Newsletter - #29 12/2 Webinar; "China Initiative" Reports And Statistics; 2020 Census #29 12/2 Webinar; "China Initiative" Reports And Statistics; 2020 Census Back View PDF November 19, 2020 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is celebrated to commemorate the arrival in May 1843 of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States and the role of Chinese laborers in the completion of the first transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. Asian Pacific American Heritage Month originated in June 1977 when Representatives Frank Horton (New York) and Norman Y. Mineta (California) called for the establishment of Asian/Pacific Heritage Week. Hawaii senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga introduced a similar bill in the Senate. Both bills passed, and in 1978 President Jimmy Carter signed the resolution. In 1990, President George H. W. Bush expanded the celebration from a week to a month. Library of Congress Natural History Museum LA Learn more @ APA Heritage Month Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

A Dialogue Between the Academic & Asian American Communities and the FBI 2024 FBI Dialogue, Hybrid Event Thursday, June 6, 2024 In 2022, the Department of Justice ended its China Initiative — a strategy to counter Chinese espionage and threats to U.S. research security — after academic and civil rights groups raised concerns about bias and damage to the United States' scientific enterprise. Since then, however, reports of border entry issues have increased for Chinese academic researchers and graduate students. This event brings together Jill Murphy, deputy assistant director of counterintelligence at the FBI, and the leadership of the FBI’s Houston field office for a dialogue with members of the academic and Asian American communities. It will examine gaps between federal science and technology policy and its implementation — particularly in the context of law enforcement at the U.S. border. It will also explore the possibility of establishing a regular communication channel between the academic and Asian American communities with FBI field offices. 20240606 FBIForum4.jpg 20240606 FBIForum6.jpg 20240606 FBIForum7.jpg 20240606 FBIForum5.jpg 20240606 HoustonForumPosterDraft.jpg 20240606 Forum with FBI Program.jpg Previous Item Next Item

Texas state representatives are attempting to stop foreign governments from purchasing Texas agricultural land. January 23, 2023 On January 23, 2023, Texas Representative Angie Chen Button 陳筱玲 announnced that she has joined State Representatives Cody Harris and Jacey Jetton in support of House Bill 1075 , recently filed legislation that would prohibit foreign governments or any entity owned or controlled by a foreign government from purchasing agricultural land in Texas. "Like so many other Texans who immigrated here for a better life, I came to America because it afforded me new opportunities, including the right to own property and freely purchase a safe and stable home in which to rase my family. This is a right that all Texans, regardless of race, color, or creed, should have," stated State Representative Angie Chen Button. Under HB 1075 by Rep. Harris, all individuals and American-owned businesses will maintain their right to purchase ag property in the State of Texas. As filed, the legislation applies to all foreign governments or government-controlled entities equally. On January 23, 2023, Texas Senate Bill 552 was introduced. The title of the bill is "Relating to prohibiting contracts or other agreements with certain foreign-owned companies in connection with agricultural land." Texas state representatives are attempting to stop foreign governments from purchasing Texas agricultural land. Previous Next Texas House Bill 1075 and Senate Bill 552

Newsletter - #46 "China Initiative"; Twitter; US House Testimony; Webinars; Student Stats; Hate Crimes #46 "China Initiative"; Twitter; US House Testimony; Webinars; Student Stats; Hate Crimes Back View PDF March 1, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #238 Erika's Message; Day of Remembrance; OSTP/House Hearing; AASF Updates; US-China STA; + #238 Erika's Message; Day of Remembrance; OSTP/House Hearing; AASF Updates; US-China STA; + In This Issue #238 · Erika Moritsugu - 2023 Review and 2024 Outlook · Day of Remembrance for Japanese American Incarceration · OSTP Guidance and House Science Committee Hearing · Updates from the Asian American Scholars Forum · State of Renewal of US-China Science and Technology Agreement · News and Activities for the Communities Erika Moritsugu - 2023 Review and 2024 Outlook Erika Moritsugu, Deputy Assistant to the President and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Senior Liaison, The White House, reviewed the Year of the Rabbit (or Cat in Vietnamese zodiac) in 2023 and remarked on the Year of Dragon in 2024 during the APA Justice monthly meeting on February 5, 2024. She was joined by her colleagues Ting Wu and Barbara Holston .Erika highlighted the significance of her role at the White House and extended Lunar New Year greetings. Erika reviewed the accomplishments of the White House Initiative on AA and NHPI, including initiatives such as regional economic summits, the Mental Health Summit, and the publication of the National Strategy to advance equity for AA and NHPI communities, all with strong commitment of the Biden administration. Erika described President Joe Biden 's proclamation recognizing AANAPISI programs and the renewal of the President’s Advisory Commission on AA and NHPI, including the hiring of new permanent staff.While Erika and her team are proud of what has been accomplished for our communities, by our communities, and with our communities so far, they also know that there is still more to do in ensuring equity, justice, opportunity, and safety for AA and NHPI in the new year.Looking ahead to 2024, Erika outlines goals to advance the President's agenda, including increasing federal contracting dollars for disadvantaged small businesses and combating hate-fueled violence.On research security, Erika reaffirms that the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to the integral role of AA and NHPI and people of all national origins in this country and supporting collaboration with international partners when it is in our interest. The White House is aware of the perceptions, biases, stereotypes and efforts to implement research security policies that may be influenced. The Federal government collaborates with researchers and institutions to develop guidance ensuring: · Protection of America's security and openness while recognizing the importance of global collaboration in basic research. · Clarity in the guidance provided to researchers. · Prevention of the guidance from fueling xenophobia or prejudice. On the People’s Republic of China (PRC), although the United States and the PRC are in competition, the Administration remains committed to maintaining open lines of communication and responsibly managing that competition. The Administration is keenly aware that the United States and the PRC are economically interdependent and share interest in addressing transnational costs and reducing the risk of conflict. It also expects the PRC to be a major player on the world stage for the foreseeable future.That means that even if we compete, we want to find ways to live alongside one another.Last year the Administration launched a period of intensive diplomacy. It was an all-hands-on-deck effort across the cabinet, scanning the full range of the relationship with the PRC. It was direct about our differences. The meetings were also used to find space to coordinate on issues where our interests overlap, culminating in the summit between President Biden and President Xi in Woodside, California, where progress was made on three major issues. 1. President Biden and President Xi started counter narcotics cooperation, 2. Announcement of military-to-military communication that has been frozen for more than a year, 3. Announcement of a new dialogue aimed at managing the risk of artificial intelligence. The Administration acknowledges the concerns of the AA and NHPI communities regarding tensions in the US-PRC relationship. It pledges to redouble efforts to protect these communities from any impacts. President Biden emphasizes that hate must have no safe haven in America and commits to combatting hate-fueled violence. The Administration is dedicated to ensuring safety, opportunity, and justice for all members of the communities. Recent events underscore the importance of government responsiveness to community needs. Erika and her team recognize the vital role of community engagement and partnership in their work. She expresses gratitude to community leaders for their activism and collaboration.Erika concluded her remarks with a big Mahalo Nui Loa for what we do for our communities and for sharing the space at the APA Justice meeting.Read the partial summary of the February 2024 APA Justice monthly meeting at: https://bit.ly/49jyZPH . Watch Erika's talk and the February monthly meeting: https://bit.ly/49okkmc (57:00) Day of Remembrance for Japanese American Incarceration On February 19, 1942, following the attack by Imperial Japan on Pearl Harbor and the United States’ entry to WWII, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 , which led to the forced removal and incarceration of over 120,000 individuals of Japanese ancestry during World War II. This day is recognized annually in the Japanese American community as the Day of Remembrance, and was recognized in 2023 by President Joe Biden who called the order “one of the most shameful periods in our Nation’s history.”According to AP News , from the extreme heat of the Gila River center in Arizona, to the biting winters of Heart Mountain in Wyoming, Japanese Americans were forced into hastily built barracks, with no insulation or privacy, and surrounded by barbed wire. They shared bathrooms and mess halls, and families of up to eight were squeezed into 20-by-25 foot rooms. Armed U.S. soldiers in guard towers ensured nobody tried to flee.Approximately two-thirds of the detainees were American citizens.When the 75 holding facilities on U.S. soil closed in 1946, there was no clear consensus of who or how many had been detained nationwide. Duncan Ryūken Williams , the director of the Shinso Ito Center for Japanese Religions and Culture at the University of Southern California, and a team of researchers took on the mammoth task of identifying all the detainees and honoring them with a three-part monument called “Irei: National Monument for the WWII Japanese American Incarceration.” “We wanted to repair that moment in American history by thinking of the fact that this is a group of people, Japanese Americans, that was targeted by the government. As long as you had one drop of Japanese blood in you, the government told you you didn’t belong,” Williams said. The first part of the Irei monument is the Ireichō, the sacred book listing 125,284 verified names of Japanese American detainees. The team recorded every name in order of age, from the oldest person who entered the camps to the last baby born there. “We felt like we needed to bring dignity and personhood and individuality back to all these people,” Williams said. “The best way we thought we could do that was to give them their names back.”Read the AP News report: https://bit.ly/49loOda . Read the Ireichō Exhibition at the Japanese American National Museum: https://bit.ly/3UKzJsH . The exhibition closes on December 1, 2024. Read President Biden's statement: https://bit.ly/3I5QPtl . Read the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus statement: https://bit.ly/3SCdSRe OSTP Guidance and House Science Committee Hearing On February 14, 2024, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) announced the release of two memoranda aimed at supporting a secure and fair research ecosystem in the United States: 1. On Policy Regarding Use of Common Disclosure Forms , OSTP outlines guidelines on the use of common disclosure forms for federal agencies to use when evaluating proposals. These will help the government identify conflicts of commitment and potential duplication with the work of foreign governments. 2. On Guidelines for Federal Research Agencies Regarding Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs , The OSTP guidance provides a definition of foreign talent recruitment programs, guidelines for federal employees regarding foreign talent recruitment programs, and guidelines for individuals involved in malign foreign talent recruitment programs in federal projects. On February 15, 2024, The House Committee on Science, Space and Technology held a hearing titled " Examining Federal Science Agency Actions to Secure the U.S. Science and Technology Enterprise ." Four witnesses testified at the hearing: · The Honorable Arati Prabhakar , Director, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy · Dr. Rebecca Keiser , Chief of Research Security Strategy and Policy, National Science Foundation · The Honorable Geri Richmond , Under Secretary for Science and Innovation, Department of Energy · Dr. Michael Lauer , Deputy Director for Extramural Research, National Institutes of Health A hearing charter is posted here: https://bit.ly/3OOkw5W . A video of the hearing is available here: https://bit.ly/3T8ltsz (2:39:21). Updates from the Asian American Scholars Forum Gisela Perez Kusakawa, Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), highlighted the following points during the APA Justice monthly meeting on February 5, 2024: · Expressing gratitude for recent efforts by Rep. Grace Meng and others opposing the reinstatement of the China initiative, recognizing the Biden administration's actions in ending it, and the release of NSPM 33 to harmonize disclosures. She emphasized AASF's ongoing opposition efforts with a coalition of 50 organizations and the importance of community support in this endeavor. · AASF will hold its annual symposium on July 27 focusing on emerging technologies. It will honor Asian American pioneers and involve high school students in celebrating Asian American history and innovation. The symposium will feature top scientists in AI, life sciences, and other emerging technologies. Gisela encourages community participation and emphasizes the importance of Asian American representation in shaping policies and regulations for emerging technologies. AASF celebrates Asian American scholar excellence and strives to shift away from the environment of scapegoating. · Gisela discussed AASF's accomplishments in the past year, including its growth and mobilizations to improve the climate on university and college campuses, support of individual cases, as well as advocacy efforts with the Biden administration, Congress, federal agencies, community partners. AASF operates behind the scenes with partners listening to stories of people on the ground and seeing how AASF can make sure that their stories are not just collateral damage, but that on a high level AASF can change many of these policies that are directly impacting them. · AASF launched a pioneer project and collaboration with the National Asian Pacific American Smithsonian Museum, which was shared by the National Science Foundation Director and has over 18,000 viewers. AASF is committed to preserving the history of Asian American scholars and addressing urgent issues, such as incidents of profiling at the border and impacts of a restrictive Florida law SB 864 that restricts Florida's public colleges and universities from hiring researchers and graduate students from several countries of concern that include China and Iran. AASF has prepared an explainer and is working on an impact assessment specifically for professors. Gisela emphasized the importance of keeping Congressional members aware and community support and involvement in their efforts. In conclusion, Gisela expressed appreciation for support and hopes for continued growth and advocacy for the Asian American scholar community in the upcoming year.Contact Gisela at gpkusakawa@aasforum.org . Read the partial summary of the February 2024 APA Justice monthly meeting at: https://bit.ly/49jyZPH . Watch Gisela's talk and the February monthly meeting: https://bit.ly/49okkmc (57:00) State of Renewal of US-China Science and Technology Agreement According to Nature on February 8, China and the United States will once again probably delay the renewal of a decades-old Science and Technology Agreement (STA). The two nations have been negotiating for the past six months but need more time to settle new terms and conditions requested by both sides, sources tell Nature .The STA, which is usually renewed every five years, was due to expire on August 27 last year. The US and China approved a six-month extension of the current agreement until February 27, to give officials time to renegotiate. Now, it looks like they will delay it again, and approve a second extension, says Denis Simon , a specialist on US–China innovation and trade relations at the Institute for China–America Studies in Washington DC.According to Simon, over the past six months, US and Chinese negotiators have met several times to hash out a new pact — a positive sign. The US wants assurances of the personal safety of its scientists who travel to China for collaborative projects and greater clarity over the access, ownership and sharing of data, According to Marina Zhang at the University of Technology Sydney in Australia, China also has some reservations about renewing the pact as it currently stands. It is concerned that the agreement might encourage Chinese scientists to leave and work in the United States. Deborah Seligsohn , a specialist in US–China relations at Villanova University in Pennsylvania, observes that the US might also want to restrict the fields of research while the previous agreement had no restrictions on the types of research that were available for partnership. Researchers slam this idea. Professor Steven Kivelson at Stanford University in California, says that ending collaboration with China in quantum materials would be like “cutting off our own arms.” Kivelson and his colleague, Stanford Professor Peter Michelson , wrote to US President Joe Biden last year urging the government to renew the pact. More than 1,000 academics signed the letter: https://bit.ly/44xTNPX .Read the Nature report: https://go.nature.com/3T3Cx2B . Read the Congressional Research Service backgrounder: https://bit.ly/4bFqtMh When asked about the state of the renewal of the US-China STA during the House Committee hearing on February 15, 2024, OSTP Director Arati Prabhakar responded that the matter is in the hands of the State Department. News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2024/02/22 Census Bureau: Exploring the Diversity and Growth of the Asian American Population2024/02/27-28 President's Advisory Commission on AA and NHPIs Meeting and Solicitation for Oral and Written Comments2024/02/28 WHI: Community Engagement Event2024/02/29 CAMDC Deadline for Essay Contest2024/03/03 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/03/04 APA Justice Monthly MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/45KGyga for event details. 2. UCA: 2024 Chinese American Convention United Chinese Americans (UCA) announced that it will hold the 2024 Chinese American Convention in Washington DC on June 27-30, 2024. Visit https://bit.ly/3T41PxC if you wish to propose a topic for the convention. Back View PDF February 22, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Perils of Warrantless Surveillance: The Case for Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Reform 2023 FISA Section 702 Monday, June 26, 2023 The U.S. Constitution protects its people against unreasonable searches and seizures. However, under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), the U.S. government engages in mass, warrantless surveillance of phone calls, text messages, emails, and other electronic communications between Americans and foreigners. Information collected under this law without a warrant can be used to prosecute and imprison people, even for crimes that have nothing to do with national security. Asian Americans, especially Chinese Americans and the immigrant and scientific communities, have been targeted for warrantless surveillance that led to wrongful and unjust prosecutions. They include Temple University Professor Xiaoxing Xi 郗小星 and possibly New York Police Department Officer Baimadajie Angwang 昂旺. The current authorization of Section 702 will expire on December 31, 2023. What should the Asian American and immigrant communities know about Section 1 702? If it is not sunset, what reforms will be needed? What are the next steps for the communities? 20230626 Section702Webinar.jpg Previous Item Next Item

Newsletter - #96 Updates On Sherry Chen, Franklin Tao, Charles Lieber; Latest On Campaign; Events + #96 Updates On Sherry Chen, Franklin Tao, Charles Lieber; Latest On Campaign; Events + Back View PDF November 18, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #249 4/19 C100 Conference/Miami Rally; FISA Vote; Dr. Underwood; Citizenship Question; + #249 4/19 C100 Conference/Miami Rally; FISA Vote; Dr. Underwood; Citizenship Question; + In This Issue #249 · Committee of 100 Conference and Miami Rally on April 19, 2024 · Second Vote on Reauthorization of FISA Coming Up in House? · Dr. Robert Underwood on AANHPISI and Bogus Rhetoric of Espionage · Opposition to Citizenship Question in Future Census - Founding Fathers were "Illegals" · News and Activities for the Communities Committee of 100 Conference and Miami Rally on April 19, 2024 1. Committee of 100 Conference in New York City This session on "The Impact of U.S.-China Tensions on Asian Americans in Government" in the Committee of 100 Conference was inadvertently left out of the previous newsletter. The conference will be held at the Marriott Marquis in New York City on April 19, 2024. In an environment where U.S.-China geopolitical tensions continue to escalate, Asian Americans serving in the federal government often find themselves unfairly treated when it comes to postings and assignments. The panel will explore the nuanced potential barriers to career advancement that spin from the tensions with China, the complexities of obtaining security clearances and the uncomfortable scrutiny regarding loyalty that Asian Americans endure due to concerns over foreign influence.Speakers: · Carol Lam , Former United States Attorney, Southern District of California · Chuck Rosenberg , Former United States Attorney, Eastern District of Virginia · Andy Kim , Representative, United States Congress · Jiashen You , PhD, Chief Data Officer, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Moderator: · Paula Madison , Chair & CEO, 88 Madison Media Inc. For more information about the C100 conference and registration: https://bit.ly/4d9giAD 2. Community Rally Against Florida's Anti-Chinese Alien Land Law in Miami On April 19, 2024, a community rally will be held at 99 NE 4th Street, Miami, as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit will hold a hearing on the Shen vs. Simpson lawsuit. The rally supports overturning Florida's hateful and discriminatory property law known as SB 264, which unconstitutionally bans many Chinese immigrants from buying homes in Florida.The rally is sponsored by · Florida Asian American Justice Alliance (FAAJA) · United Chinese Americans (UCA) · Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance (CALDA) · League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Florida · Stop AAPI Hate Second Vote on Reauthorization of FISA Coming Up in House? According to the Washington Post , the House reauthorized a part of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) in a bipartisan vote of 273-147 on Friday, April 12, 2024. The reauthorization window was shortened from five to two years. The post-9/11 provision known as Section 702 of FISA gave U.S. spy agencies the ability to collect without a warrant the communications of noncitizens abroad who are suspected of threatening U.S. national security or whose emails and text messages might provide foreign intelligence. At issue is whether spy agencies can analyze communications by Americans who may have interacted with foreign targets, which privacy advocates on the far right and left say is unconstitutional.An amendment to require a warrant if the FBI wants to analyze Americans’ communications swept up under Section 702 was not adopted because of a tie vote of 212-212.Privacy advocates decried the bill’s passage without a warrant requirement. Elizabeth Goitein , senior director of the Brennan Center for Justice’s Liberty and National Security Program, characterized lawmakers who supported the vote for passage of the bill as “a craven betrayal of the Americans who placed their faith in these members to protect their rights.”Stark opposition from another bipartisan group of lawmakers moved far-right members to compel a motion to reconsider the legislation, forcing the House to vote the following week on defending the measure and stalling its passage to the Senate, which must act before a lapse occurs on April 19, 2024.Read the Washington Post report : https://wapo.st/4aTgp13 . During the APA Justice monthly meeting on April 8, 2024, Joanna YangQing Derman , Director, Anti-Profiling, Civil Rights & National Security Program, Advancing Justice | AAJC, reported on the fast pace movement on the FISA Section 702 reauthorization legislation. The second vote in the House, as reported by the Washington Post , may be procedural.On April 14, 2024, the Brennan Center published a one-pager detailing how the Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act (RISAA) authorizes the largest expansion of surveillance on domestic soil since the Patriot Act. According to the one-pager, the administration obtained approval from the FISA Court on April 4 to continue conducting Section 702 surveillance until April of 2025. According to the government itself, that approval will “grandfather” Section 702 surveillance for a year even if Section 702 itself were to lapse. "The Senate must not let a meaningless deadline pressure it into creating a surveillance state," the one-pager said. Dr. Robert Underwood on AANHPISI and Bogus Rhetoric of Espionage Dr. Robert Underwood gave remarks on two topics during the APA Justice monthly meeting on April 8, 2024. He joined the meeting from Guam around 4:00 am Chamorro standard time. It is the only time zone that is named after a people. On January 24, 2000, Congress passed the Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands Standard Time Zone Act. The Act established the Chamorro standard time zone for Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The term Chamorro refers to the culture and people of that area. Dr. Underwood is former President of the University of Guam and former Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC). He is currently a Member of the President's Advisory Commission AA and NHPI, serving on the data disaggregation and higher education subcommittee. One topic the Commission has been advocating is higher education, particularly the Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander serving institutions (AANHPISI). There are almost 200 such institutions across the country. About half of the AANHPI enrollment goes to AANHPISI institutions. Based on FY 2022 appropriations, AANHPISI institutions would receive approximately $75,000.There is a wide variety of minority serving institution programs in almost every federal agency. However, when AANHPISI applies, sometimes the agencies are hesitant because they do not really understand this network, which has been around for a couple of decades. There are calls for advocacy and some actions by federal agencies on this basis. In Guam and the Northern Marianas, one of the issues that has surfaced is the number of undocumented immigrants coming from the Northern Marianas to Guam on boats.The Northern Marianas is also a US territory, but they have a unique agreement where people can come from China without a visa as tourists and stay for 2 weeks. In the past couple years, about 100 to 200 people have rented a boat or get dropped from boats into Guam.According to the Stars and Stripes , there had been 118 unlawful or attempted unlawful entries by Chinese citizens to Guam since 2022 - 85 in 2022, 27 in 2023, and six were reported for the first two months of 2024.Some think tanks and Congressional members have surfaced the narrative that this stream of potential Chinese migrants is coming in to conduct espionage on military facilities in Guam, despite the fact that immigration authorities in Honolulu which oversee Guam and the Marianas have stated repeatedly there is no reason to believe the espionage allegation, Even though there is no basis for the espionage and no one has been charged, everyone starts looking at each other trying to figure out what is going on and looking at the neighbors wondering why the neighbors are here. Dr. Underwood reiterated that the hype of espionage is bogus. There is no truth in it. They are just economic migrants looking for a job and better opportunities.It is very dispiriting and irresponsible to use a little bit of data to create a false impression. Dr. Underwood is working with a think tank called the Pacific Center for Island Security to do its best to bring full understanding to that situation. Dr. Underwood applauds the recent rally and continuing efforts against Florida's state law known as SB 846 that restricts academic exchange and collaborations, including the hiring of graduate students based on their national origin. Dr. Underwood suggests that this is an opportunity to generate community support and understanding across the country. Everything is a new opportunity.A summary for the 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 . Opposition to Citizenship Question in Future Census - Founding Fathers were "Illegals" According to the Brennan Center for Justice on April 11, 2024, leading civil rights organizations and good government groups are pressing the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability to oppose the Equal Representation Act (H.R. 7109), a bill proposing to add a citizenship question to the 2030 Census and to exclude non-citizens from the national head count used to apportion the House. In a letter to Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) and Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-MD), the 74 signatories – which include the Brennan Center for Justice – detailed the serious constitutional and practical problems with the bill.As the letter explains, the proposal to exclude noncitizens from the apportionment count violates the Fourteenth Amendment, which requires a count of all persons living in the country. As a result, H.R. 7109 effectively proposes to amend the Constitution through legislation, in violation of the amendment process set forth in Article V.The letter goes on to explain that the bill would threaten the success of future censuses by undermining the Census Bureau’s ability to collect accurate population counts, because including a citizenship question on the census would dissuade non-citizens from being counted.Read the Brennan Center statement: https://bit.ly/3VYmmFM Founding Fathers Were "Illegals" According to Yahoo News , Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) schooled Rep. Gary Palmer after the Alabama Republican claimed that the Founding Fathers “never anticipated” having a mass number of people “illegally” come to America.The comments were made during a House Oversight Committee markup session where lawmakers addressed the Equal Representation Act, which — if passed — would require a citizenship question on the 2030 U.S. census and every census 10 years after that.“There was no immigration law when the Constitution was adopted at all. In fact, the only illegals in the country, at least according to the native population, were the people writing the Constitution,” said Raskin, a Constitution attorney.48 of the 56 signers of the Constitution were born in America when it was a British colony. Of the remaining 8, Two were born in England; two in Ireland; two in Scotland; one in Northern Ireland; and one in Wales.Read the Yahoo News report: https://yhoo.it/3Q2iQX1 News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2024/04/17 Racially Profiled for Being A Scientist: A Discussion of the US DOJ's China Initiative2024/04/18 Corky Lee's Asian America: Fifty Years of Photographic Justice2024/04/19 Committee of 100 Annual Conference and Gala2024/04/19 Appeals Court Hearing on Florida SB 2642024/04/19 Community Rally Against Florida's Anti-Chinese Alien Land Law2024/04/30 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 Visit https://bit.ly/45KGyga for event details.Visit the 2024 Congressional Calendar by Roll Call : https://bit.ly/4aw4iqU 2. Understanding Implicit Bias and How to Combat It WHAT: Understanding Implicit Bias and How to Combat It WHEN: April 30, 2024, 3:00 - 4:15 pm ET WHERE: Virtual event HOST: American Academy of Arts & Sciences INTRODUCTION: David W. Oxtoby, President, American Academy of Arts & Sciences SPEAKERS: · Frank Dobbin, Henry Ford II Professor of the Social Sciences; Chair of the Sociology Department, Harvard University · Jennifer L. Eberhardt, William R. Kimball Professor; Professor of Psychology; Cofounder and Codirector, Stanford SPARQ, Stanford University · Camara Phyllis Jones, Leverhulme Visiting Professor in Global Health and Social Medicine, King’s College London · Goodwin Liu, Associate Justice, California Supreme Court DESCRIPTION: Implicit bias is the residue of stereotyped associations and social patterns that are outside our conscious awareness but reinforce inequality in the world. The implications of implicit bias are present in every field, from law enforcement, to courts, education, medicine, and employment. Scientific inquiry has advanced our understanding of implicit bias in recent decades. It has also illuminated the limitations of certain cognitive measures and commonplace interventions, including some forms of diversity or implicit bias training used by corporations, universities, and other organizations. How can we improve our knowledge base on effective strategies to counteract bias and its negative impacts on our nation? What changes to organizational policies, procedures, and decision-making structures have shown promise? And how can technologies be leveraged? REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/4aVrrmi Back View PDF April 15, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

April 7, 2019 On April 7, the Committee of 100 (C100 百人会) issued a statement condemning racial profiling against Chinese Americans . The statement was broadly distributed to the media and read by C100 President Frank Wu during its annual conference in New York. The statement responds to a few high-level American government officials, respected media outlets, and opinion leaders who have stated or suggested in the last few years that all Chinese persons in America should be suspected of wrongdoing. However, "overzealous criminal prosecutions in recent years of innocent individuals such as Sherry Chen and Xiaoxing Xi, like Wen Ho Lee before them, have embarrassingly fallen apart, while ruining lives for no reason. Such targeting of individuals based on their ethnic heritage or national origin violates our shared American ideals. It simply has to stop." "Racial profiling is wrong and un-American in our nation of democracy." The statement concludes that "by standing up and speaking out for what is right and just, Chinese Americans can help lead the way in answering the call that is always before us as Americans: to embody more perfectly the ideals and principles of this great nation we call home." C100 pledges additional plans and actions beyond the released statement. A conference is scheduled for September 28, 2019 in East Palo Alto, California. Previous Next Committee of 100 Condemns Racial Profiling of Chinese Americans

Newsletter - #291 VOTE! Scholars Speak Up; Chinese Scientists; Stakes for Science; Project 2025; More #291 VOTE! Scholars Speak Up; Chinese Scientists; Stakes for Science; Project 2025; More In This Issue #291 · Scholars Nationwide Endorsed Stanford Letter Opposing Reinstatement of "China Initiative" · China-Born Scientists Face Uncertainty as US Election Looms · Science: The Stakes for Science: What the Next President Could Mean for Research · "Project 2025: An Existential Threat to Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders" · News and Activities for the Communities November 5, 2024, is Election Day. You will make a difference in the election. Vote if you have not done so already! Scholars Nationwide Endorsed Stanford Letter Opposing Reinstatement of "China Initiative" According to the Asian American Scholar Forum, nearly 2,000 faculty members and senior staff from U.S. colleges, universities, and affiliated research laboratories in 46 states and the District of Columbia have joined a growing list of endorsers on an October 8, 2024, letter originally initiated by 166 Stanford University faculty. The letter, led by Professors Steven A. Kivelson and Peter F. Michelson, urges Senate and House leaders— Charles E. Schumer , Mitch McConnell , Mike Johnson , and Hakeem S. Jeffries —not to reinstate the Department of Justice’s "China Initiative." This initiative, they argue, risks undermining U.S. scientific leadership and deterring international STEM talent. The letter highlights that the "national security and economic advantages of U.S. leadership in science and engineering" are strengthened by welcoming international talent. Citing a report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), it warns that other nations, including competitors, are increasingly benefiting from talented individuals the U.S. fails to attract or retain. "A failure to fully capitalize on our advantage in educating and attracting foreign-born science and engineering talent would be a policy ‘own goal’ in an era of increased geopolitical competition for leadership in advanced technologies,” the letter states. America’s strength, it asserts, lies in its openness to diverse global talents.Read the October 28 update letter : https://bit.ly/4ec4Sem . China-Born Scientists Face Uncertainty as US Election Looms According to the South China Morning Post on October 31, 2024, Chinese American scientists are concerned over the implications of the 2024 U.S. presidential election and the possible reinstatement of the China Initiative or its equivalent, which targeted Chinese-born researchers in the name of national security. Researchers like economist Yan Chen and physicist Xiaoxing Xi offer differing views on the candidates, with Chen hoping for a Trump loss due to fears of renewed hostility toward Chinese Americans in academia. Xi, however, is skeptical that a Harris administration would reverse the current bipartisan stance that views China as a primary geopolitical threat. The now-defunct China Initiative, launched in 2018 by the Department of Justice under Trump, aimed to counter China’s economic espionage but led to disproportionate scrutiny of Chinese American and immigrant academics. Instead of uncovering spies, it often targeted minor administrative infractions, such as failures to disclose affiliations with Chinese institutions. Examples of this overreach include Dr. Franklin Tao , a former University of Kansas professor, whose career was damaged and financial stability ruined by costly legal battles. Dr. Anming Hu , a professor at the University of Tennessee, faced equally severe consequences after an FBI investigation misinterpreted his work due to a lack of understanding of academic collaborations. Charges against Hu were ultimately dropped, and he was reinstated to the university, but his career and personal life suffered lasting impacts, including stress-related health issues for his family. Studies by legal researcher Andrew Chongseh Kim reveal an increase in espionage-related prosecutions against Chinese Americans since 2009, highlighting a shift in the U.S. perception of China as a strategic threat. Kim notes that Chinese Americans comprised only 16% of espionage defendants from 1996 to 2008; after 2009, this number tripled, reflecting the broader national security emphasis. Investigations have also impacted Chinese American cancer researchers at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, where many were dismissed or forced to leave their roles, even without concrete evidence of wrongdoing. Ongoing investigations by agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have intensified the “chilling effect” on Chinese American academics, discouraging them from federal grant applications and collaborative research. The Asian American Scholar Forum recently held a public meeting with NIH leaders to address these concerns, where scholars expressed frustration over the lack of accountability and the significant harm done to their careers and reputations. Denis Simon , a Duke University professor, warns of the potential long-term damage to U.S. science and technology fields due to the climate of fear, which may deter young talent from China from studying in the United States. He cautions that continuing to target Chinese-born scientists will hamper the country's scientific advancement. Despite the formal end of the "China Initiative," Simon argues that ongoing tensions have escalated, and educational institutions fear repercussions if perceived as too "China-friendly." This atmosphere, fueled by bipartisan support for tougher policies on China, has strained not only individual scientists but also broader academic collaboration, risking an innovation gap as the U.S. disengages from some of the world’s leading research talent and perspectives. Read the South China Morning Post report: https://bit.ly/4f2nT4n Science : The Stakes for Science: What the Next President Could Mean for Research The cover of the October 18 issue of Science highlighted "The Stakes for Science: What the Next President Could Mean for Research?" According to the editorial, the 2024 election has drawn attention to key issues shaping the U.S. scientific landscape, highlighting concerns about global competitiveness, talent retention, and political influences on science policy. In 2020, with the COVID-19 pandemic at its peak, science was at the forefront of political debate. Fast forward to 2024, science has largely been relegated to the background as economic concerns dominate the national conversation. This shift highlights the persistent difficulty in maintaining consistent political support for science and technology in the U.S.As China’s rapid rise in scientific output surpasses that of the U.S., concerns about America’s global scientific standing have come to the forefront. China’s lead in research publications and the growing quality of its scientific output signal a shift that alarms many in the U.S. scientific and political communities, where the long-standing scientific and technological dominance has been foundational to U.S. geopolitical power since World War II.In response, both Republicans and Democrats have pursued increasingly restrictive policies regarding collaboration with Chinese researchers, citing national security concerns. The editorial highlights how these restrictions, originally introduced under Trump’s administration, have persisted under Biden, albeit with a different rhetorical approach. "Today’s politicians are more focused on overprotecting the tiny amount of know-how they fear could slip out of the US than on the overall success of the country’s scientific enterprise," the editorial said. While Trump’s administration openly employed anti-Asian rhetoric and policies, labeling Chinese scholars as potential security threats, the Biden administration has also maintained some of these restrictive measures, albeit under the guise of protecting intellectual property. The result has been a "chilling effect" on U.S.-China research partnerships, leading many Chinese scientists to return to China, depriving U.S. institutions of talent in fields critical to American innovation. These policies have raised concerns within the U.S. scientific community that they might undermine America’s long-term competitiveness by stifling collaboration and alienating researchers."This is bleeding the US of talent and squandering millions of federal dollars that have been invested in the development of Chinese scientists who might otherwise have stayed," the editorial said.This loss of talent is not a minor issue; it undermines decades of U.S. investment in building a diverse and world-leading scientific workforce. For years, the U.S. has benefited from the immigration of highly skilled scientists, many from China, who have played a key role in driving innovation in industries ranging from biotechnology to artificial intelligence. The recent political climate, however, has reversed this trend. Policies driven by national security concerns are seen by many as overly intrusive and counterproductive, focusing more on restricting access to knowledge rather than fostering innovation.Amid these growing tensions, there is also increasing scrutiny of the NIH, the leading U.S. agency for medical research. "Efforts by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to expose and punish Chinese scientists have attracted bipartisan support," the editorial said. On the eve of Science reporting allegations of research misconduct by NIH Alzheimer's leader Eliezer Masliah , the NIH issued a generic statement acknowledging the misconduct. However, Director Monica Bertagnolli has said nothing on the record to reassure the public or Congress that the agency recognizes how badly these findings reflect on the NIH or that it intends to keep this from happening again. The pattern is similar in Dr. Bertagnolli 's statement of support for Asian American, Asian immigrant and Asian researchers after the suicide of Dr. Jane Wu of the School of Medicine at Northwestern University.Responses by both Republicans and Democrats have raised broader questions about the governance and future direction of federal science agencies, especially as public trust in institutions like the NIH has been eroded by high-profile scandals.As the election nears, the stakes for American science have never been higher. If U.S. policymakers continue to prioritize short-term political gains over long-term investments in science and research, the country risks falling further behind China and other global competitors. The debate over immigration, research collaboration, and the future of scientific funding reflects deeper philosophical divisions over who should have access to American scientific resources and how federal agencies should respond to public scrutiny and controversy. Whether the U.S. can regain its footing as a global leader in research will depend not only on who wins the presidency but also on the political will to address the systemic challenges that have long been ignored. Questions about how to balance national security with the need for international collaboration, how to rebuild public trust in science institutions, and how to sustain the U.S.’s leadership in innovation will remain central to this evolving debate. The outcome of the election could either pave the way for renewed investment in science or further entrench the barriers that are slowly eroding the nation’s scientific capacity. Science noted in the feature article that the presidential candidates have said almost nothing about science. Despite this silence, the next president’s impact on the U.S. research community will be significant, influencing climate change policy, public health, U.S.-China scientific competition, and AI regulation. Both Harris and Trump will face decisions about attracting foreign scientific talent, supporting domestic researchers, and ensuring government scientists can work without political interference. Science proceeded to compare the presidential candidates on six major issues: · Research budgets · Burdensome rules · Green cards for scientists · The president’s scientist · Staying tough on China · Training the next generation Read these Science articles: 2024/10/16 Science Editorial: Same but different 2024/10/16 Science : The stakes for science: Where Kamala Harris and Donald Trump stand on the issues that matter most to scientists "Project 2025: An Existential Threat to Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders" In August 2024, Stop AAPI Hate published a commentary providing a rundown of Project 2025, explaining why it is so dangerous for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AA/PI) communities from the deportation of immigrants to the full-scale attack on civil rights.Project 2025 is an ultra-conservative blueprint by the Heritage Foundation with the aim to reshape the governance of the United States in a Republican administration, including extensive plans to change immigration, civil rights, education, and social welfare policies. Stop AAPI Hate's analysis highlights the project's potentially harmful impacts on Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities and other marginalized groups.Stop AAPI Hate's key concerns are: Project 2025 targets AA/PI and other immigrants for arrest, incarceration, and deportation. · The plan would give Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents broad access to detain and deport immigrants without a warrant, wherever and whenever they choose. · It would add a citizenship question to the U.S. Census, discouraging citizens and non-citizens alike from responding — leading to decreased federal funding and political representation for immigrant-rich communities (Project 2025, Mandate for Leadership, pg. 680). · The project would eliminate family-based immigration and other immigration categories that have allowed generations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to immigrate to the United States (Project 2025, Mandate for Leadership, pg. 145). Project 2025 will fuel the racial profiling of scientists, researchers, and international students, threatening our civil rights and technological leadership. · It would revive the “China Initiative,” leading to a second wave of racist witch hunts targeting Chinese scientists and researchers (Project 2025, Mandate for Leadership, pg. 556). · It would lead to the discontinuation of visas for Chinese students and researchers, hampering progress in critical fields (Project 2025, Mandate for Leadership, pg. 790). Project 2025 will make it next to impossible for working families to thrive. · The plan would dramatically expand tariffs to “levels that will block out ‘Made in China’ products”, worsening US-China trade relations and driving across-the-board inflation and job losses (Project 2025, Mandate for Leadership, pg. 789). · It would drastically cut food assistance and other critical social benefits, plunging millions of working families below the poverty line. · It would impose sweeping reforms to K-12 and higher education, making it harder for low and middle income students to access education opportunities. · The project would put new restrictions on reproductive rights and let politicians make life-altering decisions about our bodies. · It would reduce worker protections against race- or gender-based discrimination. Read the Stop AAPI commentary on Project 2025: https://bit.ly/4fnBxPh News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events:2024/11/06 Asian American Women in Media and Music2024/11/07 Critical Issues in the US-China Science and Technology Relationship2024/11/10 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/11/12 Threats to International Engagement and Academic Freedom2024/11/14 An Advice and Networking Event (Financial Services, Investing and Consulting)2024/11/15 Yangtze-Mississippi Regional Dialogue2024/11/15-17 AAASE Inaugural Summit2024/11/17 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/11/18 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2024/11/24 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/12/01 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. NOTE: Because the regular scheduled day falls on the eve of Election Day, we have moved the next APA Justice monthly meeting to Monday, November 18, 2024. 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 . 2. Critical Issues in the US-China Science and Technology Relationship WHAT: Critical Issues in the US-Science and Technology Relationship WHEN: November 7, 2024, 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm PT/7:00 pm - 8:30 pm ET WHERE: Hybrid event · In-Person : George P. Shultz Building, Annenberg Conference Room, Stanford University · Streaming : https://stanford.io/4e9VpV7 HOST: Hoover Institution, Stanford University Moderator: Frances Hisgen , Senior Research Program Manager, Hoover Institution Speakers: · Zhenan Bao , K.K. Lee Professor of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University · Yasheng Huang, Epoch Foundation Professor of Global Economics and Management, MIT · Peter F. Michelson , Luke Blossom Professor in the School of Humanities & Sciences and Professor of Physics, Stanford University · Glenn Tiffert , Distinguished Research Fellow, Hoover Institution DESCRIPTION: Both the United States and the People’s Republic of China see sustaining leadership in science and technology (S+T) as foundational to national and economic security. Policymakers on both sides of the Pacific have taken action to promote indigenous innovation, and to protect S+T ecosystems from misappropriation of research and malign technology transfer. In the US, some of these steps, including the China Initiative, have led to pain, mistrust, and a climate of fear, particularly for students and scholars of and from China. Newer efforts, including research security programs and policies, seek to learn from these mistakes. A distinguished panel of scientists and China scholars will discuss these dynamics and their implications. What are the issues facing US-China science and technology collaboration? What are the current challenges confronting Chinese American scientists? How should we foster scientific ecosystems that are inclusive, resilient to security challenges, and aligned with democratic values? REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3YwyOvU 3. APA Justice Newsletter Web Page Moved to New Website As part of its continuing migration to a new website under construction, we have moved the Newsletter webpage to https://www.apajusticetaskforce.org/newsletters . Content of the existing website will remain, but it will no longer be updated. We value your feedback about the new web page. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org . Back View PDF November 4, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #101 White House Initiative; NIH Acting Director; Science Editorials; Lieber Trial; Events+ #101 White House Initiative; NIH Acting Director; Science Editorials; Lieber Trial; Events+ Back View PDF December 13, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter