On March 8, 2022, APA Justice sent a letter to Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen, calling for the release of a report on the Department of Justice's review of the “China Initiative.” March 8, 2022 On March 8, 2022, APA Justice sent a letter to Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen, calling for the release of a report on the Department of Justice's (DOJ’s) review of the “China Initiative.” In the letter, we express our support for his announcement ending the “China Initiative” on February 23, 2022, and our appreciation for his openness and willingness to engage, listen, and respond to community concerns. Ending the “China Initiative” is a promising start to correct the harms caused by the initiative, apply lessons learned, and rebuild community trust and confidence that were lost in our law enforcement and judicial system. For transparency and to ensure an accurate understanding of the changes, we request the public release of a report memorializing the findings of his review of the program that began in November 2021. Release of a report on the findings of the review is critically important to ease the broad concerns that the end of “China Initiative” is just in name but does not reflect a change in fact and substance. It will supplement Mr. Olsen's speech for the communities to move forward. It is common for the government to produce a written report to memorialize an important review such as that done for the “China Initiative.” It usually includes the defined scope, issues examined, process and methodology used, findings, recommended changes, decisions, and plans for implementation. Such a report would help to clarify, for example, the following questions: What was the scope of the “China Initiative” review? What is the new supervising role for the National Security Division? Will DOJ-wide implicit bias training be restarted? How thorough were existing prosecutions and investigations reviewed? Did the review cover allegations of DOJ and FBI misconduct? Harms and wounds inflicted during and prior to the "China Initiative" are deep and wide spread in the Asian American and scientific communities, especially for academics of Chinese descent. It is imperative to start the process of healing and restoration of trust in the law enforcement and judicial system with transparency, accountability, and community engagement in moving forward. letter2mattolsen_20220308 .pdf Download PDF • 244KB On March 8, 2022, APA Justice sent a letter to Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen, calling for the release of a report on the Department of Justice's review of the “China Initiative.” Previous Next APA Justice Calls for Release of Report on Review of "China Initiative"

Newsletter - #340 C100/Paul Cheung; More on Student Visas; Birthright Citizenship; AI Checks on Trump; + #340 C100/Paul Cheung; More on Student Visas; Birthright Citizenship; AI Checks on Trump; + In This Issue #340 · Introduction of C100 President Paul Cheung · Social Media Checks on Student Visa Applications · A Fractured Future for Birthright Citizenship · What Five AI Models Say About President Trump’s Claims · News and Activities for the Communities Introduction of C100 President Paul Cheung At the APA Justice monthly meeting on July 7, 2025, Paul Cheung 鄭文耀 , the new President of the Committee of 100 (C100), offered introductory remarks outlining his professional background and vision for the organization. With over two decades of experience in journalism and philanthropy, Paul previously led digital innovation at the Associated Press and the Miami Herald , and later focused on technology-driven equity initiatives at the Knight Foundation. He emphasized that his career has been defined by building strategic partnerships and using technology to dismantle systemic barriers—whether in journalism, misinformation, or civil rights. Paul sees strong alignment between C100’s mission and that of APA Justice and other advocacy organizations. In his view, defending AAPI rights requires more than passion—it demands strategy, cross-sector collaboration, and coordinated action. Reflecting on his past work covering civil rights and leading foundation programs, he stressed that legal victories alone are not enough unless they are paired with cultural and public narrative change. For C100, that means not only amplifying partners’ work but also helping to shift the broader conversation about Chinese American identity and inclusion.Acknowledging the evolving U.S.–China relationship, Paul pointed out that geopolitical tensions between the two countries will likely persist, regardless of administration. These tensions have direct consequences for Chinese Americans and other immigrant communities. As a result, C100 is rethinking how it approaches its advocacy—not simply by sharing how policy changes impact Asian Americans, but by demonstrating how they affect all Americans. He called for renewed efforts to uplift Chinese American contributions to U.S. history—from birthright citizenship to building the transcontinental railroad—as essential to understanding what is at stake if these communities are sidelined.Looking ahead, Paul emphasized C100’s commitment to working collaboratively with partners to inform and shape policy change. He highlighted the State of Chinese Americans research as one example of a tool that can support broader coalition efforts. Paul welcomed opportunities to meet with APA Justice participants individually to learn about their work and explore synergies. He concluded by thanking APA Justice and its leadership for hosting the conversation and expressed enthusiasm about building deeper partnerships to advance shared goals of equity, inclusion, and constructive dialogue.A video of Paul's talk is posted at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sQHwSNRMfQ (3:30)A summary of the July 7 APA Justice monthly meeting is being prepared at this time. Social Media Checks on Student Visa Applications Author: Madeleine Gable, APA Justice Communications InternAccording to POLITICO , The Intercept , and other media sources, the State Department’s new student visa social media vetting process includes a list of 20 social media platforms. Applicants are asked to make their accounts public, a task that could prove difficult to accomplish as a quarter of platforms listed in the online application are now defunct.In late June, after a three-week suspension of student visa interviews, the State Department resumed processing with a stricter social media vetting protocol. The process applies to all foreign nationals who apply for F (academic students), M (vocational students), and J (exchange visitor) visa applicants, including applicants who have already been interviewed but have not been finally approved.The State Department directs consular officers to flag “applicants who demonstrate a history of political activism” and directs them to “consider the likelihood they would continue such activity in the United States.” It states that this screening will apply for both new and returning student visa applicants. Consular officers must take “detailed case notes” about their review of applicants’ online presences and “take screenshots to preserve the record against possible later alteration or loss of the information.”The online student visa application requires applicants to provide the usernames for “each social media platform you have used within the last five years” from a list of 20 services. However, many of the services listed have not been operational for years. Some of the listed, obsolete platforms include Vine, which closed in 2017; Google+, which stopped operating in 2019; and the dating site Twoo, which shut down in 2021. Since 2019, most visa applicants have been required to disclose their social media usernames. The Trump administration’s “expanded screening and vetting process” applies to F, M, and J visa applicants. Provided social media accounts will subsequently be checked for “any indications of hostility towards the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States.”Of the seven regional services listed, five are Chinese — Douban (豆瓣), Qzone (QQ空间), Sina Weibo (新浪微博), Tencent Weibo (腾讯微博), and Youku (优酷). Tencent Weibo, a microblogging service, shut down in 2020. The other two regional services are Ask.fm , a Latvian Q&A site, and VKontakte (VK), a Russian social networking, messaging, and entertainment app.Despite including five Chinese services, the list leaves out Tencent’s WeChat (腾讯微信), the most popular social media app in China. The list also does not include TikTok or Truth Social, President Trump’s own social media platform.According to Albert Fox Cahn , founder and executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, “Now those who wanted to study in the U.S. to flee authoritarian governments abroad will have to make their social media public to those same governments to study here.” A Fractured Future for Birthright Citizenship Author: Madeleine Gable, APA Justice Communications InternOn June 27, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled to allow President Donald Trump to continue to end the process of birthright citizenship in the U.S. Earlier this year, President Trump issued an executive order (EO) ending birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants and foreign visitors, but it was challenged and temporarily halted by lower courts. In their recent ruling, the Supreme Court did not address the constitutionality of President Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship, but it did limit the ability of individual judges in lower courts to block federal policies for the entire country. The Supreme Court is now the only court in the country that can block a presidential policy nationwide. Regarding the birthright citizenship executive order, the Supreme Court paused the order’s implementation for 30 days and returned pending lawsuits to lower courts to reassess the scope of relief. After the 30-day pause, the EO will take effect in the 28 states that have not challenged the measure.In response to the Supreme Court’s decision to limit nationwide injunctions, the Chinese American Citizens Alliance (CACA) issued a statement expressing “deep disappointment” that the ruling “significantly weakens the ability of civil rights organizations to protect communities from unconstitutional federal actions when swift nationwide relief is urgently needed.” CACA’s statement points out that advocates must now fight the same battle in multiple jurisdictions, delaying justice and sowing confusion nationwide. CACA urges Congress to restore the ability of lower courts to provide comprehensive relief and warns civil rights advocates to prepare for a more fractured legal landscape.Read the full CACA statement here . Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) issued a similar press release, asserting that the EO attempts to “unilaterally change the 14th Amendment” and threatens to “erode a foundational principle of American identity,” the constitutional promise of equality and inclusion. Such a measure will have serious consequences for all immigrant communities.Read the full APIAVote press release here .U.S. Senator Tim Kaine , a former civil rights attorney, released the following statement:“President Trump’s attempt to curtail birthright citizenship for those born in the U.S. is clearly unconstitutional. This is why every federal court until now had blocked the executive order from going into effect. But instead of making a straightforward determination on the constitutionality of the EO, the Supreme Court has colluded with the Trump Administration to curtail the Judiciary Branch’s own power to protect Americans from illegal actions by the Executive Branch, starting with undermining birthright citizenship. Now that Trump’s birthright citizenship order may go into effect in 30 days unless more lawsuits are filed, American hospitals and state and local governments will be in limbo about something as basic as issuing birth certificates. Parents of newborns will have to scramble to make sure that they have the paperwork to show their citizenship or immigration status, even as they prepare to welcome a baby into their families. Once again with this Administration, it’s nothing but uncertainty and fear.”Read Senator Tim Kaine's statement here . Chair Grace Meng of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) issued the following statement:“I am appalled by the Supreme Court’s decision to let the Trump administration push forward with its unconstitutional attempt to eliminate birthright citizenship. This reckless ruling opens the door to a future where states can decide who is an American citizen. The 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil—a principle upheld by this very Court over a century ago. Instead of ruling on the merits of this case, the Court has chosen to undermine judges’ abilities to block the administration’s unlawful actions that will only lead to more chaos and division. While legal battles remain, CAPAC will continue to defend the Constitution and the bedrock principles that have allowed generations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to call this country home. We will fight this executive order in every courtroom, in every state, across the country.”The American Immigration Council pointed out that after the 30-day pause, enforcement could vary widely by state or circuit, depending on how lower courts proceed. This raises the possibility of a patchwork legal system, where a child born to undocumented or immigrant parents might be a citizen in one state but not another. For example, a baby born to undocumented or immigrant parents in California or Maryland might still be issued a U.S. birth certificate and recognized as a citizen (because of ongoing litigation there). But possibly, a baby born the same day in Texas or Florida might not be recognized as a U.S. citizen — depending on how lower federal courts deal with the existing lawsuits and whether new lawsuits are filed. What Five AI Models Say About President Trump’s Claims On July 1, 2025, the Washington Post published an opinion by a team of senior scholars and researchers from the Yale Chief Executive Leadership Institute, led by Professor Jeffrey Sonnenfeld . The team asked five leading AI systems—ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and Perplexity—to evaluate 20 regularly repeated claims made by President Donald Trump . All five models debunked 15 of the statements outright, and partially rejected most of the remaining ones. "Artificial intelligence discredited all the Trump claims we presented, fact-checking the president with startling accuracy and objective rigor," the opionion stated.For example, Trump’s assertions about tariffs—such as them not causing consumer price increases—were widely contradicted. ChatGPT noted that proposed tariffs "would likely raise consumer prices," while Grok estimated a 1–2.3% price increase per household. Similarly, his claim about the media being “dishonest” was challenged: Perplexity clarified that while there are errors, the U.S. media in general cannot be deemed “dishonest.” Another key contrast came with his statements on the Capitol riot and the 2020 election. ChatGPT asserted that celebrating the rioters "ignores the facts" and undermines democratic norms, while Gemini confirmed there was “no credible evidence” supporting claims of a stolen election The opinion emphasizes a stark dichotomy: either Trump’s claims are false, or the AI is deeply flawed. The models showed consistency and accuracy in their responses, offering a compelling challenge to his narrative—inviting readers to reflect on whether the problem lies with the politician or the technology. These 14 questions were identified in the opinion: Will Trump’s current tariff policies be inflationary? Is the U.S. being taken advantage of on trade by its international partners? Are Trump’s cryptocurrency investments a conflict of interest? Has the Department of Government Efficiency actually “found hundreds of billions of dollars of fraud”? Is Harvard more antisemitic than other universities? Is Trump right that the media is “dishonest” or “tells lies”? Did the “60 Minutes” interview with Vice President Kamala Harris that aired in October distort the truth and damage Trump’s candidacy? Was the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 President Joe Biden’s fault? Was the American economy the worst in its history under the Biden presidency? Was the Biden administration responsible for higher levels of inflation following the covid-19 pandemic and through 2024? Did 21 million illegal immigrants enter the United States [during the Biden administration]? And were many of them murderers, human traffickers, gang members, or other sorts of serious criminals? Were the Jan. 6, 2021, rioters who stormed the capitol “patriots” or “heroes”? Was the 2020 presidential election stolen from Trump? Is Trump the most dishonest president in U.S. history? Read the Washington Post opinion: https://bit.ly/44txfn3 News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/07/09 8th Annual Congressional Reception2025/07/10 C100 Conversations – “Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes” with David Ho2025/07/10 ACLU's Civil Rights in the Digital Age AI Summit2025/07/13 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/07/25-27 Asian American Pioneer Medal Symposium and Ceremony 2025/07/27 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/07/29 C100 Conversations – “Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes” with Linda Chao Yang2025/08/02-07 2025 Joint Statistical Meetings2025/08/04 APA Justice Monthly MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Committee of 100 Conversations - "Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes" WHAT: Committee of 100 Conversations – “Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes” with David Ho WHEN: July 10, 2025, 6:00 pm ET WHERE: Webinar HOST: Committee of 100 Speaker : Dr. David Ho, Founding Scientific Director, Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center Moderator : Peter Young, CEO and President of Young & Partners; Committee of 100 New York Regional Chair and Board Member DESCRIPTION: Dr. David Ho, pioneering AIDS research scientist, is a Professor of Medicine at Columbia University and the Founding Scientific Director of the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, whose elegant studies unraveled the dynamic nature of HIV replication in vivo and revolutionized our basic understanding of this horrific disease. This knowledge led him to champion combination antiretroviral therapy, which resulted in unprecedented control of HIV in patients. He will cover highlights and turning points in his career, his view of the factors that led to the innovations he pioneered, and the joys and challenges of scientific research in this country. He has received many awards, including Time Magazine Man of the Year. REGISTRATION : https://www.committee100.org/conversations-david-ho/ WHAT: Committee of 100 Conversations – “Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes” with Linda Tsao Yang WHEN: July 29, 2025, 6:00 pm ET WHERE: Webinar HOST: Committee of 100 Speaker : Linda Tsao Yang, Former U.S. Ambassador and first woman Executive Director appointed to Asian Development Bank Moderator : Calvin Tsao, Architect Principal at Tsao & McKown Architects and Committee of 100 Member DESCRIPTION: Linda Tsao Yang is a pioneer in the oversight of important financial institutions and the first woman and the first minority to represent the United States on the board of a multilateral financial institution. She served as U.S. Executive Director to the board of the Asian Development Bank in Manila, is Chair Emerita of the Asian Corporate Governance Association (ACGA), was the first minority appointed to serve as California’s Savings and Loan Commissioner; and was also the first minority appointed to the board of the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), the largest public pension fund in the United States.Throughout her career she has directed and driven the institutions she has chaired towards policies and practices that were more equitable and enduring, guided by good governance, transparent information disclosure, improved rules on participation and consultation, a robust policies on gender—all at a time when women were virtually absent from senior leadership, let alone executive directorships or boardrooms. REGISTRATION : https://www.committee100.org/conversations-linda-tsao-yang/ 3. AAAS Tracks Federal R&D Workforce On July 8, 2025, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) launched a tracker on the Full-Time Equivalents (FTE) of federal research and development (R&D) workers. The metric adds up full-time, part-time, and other work types to represent a standard 40-hour work week employee. The dashboard compiles the annually reported FTEs for key R&D intensive agencies and programs across the federal government. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3Ijajht . # # # APA Justice Task Force is a non-partisan platform to build a sustainable ecosystem that addresses racial profiling concerns and to facilitate, inform, and advocate on selected issues related to justice and fairness for the Asian Pacific American community. For more information, please refer to the new APA Justice website under development at www.apajusticetaskforce.org . We value your feedback. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org . Back View PDF July 9, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #267 AASF/Stanford Symposium; AAAS Travels to China; NY Post Condemned; UCA Convention; + #267 AASF/Stanford Symposium; AAAS Travels to China; NY Post Condemned; UCA Convention; + In This Issue #267 · New York Post Retracted and Apologized · AASF: Asian American Pioneer Medal Symposium & Ceremony · Connecting Scientific Communities: AAAS Travels to China · 2024 United Chinese Americans Conference · News and Activities for the Communities New York Post Retracted and Apologized Community organizations across the nation and elected officials were outraged and demanded that the New York Post apologize for incorrectly reporting the man who shot former President Donald Trump and killed an innocent bystander was Chinese. The New York Post has issued the following retraction and apology:On July 15, 2024, the Committee of 100 (C100) released a public letter from its Chair Gary Locke to the New York Post executive editor Keith Poole . The letter criticizes the publication for inaccurately reporting that a Chinese man was responsible for an attempted assassination of former President Trump. The letter highlights the harm caused to the Chinese American community by such false claims, especially in the context of rising anti-Asian sentiment. C100 urges the New York Post to issue an apology, correct the error, and implement stricter editorial guidelines to prevent future misinformation. Read the C100 letter: https://bit.ly/4f6O22g According to Documented , several Chinese community representatives held a press conference at the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association in New York City's Chinatown to request a formal apology from the New York Post . “The story caused the Chinese American community additional harm,” said Lester Chang , the first and only Chinese Republican assemblyman representing Brooklyn’s 49th district, at the conference. He noted that political rhetoric has blamed Chinese Americans for the pandemic, adding, “In this current era of heightened anti-Asian hate, Chinese Americans and the Asian American community are already looking over their shoulders daily.” Cindy Tsai , Interim President and Executive Director of the Committee of 100, emphasized at the press conference that anti-Asian hate is not just a relic of the past during the pandemic, “We will also be asking our government officials to take anti-Asian hate seriously, as it is still very real today.”Chinese community activist Queenie Ho was one of the first to contact the New York Post after finding the error. She said that she felt scared when she first saw the news. “On Saturday, our community and country were shocked by an act of political violence that went against the values of all Americans. That’s why I was incredibly disappointed and disturbed during this highly emotional time,” said Councilmember Sandra Ung in a statement. “I believe the Post owes the Chinese and entire Asian American community an apology.”State Senator John Liu stated, “Falsely identifying the shooter as Chinese in the heat of an assassination investigation is dangerous to Asian Americans. The New York Post must own up to its mistakes and apologize for this disturbing lack of journalistic integrity.”“Accurate and responsible reporting is crucial, especially in sensitive cases that can have profound impacts on individuals and communities,” said Senator Iwen Chu , urging the publication to take measures to prevent such errors in the future. Councilwoman Susan Zhuang criticized the New York Post for not doing its due diligence and called the misinformation “reckless and dangerous.” She urged the publication to formally issue a retraction and apologize for the mistake. The Chinatown East Neighborhood Council is mobilizing its members to send letters to pressure the New York Post. The letter also condemns any act of political violence.“This reckless reporting, especially in today’s inflamed political climate, is dangerous to our communities,” tweeted Stop AAPI Hate, a national coalition aimed at addressing racism and discrimination affecting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.“Dangerously irresponsible of @NYPost to wrongly claim the Trump shooter was a ‘Chinese man’ and then update the story without a correction notice,” tweeted the Asian American Journalists Association on X. Reuters did not include the New York Post report as part of its fact checks on July 16, 2024. Media Reports and Statements: 2024/07/17 NBC News: Trump assassination attempt live updates: U.S. learned of Iranian plot to kill Trump weeks before shooting 2024/07/16 Resonate: ‘Chinese Man’: Trump Shooter Misidentified by New York Post, Asian Americans Demand Apology 2024/07/16 South China Morning Post: Asian-American community angered by erroneous report that Donald Trump shooter was Chinese 2024/07/16 Reuters: We fact-checked some of the rumors spreading online about the Trump assassination attempt 2024/07/16 Documented: New York Post Falsely Claims “Chinese Man” Shot Trump, Chinese Communities Outraged 2024/07/15 星島日報: 多位參選人下一步具體行動未有共識 2024/07/15 United Chinese Americans: UCA Condemns the Attempted Assassination of Former President Trump and Calls on NY Post to Issue Public Apology to Chinese Americans 2024/07/15 NextShark Editorial: New York Post criticized for misreporting Trump shooter as 'Chinese man' 2024/07/15 Northwest Asian Weekly: Locke slams newspaper for incorrectly blaming Chinese man in Trump assassination attempt 2024/07/15 AsAmNews: Apology demanded from NY Post to Chinese Americans 2024/07/15 Committee of 100: Letter to the Editor, New York Post 2024/07/13 New York Post: Gunman behind attempted assassination on Trump had head blown off by Secret Service, sources say; rally-goer killed AASF: Asian American Pioneer Medal Symposium & Ceremony On July 27-28, 2024, the Inaugural Asian American Pioneer Medal Symposium and Ceremony, an event dedicated to celebrating and honoring the remarkable contributions of Asian American scholar pioneers, will be held at Stanford University. It is hosted by the Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF).The award ceremony on July 27 will feature prominent Asian American innovators that AASF featured in Project Pioneer with the National Science Foundation. These pioneers made fundamental contributions to our country from enabling WiFi everywhere to video calls with our loved ones. AASF hopes this work can change the narrative and stereotypes of Asian American scientists as perpetual foreigners and threats. This special occasion will bring together some of the most distinguished minds in the fields of energy, artificial intelligence, life sciences, and leadership. Nobel Prize laureates and Turing Award laureates will deliver keynote speeches and distinguished leaders will engage in fireside chats, providing a unique platform for intellectual exchange and inspiration. The event will also have Asian American pioneers such as Congresswoman Judy Chu , as well as representatives from the White House and multiple federal agencies. This year’s symposium furthers AASF’s efforts to lift up the Asian American scholar community on a national platform and bridge the different sectors of our society for the betterment of our country. AASF has shown that a community can self-organize to ensure that the door is open for Asian American scholars to be empowered and have a voice and representation.For more information and to register to attend, visit https://bit.ly/3XLApPN Connecting Scientific Communities: AAAS Travels to China In late May, a delegation from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) led by Dr. Sudip Parikh , AAAS CEO and executive publisher of the Science family of journals traveled to Beijing, China to visit one of its international partners, the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST). The delegation included Bill Moran , publisher of the Science family of journals, Andrew Black , AAAS chief of staff and chief public affairs officer, and Dr. Kim Montgomery , AAAS director of international affairs and science diplomacy. Along with meetings with CAST, the AAAS delegation had the opportunity to meet with the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and Tsinghua University. It was an action-packed trip to the world’s second largest R&D spender that included discussions on the continued need for connections between the U.S. and Chinese scientific communities, especially at the basic research level.Read the AAAS report: https://bit.ly/463JoOs 2024 United Chinese Americans Conference United Chinese Americans (UCA) held its fourth United Chinese Americans (UCA) Conference in Washington D.C. on June 27-30, 2024.This year’s conference, themed “Embracing the New Civil Rights Movement,” attracted nearly 700 participants from across the United States. The event showcased the strength and voice of the Chinese American community and united their hopes and confidence for the future.The first day featured the “AANHPI Congressional Advocacy Day,” co-hosted by UCA and APAPA. Hundreds of participants, divided into over 50 groups, visited 283 congressional offices, representing more than half of the 425 House representatives. Each group detailed the issues facing the Chinese American community, focusing on real estate purchase restrictions for Chinese nationals, anti-Asian sentiments, and the inclusion of Asian American history in U.S. high school curricula.During the Capitol Hill reception, Congresswoman Grace Meng thanked UCA and APAPA members for their participation and highlighted the importance of incorporating Asian American history into U.S. high school curricula. Texas State Representative Gene Wu emphasized the negative impacts of real estate purchase restrictions on Chinese Americans and called for the Asian American community to unite and engage in politics actively. California Congresswoman Judy Chu noted that current visa restrictions on Chinese students and scholars severely hinder academic and technological exchanges between China and the United States. New Jersey Congressman Andy Kim urged everyone to vote and participate in public affairs to secure more rights for the Asian American community. The second and third days of the conference featured over 20 forums and more than 50 guests, providing attendees with engaging discussions and sharing sessions. At the opening ceremony, Erika L. Moritsugu , Deputy Assistant to the President & AANHPI Senior Liaison, Congressmen Ted Lieu , Gene Wu, and Maryland State Delegate Lily Qi were present to offer their congratulations. In his opening remarks, UCA President Haipei Shue addressed three unique challenges facing the Chinese American community: deteriorating US-China relations, worsening domestic political climate, and the new immigrant community’s lack of engagement in political and social life. He called for the community to unite, launch a new chapter in the Chinese American civil rights movement, and establish a nationwide coalition to tackle future challenges. The conference included five themed sub-conferences focused on youth, mental health, AAPI political action, community building and civic engagement, and entrepreneurship and career development.The highlight of the conference was the Awards Ceremony and Gala. Individuals and organizations with outstanding performance in community service and leadership were honored. The final day featured a large-scale “Walk for Civil Rights, Walk for Our Rights” event on the National Mall to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Read the summary of the 2024 UCA Conference: https://bit.ly/4f5UTt2 News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2024/07/16-17 National Science, Technology, and Security Roundtable - Capstone2024/07/17 C100 Career Ceiling Summit: Creating a Level Playing Field2024/07/25-28 Leadership Convention by NAAAP (National Association of Asian American Professionals) 2024/07/27-28 Asian American Pioneer Medal Symposium and Ceremony2024/08/04 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/08/05 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2024/08/19 DNC Convention, AAPI Briefing & Reception, Chicago, IL2024/09/01 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall MeetingThe Community Calendar has moved. Visit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Book Chapter: "Asian Americans as 'the Perpetual Foreigner' under Scrutiny" A chapter titled "Asian Americans as 'the Perpetual Foreigner' under Scrutiny," authored by Frank Wu, was in a book "Race and Surveillance" published by the Cambridge University Press in 2023. Frank Wu is President of Queen's College, The City University of New York.Asian Americans play a prominent role in the state surveillance story, because Asian Americans play an ambiguous role in both international relations and domestic race relations.4 Although people of Asian descent have been arriving in the Americas since before the Civil War – Asian soldiers fighting on both sides of the internecine conflict – Asian immigrants and their American-born descendants, whatever their formal status and however assimilated, have been portrayed as “sojourners” only temporarily resident in the United States and likely to return to a homeland to which they have remained stealthily loyal. The persistent theme has been that Asians are inassimilable into American society, whether by biology, culture, or their own collective choices. The assumption that it is contradictory to be both Asian and American has been used, explicitly and implicitly, to justify discrimination against Asian Americans.For more information and to order the book, visit: https://bit.ly/3XWMD8t 3. Delaware SB 297 Passed Both State House and Senate According to LegiScan , Delaware Senate Bill (SB) 297 passed the State Senate on a vote of 21-0 on May 21, 2024, and the State House on a vote of 40-0 with one abstention on June 26, 2024. According to AsAmNews , Delaware will become the seventh state to require Asian American history if the bill is signed by the Delaware Governor John Carney . Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend , Senator Laura Sturgeon , Representative Sophie Philips , and Representative Bill Bush sponsored SB 297.Delaware joins Illinois, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Florida, and Wisconsin in passing legislation regarding Asian American history in classrooms.Read the LegiScan summary: https://bit.ly/4d13vPz . Read the AsAmNews report: https://bit.ly/3W3nxSL Back View PDF July 17, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #295 Webinar on Alien Land Laws; Gene Wu on Texas EO; Yanping Chen Case Hearing; Students + #295 Webinar on Alien Land Laws; Gene Wu on Texas EO; Yanping Chen Case Hearing; Students + In This Issue #295 · 12/11 Webinar: The Impact of Land Ownership Exclusion Laws on Diverse Communities · State Representative Gene Wu Response to Texas Executive Order · Appeals Court Hears Dr. Yanping Chen's Case · Indians Become Biggest International Student Group in U.S. · News and Activities for the Communities 12/11 Webinar: The Impact of Land Ownership Exclusion Laws on Diverse Communities Historically discriminatory policies are reemerging in state legislatures across the U.S. Originally designed to prevent non-citizens, particularly those from AAPI communities, from owning property, these laws are now being reframed as safeguards to national security.On December 11, 2024, the Committee of 100 and APA Justice will co-host a webinar to discuss whether these laws properly address national security concerns or whether they are merely a pretext that infringes upon civil rights and liberties under the guise of protection. A panel of legal experts and advocates will delve into the history of alien land laws, examine their renewed impact on vulnerable communities and discuss key cases, including a law passed in Florida. This event is essential for anyone committed to upholding justice and equity in America. To learn more about current land ownership exclusion legislations, visit Committee of 100’s interactive map , which details specific bills, status, and text. Also, visit APA Justice Alien Land Bills webpage for the latest developments on current lawsuits challenging these laws and more. WHAT : From Past Prejudice to Present Policy: The Impact of Land Ownership Exclusion Laws on Diverse Communities WHEN: December 11, 2024, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm ET WHERE: Webinar HOSTS: Committee of 100, APA Justice Moderator: Cindy Tsai , Interim President, Committee of 100 Speakers: · Edgar Chen , Special Policy Advisor, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) · Ashley Gorski , Senior Staff Attorney, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) · Gene Wu , Texas State Representative Closing Remarks: Jeremy Wu , Founder and Co-Organizer, APA Justice; Member, Committee of 100 FOR MORE INFORMATION/REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3CEWK9p State Representative Gene Wu Response to Texas Executive Order According to Texas Tribune on November 18, 2024, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order directing the Texas Department of Public Safety to target individuals conducting influence operations for the Chinese government. This response addresses “Operation Fox Hunt,” a Chinese initiative allegedly used to intimidate dissidents and forcibly return them to China. Abbott emphasized Texas’s commitment to protecting the state’s Chinese community from harassment by the Chinese Communist Party. The U.S. Department of Justice has prosecuted cases linked to this operation. State Rep. Gene Wu , D-Houston, who was born in China and immigrated to the United States applauded Abbott's move. Wu issued a statement " I applaud Governor Abbott's newfound commitment to protecting the civil rights of Chinese Americans and Chinese immigrants and dissidents in our state. The ability to speak your mind and live freely are the core promises of the American Dream; and any who seek to take that away stand against Texas values. I would also encourage Governor Abbott to share his new commitment to protecting the civil rights of Chinese immigrants and dissidents with the Senators and Representatives in his own party who have recently filed legislation to take away the civil rights of Chinese immigrants and dissidents. Laws that would strip away the rights of an entire community to buy a home, to start a business, to go to school, or even get a job–based purely on where they were born. Attacks from Texas Republicans on the civil liberties of Chinese immigrants are no less dangerous to the Chinese dissident community. The loss of safety and security, even by different means, sends the same message. " In 2023, Wu criticized Texas Republicans for pushing legislation that would ban citizens and foreign entities from countries including China from buying land in Texas. He urged Abbott to also support Chinese immigrants by opposing such legislation.Read the Texas Tribune report: https://bit.ly/40ScNL2 . Read Rep. Gene Wu's statement: https://bit.ly/4eIWpQn On November 20, 2024, State Representative Gene Wu was interviewed by KVUE and discussed Texas Governor Abbot's orders targeting China. He expressed concerns about Abbott’s approach, suggesting it may politicize the issue and harm Chinese Texans. Wu emphasized that existing laws are sufficient to address these threats and urged the Governor to focus on meaningful infrastructure improvements instead of divisive policies. Wu linked alien land legislation to historical laws that fueled prejudice, such as those preceding Japanese internment, and warned they undermine Chinese dissidents who fled oppression, stating that: "These bills ... just label an entire community as being threats ... without accusation, without evidence ... saying that these communities, because of where they're from, we will just blanketly say that we should ban all of them from being able to even buy a home, start a business, or farm." Watch the KVUE interview: https://bit.ly/3Okv781 (9:01) Appeals Court Hears Dr. Yanping Chen's Case According to Yahoo News on November 18, 2024, a U.S. Appeals Court is unlikely to overturn penalties against former Fox News reporter Catherine Herridge , who faces fines and possibly jail time for refusing to disclose her source in stories about Dr. Yanping Chen . Herridge’s 2017 reporting involved leaks from an FBI investigation into Chen, who claims the leaks harmed her reputation. Chen later sued several federal agencies and subpoenaed Herridge to identify her source, but Herridge declined, citing journalistic protections. U.S. District Court Judge Christopher Cooper had previously ordered Herridge to pay an $800 daily fine for defying the subpoena, though enforcement was delayed pending her appeal. If Herridge loses the appeal, Chen’s lawyers could seek harsher penalties, including potential jail time. This legal standoff raises significant questions about the balance between press freedoms and privacy rights in the context of leaked information. During oral arguments at the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, two judges appeared unconvinced by Herridge’s arguments for lifting the contempt order, expressing doubts about the scope of protections for journalists. A third judge highlighted concerns over defining journalistic privilege in an era dominated by social media, asking how such privileges apply to less traditional media platforms and individuals claiming journalistic roles. The case could become a major press freedom test during President Donald Trump ’s second term. While Trump cannot directly intervene to remove Herridge’s penalties, he could instruct the Justice Department to settle Chen’s underlying lawsuit, effectively nullifying her subpoena against Herridge. Trump has previously praised Herridge’s investigative reporting, particularly when it aligned with his political narratives.Read the Yahoo News report: https://yhoo.it/3ZdoURF . Read Dr. Yanping Chen's case: https://bit.ly/3Xi4hms Indians Become Biggest International Student Group in U.S. According to CNN, NBC News, South China Morning Post, and other media reports, while India and China still make up over half of all international students in the US, India has overtaken China as the top source for international students in the US for the first time in about 15 years, according to new data released by the Institute of International Education and the U.S. State Department. A total of 331,602 Indians studied in the US during the 2023-24 school year, compared with 277,398 Chinese. Indian students saw a 23 percent increase from the previous academic year, while Chinese students saw a 4 percent decrease. The number of Chinese university students in the US rose from about 98,200 in 2009 to a record high of 369,500 in 2019.The decline of students from China reflects significant shifts in both policy and public perception, with many Chinese students and families worrying about safety, racism and discrimination, and immigration difficulties – especially as more options open up in other countries, including in China itself.In the late 2000s and early 2010s, when Chinese students first began surging overseas, China was rapidly transforming from a poverty-stricken nation to an economic superpower, thanks to an “opening up” initiative that began in the late 1970s and saw sweeping reforms. It changed China’s relationship with the world. After China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001 and hosted a successful Olympic Games in 2008, “there was this upturn in US-China relations – everyone had a really optimistic view of what China could be,” said Mallie Prytherch , a researcher at the University of Hong Kong’s Center on Contemporary China and the World. “So there was a lot of openness in accepting students into America.” But the launch of the "China Initiative," onslaught of racism, and anti-Asian hate crimes during Donald Trump ’s first presidency and the Covid-19 pandemic meant students became disillusioned with the idea of the American Dream. The downward spiral was reflected in policy, too: Trump imposed an executive order canceling the Fulbright exchange program with China, then introduced a ban that effectively prevents graduate science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students from several Chinese universities from gaining visas to the US. In 2020, the US revoked visas for more than 1,000 Chinese students and researchers deemed security risks. When President Joe Biden took office, many of those Trump-era policies were kept in place – making it difficult for Chinese graduate students and researchers to secure a visa.There have been more immigration-friendly policies in other nations, like Canada, the UK and Australia. Chinese parents have more options to choose from in terms of where they want to go, and what universities are willing to accept their children. Simply staying in China is also one of the options, where universities are growing in prestige. Many Chinese professors previously based in the US are now returning to teach in China – partly because of the difficult conditions they faced in the US, but also because of the improvement in Chinese educational quality. Despite the tightening of immigration rules under the last two administrations, some US officials are still trying to encourage the flow of students. “I want to confirm that we very much welcome students from China to the US. We have the largest number of Chinese students studying outside of China here. We do know that US universities are continuing to value Chinese students,” said Marianne Craven of the State Department. 2024/11/21 CNN: Indian international students in the US outnumber Chinese for the first time in 15 years 2024/11/19 NBC News: Indians become biggest international student group in U.S., surpassing Chinese for first time since 2009 2024/11/18 South China Morning Post: As number of Chinese students in US keeps falling, Indians move to top of list 2024/11/18 Institute of International Education and State Department: Report on International Exchange (video 43:59) News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events:2024/11/24 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting 2024/12/08-10 National Immigrant Inclusion Conference2024/12/08 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/12/11 Webinar on Alien Land Laws2025/01/06 APA Justice Monthly MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Census Bureau Implements New Standard On November 4, 2024, the Census Bureau announced that it will implement the finalized 2024 Statistical Policy Directive (SPD) 15 published by the Office of Management and Budget on March 28, 2024, in the 2027 American Community Survey (ACS) data collection cycle.Read the Census Bureau announcement: https://bit.ly/4fZjKy2 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 22, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #190: Florida Lawsuit; Section 702 Webinar; AANHPI Commission; US-China Science Pact; More #190: Florida Lawsuit; Section 702 Webinar; AANHPI Commission; US-China Science Pact; More In This Issue #190 Update on Florida Alien Land Bill Lawsuit - Schedule and Amicus Brief Registration Open: June 26 Webinar on Perils of Warrantless Surveillance Register Now: July 6 President's Advisory Commission on AANHPI Public Meeting New Scrutiny on U.S.-China Landmark Science Deal News for the Communities Update on Florida Alien Land Bill Lawsuit - Schedule and Amicus Brief According to Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance (CALDA), Judge Allen C. Winsor has set the following schedule: 2023/07/03 Florida government submits its objection to the motion for preliminary injunction 2023/07/11 Plaintiffs submits its reply 2023/07/18 U.S. District Court holds hearing The July 18 hearing will be held at 111 N. Adams Street, Tallahassee, starting at 1:30 pm ET. It will be public, but no photography and audio or video recording will be allowed. The Florida state law becomes effective on July 1, 2023. The Court may make a ruling on the injunction by early August. An immediate appeal by either side is anticipated. On June 14, 2023, 19 racial justice centers, affinity bar and professional associations, and civil rights organizations submitted a 25-page amicus curiae ("friend-of-the-court") brief in support of the plaintiffs' motion for preliminary injunction. The lead counsels are: Madeleine K. Rodriguez , Partner, Foley Hoag LLP Robert S. Chang , Ronald A. Peterson Law Clinic; Counsel for Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality Rose Cuison-Villazor , Rutgers Law School; Counsel for Center for Immigration Law, Policy and Justice Gabriel J. Chin , UC Davis School of Law; Aoki Center for Critical Race and Nation Studies This is a list of the coalition of 19 racial justice centers, affinity bar and professional associations, and civil rights advocacy organizations: Racial Justice Centers: Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality at Seattle University School of Law Center for Immigration Law, Policy and Justice at Rutgers Law School Aoki Center for Critical Race and Nation Studies at UC Davis School of Law LLS Anti-Racism Center of LMU Loyola Law School Center on Race, Inequality, and the Law at New York University School of Law Boston University Center for Antiracist Research Center for Civil Rights and Racial Justice at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law Affinity Bar/Professional Associations: Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Tampa Bay Conference of Asian Pacific American Law Faculty Hispanic National Bar Association National Asian Pacific American Bar Association South Asian Bar Association of North America Civil Rights and Other Advocacy Organizations: Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Atlanta Asian American Women’s Political Initiative Asian Law Alliance Chinese for Affirmative Action Japanese American Citizens League LatinoJustice PRLDEF Read the CALDA announcement: https://bit.ly/3qU2Ah2 (in Chinese). Read the amicus brief: https://bit.ly/42DT9Q8 Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) Media Release. In response to FBI policy changes. AASF issued a media release urging the US Government to take more steps to put an end to warrantless and discriminatory investigations on June 14, 2023. AASF and other national advocacy groups have vocally agreed that the FBI announcement falls short of the level of vigilance needed to hold intelligence agencies accountable to the many human rights and privacy abuses they have perpetrated against countless numbers of people—including the nation’s top researchers and scholars that contribute greatly to the United States’ leadership in science and technology.While AASF welcomes any efforts from the federal government to create mechanisms for increased transparency and accountability of its agencies, they call on the federal government to take more serious steps to reform Section 702 and FISA, and to address the legal loopholes that allow warrantless surveillance of innocent people. Read the AASF media release: https://bit.ly/3CBhz2b Registration Open: June 26 Webinar on Perils of Warrantless Surveillance The Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), APA Justice, the Brennan Center for Justice, and the Committee of 100 will co-host a webinar on "Perils of Warrantless Surveillance: The Case for Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Reform." (note title of the webinar has been updated) WHEN: June 26, 2023, 4:00 pm ET/1:00 pm PT WHAT: 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. The current authorization of Section 702 will expire on December 31, 2023. What should the Asian American and immigrant communities know about Section 702? If it is not sunset, what reforms will be needed? What are the next steps for the communities? WHO: Keynote speaker. Rep. Pramila Jayapal , the first South Asian American woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives; a member of the House Judiciary Committee; Ranking Member of House Subcommittee on Immigration, Integrity, Security and Enforcement Moderator. Lillian Sing 郭丽莲 . Judge (retired), California Superior Court; first Asian American woman judge in Northern California Panelist. Gang Chen 陈刚 . Soderberg Professor of Power Engineering, MIT; Member, National Academy of Sciences; prosecuted under "China Initiative" with case dismissed; "We Are All Gang Chen" Panelist. Elizabeth Goitein. Senior Director, Liberty and National Security Program, Brennan Center for Justice Panelist. Ashley Gorski . Senior Staff Attorney, National Security Project, American Civil Liberties Union Panelist. Brian A. Sun 孙自华 . Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright; Board Member, Committee of 100 REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/42AbNIF Additional information about the webinar including bios of the speakers and references are posted at the Warrantless Surveillance webpage: https://bit.ly/3O6T43Q Register Now: July 6 President's Advisory Commission on AANHPI Public Meeting The President's Advisory Commission on Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) will hold its next meeting, the sixth of a series, on July 6, 2023 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The meeting serves to continue the development of recommendations to promote equity, justice, and opportunity for the AANHPI communities. It is open to the public and will be live streamed. The Commission seeks written comments that may be emailed to AANHPICommission@hhs.gov at any time. Individuals may also submit a request to provide oral public comments.For details, directions, and registration, visit: https://bit.ly/3NqpQMB .Dr . Robert Underwood , a member of the Commission, also urges all of us to feel free to communicate with him directly at anacletus2010@gmail.com . Read his remarks at the APA Justice monthly meeting: https://bit.ly/3qogBU1 . Watch his remarks at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnIrq1hfl4A (video 11:48 to 25:21) New Scrutiny on U.S.-China Landmark Science Deal According to Reuters on June 18, 2023, for over 40 years, a landmark agreement between the United States and China has yielded cooperation across a range of scientific and technical fields, a powerful sign that the rivals could set aside their disputes and work together.Now with bilateral relations in their worst state in decades, a debate is underway within the U.S. government about whether to let the U.S.-China Science and Technology Agreement (STA) expire on August 27, 2023.The agreement, signed when Beijing and Washington established diplomatic ties in 1979 and renewed about every five years since, has been hailed as a stabilizing force for the countries' relations, with collaboration in areas from atmospheric and agricultural science to basic research in physics and chemistry. It laid the foundation for a boom in academic and commercial exchanges.Inside the U.S. government, including the State Department, which leads the negotiations, there are competing views about whether to renew the pact, let it expire or renegotiate to add safeguards against industrial espionage and require reciprocity in data exchanges. Given the state of U.S.-China ties, trying to renegotiate could derail the agreement.Read the Reuters report: https://reut.rs/42M8Rsz News for the Communities Confirmations of Nusrat Jahan Choudhury and Dale Ho On June 15, 2023, the U.S. Senate voted 50-49 to confirm Nusrat Jahan Choudhury to serve as a United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York, and voted on June 14, 2023 50-49 to confirm Dale Ho to serve as a United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York. Rep. Judy Chu , Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), issued the following statement:“I am thrilled that the Senate has voted to confirm Nusrat Jahan Choudhury to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York and Dale Ho to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.“Ms. Choudhury is a champion for racial justice, religious freedom, and privacy rights. While working at the ACLU, she challenged stop-and-frisk policies and the racial profiling and surveillance of Arab, South Asian, Muslim, and Sikh Americans. Ms. Choudhury’s confirmation is also historic, as she is now the first Bangladeshi American and first Muslim American woman to serve on the Federal bench.“Mr. Ho has a storied career as one of our nation’s leading civil rights lawyers and successfully argued at the Supreme Court against the inclusion of a citizenship question on the 2020 Census. He most recently was the director of the ACLU’s Voting Rights Project, where he spearheaded challenges on partisan gerrymandering, restrictive state voting laws, disenfranchisement of underrepresented and marginalized communities, and more. “I offer my heartiest congratulations to Ms. Choudhury and Mr. Ho on their historic confirmations. I commend President Biden for his ongoing commitment to ensuring that our judicial system reflects the diversity of our country, and I thank Majority Leader Schumer for his leadership on these successful confirmations.” 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 June 19, 2023 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #332 Student Visas and ICE Policy; Know Your Rights; Wen Ho Lee; Higher Ed and Science; + #332 Student Visas and ICE Policy; Know Your Rights; Wen Ho Lee; Higher Ed and Science; + In This Issue #332 • Update on International Student Visas and ICE Policy • 05/08 Know Your Rights Webinar • 05/29 Re-enactment of U.S. v. Wen Ho Lee • Higher Education and Science Developments • News and Activities for the Communities Update on International Student Visas and ICE Policy According to AsAmNews on April 22, 2025, based on a policy brief by the American Immigrant Lawyers Association, more students from India than from any other country have had their student visas revoked. A survey of revocations of 327 student visas and removal from Homeland Security databases found 50% were from India with China being the second highest at 14% followed by South Korea, Nepal and Bangladesh. On April 24, Inside Higher Ed reported over 280 colleges and universities have identified 1,879 international students and recent graduates who have had their legal status changed by the State Department. On April 25, after more than 100 lawsuits, the Trump administration announced that it would restore all terminated SEVIS statuses. On April 29, 2025, Politico reported how the Trump administration's "Student Criminal Alien Initiative” was rushed by using incomplete criminal database matches to wrongfully terminate thousands of foreign students’ legal status, leading to thousands of visa revocations and school bans without due process. On April 28, the Department of Justice submitted an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) internal memoradum dated April 26 on "Policy Regarding Termination of Records" in the case of Patel v. Lyons (1:25-cv-01096). According to the memo, two new grounds for SEVP-initiated terminations were added: “Evidence of a Failure to Comply with the Terms of Nonimmigrant Status Exists” and “U.S. Department of State Visa Revocation (Effective Immediately).” This policy allowed ICE to terminate student records based on visa revocations. At this time, the policy outlined in the April 26 notice has not been formally implemented, and the Department of Homeland Security is reportedly developing a new formal policy for SEVIS record terminations. 05/08 Know Your Rights Webinar WHAT: AASF Know Your Rights: Criminal Law, Research Security & Higher Education WHEN: May 8, 2025, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm ET WHERE: Webinar HOST: Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) Speaker: Robert Fisher, Partner, Nixon Peabody LLP DESCRIPTION: An urgent Know Your Rights webinar focused on the intersection of criminal law, research security, and higher education—specifically addressing the mounting concerns facing Asian American professors and scientists who are facing increasing scrutiny and investigations, raising concerns about the return of the China Initiative and the environment of fear it cultivated. Moreover, international students, postgrads, and researchers are also facing increasing scrutiny with efforts to halt all Chinese student visas, preventing graduate students from conducting research, and targeting their participation in STEM fields. REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/4d5xMOl 05/29 Re-enactment of U.S. v. Wen Ho Lee WHAT: U.S. v. Wen Ho Lee - 25 Years Later WHEN: May 29, 2025, 4:30 - 6:00 pm CT WHERE: In Person Re-enactment. U.S. District Courthouse, 219 South Dearborn Street, 25th Floor, Chicago, IL, 60604 HOSTS: Asian American Bar Association; Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter; U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Moderators: • Stephen Chahn Lee, Solo Practitioner, AABA First Vice President, Former Federal Prosecutor • Vikas K. Didwania, Assistant U.S. Attorney, former Senior Policy Advisor for Criminal Justice at the White House DESCRIPTION: Twenty-five years ago, Wen Ho Lee, a Taiwanese-American scientist, became the focus of one of the most high-profile espionage investigations in American history. Suspected of sharing critical nuclear secrets with China, Dr. Lee faced public condemnation, criminal charges, and solitary confinement. However, as the case unraveled, it revealed profound flaws in the investigation, culminating in a rare judicial apology and a public acknowledgment by President Bill Clinton that "the whole thing was quite troubling". This pivotal moment in Asian-American legal history continues to offer important lessons for today’s legal, civil rights, and national security landscapes. This program will feature an in-depth exploration of United States v. Wen Ho Lee, with a critical look at the government’s investigation, the defense strategies that led to Dr. Lee’s eventual release, and the broader implications for justice and due process. Featuring Chicago practitioners and judges, this event will also include re-enactments of key moments from the case, including an interrogation that even senior government officials later admitted had gone too far. This event is open to the public and will be followed by a reception. 1.5 hours of CLE will be offered (pending approval). FOR MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3GJ3MvR Higher Education and Science Developments 1. Higher Ed Leaders Stand Up for Democracy and Academic Freedom At a pivotal time for higher education and American democracy, two powerful public statements have been issued by leading voices in academia—calling for renewed commitments to open dialogue, civic engagement, and democratic principles. These open letters have been endorsed by hundreds of current and former college and university presidents and chancellors. APA Justice encourages Asian American organizations, academic networks, and community leaders to review, consider signing, and help spread awareness of these timely initiatives. The first, A Call for Constructive Engagement, was released by the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U). As of May 5, over 610 current leaders from across higher education have signed on. The statement champions civil discourse and a shared responsibility for addressing challenges through inclusive, democratic means. Current higher ed leaders are urged to read and add your name as appropriate to the statement here: https://bit.ly/44VdrcC. The second, A Pledge to Our Democracy, organized by PEN America, has been co-signed by 124 former presidents and chancellors representing a broad range of institutions—including research universities, HBCUs, regional colleges, and community colleges. This statement affirms a collective responsibility to uphold democratic values and the freedom to teach, learn, and speak without fear. To learn more or to join the pledge, contact Malka Margolies at mmargolies@pen.org or 718-530-3582. These statements reflect a growing call to action. By adding our voices, we not only defend the values that sustain higher education and civil society—we also show that the Asian American community is ready to lead in shaping a more principled and inclusive future. 2. AAAS CEO Sudip Parikh Warns Against Catastrophic FY2026 Budget On April 30, 2025, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) CEO Dr. Sudip Parikh testified before the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Senator Susan Collins, about the urgent moment facing biomedical research, and science funding more broadly, in the United States. The fiscal year (FY) 2026 Presidential budget request proposes major cuts to Research and Development, including a 40% cut to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 57% to NSF, and 24% to NASA, among others. Dr. Parikh warned that steep federal cuts to biomedical and science research funding could cause the U.S. to lose its global leadership in innovation for generations. He stressed that the scientific ecosystem, built over 80 years, depends on federal support and is now facing paralysis and potential long-term decline. He urged Congress to obligate existing FY2025 funds and secure FY2026 appropriations, saying the U.S. is at a historic crossroads that demands immediate action to protect future scientific leadership. Watch his testimony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT1TpNppK5M (6:40) 3. Foreign Policy: America's Coming Brain Drain In his Foreign Affairs essay “America’s Coming Brain Drain,” on May 6, 2024, MIT President Emeritus L. Rafael Reif warns that the United States is at risk of losing its longstanding global leadership in science and technology. This dominance was built over decades through sustained investment in research and development, academic freedom, and an openness to international talent. However, Reif argues that these pillars are being eroded by a mix of federal funding cuts, political interference in universities, and immigration policies that deter the very scientists who once fueled American innovation. A particularly damaging example Reif highlights is the legacy of the now-defunct China Initiative, a U.S. government program aimed at countering espionage that ended up disproportionately targeting scientists of Chinese descent. Though the program has officially ended, its chilling effects remain: international researchers are more hesitant to collaborate with U.S. institutions, and many have chosen to leave or avoid coming to the country altogether. Reif emphasizes that fear and suspicion cannot be the basis of national policy if the goal is to remain competitive in a globally interconnected research ecosystem. "Nationwide, international students earn 64 percent of doctorates in computer and information sciences, 57 percent of those in engineering, and 54 percent of those in mathematics and statistics. The United States clearly could do a better job of developing homegrown talent for these fields, but it is important to recognize how much the country gains by attracting brilliant people from around the world. The overwhelming majority of international doctoral students educated in the United States intend to stay on in the United States after earning their degrees," Reif wrote. Reif also expresses concern about increasing political pressures on higher education, particularly state-level attempts to reshape curricula or defund research based on ideological grounds. Coupled with the looming threat of steep federal funding cuts for agencies like the NIH and NSF, the U.S. risks dismantling the infrastructure that has long powered its innovation economy. To prevent a lasting brain drain, Reif calls for renewed investments in basic research, a welcoming posture toward global talent, and a reaffirmation of the values—openness, excellence, and integrity—that made the U.S. a world leader in science. Read the Foreign Policy article: https://fam.ag/42JccvM 4. Inside Higher Ed: Tracking NIH and NSF Funding Cuts According to Inside Higher Ed on May 6, 2025, the Trump administration has canceled close to $3 billion in National Institues of Health (NIH) and National Science Foundation (NSF) research grants, often without much explanation. Researchers are now crowdsourcing databases of suspended grants to shed light on what is being lost. While politically sensitive topics like DEI and misinformation were cited as reasons, funding cuts have also hit areas like cancer and maternal health. Epidemiologist Scott Delaney and colleagues created Grant Watch to track NIH and NSF terminations, exposing their arbitrary and opaque nature. Their database has already recorded $2.78 billion in cuts, prompting concern over the chilling effect on U.S. research. One striking example is Eric Wustrow, a University of Colorado professor whose NSF-funded project on online censorship was terminated despite not fitting any flagged category. His experience reflects broader inconsistencies that make it hard for researchers to understand which topics may now be “secretly banned.” Delaney emphasized the value of their crowdsourced data for advocacy and potential legal action, given the lack of transparency and shifting justifications for cuts. In parallel, Abby Andre launched the Impact Project to document the broader erosion of federal support—across education, housing, and science—using crowdsourced data and media reports. Her interactive Impact Map visualizes state-by-state cuts and institutional damage. Both Grant Watch and the Impact Project aim not only to support current resistance but to preserve a public record for future accountability and reconstruction efforts. 5. 05/08 Webinar: Trump and Higher Ed: Understanding the Latest WHAT: Trump and Higher Ed: Understanding the Latest (Part 3) WHEN: May 8, 2025, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm ET WHERE: Webinar HOST: Chronicle of Higher Education Speakers: • Rick Seltzer, Senior Writer • Sarah Brown, Senior Editor DESCRIPTION: During his first few months in office, President Trump has tried to reshape higher education with a barrage of executive orders and actions aimed at transforming key parts of the academic enterprise. The frenzy of dramatic pronouncements, sudden reversals, and legal wrangling has created tremendous uncertainty for colleges. This is the third of a series of virtual events to examine challenges that are top of mind for colleges, their employees, and their students. REFERENCES: • 2025/04/03 Part 1: https://bit.ly/3GFu7e4 (1:03:01) • 2025/04/24 Part 2: https://bit.ly/43l00Bq (1:03:34) REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/4341dvU 6. 06/03 NASEM: Second Annual State of the Science Address WHAT: The Second Annual State of the Science Address WHEN: June 3, 2025, 3:00 - 5:00 pm ET WHERE: National Academy of Sciences Building, 2101 Constitution Ave NW, Washington DC 20418 HOST: The National Academies of Sciences Speaker: Marcia McNutt, President, National Academy of Sciences DESCRIPTION: McNutt will explore progress and opportunities in specific areas that are critical to protect and strengthen U.S. science — including modernizing university-industry research partnerships, reducing red tape so that researchers can focus their time and resources more efficiently, building a stronger U.S. STEM workforce, and cultivating more public trust in science. The address will be presented with data and evidence on the quality and vitality of the research enterprise, trends in education and employment, and strategic and funding priorities. After the address, Kelvin Droegemeier, former science adviser to President Trump and director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy from 2019 to 2021, will moderate a discussion with other research leaders. A reception will follow. REFERENCE: 2024 State of the Science Address FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://bit.ly/3Z3SyYU News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/05/08 AASF Know Your Rights: Criminal Law, Research Security & Higher Education 2025/05/12-14 APAICS Annual Summit and Gala 2025/05/18 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting 2025/05/22 Serica 2025 Trailblazers Conference & Gala 2025/05/29 U.S. v. Wen Ho Lee - 25 Years Later 2025/06/01 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting 2025/06/02 APA Justice Monthly Meeting 2025/06/03 The Second Annual State of the Science Address 2025/06/15 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting 2025/06/15-18 2025 Applied Statistics Symposium Visit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Summary of April 2025 APA Justuce Monthly Meeting Posted Summary of the April 2025 APA Justice monthly meeting has been posted at https://bit.ly/44opZcn. We thank the following speakers for sharing their insightful remarks and updates: • Mark Takano, First Vice Chair, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Member, U.S. House of Representatives • Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean, Jesse H. Choper Distinguished Professor of Law, University of California, Berkeley, Law School • Judith Teruya, Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Judith.Teruya@mail.house.gov • Joanna YangQing Derman, Director, Anti-Profiling, Civil Rights & National Security Program, Advancing Justice | AAJC • Gisela Perez Kusakawa, Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) • Cindy Tsai, Interim President, Committee of 100 • Ed Guo, President, Asian American Academy of Science and Engineering (AAASE) 3. 05/22 Serica 2025 Trailblazers Conference & Gala WHAT: Serica 2025 Trailblazers Conference & Gala WHEN: May 22, 2025 • Conference: 8:30 am - 1:30 pm ET • Gala: 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm ET WHERE: • Conference: 100 Washington St, New York City, 10016 • Gala: 583 Park Ave, New York City, 10065 HOST: The Serica Initiative DESCRIPTION: This annual gathering celebrates AAPI women who are driving change across generations — in the arts, business, tech, education, philanthropy, and beyond. It will be a day of dynamic panels, powerful stories, and connection with some of the most inspiring leaders in our community. FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://bit.ly/3SuDJuJ # # # APA Justice Task Force is a non-partisan platform to build a sustainable ecosystem that addresses racial profiling concerns and to facilitate, inform, and advocate on selected issues related to justice and fairness for the Asian Pacific American community. For more information, please refer to the new APA Justice website under development at www.apajusticetaskforce.org. We value your feedback. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org. Back View PDF May 8, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

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

Newsletter - #77 Role Of UTK And Timeline; FOIA Request To NIH; "China Initiative;" Yellow Whistle #77 Role Of UTK And Timeline; FOIA Request To NIH; "China Initiative;" Yellow Whistle Back View PDF August 9, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #85 UTK's Catch-22; New Studies on EEA Released; SFCAUSE; Anti-Asian Hate/Racial Profiling #85 UTK's Catch-22; New Studies on EEA Released; SFCAUSE; Anti-Asian Hate/Racial Profiling Back View PDF September 23, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Juan Tang 唐娟 Docket ID: 2:20-cr-00134 District Court, E.D. California Date filed: Aug 6, 2020 Date ended: July 23, 2021 Table of Contents Overview 2021/07/19 Defense Motion to Dismiss Five “Visa Fraud” Cases Links and References Overview On July 23, 2020, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the arrest of four scientists from China on claimed visa violation, including Dr. Juan Tang. A fifth scientist was arrested for similar charges in August 2020. Dr. Juan Tang has had a successful and award-winning career as a cancer researcher. She was invited to participate in a cancer research program at the University of California, Davis, as a visiting scholar by a leading professor and researcher at the Cancer Center. Dr. Tang was issued a J-1 visa in November 2019. The J-1 visa is often issued to non-immigrant scholars and researchers. DOJ charged Dr. Tang with one count of visa fraud and one count of making a false statement, alleging that she lied about her affiliation with China’s military. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. On July 22, 2021, DOJ motioned to drop their case against Dr. Tang. U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez granted the motion to dismiss on July 23, 2021. The other four visa fraud cases were also dismissed at the same time. The five visa fraud cases including Dr. Tang were identified under the China Initiative, but they were removed from the DOJ online report after their dismissals. 2021/07/19 Defense Motion to Dismiss A jury trial of Dr. Tang was scheduled to begin in Sacramento, California on July 26, 2021. On July 19, 2021, defense attorneys for Dr. Tang submitted a trial brief and memorandum to support dismissal at trial. The trial brief provided background of the case and included two exhibits . The defense attorneys contended that the FBI deliberately failed to disclose critical exculpatory evidence to the Court and to the defense, including a heavily-redacted FBI Background Note in Exhibit A. The defense attorneys opined that China's PLA is not a direct analog to how the US military services are set up, especially regarding the PLA's Civilian Cadre, quoting from Exhibit A that “...Among the Civilian Cadre are a significant number of doctors and nurses and other professionals that at times are required to wear a military type uniform, but who would not necessarily consider themselves soldiers despite being considered as active duty.” Three days later, DOJ motioned to drop their case against Dr. Tang, which U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez granted on July 23, 2021. [jump to menu] Five “Visa Fraud” Cases The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced visa fraud charges against four of five scientists from China on July 23, 2020. The fifth scientist, Lei Guan, was first charged in August 2020 for Destruction and Alteration of Records in a Federal Investigation with visa fraud charges added in September 2020. The announcement of the visa fraud cases coincided with the U.S. order to close China’s consulate in Houston, accusing it to be a "spy center" to conduct spying activities with local medical centers or universities. The five Chinese scientists are: Lei Guan (关磊) , Visiting researcher (mathematics), University of California at Los Angeles Dr. Chen Song (宋琛) , Visiting researcher (neurology), Stanford University Dr. Juan Tang (唐娟), Visiting researcher (cancer), University of California at Davis Xin Wang (王欣) , Visiting researcher (neurology), University of California at San Francisco Kaikai Zhao (赵凯凯) , Doctoral candidate (machine learning and artificial intelligence), Indiana University These five visa fraud cases were abruptly dismissed by DOJ in July 2021 without an explanation for the dismissals. Wyn Hornbuckle, a Justice Department spokesman issued a statement that said "[r]ecent developments in a handful of cases involving defendants with alleged, undisclosed ties to the People’s Liberation Army of the People’s Republic of China have prompted the department to re-evaluate these prosecutions... We have determined that it is now in the interest of justice to dismiss them.” On July 22, 2021, Reuters reported that there was "recently disclosed evidence of a report by FBI analysts that questioned if the visa application question on 'military service' was clear enough for Chinese medical scientists at military universities and hospitals." In another report by the Washington Post, an unnamed official was quoted to say that "the punishment for visa fraud typically does not exceed a year. That fact, combined with the prospect of prolonged litigation in several instances, led officials to assess that the interests of justice were best served by dropping the cases." Upon further research, defense attorneys for Dr. Juan Tang filed a Defendant's Trial Brief and Memorandum Supporting Dismissal at Trial on July 19, 2021. It included a section on "The FBI’s Deliberate Failure to Disclose Critical Exculpatory Evidence to the Court and to the Defense Warrants a Dismissal of this Ill-Conceived Indictment." "There is dissension in the FBI’s own ranks," the trial brief started. It cited that the government intentionally did not comply with the discovery order for the trial and highlighted that "... just days ago, a heavily redacted report dated for release four months ago, on April 1, 2021, which the government did not disclose to this Court when it ruled on Dr. Tang’s Motion to Dismiss." Exhibit A shows a FBI Background Note dated April 1, which includes a statement that investigations and expert interviews "suggest that the visa application form (DS-160) potentially lacks clarity when it comes to declaring one's military service or affiliation." DOJ motioned to dismiss Dr. Juan Tang’s case four days before the trial was to start on July 26, 2021. On July 12, 2021, a partially redacted draft FBI report appeared as part of an exhibit in a non-motion response filed in the case of Lei Guan. The 28-page exhibit includes a draft white paper that provides assessments on seven cases under the "China Initiative," including the five that were dismissed. The draft paper states that targeting of the researcher and students "likely had minimal, short-term positive impact on the technology transfer threat from PRC students, scholars, and researchers." In addition, "[o]nly two of the arrests has a nexus to technology transfer violations, ... and none included charges related to other counterintelligence concerns." The operation "likely contributed to the deterioration of the FBI's delicate yet valuable relationship with some US universities by not exercising more caution before approaching PRC students." Although there was strong advice against investigating and arresting students and researchers with the operation, "several FBI field offices proceeded with visa fraud charges for individuals who met the criteria but did not meet the threshold for a high-priority technology transfer threat." "It is in the best national security interest of the FBI to strategically identify, target, and mitigate PRC technology transfer threats while also preserving educational opportunities in the United States for PRC students who do not pose a threat," said an unredacted portion of the FBI report. A footnote also stated that "the FBI does not consider clinical medicine an area of concern for PRC technology transfer." According to the exhibit, a FBI Supervisory Intelligence Analyst drafted the report as a response to a February 2021 award nomination. She was originally included as part of the award nomination but disagreed about the "high impact" the award's nomination claimed to have made. She did not think the arrest of the PLA students met the threshold for high impact at that time, as she assessed at an early stage the impact was minimal. The draft was a way for her to dispute the information contained in the awards packet. She removed herself from the award nomination. In December 2020, John Demers, former head of the China Initiative at DOJ, and William Evanina, former chief of the counterintelligence branch at ODNI, attributed without supporting facts and evidence that more than 1,000 Chinese researchers from affiliated with China's People's Liberation Army fled the U.S. after the FBI conducted interviews in more than 20 cities and the State Department closed China’s Houston consulate in July 2020. Some of the visa fraud prosecutions were based on photos of the individuals in uniform. However, wearing a uniform does not always imply military service. There are two non-armed branches in the uniformed services of the United States, including the Public Health Service which is a part of the Department of Health and Human Services and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps which is part of the Department of Commerce. Previous Item Next Item

Kansas University Professor Feng “Franklin” Tao became the first academic and scientist of Chinese origin to be indicted in August 2019. He was followed by Professors Anming Hu and Gang Chen, Researcher Dr. Qing Wang, New York Police Department Officer Baimadajie Angwang, a group of five STEM researchers and students from China, and others. The year 2020 saw the injustice inflicted by the government shifting and intensifying its profiling of scientists, most of them of Chinese origin, for “research integrity” in the name of national security. August 21, 2019 Table of Contents Overview Feng “Franklin” Tao 陶丰 Anming Hu 胡安明 Qing Wang 王擎 The Five “Visa Fraud” Cases Baimadajie Angwang 昂旺 Gang Chen 陈刚 Before China Initiative: Xiafen “Sherry” Chen 陈霞芬 and Xiaoxing Xi 郗小星 Before China Initiative: Wen Ho Lee 李文和 Links and references Overview The Chinese character for injustice 冤 is an ideogrammic (a graphic symbol that represents an idea) compound of putting a cover 冖 on a rabbit 兔. According to Wiktionary , the same character is used in Japanese Kanji, Korean Hanja, and Vietnamese Han characters. The ancient form of the character reportedly first appeared in the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC). Profiling and discrimination against Asian Americans is not new. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was the first and only major federal legislation to explicitly suspend immigration based on national origin and race. During World War II, 125,000 Japanese Americans were interned during World War II because of their ancestry and unproven question of loyalty. Before the China Initiative, Wen Ho Lee 李文和 was targeted and scapegoated for providing nuclear secrets to the government of China. Prior to the China Initiative, Xiafen “Sherry” Chen 陈霞芬, Xiaoxing Xi 郗小星, and other scientists in academia, federal government, and private industry were alleged to pass secrets to China, only to have all their charges dropped at the end. Under the China Initiative, Professor Feng "Franklin" Tao 陶丰 became the first academic and scientist of Chinese origin to be indicted in August 2019. The shift from economic espionage to “research integrity” in the guise of national security would continue intensely for the next two years. Dr. Qing Wang 王擎 was fired from his research position before he was indicted in May 2020. In the last full day of the Trump Administration in January 2021, Professor Gang Chen 陈刚 was indicted with the prosecutor questioning his loyalty to the United States. Professor Anming Hu 胡安明 became the first to go to trial in June 2021 and was fully exonerated by the end of the trial. New York Police Department (NYPD) Officer Baimadajie Angwang (昂旺) was charged with acting as an illegal agent of the People’s Republic of China in September 2020. NYPD failed not only to reinstate him, but proceeded to terminate his employment in one of the most egregious injustices of the modern era. Most of these individuals are naturalized and accomplished US citizens born in China. Officer Angwang was deployed as a U.S. marine to Afghanistan and joined the Army Reserve. Although their charges were eventually dropped or acquitted, the injustice has already caused severe damage to their careers, reputation, finances, and families. Timed to coincide with the US closing of China’s consulate in Houston as a “spy center” in July 2020, five Chinese researchers were arrested and charged separately for visa fraud, alleging them to be spies on behalf of China’s People’s Liberation Army. The Department of Justice summarily dropped all five cases a year later. Feng “Franklin” Tao 陶丰 On August 21, 2019, Feng “Franklin” Tao 陶丰 became the first academic of Chinese origin to be indicted under the China Initiative. An associate professor at Kansas University’s (KU) Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis (CEBC), Franklin Tao was initially charged with one count of wire fraud and three counts of program fraud, which was superseded to 10 charges. He was employed since August 2014 by the CEBC, whose mission is to conduct research on sustainable technology to conserve natural resources and energy. All charges against Professor Tao were dismissed or acquitted except one. He was convicted by a jury for one count of making a false statement to KU. As another rejection by U.S. courts of the government’s attempt to prosecute Chinese-born scientists for lapses in reporting their research interactions with China, the judge handed down the lightest possible sentence - 2 years of probation that could be cut in half for good behavior. Professor Tao has appealed to overturn the one-count conviction. A decision on his appeal is pending. [Link to Franklin’s webpage under Impacted Persons] Anming Hu 胡安明 On February 27, 2020, the Department of Justice announced the indictment of Professor Anming Hu, an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK). Professor Hu was charged with three counts of wire fraud and three counts of making false statements. Professor Hu was the first U.S. university professor of Asian ancestry facing dubious charges under the "China Initiative" to go to trial on June 7, 2021. The trial revealed the zeal of the misguided “China Initiative” to criminalize Professor Hu with reckless and deplorable tactics of spreading false information to cast him as a spy for China and press him to become a spy for the U.S. government. When these efforts failed, DOJ brought charges against Professor Hu for intentionally hiding his ties to a Chinese university, which also fell apart upon cross examination during the trial. On June 16, 2021, a mistrial in Professor Hu’s case was declared after the jury deadlocked. On July 30, 2021, the U.S. Government announced that it intended to retry the case against Professor Hu. On September 9, 2021, Judge Thomas Varlan issued an order and acquitted Professor Hu of all charges. [Link to Anming Hu’s webpage under Impacted Persons] Qing Wang 王擎 On May 14, 2020, the Department of Justice announced the arrest of Dr. Qing Wang as a former Cleveland Clinic researcher and a Chinese “Thousand Talents” participant. He was charged with false claims and wire fraud related to more than $3.6 million in grant funding that Dr. Wang and his research group allegedly received from NIH. On July 15, 2021, DOJ moved to dismiss its case against Dr. Wang without prejudice. His case was the first detected by APA Justice to have been removed from the DOJ online report after it was dismissed. [Link to Qing Wang’s webpage under Impacted Persons] The Five “Visa Fraud” Cases On July 24, 2020, The U.S. ordered China to close its consulate in Houston, accusing it to be a "spy center" to conduct spying activities with local medical centers or universities. Apparently timed to support the announcement, four researchers from China were charged with visa fraud “after lying about their work for China’s People’s Liberation Army.” It was followed by the indictment of a fifth researcher from China in August 2020. The five Chinese nationals are four biomedical and cancer researchers in California and a doctoral candidate studying artificial intelligence in Indiana: Lei Guan (关磊), Visiting researcher (mathematics), University of California at Los Angeles Dr. Chen Song (宋琛), Visiting researcher (neurology), Stanford University Dr. Juan Tang (唐娟), Visiting researcher (cancer), University of California at Davis Xin Wang (王欣), Visiting researcher (neurology), University of California at San Francisco Kaikai Zhao (赵凯凯), Doctoral candidate (machine learning and artificial intelligence), Indiana University In December 2020, Assistant Attorney General John Demers made a dubious claim that more than 1,000 visiting researchers affiliated with the Chinese military fled the United States in the summer. In July 2021, all five visa fraud cases were abruptly dismissed by DOJ. [Link to all five individuals’ web pages under Impacted Persons] Baimadajie Angwang (昂旺) On September 21, 2020, the Department of Justice announced the arrest of Baimadajie Angwang, a New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer and United States Army reservist, alleging him for acting as an illegal agent of the People’s Republic of China as well as committing wire fraud, making false statements and obstructing an official proceeding. On January 19, 2023, all charges against Officer Angwang were formally dropped after U.S. prosecutors said they uncovered new information that warranted the dismissal. Angwang, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Tibet, China, spent six months in custody before being granted bail. Although all federal charges against Officer Angwang were dismissed, NYPD not only did not reinstate him, but proceeded to start administrative proceedings against him in September 2023. NYPD terminated his employment in January 2024. [See Baimadajie Angwang’s web page (under development) under Impacted Persons] Gang Chen 陈刚 On January 14, 2021, the Department of Justice announced the arrest of MIT Professor Gang Chen, alleging him for failing to disclose contracts, appointments and awards from various entities in the People’s Republic of China to the U.S. Department of Energy. When then-U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling unveiled the charges at a news conference in Boston on the last full day of the Trump administration, he said, “it is not illegal to collaborate with foreign researchers. It’s illegal to lie about it. The allegations in the complaint imply that this was not just about greed, but about loyalty to China.” On January 20, 2022, all charges against Professor Chen were dropped. Professor Chen describes himself to be the luckiest among the unlucky because he had full support from MIT, its faculty members, and the Asian Pacific American and scientific communities. He is the namesake of the “We Are All Gang Chen” movement. “When I endured was not an isolated incident, but the result of a long American history of scapegoating and harmful policy making. Having secured our seat at the table, we must remain engaged, committed, and vigilant to prevent civil rights abuses for the next generation,” he said. [See Gang Chen’s web page under Impacted Persons] Before China Initiative: Xiafen “Sherry” Chen 陈霞芬 and Xiaoxing Xi 郗小星 A pattern of racial profiling against Chinese American scientists began to emerge in 2015 under the Obama Administration prior to the official launch of the China Initiative. In a relatively short time span, four naturalized American citizens in three separate situations were indicted for one of the most serious crimes related to espionage and trade secrets that carried heavy penalties in prison terms and fines. These individuals - Guiqing Cao, Shuyu Li, Sherry Chen, and Xiaoxing Xi - worked in diverse fields - private industry, federal government, and academia respectively. All three cases were subsequently dismissed or dropped without apology or further explanation. This is highly unusual because the Department of Justice (DOJ) prides itself on its mission of prosecuting criminal cases. Conviction rate is a key measure of success and performance. Annual statistical reports show that the overall DOJ conviction rate in all criminal prosecutions has been over 90% every year since 2001. The rate for espionage-related charges is expected to be much higher than average due to its serious nature and impact on the accused. Sherry Chen won a historic settlement from the US Department of Commerce in November 2022. Professor Xiaoxing Xi’s civil lawsuit against the FBI is still ongoing at this time. The APA Justice Task Force was formed in response to a call by Rep. Judy Chu, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, in 2015 as a platform to address racial profiling and related justice and fairness issues for the Asian Pacific American communities. [Link to Sherry Chen, Xiaoxing Xi, and APA Justice web pages] Before China Initiative: Wen Ho Lee 李文和 Dr. Wen Ho Lee is a Taiwanese-American nuclear scientist and a mechanical engineer who worked for the University of California at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico from 1978 to 1999. Dr. Lee came to the US in 1964 at the age of 26 to attend Texas A&M University. He received his doctorate in mechanical engineering in 1970 and was naturalized as a U.S. citizen in 1974. He worked for the Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois. He moved to New Mexico in 1978 and worked as a scientist in weapons design at Los Alamos National Laboratory, in applied mathematics and fluid dynamics, from that year until 1999. Dr. Lee was publicly named by US Department of Energy officials, including Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson, as a suspect in the theft of classified nuclear-related documents from Los Alamos in 1999. On December 10, 1999, Dr. Lee was arrested, indicted on 59 counts of unlawfully mishandling classified documents, and jailed in solitary confinement without bail for 278 days. On September 13, 2000, Dr. Lee accepted a plea bargain on one count from the federal government. He was released on time served. Upon the sentencing, Judge James Parker offered a formal apology to Dr. Lee, “I have no authority to speak on behalf of the executive branch, the president, the vice president, the attorney general, or the secretary of the Department of Energy. As a member of the third branch of the United States Government, the judiciary, the United States courts, I sincerely apologize to you, Dr. Lee, for the unfair manner you were held in custody by the executive branch.” In 2003, Dr. Lee wrote a memoir with Helen Zia, “My Country Versus Me”, to tell his story how his Asian ethnicity was a primary factor behind his prosecution by the government. In June 2006, Dr. Lee won a historic settlement over violation of his privacy rights and received $1.65 million from the government and five news organizations. Judge James Parker passed away in September 2022. Secretary Bill Richardson died in September 2023. 2018/03/12 Jeremy Wu: Revisiting Judge Parker’s Apology to Dr. Wen Ho Lee 2006/06/03 Washington Post: Wen Ho Lee Settles Privacy Lawsuit 2003/01/08 Wen Ho Lee and Helen Zia: My Country Versus Me: The First-Hand Account by the Los Alamos Scientist Who Was Falsely Accused of Being a Spy 2001/02/04 New York Times: The Making of a Suspect: The Case of Wen Ho Lee 2000/09/26 New York Times: From The Editors; The Times and Wen Ho Lee 2000/09/14 New York Times: Statement by Judge in Los Alamos Case, With Apology for Abuse of Power 2000/09/13 ABC News: Wen Ho Lee Freed After Guilty Plea 2000/12/04 C-SPAN: The Wen Ho Lee Story (video 1:11:24) 1999/08/01 60 Minutes: "Spy?" - Wen Ho Lee (video 16:55) Jump to: Overview Feng “Franklin” Tao 陶丰 Anming Hu 胡安明 Qing Wang 王擎 The Five “Visa Fraud” Cases Baimadajie Angwang 昂旺 Gang Chen 陈刚 Before China Initiative: Xiafen “Sherry” Chen 陈霞芬 and Xiaoxing Xi 郗小星 Before China Initiative: Wen Ho Lee 李文和 Kansas University Professor Feng “Franklin” Tao became the first academic and scientist of Chinese origin to be indicted in August 2019. He was followed by Professors Anming Hu and Gang Chen, Researcher Dr. Qing Wang, New York Police Department Officer Baimadajie Angwang, a group of five STEM researchers and students from China, and others. The year 2020 saw the injustice inflicted by the government shifting and intensifying its profiling of scientists, most of them of Chinese origin, for “research integrity” in the name of national security. Previous Next 4. Shift to Profiling Scientists of Chinese Origin

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