During the APA Justice monthly meeting on April 8, 2024, Commissioner Yvonne Lee began with warm memories of Dr. Robert Underwood who also spoke at the meeting, fondly recalling his inspiring demeanor and urging all present to embrace accountability and responsibility as public servants.Commissioner Lee has also dedicated her career to public service, having served on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and is the only Asian American member of the USDA Equity Commission that produced a final report for the Secretary of Agriculture in February 2024. The final report contains 66 recommendations. Three of them are specific concerns from the AANHPI community perspective. · Language access, which Commissioner Lee was happy to report, has been fully implemented last year. · Issues related to procurement, minority contracting, sub-contracting, and similar opportunities. · Land ownership. Commissioner Lee emphasized the report's significance as an official federal document chronicling AANHPI community involvement in American agriculture. She discussed the decline of Asian American agricultural dominance, citing historical discrimination. “Dating back to the 1880s, Asian American farmers have contributed two-thirds of California’s produce. Asian American growers introduced asparagus, celery, strawberries, sugar, and beans, to the American palate,” Commissioner Lee wrote in 2023. “When we examine how we want to advance social and economic justice for underrepresented communities and families, we must consider local food systems and how they were shaped. Discriminatory laws dissipated much of Asian American businesses and producers’ work in the agriculture industry.” Today Asian American farmers produced less than 2% of the food output nationwide. The 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act was a major contributor to the decline of Asian American participation in farming as it often extended to people of Asian-descendent and specifically prohibited the immigration of Chinese laborers. The Act was a gateway to additional discriminatory and exclusionary laws such as the Alien Land Laws which banned Asian Americans from owning land.The USDA Equity report serves as a poignant reminder of past achievements and ongoing challenges.There is a parallel to today’s continued assault to diminish our right to access land and properties and our role as full-fledged Americans because of a perceived background. "We can use this document to reflect and to use it to educate the public and to continue to advocate within and beyond our communities," Commissioner Lee said as she urged collective reflection and advocacy, particularly regarding recommendation number 37 on page 52 of the USDA Equity Report —"Right to Access Agricultural Land"—as a means to combat discrimination and safeguard community interests.The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), an interagency committee chaired by the Secretary of Treasury, has the authority to review, approve, or deny any proposed foreign transactions that might raise national concerns, including in the food and agricultural sector. Currently, USDA is not a CFIUS member, however, the U.S. Treasury may designate USDA as a co-lead in a CFIUS investigation on a case-by-case basis. The Equity Commission recommends that USDA serve as a permanent member of the committee and request the necessary Congressional appropriations to carry out this role.Commissioner Lee explained that this gives the public an additional tool to apply our voice and our advocacy to have one more voice to amplify.Read Commissioner Lee’s 2023 blog: https://bit.ly/3xMfb9C . Read the USDA Equity Report: https://bit.ly/4ceyXKE . A summary for the April monthly meeting is being prepared at this time. 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 . Some Facts about Asian American Farm Workers · The agricultural labor movement was inspired by Filipino leaders and workers who pulled their resources together and brought in Cesar Chavez . Read the NPR report about the forgotten Filipinos Who Led A Farmworker Revolution: https://bit.ly/4d6vsX0 · The Bing Cherry was named after a farm worker known by the name of Ah Bing , not Bing Crosby . Ah Bing was a head foreman for a commercial cherry nursery near the city of Milwaukie, Oregon. He was known to be a Chinese immigrant and worked at the nursery for over 35 years. He returned to China in 1889 to visit his family. While he was visiting, tensions rose in the Pacific Northwest against Chinese workers due to the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. New restrictions were placed on travel, and borders were sealed, preventing Ah Bing from returning to the United States. He did not leave records or any information behind, leading Bing cherries to be the only memory. Read the Atlas Obscura report: https://bit.ly/4b4bRoJ · Before Disneyland, strawberry fields flourished. In 2022, PBS recounted the Fujishige family’s journey, starting in the 1920s when their Japanese parents faced land ownership restrictions due to racist laws. In 1942, when the U.S. military forced Japanese Americans to evacuate the West Coast, the Fujishige family moved in with relatives in Utah. Despite adversity, the brothers bought a 58-acre berry farm for $3,500 in 1953, after the Supreme Court overturned the Alien Land Law. They grew strawberries, vegetables and herbs. Despite Disney's offer to buy the land for $90 million, they refused. The city attempted to seize the land in 1985, leading to Masao Fujishige 's tragic suicide. Expressing solidarity with other people of color who have struggled to hold on to their land across the United States, Hiroshi Fujishige told the LA Times in 1991 that he didn't want to sell too early because he "didn't want to end up like those Indians who used to own Manhattan Island.". The family finally sold the farm in 1998, paving the way for Disney's California Adventure. Read the PBS report: https://bit.ly/3Qd7Ki7 News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2024/04/30 Understanding Implicit Bias and How to Combat It2024/05/02 AAGEN 2024 Executive Leadership Workshop2024/05/04 Corky Lee's Asian America: Fifty Years of Photographic Justice Book Tour2024/05/05 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting 2024/05/06 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2024/05/13-14 2024 APAICS Legislative Leadership Summit2024/05/14 Serica Initiative: 7th Annual Women's Gala dinnerVisit https://bit.ly/45KGyga for event details. Back View PDF April 22, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #346 Gene Wu; TX SB17 Hearing; Land Restrictions; ICE Crackdown; Science Reports; Fed Data+ #346 Gene Wu; TX SB17 Hearing; Land Restrictions; ICE Crackdown; Science Reports; Fed Data+ In This Issue #346 · Committee of 100 Condemns Loyalty Attacks on Texas Rep. Gene Wu · 08/14 Public Court Hearing on Lawsuit Against Texas Alien Land Bill SB17 · Restrictions on Chinese Land Ownership in the U.S. · Concerns Over ICE Crackdown Tactics · Science: NIH Funding and Editorial on Columbia Deal · Federal Data at Risk: NASEM Warning, IRS Clash, and BLS Firing · News and Activities for the Communities Committee of 100 Condemns Loyalty Attacks on Texas Rep. Gene Wu On April 8, 2025, the Committee of 100 issued a public statement on Respectful Civil Discourse , condemning rhetoric that questions the loyalty or belonging of Chinese Americans based on ethnicity or political views. The statement cited an August 6 Texas Tribune article reporting that Texas State Senator Mayes Middleton targeted Representative Gene Wu 吳元之 , linking him to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and suggesting he should “go back to China.” “Suggesting that an American lawmaker is aligned with a foreign regime because of his heritage or political advocacy draws on a long and dangerous history of anti-Asian scapegoating and racism in this country,” the Committee of 100 said. “Such statements are outrageous and un-American. Disagreements on public policy are part of a healthy democracy. But invoking race, ethnicity, or foreign associations—especially when aimed at Asian American elected officials—incites xenophobia, invites slurs, and increases the potential for real-world harm.” Wu, leader of the Texas House Democrats, recounted his family’s persecution during China’s Cultural Revolution, noting that accusations of being a “communist spy” are deeply offensive given his family history. In recent months, he has faced escalating racist attacks from GOP officials amid his role in blocking Republican-led redistricting. Republican leaders, including Middleton and Texas GOP Chair Abraham George , have publicly questioned Wu’s loyalty, labeling him “CCP Wu” and accusing him on social media of being an operative of the Chinese Communist Party doing China’s bidding in the Legislature while baselessly questioning his loyalty to Texas and the U.S. Democrats and Asian American leaders warn that such unchecked rhetoric is dangerous, especially as Texas’s Asian American population grows rapidly. In contrast to past instances when racist remarks prompted swift condemnation, top GOP leaders have remained largely silent—signaling a troubling erosion of norms around respectful public discourse. 08/14 Public Court Hearing on Lawsuit Against Texas Alien Land Bill SB17 On July 3, 2025, the Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance (CALDA 华美维权同盟) filed a lawsuit on behalf of three Chinese nationals alleging Texas state law (SB 17), barring Chinese citizens from buying property in the state, is discriminatory and unconstitutional.A public hearing on Wang v. Paxton (4:25-cv-03103) will be held on August 14, 2025, starting at 10:00 am CT at Bob Casey U.S. Courthouse 515 Rusk Avenue, Houston, TX 77002.CALDA is calling on community members to attend the court hearing. “Even just quietly sitting in the back of the courtroom, your presence is the strongest form of support,” CALDA’s call to action states. “This is not only a legal battle but a fight for our right to live with dignity on this land.”The hearing is open to the public, but with only a few dozen seats expected to be available. Standing in the courtroom is not allowed. It is recommended to arrive at least 30 minutes early and enter after passing security screening. The court strictly prohibits carrying any electronic devices, including mobile phones, tablets, laptops, etc. Photography, video recording, and audio recording are forbidden. Lockers are provided at the court entrance for storage. The hearing is expected to last 30 to 60 minutes. During this time, attendees must not enter or leave freely, talk, or create noise. Please obey the rules; violators may be removed by court officers.CALDA’s lawsuit compares Texas’s SB 17 law to historically notorious anti-Asian laws like the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act and California’s 1913 Alien Land Law, both targeting Asian immigrants. Texas had repealed similar discriminatory restrictions in 1965, deeming them unreasonable and discriminatory. SB 17 bans citizens of certain countries—unless they are U.S. citizens or permanent residents—from owning most real estate or signing leases longer than one year in Texas. The law applies even to long-term residents with valid student or work visas, treating them as if they still reside in their country of origin. Violators risk forced property sales, felony charges, imprisonment, and hefty fines.CALDA contends that SB 17 is not an isolated law; it equates “place of birth” with a “national security threat,” treating people of Chinese origin as potential enemies. This is not merely a restriction on foreign nationals but a form of systemic discrimination that marginalizes the entire Chinese community. U.S. history has long shown that once prejudice based on nationality takes root, it spreads and harms the innocent. Among these waves of legislation, SB 17 is neither the beginning nor the end. It is part of a nationwide surge of anti-Chinese laws. We cannot remain silent, retreat, or be absent.SB 17 is set to take effect September 1, 2025. The plaintiffs request the court to rule that SB 17 is preempted by federal law and unconstitutional, to issue temporary and permanent injunctions preventing its enforcement, and to order payment of attorney’s fees and related litigation costs. Restrictions on Chinese Land Ownership in the U.S. Author: Madeleine Gable, APA Justice Communications AssociateAccording to Nikkei Asia , the U.S. is intensifying its crackdown on Chinese ownership of American agricultural land in the name of national security. Legislative efforts at both the federal and state levels to restrict Chinese property ownership have reached an all-time high.According to a recently released report by the Committee of 100 , U.S. Congress is currently considering 15 alien land bills, and 25 states have passed similar legislation aimed at restricting foreign ownership of property, including but not limited to agricultural land. This year alone, 11 such bills have already been enacted into law, with 129 introduced.Last month, the Department of Agriculture released a seven-point national security plan, enhancing public disclosures of foreign ownership of farmland and working with Congress and states to ban purchases of farmland by foreign adversaries and countries of concern. Agriculture secretary Brooke Rollins pointed specifically to the ownership of American farmland by Chinese nationals as an existential threat. Rollins hinted she might “claw back” land currently owned by Chinese investors.In May, Texas passed Senate Bill 17, prohibiting people and companies from China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia from purchasing land and other property in the state. It also bars certain people from leasing homes or apartments for more than a year. ACLU Texas maintains this legislation violates the First Amendment and the Equal Protection Clause.Florida passed similar legislation in 2023 that bans Chinese citizens from buying most property in the state. The law went into effect on July 1, 2023, although enforcement has been curtailed in specific cases pending legal review. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit issued a temporary injunction blocking the law’s enforcement against two plaintiffs while their appeal is under consideration.In April, West Virginia enacted House Bill 2961, explicitly banning Chinese citizens who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents from owning or possessing real property or mineral rights within the state. Speaking at the August 2025 APA Justice monthly meeting, Joanna YangQing Derman of Advancing Justice | AAJC explained that, while the legislation defines “prohibited foreign party” as individuals from China, the actual ban applies to individuals acting on behalf of companies and does not ban individuals from directly renting or purchasing land for themselves. The bill specifies that a violation of the law allows six months for full divestment of the sale, enforceable by the state court system and the West Virginia attorney general.The Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance (CALDA) represents plaintiffs in lawsuits against the legislation in Florida and Texas. CALDA legal director, Justin Sadowsky , says “the purpose [of the legislation] appears to be harming Chinese people.” Vincent Wang , chair of the Ohio Chinese American Association (OCAA) and APA Justice co-organizer, has been working with Ohio legislators with OCAA to amend proposed legislation in Ohio. The legislation, House Bill 1 and Senate Bill 88, would bar U.S. permanent residents from China from purchasing homes or businesses within 25 miles of military bases or critical infrastructure, such as water treatment plants, pipelines, dams, and telecommunication systems.Wang says he and his group have tried to relay to lawmakers the impact the legislation will have on business, employment, and investment in the state. Wang estimates roughly 110,000 people could be impacted if the legislation passes.He added, “While China is on the U.S. ‘foreign adversary’ list, conflating the Chinese government with people of Chinese origin risks racial profiling and discrimination — harming innocent individuals and businesses without meaningfully advancing national security.”Chinese ownership of U.S. farmland dropped last year to 265,000 acres, near the 2019 level, accounting for 0.03% of the 876 million acres nationwide. According to Sarah Bauerle Danzman , a former foreign investment analyst with the State Department and a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, such a miniscule proportion poses no national security threat. Concerns Over ICE Crackdown Tactics Author: Madeleine Gable, APA Justice Communications AssociateAccording to CNN , AsAmNews , and multiple media reports, Yeonsoo Go , a 20-year-old South Korean at Purdue University’s College of Pharmacy, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on July 31. Five days later, August 4, she was released and reunited with her mother in Federal Plaza in New York.In 2021, Go moved to the U.S. with her mother on a religious worker’s dependent visa. Three years later, she graduated from Scarsdale High School, located in Westchester County, New York. Go’s mother, the Rev. Kyrie Kim , serves as a priest in the Asian ministry of the Episcopal Diocese in New York and is recognized as the first woman ordained in the Seoul Diocese of the Anglican Church of Korea.On July 31, 2025, Go attended a visa hearing in Manhattan with her mother, during which a judge scheduled a hearing for October. However, ICE agents arrested her outside the courthouse immediately after the hearing. She was first held at a nearby federal detention site, then transferred to a facility in Monroe, Louisiana. ICE has not provided an explanation for why she was placed in immigration detention.According to Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin , Go had overstayed a visa that “expired more than two years ago” and was placed in expedited removal proceedings. McLaughlin added, “The fact of the matter is those who are in our country illegally have a choice — they can leave the country voluntarily or be arrested and deported.”However, Go’s current visa is reported to be valid until December, and her hearing on July 31 was part of an effort to extend her status, raising serious questions about the legality and appropriateness of her detention.On August 2, supporters called for Go’s release during a gathering in Manhattan’s Federal Plaza. Friends spoke of her positive attitude and kind heart, noting that Go had been increasingly nervous leading up to her hearing given the current political climate.A Purdue University spokesperson Trevor Peters confirmed the university was aware of the situation and that the dean of students had reached out to Go’s family.Following her release, Republican Representative Mike Lawler wrote on X “Yeonsoo’s case is yet another example of why we must fix our broken immigration system and make it easier for folks to come here and stay, the right way.”Go’s detainment comes just over a week after Tae Heung "Will" Kim , PhD student at Texas A&M University, was first detained at San Francisco International Airport. Kim spent a week sleeping in a chair with the lights on 24/7, before being moved to immigration detention centers in Arizona and then Raymondville, Texas. Kim was denied access to counsel while he was held in San Francisco. Karl Krooth , Kim’s attorney, stated that his client’s detention underscores serious flaws in the immigration system. He noted that Kim was deprived of due process protections typically available through immigration court proceedings, and held in an airport under questionable authority. “CBP [Customs and Border Protection] officers are not neutral arbiters — they are interrogators,” Krooth said. Becky Belcore , co-director of National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC), says Kim’s prolonged detention is indicative of a larger crackdown on immigrants’ rights. Earlier in July, Muhanad J. M. Alshrouf was detained by immigration officials for nine days at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, TX. Alshrouf had a valid visa and had no criminal history. CBP officials have not provided reasoning why he was detained.Similarly, CBP officials held naturalized citizen Wilmer Chavarria , a Vermont school district superintendent, at George Bush Intercontinental Airport for hours on July 21, searching his electronic devices. Chavarria was returning from a trip to Nicaragua where he visited family.On August 8, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) addressed a letter to Kristi Noem , Todd Lyons , and Rodney Scott expressing deep concern over the treatment of lawful permanent resident AAPI individuals by CBP and ICE. They pointed to several reports in which individuals — Will Kim, Yeonsoo Go, Lewelyn Dixon , Maximo Londonio , and Yunseo Chung — were detained without due process, suggesting potential violations of constitutional protections. CAPAC also alleges that CBP has violated its own National Standards on Transport, Escort, Detention, and Search, which requires CBP officials to “hold detainees for the least amount of time required” and, generally, for no more than 72 hours. The cases cited by CAPAC exemplify how CPB has purportedly failed to uphold this code.The CAPAC letter underscores growing concerns about the protection of constitutional rights, serving as a reminder of the importance of transparency, accountability, and adherence to due process. Upholding these principles helps ensure that enforcement practices remain fair and that the rights and dignity of immigrant communities are respected. Breaking News : According to the Intercept , a 32-year-old Chinese immigrant named Chaofeng Ge died by suicide in the Moshannon Valley Processing Center, a privately run ICE detention facility in Pennsylvania. Ge had been detained there for five days after being handed over to ICE following a guilty plea for a credit card fraud-related arrest. The Moshannon facility, operated by the GEO Group and the largest ICE detention center in the Northeast, has faced numerous complaints about abusive conditions, including poor language services that leave detainees, especially Chinese speakers, isolated.Ge was found hanging in a shower room early on August 6, 2025, and despite emergency medical efforts, he was pronounced dead around 6 a.m. His death marks the first ICE detainee death in the Northeast this fiscal year and the third suicide in ICE facilities nationwide this year.The Moshannon center has come under scrutiny for overcrowding, lack of adequate medical and mental health care, and harsh conditions that resemble a prison rather than a temporary holding center. A 2024 Department of Homeland Security investigation found “egregious and unconstitutional conditions,” but its findings were largely ignored after oversight offices were closed.Nationwide , deaths in ICE detention have increased sharply this fiscal year, with 12 detainee deaths reported as of June 2025—more than the previous year and the highest since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The rise in deaths highlights ongoing concerns over ICE detention conditions and treatment of immigrants. Science : NIH Funding and Editorial on Columbia Deal According to Science on July 31, 2025, The Senate Appropriations Committee rejected President Trump’s proposed 40% cut to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and major reductions to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), instead approving a 2026 funding bill that boosts NIH’s base budget by $400 million (1%) to $47.2 billion and keeps the CDC at $9.15 billion. The bill preserves NIH’s 27 institutes, blocks a cap on indirect research costs, and funds targeted research areas such as cancer and Alzheimer’s. Lawmakers from both parties criticized the administration’s attempts to freeze funds and reorganize agencies, framing the measure as a strong bipartisan defense of biomedical research and public health. The Senate bill must still go to the full Senate for approval and be reconciled with a House of Representatives version. According to a Science editorial titled “ The Columbia deal is a tragic wake-up call ” on July 31, 2025, Columbia University has entered into an agreement with the U.S. government to restore $1.3 billion in annual research funding after the Trump administration raised concerns about antisemitism, admissions practices, faculty hiring, and campus protests. While university leaders framed the deal as a necessary step to free up critical science funding—emphasizing its importance for advancing research that benefits the nation and humanity—it imposes obligations far beyond research oversight. The terms focus heavily on undergraduate education and require Columbia to answer questions on a range of politically sensitive topics. Michael Roth , the president of Wesleyan University, who has been an outspoken critic of the Trump administration and has decried the timidity of universities in standing up for higher education, declined to criticize Columbia for entering the agreement, likening it to a parent who understandably had to pay a ransom for their kidnapped child. Many in academia believe that Columbia’s decision has put other universities at risk of being required to meet the same kind of demands. The Columbia case underscores the vulnerability of universities that have become deeply reliant on federal research funding since World War II, often prioritizing financial growth and prestige over safeguarding academic independence. It also illustrates the difficult trade-offs administrators face when balancing core educational principles against the need to secure resources. While Columbia opted to negotiate rather than challenge the government, Brown University has followed a similar path, and Harvard University is fighting its own dispute in court. The real danger, some warn, is that such political and financial pressures—combined with heightened scrutiny of teaching and scholarship—could erode the fundamental mission of higher education: preparing future generations for the public good. Federal Data at Risk: NASEM Warning, IRS Clash, and BLS Firing On August 8, 2025, Marcia McNutt , President of the National Academy of Sciences, and Victor J. Dzau , President of National Academy of Medicine, issued a public statement , emphasizing that federal statistical agencies must remain free from political or other undue influence to maintain public trust and ensure effective decision-making. They highlighted the critical role accurate, objective data plays for businesses, governments, and the public, and reaffirmed long-standing principles—articulated since 1992—requiring agencies to operate independently of political agendas. The statement urges federal leaders to protect the integrity, objectivity, and statutory safeguards that enable these agencies to serve the nation impartially and in the public interest. Related Resources: Principles and Practices for a Federal Statistical Agency: Eighth Edition On August 9, 2025, the Washington Post reported that tensions erupted between the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the White House after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) asked the IRS to use confidential taxpayer data to locate 40,000 suspected undocumented immigrants. IRS privacy lawyers had opposed the April data-sharing agreement, and Commissioner Billy Long limited cooperation, verifying fewer than 3% of names and refusing to share additional information such as Earned Income Tax Credit claims, citing privacy laws. DHS has suggested future requests could target up to 7 million people. The dispute occurred hours before Long’s abrupt removal as IRS commissioner, though it is unclear if it was a direct cause. Long, a former congressman appointed in June, will become ambassador to Iceland, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent serving as interim commissioner. His short tenure also saw clashes over delaying tax season and eliminating the IRS’s Direct File program. This episode illustrates the type of political pressure NASEM warns could undermine public trust in federal agencies. On August 1, 2025, President Donald Trump fired Dr. Erika McEntarfer from her role as the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics after alleging the jobs report was “rigged” to harm him and Republicans. In a statement issued by the Economic Policy Institute, Heidi Shierholz , President of EPI, called the claim “preposterous” and warned the move risks politicizing the office of Commissioner by threatening removal if economic data displeases the White House. Taken together, these developments underscore a growing pattern of political interference in statistical and data-driven agencies — a trend that, if unchecked, could erode public confidence in the integrity of government information. News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/08/11 Committee of 100 Conversations – “Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes” with Gary Locke2025/08/12 Teaching and Researching Controversial Topics in the Sciences2025/08/14 Court Hearing on Wang v. Paxton (4:25-cv-03103)2025/09/06 The 2025 Asian American Youth Symposium2025/09/08 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/09/08 Committee of 100 Conversations – “Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes” with Janet YangVisit 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 . 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