Newsletter - #192: BREAKING NEWS: DOJ Files Brief in Florida Lawsuit; 07/03 Meeting; Who Can Be American #192: BREAKING NEWS: DOJ Files Brief in Florida Lawsuit; 07/03 Meeting; Who Can Be American In This Issue #192 BREAKING NEWS: DOJ Files Amicus Brief in Florida Alien Land Lawsuit 2023/07/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting How Frederick Douglass and Wong Kim Ark Helped Define Who Can Be American BREAKING NEWS: DOJ Files Amicus Brief in Florida Alien Land Lawsuit On June 27, 2023, attorneys for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a statement of interest in support of the motion for preliminary injunction: https://bit.ly/3PsKSvw The 22-page statement, also called an amicus curiae *“friend-of-the-court”) brief, begins with this introduction:"The State of Florida recently enacted a statute that imposes new prohibitions on owning or purchasing land in the State. Among other provisions, Senate Bill 264 (“SB 264”) prohibits individuals who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents and whose “domicile” is in China, or other so-called “foreign countries of concern,” from owning or purchasing real property. The United States respectfully submits this Statement of Interest under 28 U.S.C. § 5171 to advise the Court of the United States’ view that the provisions of SB 264 to be codified at Florida Statutes §§ 692.201–.2052 violate the Fair Housing Act (“FHA”) and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. These unlawful provisions will cause serious harm to people simply because of their national origin, contravene federal civil rights laws, undermine constitutional rights, and will not advance the State’s purported goal of increasing public safety. Plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits of these claims challenging the provisions of SB 264 that restrict and prohibit land ownership. Accordingly, the United States supports Plaintiffs’ motion to enjoin Defendants from implementing and enforcing these provisions."The brief proceeds to explain these two arguments: Plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits of their Fair Housing Act Claims Plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits of their Equal Protection Claim The brief concludes:"For the foregoing reasons, the provisions of SB 264 that restrict and prohibit land ownership violate the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, and Plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits of those claims."Read the DOJ amicus curiae brief: https://bit.ly/3PsKSvw 2023/07/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, July 3, 2023, starting at 1:55 pm ET.In addition to updates by Nisha Ramachandran , Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC); John Yang 杨重远 , President and Executive Director, Advancing Justice | AAJC; and Gisela Kusakawa , Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), speakers will include: Al Green , Member of U.S. House of Representatives; Member, Executive Board and Chair of Housing Task Force, CAPAC, on alien land bills and multicultural advocacy coalition Clay Zhu 朱可亮 , Partner, DeHeng Law Offices 德恒律师事务所; Founder, Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance 华美维权同盟, on the recent developments of the Florida lawsuit Scott Chang , Senior Counsel, National Fair Housing Alliance, on NFHA and its work on alien land bills Edgar Chen , Special Policy Advisor, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, on NAPABA's work on alien land bills and related activities Cindy Tsai , Interim President and Executive Director, Committee of 100, on the recent roles and activities of C100 The virtual monthly meeting is by invitation only. If you wish to join, either one time or for future meetings, please contact one of the co-organizers of APA Justice - Steven Pei 白先慎 , Vincent Wang 王文奎 , and Jeremy Wu 胡善庆 - or send a message to contact@apajustice.org . How Frederick Douglass and Wong Kim Ark Helped Define Who Can Be American During a recent roundtable with state organizers and activists on alien land laws and related issues, Helen Zia 谢汉兰 shared a picture of Wong Kim Ark 黃金德 and Frederick Douglas - it is a story of Asian Americans and solidarity that is missing in American history.According to a KCET report on May 19, 2022, Frederick Douglass escaped slavery and was a powerful voice for racial justice. In his view, the struggle for equality of the Black man also meant a fight for equality for all people. "… I want the Asiatic to find a home here in the United States, and feel at home here, both for his sake and ours. Right wrongs no man," he said in Boston in December 1869. Wong Kim Ark, who was born in the United States and barred from re-entry in 1895, took his case to the US Supreme Court and won, paving the way for birthright citizenship for all."I am especially to speak to you of the character and mission of the United States, with special reference to the question whether we are the better or the worse for being composed of different races of men. I propose to consider first, what we are, second, what we are likely to be, and, thirdly, what we ought to be," Douglas said in his speech. "There are such things in the world as human rights. They rest upon no conventional foundation, but are external, universal, and indestructible. Among these, is the right of locomotion; the right of migration; the right which belongs to no particular race, but belongs alike to all and to all alike. It is the right you assert by staying here, and your fathers asserted by coming here. It is this great right that I assert for the Chinese and Japanese, and for all other varieties of men equally with yourselves, now and forever. I know of no rights of race superior to the rights of humanity, and when there is a supposed conflict between human and national rights."According to Wikipedia , Wong Kim Ark was born in San Francisco, California, at 751 Sacramento Street. In November 1894, Wong sailed to China for a temporary visit, to rejoin his wife at his family's village in Taishan, Guangdong. But when he returned in August 1895, he was detained at the Port of San Francisco by the Collector of Customs, who denied him permission to enter the country, arguing that Wong was not a U.S. citizen despite his having been born in the U.S., but was instead a Chinese subject because his parents were Chinese. Wong was confined for five months on steamships off the coast of San Francisco while his case was being tried. In a 6–2 decision issued on March 28, 1898, the Supreme Court held that Wong Kim Ark had acquired U.S. citizenship at birth and that "the American citizenship which Wong Kim Ark acquired by birth within the United States has not been lost or taken away by anything happening since his birth." Back View PDF June 28, 2023 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #117 3/7 Meeting; Before "China Initiative," Sherry Chen; Campaign Tally; DOJ Review Report #117 3/7 Meeting; Before "China Initiative," Sherry Chen; Campaign Tally; DOJ Review Report Back View PDF March 4, 2022 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #363 Andy Phillips on Dr. Yanping Chen Case; US Science & Data at Crossrords; 10/3 Summary+ #363 Andy Phillips on Dr. Yanping Chen Case; US Science & Data at Crossrords; 10/3 Summary+ In This Issue #363 · Andy Phillips on The Privacy Case of Dr. Yanping Chen · Banning Collaboration, Fueling Brain Drain: U.S. Science at a Crossroads · U.S. Data at Risk · October 2025 APA Justice Monthly Meeting Summary Posted · News and Activities for the Communities Andy Phillips on The Privacy Case of Dr. Yanping Chen During the APA Justice monthly meeting on November 3, 2025, Andy Phillips , Managing & Founding Partner, Meier Watkins Phillips Pusch LLP, presented an in-depth briefing on Dr. Yanping Chen 陈燕平 ’s Privacy Act case, which he has been litigating for several years. Dr. Chen emigrated to the U.S. from China and has a medical degree as a cardiologist. She worked as a scientist and supervisor for China’s astronaut program. She came to the U.S. to be a visiting scholar at George Washington University in Washington, DC, in the late 80s, became a permanent resident in 1993, and a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2001. In the 1990s, she founded the University of Management and Technology (UMT) in Arlington, Virginia, focusing on post-secondary and graduate studies for working adults. A fairly large number of UMT’s students are service members who seek degrees and receive assistance from the Department of Defense (DOD)’s Tuition Assistance Program, which UMT participates in along with many other schools. The program allows UMT to receive subsidized tuition payments for service members from the DOD. Dr. Chen became the subject of a years-long Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) investigation beginning around 2010 concerning statements she made on her immigration forms related to her work for China’s astronaut program. Despite FBI raids on her home and office and interviews with her family, the U.S. Attorney’s Office closed the case in 2016 with no charges filed. A year later, in 2017, Fox News and then reporter Catherine Herridge published a series of television and online reports accusing Dr. Chen of being a Chinese spy and suggesting that UMT was a front for gathering sensitive U.S. military information. These reports contained leaked FBI materials, including Dr. Chen’s immigration forms, family photographs, and references to internal interview memoranda—clear signs of an unauthorized disclosure of Dr. Chen’s private government records. In response, Dr. Chen filed a Privacy Act lawsuit in 2019 against several federal agencies, including the FBI, Department of Justice (DOJ), DOD, and Department of Homeland Security (DHS), arguing that government officials had unlawfully leaked her protected records to the press. Andy explained that the Privacy Act of 1974 was enacted to safeguard personal information collected by government agencies and to prevent such records from being used for unauthorized purposes. Under the Privacy Act, a plaintiff must prove that a government official intentionally or willfully disclosed private information. However, identifying the individual responsible for the leak proved to be the central challenge in Dr. Chen’s case. After two years of exhaustive discovery—including depositions, document requests, and interrogatories—Dr. Chen’s legal team was unable to pinpoint the leaker within the government. At that stage, Andy and his firm joined the case in 2022 (Dr. Chen was represented by co-counsel WilmerHale who handled initial stages of the case and discovery against the government) to focus on the media law issues, particularly journalist privilege, which they frequently encounter in First Amendment defamation litigation. They issued a subpoena compelling Catherine Herridge to reveal her source for the leaked materials. Herridge, represented by counsel, moved to quash the subpoena, citing a qualified First Amendment privilege that allows reporters to protect the identities of confidential sources. The privilege is “qualified,” not absolute, meaning it can be overcome under certain circumstances—specifically if the requested information is central to the case and the plaintiff has exhausted all other means of obtaining it. The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled in Dr. Chen’s favor, finding that both conditions were met: the identity of the leaker was essential to proving her Privacy Act claim, and Dr. Chen had already undertaken substantial efforts to discover the information elsewhere. Herridge’s arguments that national security, journalistic freedom, or Dr. Chen’s alleged misconduct should weigh against disclosure were rejected. The court stated firmly that the law must be applied equally and that courts should not make value judgments based on who the plaintiff is or what allegations have been made in the media. When Herridge refused to comply with the court order during her September 2023 deposition, Andy sought a contempt ruling, which the court granted, imposing a fine of $800 per day for noncompliance. The fine was stayed pending appeal as the case moved to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, which was argued around November 2024. In September 2025, the D.C. Circuit issued a unanimous 3-0 decision affirming the District Court’s ruling, rejecting Herridge’s call for a broader balancing test and upholding Dr. Chen’s right to pursue her Privacy Act claim. Andy emphasized the broader implications of the case, calling it a vital reaffirmation of the rule of law and government accountability. He explained that the case is not about restricting the press but about ensuring that government officials cannot weaponize confidential information to destroy reputations without consequence. “If this decision had gone the other way,” Andy said, “it would have sent the message that government agents could leak with impunity, as long as they laundered their misconduct through a journalist who would protect them.” He drew parallels between Dr. Chen’s case and the case of Dr. Wen Ho Lee 李文和 , where another Chinese American scientist was falsely accused of espionage based on leaked government information and media misrepresentation. Both cases, he noted, reflect how racial bias and national security fears can combine to harm innocent individuals. Andy praised the amicus brief filed in support of Dr. Chen, which traced a long history of anti-Asian discrimination in both media coverage and law enforcement, arguing that accountability and transparency are critical to restoring trust. Concluding his remarks, Andy said the D.C. Circuit’s decision “reaffirmed 50 years of precedent” in the nation’s capital and represents a strong affirmation that every citizen—regardless of ethnicity or background—is entitled to equal protection under the law. He expects Herridge to request en banc (before the full court) review or possibly appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, but remains confident that the case has set an enduring precedent for privacy rights and justice in the face of abuse of power. A summary of the November 3 monthly meeting has been posted at https://bit.ly/49dbmuO . We thank these distinguished speakers for sharing their thoughts and updates: · Judith Teruya , Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) · Joanna YangQing Derman , Director, Anti-Profiling, Civil Rights & National Security Program, Advancing Justice | AAJC · Gisela Perez Kusakawa , Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) · Andy Phillips , Managing & Founding Partner, Meier Watkins Phillips Pusch LLP · Jane Shim , Director, Stop Asian Hate Project, Asian American Legal 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; Former Attorney representing Dr. Wen Ho Lee Banning Collaboration, Fueling Brain Drain: U.S. Science at a Crossroads Congress’s proposed SAFE Act would bar federal funding to U.S. researchers who have collaborated with individuals from “hostile” nations such as China—drawing warnings from leading universities and civil rights groups that it would stifle innovation and revive discrimination. At the same time, deep federal research cuts and political pressures are driving a growing “brain gain” for China, as U.S.-trained scientists relocate there amid expanding investment and opportunity. China’s research output rose 17% last year while U.S. output fell 10%, signaling a widening gap. Without renewed openness and funding, experts warn, the U.S. risks losing its global scientific leadership. 1. Science : Congressional Push to Restrict Research Ties According to Science on November 6, 2025, nearly 800 American scientists have signed a letter opposing a proposed research restriction in the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) known as the Securing American Funding and Expertise from Adversarial Research Exploitation (SAFE) Act. Led by Stanford Professors Peter Michelson and Steven Kivelson , the letter warns that the measure—which would bar federal funding to U.S. researchers who collaborated within the past five years with individuals “affiliated with a hostile foreign entity” such as China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea—would weaken the very foundation of American innovation. “To maintain U.S. leadership in science and technology, we must preserve the thriving research ecosystem that laid the foundation for American competitiveness.” Major higher education groups, including the Association of American Universities (AAU) and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), urged Congress to remove the provision, calling it overly broad and ill-defined. Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) added that the SAFE Act “ignores, and in some cases contradicts, what is already in law.”Civil rights and Asian American advocacy organizations warn that the measure could echo the discriminatory effects of the defunct China Initiative, chilling legitimate academic exchange and disproportionately harming scientists of Chinese descent. During the APA Justice monthly meeting on November 3, Gisela Perez Kusakawa , Executive Director of the Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), outlined four major concerns raised in AASF’s October 17 letter to the House Armed Services Committee: · Five-Year Lookback – AASF warns this could lead to retroactive punishment for past research activities that were legal or even encouraged, urging fairness and a reasonable transition period for agencies, universities, and individuals. · Co-Authorship Barriers – The provision could effectively bar co-authorship within the timeline provided, restricting international research collaboration and openness, undermining U.S. competitiveness. · Overly Broad Definitions – Vague terms like “affiliation” could include almost any international engagement, making compliance impractical and potentially harmful to innovation and education. Both international students and American-born students benefit from international programs and collaborations. · Disparate Impact on Asian Americans – Broad, ambiguous rules risk biased application and enforcement that could disproportionately harm Asian American scientists, especially those of Chinese descent. 2. WP : China’s “Brain Gain” Accelerates While Washington tightens its guardrails and budget, Beijing is expanding its global reach in science and technology. A Washington Post investigation finds that China is reaping a “brain gain” as hundreds of U.S.-trained researchers—many of them Chinese American—relocate to China or take joint appointments.In the first half of 2025 alone, about 50 tenure-track scholars of Chinese descent left U.S. universities for China, adding to more than 850 departures since 2011. More than 70 percent of these scientists work in STEM fields, particularly engineering and life sciences. Those who have recently moved include a senior biologist from the National Institutes of Health, a Harvard statistician, and a clean-energy expert from the U.S. Department of Energy. Their decisions reflect both “push” and “pull” factors—the deteriorating climate for research in the U.S. and Beijing’s aggressive efforts to attract world-class talent.Trump’s policies have deepened that push. His administration has slashed billions from science budgets, canceled research grants, and imposed visa restrictions that hinder international collaboration. The revived scrutiny of researchers with ties to China—echoing the discredited “China Initiative”—has also made many Chinese American scientists feel unwelcome in the U.S. “We hope Trump is president for life, because it’s the best thing to happen to Chinese science,” one Chinese researcher half-joked to a visiting Harvard immunologist.China, meanwhile, is offering generous incentives. The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) is channeling much of its $8 billion annual budget into talent programs, while cities and universities compete to lure foreign scientists with high salaries, lab funding, housing, and child care support. A new “K visa” aims to make it easier for young foreign STEM researchers to work in China. Westlake University and Tsinghua University’s Shenzhen International Graduate School have recruited leading U.S. academics, including Nobel-caliber scholars and rising stars.China’s total R&D spending—$917 billion in 2023—has nearly matched that of the United States, signaling a narrowing gap in global research leadership. As the two superpowers compete for scientific talent, individual researchers increasingly face painful trade-offs between opportunity and freedom. The result, experts warn, is a shifting global scientific order—one where U.S. skepticism toward science, combined with China’s strategic investment, may erode America’s long-held dominance in research and innovation. 3. Nature : U.S. Losing Ground as China’s Lead Expands Rapidly China’s dominance in global research is accelerating sharply, while U.S. scientific leadership is eroding at an alarming pace, according to the Nature Index 2025 Research Leaders report . The data show China expanding its lead in high-quality scientific output: its total research “Share” reached 32,122 in 2024, compared with 22,083 for the United States. That gap, which emerged only in 2023 when China first overtook the U.S., has now quadrupled in just one year. China’s adjusted Share grew 17.4%, while the U.S. fell 10.1%, marking its steepest decline in decades. Losses were sharpest in chemistry (−11.6%) and physical sciences (−10.6%), though the U.S. retains a narrow advantage in health and biological research. Other Western countries, including Canada, France, and the U.K., also saw declines of 9% or more.Experts describe the shift as structural, not cyclical. With a population four times larger than America’s, China now produces nearly twice as many STEM PhD graduates—projected 77,000 in 2025, compared with 40,000 in the U.S.—and employs more researchers than both the U.S. and the European Union combined. Although the report’s data predate Donald Trump’s January 2025 inauguration, analysts warn that his administration’s deep cuts to federal research budgets could further accelerate U.S. decline. “The United States has clearly crossed a threshold into actively abdicating our position as a global leader,” said Joanne Carney of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). AAAS CEO Sudip Parikh added, “If these cuts stand, the U.S. will no longer be in the global race for R&D leadership.” As U.S. collaboration with foreign partners wanes, China is strengthening ties across Asia. South Korea, Singapore, and others have posted double-digit gains, particularly in green technology and advanced materials, signaling a regional surge in scientific capacity. While some private U.S. funders have stepped in, experts warn they cannot offset federal pullbacks. “We are going through a national crisis,” said Caroline Wagner of Ohio State University. “It’s more than a malaise.” She added that research funding cuts, DEI crackdowns, and visa denials for foreign scholars “send a signal to global talent to look for opportunities elsewhere.” U.S. Data at Risk On November 3, 2025, the "Practical Significance" podcast of the American Statistical Association featured Nancy Potok , former chief statistician of the United States and CEO of NAPx Consulting, and Connie Citro , Senior Scholar at the National Academies’ Committee on National Statistics. The discussion focuses on the state of federal statistics, challenges faced by federal statistical agencies, and efforts to modernize the federal statistical system.Both guests expressed concerns about U.S. statistical systems at a crossroads with staff losses, hiring freeze, difficulty recruiting skilled professionals, and declining budgets under the current environment. Nancy Potok highlighted the need for modernization to stay relevant in a rapidly changing data environment, including addressing competition from other data sources and maintaining public trust. Connie Citro emphasized the labor-intensive nature of statistical agencies, the need for modernization, and the challenges of data sharing and blending data sets.Dr. Ji-Hyun Lee , Professor of Biostatistics at University of Florida, serves as 2025 ASA President. The Cato Institute’s October 8, 2025, discussion “ A Conversation with Former BLS Commissioners William Beach and Erica Groshen ” explored the challenges and importance of maintaining trust, accuracy, and modernization within the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).The conversation featured · Erica Groshen . Former Commissioner of Labor Statistics (2013-2017); and Senior Economics Advisor, School of Industrial and Labor Relations, Cornell University · William Beach . Former Commissioner of Labor Statistics (2019-2023); Executive Director, Fiscal Lab on Capitol Hill; and Senior Fellow in Economics, Economic Policy Innovation Center · Norbert Michel . Vice President and Director, Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives, Cato Institute Both former commissioners emphasized that the agency’s credibility hinges on its ability to produce data that is both reliable and timely. As Groshen put it, “They want two things: accurate … and they want it to be timely,” highlighting the constant balance between speed and precision in official labor reporting. Beach and Groshen explained that revisions to monthly job numbers, often criticized by the public, stem largely from the late submission of firm data rather than from methodological flaws. “The first revision of the preliminary number is mostly driven by late-reporting firms,” Beach clarified, underscoring that revisions are a feature of transparency, not evidence of manipulation. They also warned that political interference—even the perception of it—can undermine the BLS’s mission. “Trust is mission-critical for a statistical agency. You might as well not produce statistics if they’re not trusted,” Groshen said.The speakers voiced deep concern about staffing shortages and systemic neglect within the BLS, noting the agency is operating with 20 percent fewer staff and one-third of its top leadership positions vacant. Yet they also saw a potential opening for reform. “This administration is not worried about disruption,” Beach observed, suggesting that current upheavals could create “an opportunity … for really modernizing the statistical system.” The discussion closed on a cautious note: without adequate investment and protection from political pressure, the nation’s core economic data—essential for markets, policy, and public trust—faces growing fragility. October 2025 APA Justice Monthly Meeting Summary Posted Summary for the October 2025 APA Justice monthly meeting has been posted at https://bit.ly/43W4qyC . We thank these distinguished speakers for sharing their insightful remarks and updates: · Judith Teruya, Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus · Joanna YangQing Derman, Director, Anti-Profiling, Civil Rights & National Security Program, Advancing Justice | AAJC · Gisela Perez Kusakawa, Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) · Mike German , Retired Fellow, Liberty & National Security, Brennan Center for Justice · Margaret Lewis , Professor, Seton Hall University School of Law · Pat Eddington , Senior Fellow, Homeland Security and Civil Liberties, Cato Institute The October meeting brought together congressional, advocacy, academic, and policy leaders to discuss ongoing efforts to defend civil rights, research integrity, and democratic governance affecting Asian American and allied communities.Past monthly meeting summaries are posted at: https://www.apajusticetaskforce.org/library-newsletters-summaries News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/11/14 Film Screening and Discussion: Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story2025/11/25 Committee of 100 Conversations – “Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes” with Elaine Chao 2025/12/01 Cook County Circuit Court Hearing - Estate of Jane Wu v Northwestern University2025/12/01 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/12/08 Conversations, Recollections, Pioneers and Heros: Alice Young Visit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. # # # APA Justice Task Force is a non-partisan platform to build a sustainable ecosystem that addresses racial profiling concerns and to facilitate, inform, and advocate on selected issues related to justice and fairness for the Asian Pacific American community. For more information, please refer to the new APA Justice website under development at www.apajusticetaskforce.org . We value your feedback. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org . Back View PDF November 11, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #138 Oppose US Attorney Nomination; Racist Image; The China Trap; 8/1 Meeting Summary; More #138 Oppose US Attorney Nomination; Racist Image; The China Trap; 8/1 Meeting Summary; More Back View PDF August 22, 2022 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #283 10/7 Meeting; Firsthand Accounts; Chinese American Survey; McCarthyism; Dr. Min Wu; + #283 10/7 Meeting; Firsthand Accounts; Chinese American Survey; McCarthyism; Dr. Min Wu; + In This Issue #283 · 2024/10/07 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · Firsthand Accounts of the Harmful Effects of the China Initiative · C100 Unveils The 2024 State of Chinese Americans Survey · Dr. Min Wu Recognized with Top Faculty Honor · McCarthyism and the House Un-American Activities Committee · News and Activities for the Communities 2024/10/07 APA Justice Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, October 7, 2024, starting at 1:55 pm ET. In addition to updates by Nisha Ramachandran , ExecutiveDirector, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) and Gisela Perez Kusakawa , Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), confirmed speakers are: · Grace Meng , Member, U.S. House of Representatives; First Vice-Chair, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus · Gene Wu , Texas State Representative · Min Fan , Executive Director, U.S. Heartland China Association The virtual monthly meeting is by invitation only. It is closed to the press. If you wish to join, either one time or for future meetings, please contact one of the co-organizers of APA Justice - Steven Pei 白先慎 , Vincent Wang 王文奎 , and Jeremy Wu 胡善庆 - or send a message to contact@apajustice.org . *****U.S. Congresswoman Grace Meng is serving her sixth term in the United States House of Representatives, where she represents New York's Sixth Congressional District. She returns to update us on the current state of Asian Pacific Americans.State Representative Gene Wu serves the people of District 137 in the Texas House. Rep. Gene Wu will urge the community to wake up to the threats of anti-Asian laws at the state and federal level. Min Fan introduced USHCA to us at the February 2024 monthly meeting. She returns to update us on an upcoming hybrid event "China in the Heartland: Building a Balanced Approach" at the University of Kansas, the 4th Annual U.S.-China Agriculture Roundtable in June, and related activities of USHCA. ***** Summary for the September 2024 APA Justice monthly meeting has been posted here: https://bit.ly/3zzWcjR . In addition to Nisha Ramachandran, Joanna YangQing Derman , and Gisela Perez Kusakawa who gave their updates about CAPAC, Advancing Justice | AAJC, and AASF respectively, we thank these invited speakers: · Christine Chen from APIAVote for her discussion to boost voter participation among AA and NHPI, and its efforts to intensify outreach through events, mailings, and phone banking while emphasizing early and mail-in voting, aiming to engage first-time voters, especially in battleground states. · Jane Shim from AALDEF for her discussion of the ongoing case of Dr. Yanping Chen , who is suing the government for leaking her personal information to Fox News , which falsely implied she was spying for China. AALDEF has filed an amicus brief supporting Dr. Chen’s privacy rights, emphasizing the harm caused by irresponsible media reporting and the need to protect Asian Americans from discrimination. · Sandy Shan from Justice Is Global led a discussion on a brief advocating for a progressive U.S.-China policy to replace the current confrontational approach, which fuels xenophobia and geopolitical tensions. Tori Bateman from the Quincy Institute proposes reforms to foster cooperation, address shared challenges, and promote global sustainability, especially during Congress's "China Week." Read past summaries of APA Justice monthly meetings at https://bit.ly/3kxkqxP Firsthand Accounts of the Harmful Effects of the China Initiative On September 25, 2024, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) posted a video (3:51) on X and Instagram, providing firsthand accounts of the harmful effects of the China Initiative, which "painted academics of Chinese descent as spies for the CCP, leading to the racial profiling and wrongful arrests of innocent researchers." Testimonies were made by Professors Gang Chen , Anming Hu , and Franklin Tao and Hong Peng , Professor Tao's wife. Watch the video on X: https://bit.ly/3zzfwxA and Instagram: https://bit.ly/4eeTHCH C100 Unveils The 2024 State of Chinese Americans Survey On September 25, 2024, the Committee of 100 (C100) unveiled the findings of its 2024 State of Chinese Americans Survey. The survey was conducted to help address the insufficient data necessary to inform and address ongoing discrimination, stereotypes, and misperceptions about Chinese Americans, and the many gaps in knowledge that remain about Chinese Americans’ political attitudes and behaviors.“Understanding the mental health, discrimination and political perspectives of Chinese Americans is essential to create inclusive and informed policies,” said Cindy Tsai , Interim President, Committee of 100. “These insights not only enrich political dialogue but also foster a more equitable society."According to the survey, about three quarters of Chinese American citizens (76%) are certain they will turn out to vote in November’s presidential election. A little less than half of Chinese Americans (46%) identify as Democrats, 31% Republicans, and 24% Independents.Chinese Americans have been targeted in a surge of both popular and policy-driven racism over the last decade. The COVID-19 pandemic precipitated a wave of anti-Asian and anti-Chinese hate across the country that endures at an elevated level, causing lasting and severe financial, social, health, and emotional harm across the Asian American population.Chinese Americans also face discrimination from federal and state policies. Many were falsely accused of espionage under the auspices of the China Initiative, further extending racist stereotypes of the population as perpetual foreigners loyal to Chinese national interests. While the codified racism of the China Initiative formally ended in 2022, many states have recently passed legislation prohibiting U.S. residents with Chinese citizenship from owning property. The Washington Post reported that the survey showed that 68% of Chinese Americans said they face at least one form of discrimination in an average month, while 65% said they think the state of U.S.-China relations negatively impacts how other Americans treat them. The survey also asked about mental health, and 43% of Chinese Americans said they felt depressed. A large majority — 81 percent — of Chinese Americans said they are “at least a little concerned” about rhetoric used by presidential candidates when talking about China or U.S.-China relations, and 61 percent said U.S. news media rhetoric on the subject “negatively affects how strangers treat them,” Read the Washington Post report: https://wapo.st/3XXTUo9 The South China Morning Post reported that nearly six in 10 Chinese Americans reported hearing about legislative efforts by many states and the US Congress to limit individuals who hold Chinese citizenship from owning houses, farmland and other stateside property. Of those who had heard about the legislation, two thirds thought it had a negative effect on how others treated them.“We were surprised at the large percentage of responses when it came to issues of mental health and wellness and how the relationship with the US and China impacts how Chinese-Americans are feeling discriminated against,” said Sam Collitt , a research and data scientist with C100. “We know there are issues related to shame and language barriers that prevent discussions from taking place,” said Collitt, adding that overall Asian Americans were 60 per cent less likely to seek mental health services than other racial groups. Chinese Americans express high levels of concern about the state of U.S.-China relations, the likely sources of poor bilateral relations, and the downstream effects of domestic policy discrimination and discriminatory political rhetoric. Despite this, many Chinese Americans are cautiously optimistic about the ability of the U.S. and China to cooperate on a number of issues. They identified areas where Washington and Beijing could, at the margin, improve ties, including student exchanges and in fighting climate change and infectious diseases.A majority of respondents said being Chinese and being American were very important to their identity.Read the South China Morning Post report: https://bit.ly/4do9g9Y NBC News reported that 54% of Chinese Americans felt that the current relationship between the U.S. and China has had a “somewhat negative” impact on how those of Chinese descent are treated. Another 10% said the current environment had a “very negative” effect on the group. Only about 3% felt that current relations between the two countries had a positive impact on the community. Almost two-thirds think that such contentious relations can affect how other Americans treat them.“Rhetoric and language is impacting relationships with how strangers treat them, acquaintances even treat them, co-workers and colleagues,” said Nathan Chan , a co-author of the study and an assistant professor of political science at Loyola Marymount University. “This is really infiltrating into the lives of everyday Chinese Americans.” Professor Chan pointed to policies like the controversial Trump-era surveillance program the China Initiative and the former president’s language around economic espionage. The “rhetoric is not doing any good for a large swath of Chinese Americans that are then being scapegoated or held under a suspicious lens.” Jo-Ann Yoo , who heads New York City-based Asian American nonprofit Asian American Federation, said that too often, language used by media has been imprecise, leading to “sweeping generalizations” about the Chinese community. Yoo said the study’s results reflect discussions she has heard in the local community. Citing discussions around the land bans and the looming TikTok ban, which was signed into law earlier this year in an effort to combat Chinese influence, Yoo said those in the heavily immigrant community are unsure of their safety amid contentious relations.C100 partnered with NORC at the University of Chicago to reach a sample of 504 Chinese American adults for the survey. Gordon H. Chang , Professor, Stanford University; Daphne Kwok , Vice President, Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Asian American & Pacific Islander Audience Strategy at AARP; and Jeremy Wu , PhD, Founder and Co-Organizer, APA Justice, serve on the Advisory Committee.Read the NBC News report: https://nbcnews.to/4doBjG2 Additional media reports:2024/09/25 AsAmNews: Belonging and discrimination weigh on Chinese Americans 2024/09/25 Bloomberg: Chinese Americans Face Racism, Mental Health Risks Amid Tensions 2024/09/25 AP: The Latest: Candidates try to counter criticisms in dueling speeches Read the C100 press release: https://bit.ly/47EQCcs , executive summary: https://bit.ly/3TIxPHG , and infographics: https://bit.ly/3N0fRfV Dr. Min Wu Recognized with Top Faculty Honor The University of Maryland (UMD) has selected Min Wu 吴旻 , Professor and Associate Dean of Engineering, as 2024 Distinguished University Professor—the highest appointment bestowed on a tenured faculty member. The title is a recognition not just of excellence, but of impact and significant contributions to the nominee’s field, knowledge, profession, and/or practice.According to the UMD announcement, Dr. Wu holds appointments in UMD’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, as well as leads the UMD Media, Analytics, and Security Team (MAST). She is a Fellow of the IEEE, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and the National Academy of Inventors. Dr. Wu was elected to serve as president of the IEEE Signal Processing Society for 2024–2025, the first woman of color to be elected to this leadership role.Read the UMD announcement: https://bit.ly/4exf4in McCarthyism and the House Un-American Activities Committee According to Wikipedia, the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), was an investigative committee of the United States House of Representatives, created in 1938 to investigate alleged disloyalty and subversive activities on the part of private citizens, public employees, and those organizations suspected of having communist ties. It became a standing (permanent) committee in 1946, and from 1969 onwards it was known as the House Committee on Internal Security. When the House abolished the committee in 1975, its functions were transferred to the House Judiciary Committee.The committee's anti-communist investigations are often associated with McCarthyism, although Joseph McCarthy himself (as a U.S. Senator) had no direct involvement with the House committee. McCarthy was the chairman of the Government Operations Committee and its Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the U.S. Senate, not the House.In the wake of the downfall of McCarthy, the prestige of HUAC began a gradual decline in the late 1950s. By 1959, the committee was being denounced by former President Harry S. Truman as the "most un-American thing in the country today".HUAC hearings in August 1966 called to investigate anti-Vietnam War activities were disrupted by hundreds of protesters. The committee faced witnesses who were openly defiant.According to The Harvard Crimson :"In the fifties, the most effective sanction was terror. Almost any publicity from HUAC meant the 'blacklist'. Without a chance to clear his name, a witness would suddenly find himself without friends and without a job. But it is not easy to see how in 1969, a HUAC blacklist could terrorize an SDS activist. Witnesses like Jerry Rubin have openly boasted of their contempt for American institutions. A subpoena from HUAC would be unlikely to scandalize Abbie Hoffman or his friends." In an attempt to reinvent itself, HUAC was renamed the Internal Security Committee in 1969. On January 14, 1975, coinciding with the opening of the 94th Congress, the House Committee on Internal Security was officially disbanded. Its files and staff were subsequently transferred to the House Judiciary Committee on the same day. In July 1995, the National Archives and Records Administration published the Records of The House Un-American Activities Committee, 1945-1969, and The House Internal Security Committee, 1969-1976, which is available online at https://bit.ly/4gGw7Aq .Read Wikipedia on the House Un-American Committee: https://bit.ly/3N23NL1 News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events:2024/10/02 C100: Asian American Career Ceiling Initiative2024/10/06 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/10/07 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2024/10/08 Media Training for Election Season2024/10/10 China in the Heartland: Building a Balanced Approach2024/10/11 China and the World Forum2024/10/13 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/10/16 Rebuilding Trust in Science2024/10/20 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/10/25-27 Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the American Studies NetworkVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Delaware OKs Asian American Studies and new AAPI commission According to AsAmNews , Delaware Governor John Carney signed two bills into law on September 26, 2024, making his state the seventh in the nation to integrate Asian American and Pacific Islander history into k-12 schools along with all other American histories. The other establishes a statewide Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage and Culture. Read the AsAmNews report: https://bit.ly/3TOaF2t 3. 2024 National Overview of AANHPI According to a Fact Sheet based on Census Bureau data created by the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) in collaboration with AAPI Data, the Asian American population was estimated to be around 24.2 million, including one race alone or in combination of other races. The top five ethnic groups are Chinese, Asian Indian, Filipino, Vietnamese, and Korean. About 75% are native born or naturalized citizens. The top five most populous states are California, New York, Texas, New Jersey, and Washington. Read the WHIAAPINH Fact Sheet: https://bit.ly/3Nokq45 4. 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 Newsletters 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 September 30, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #84 State Of Insecurity Report; 09/13 Meeting Summary/Video; "China Initiative" Unraveling #84 State Of Insecurity Report; 09/13 Meeting Summary/Video; "China Initiative" Unraveling Back View PDF September 17, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #262 7/1 Monthly Meeting; Rice News/FBI Forum; Hearing on FL SB 846; Chinese Translation; + #262 7/1 Monthly Meeting; Rice News/FBI Forum; Hearing on FL SB 846; Chinese Translation; + In This Issue #262 · 2024/07/01 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · Rice News: FBI, AAPI Leaders Meet at Rice to Address Discrimination toward Asian American Academics · 2024/07/03 Hearing on Preliminary Injunction of Florida SB 846 · WSJ: Mandarin Leaves a Manhattan Courtroom Lost in Translation · News and Activities for the Communities 2024/07/01 APA Justice Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, July 1, 2024, starting at 1:55 pm ET.In addition to updates by Nisha Ramachandran , Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC); Joanna YangQing Derman , Director, Advancing Justice | AAJC; and Gisela Perez Kusakawa , Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), confirmed speakers are: · Neal Lane , Senior Fellow, Baker Institute for Public Policy, Rice University; Former Director of Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), The White House; Former Director, National Science Foundation · Kei Koizumi , Principal Deputy Director for Science, Society, and Policy, OSTP, The White House · Xiaoxing Xi , Laura H. Carnell Professor of Physics, Temple University, with invited comments by Kai Li , Paul M. Wythes and Marcia R. Wythes Professor in Computer Science, Princeton University; Vice Chair, Asian American Scholar Forum, and Gang Chen , Carl Richard Soderberg Professor of Power Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology · Karla Hagan , Senior Program Officer, Staff Director for National Science, Technology, and Security Roundtable, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) 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 . National Academies Roundtable Capstone Workshop The National Science, Technology, and Security Roundtable Capstone Workshop on July 16-17, 2024, will present information the Roundtable has gathered since its inception in 2020 through 13 gatherings in Washington, DC and across the U.S. Dr. Karla Hagan will provide additional details about the workshop during the APA Justice monthly meeting on July 1, 2024. Rice News : FBI, AAPI Leaders Meet at Rice to Address Discrimination toward Asian American Academics According to Rice News on June 18, 2024, the FBI leadership participated in a dialogue at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy to address the gaps between national science and technology policy and its implementation, focusing on concerns from the Asian American and academic communities.The event included representatives from Rice, the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, the Asian American Scholar Forum, the Texas Multicultural Advocacy Coalition, and the APA Justice Task Force. Key speakers included Jill Murphy from the FBI and Paul Cherukuri , Rice’s Chief Innovation Officer, who emphasized the importance of these discussions despite their challenges. The dialogue follows the 2022 termination of the DOJ's China Initiative, which faced criticism for potential bias against Asian American scientists. Issues of discrimination, border entry problems for Chinese researchers, and the need for better protection of research security were highlighted.There have been reports of border entry and exit issues for Chinese graduate students and academic researchers who are green card holders and even American citizens, said Tam Dao , assistant vice president for research security in Rice’s Office of Innovation and a former supervisory special agent overseeing the FBI’s counterintelligence task force.FBI leaders underscored their commitment to protecting all U.S. residents and fostering trust within the community. Panelists agreed on the importance of preventing the transfer of U.S. research to the Chinese government while ensuring a non-discriminatory environment for researchers. Community leaders Gisela Perez Kusakawa and Gordon Quan emphasized the need for continued progress to make the U.S. welcoming for global talent. “We’ve talked today about the implementation steps, the progress we can make. (This) could prove to be one of the most important events that ever occurred on campus, so I’m very appreciative for being a part of it,” said Neal Lane , senior fellow in science and technology policy at the Baker Institute and former director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.Read the Rice News report: https://bit.ly/3VLE2Ea . For a summary and a video of the forum, visit https://bit.ly/3wNL2Xi (1:55:24) 2024/07/03 Hearing on Preliminary Injunction of Florida SB 846 According to an update by the Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance (CALDA) 华美维权同盟 on June 21, 2024, CALDA has represented two Chinese students from Florida International University and a professor from the University of Florida since March 25 in filing a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The legal team filed a Motion for a Preliminary Injunction with the court on April 29. This rapid response strategy, similar to the approach to Florida's SB 264 alien land bill, aims to swiftly curb the ongoing impact of Florida SB 846 , which continues to harm more Chinese-background students, professors, and related academic personnel.The legal team asserts that SB 846 is unconstitutional for three main reasons: · Federal law supersedes state law regarding the work rights of international students, and Florida has no authority to impose additional restrictions · SB 846 clearly discriminates based on immigration status and nationality, failing to pass constitutional strict scrutiny · The bill’s key provisions are vague, violating due process A hearing on our motion for a preliminary injunction will be held: WHEN: July 3, 2024, 10:30 am ET WHERE: 6th floor, C. Clyde Atkins United States Courthouse, 301 N Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33128 Read the CALDA update: 阻击佛州歧视留学生法案，捍卫华人权益，SB 846最新进展 WSJ : Mandarin Leaves a Manhattan Courtroom Lost in Translation According to the Wall Street Journal on June 18, 2024, the trial of Guo Wengui shows how linguistic issues can trip up China-related cases. Nearly everyone in the lower Manhattan courtroom appears frustrated by a halting process that requires translation of Chinese-language videos, documents and witness testimony. It is one in a series of high-profile China-linked cases that are similarly getting lost in translation. Chinese-language evidence is piling up, unintelligible to attorneys. Translations are slow, and sometimes wrong. There is a limited pool of top-tier Mandarin court interpreters, and they can disagree on English translations. And for both sides in a trial, the work of interpreters provides ammunition for legal wrangling, from gamesmanship to courtroom objections and possible appeals.Introducing any foreign language to a legal case can add confusion to an already complex process. The challenges mount when it is a language like Mandarin that is unintelligible to 99% of people in the U.S.Chinese can be highly nuanced and the same word can have different meanings depending on the context. Quality translation services are limited, even in New York City, which has a sizable ethnic Chinese population. In legal circles, demand for Chinese skills is enormous.Such a challenge helped to torpedo a sensational China Initiative case against an ethnic Tibetan New York policeman, Baimadajie Angwang , charged with spying on behalf of Beijing in 2020. The allegation was built on dozens of intercepted phone calls between the officer and a Chinese consular official - and apparently misconstrued Mandarin colloquialisms. For instance, prosecutors considered the officer's use of a Mandarin word for "boss" as evidence that he was signaling subservience to the Chinese official, while the officer's defense attorney said the term was the defendant's way of expressing gratitude for help on a complex travel visa application. "The fact that it was in a foreign language created an opportunity to use inaccurate translation to fit their story," said the defense attorney, John F. Carman . The case against Officer Angwang was eventually dropped, but his employment was still terminated by the New York Police Department.Read the Wall Street Journal report: https://on.wsj.com/3VBArae NOTE : Chinese written language is in either Traditional or Simplified characters. Traditional characters have been in existence for more than 2,000 years and are used in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Simplified characters were introduced in the 1960s and are used in Mainland China. There is a substantial overlap between Simplified and Traditional Chinese characters, with an estimated 30-40% of the most commonly used characters being identical. Both evolve over time, including their colloquial usage in the Internet age.Mandarin originating from Beijing is the most widely spoken form of the Chinese language and serves as the official language of both the People's Republic of China and Taiwan. However, there are more than 300 regional and minority languages or dialects across the country. For example, Cantonese is predominantly spoken in Hong Kong and Guangdong Province while Shanghainese is spoken in Shanghai and neighboring areas. Science : Record Settlement over China Funding Puts U.S. Research Institutions on Notice According to Science on June 21, 2024, over the past 5 years, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has won only a handful of criminal cases in which it prosecuted scientists alleged to have defrauded the government by not disclosing research support they received from China. But last month DOJ sent a clear message that, despite that poor track record, research institutions will be held accountable for mistakes in monitoring outside support to their faculty.A May 17 settlement with the Cleveland Clinic Foundation (CCF) requires the medical colossus to pay the government $7.6 million to resolve allegations it mismanaged three grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In addition to the fine, the settlement requires a top CCF administrator “to personally attest” to the accuracy of all information it submits to NIH. “That is a very meaningful sanction or burden on an institution,” says attorney Michael Vernick of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, who has represented research institutions in similar settlements but was not involved in the CCF case.CCF itself was not the government’s initial target. In 2018, NIH began to investigate CCF cardiovascular geneticist Qing Wang after getting an FBI list of some 3000 scientists the agency believed had received funding through one of the many Chinese programs aimed at attracting world-class scientists, many of Chinese ancestry. In January 2019, NIH asked CCF to investigate those allegations and report back. In April 2020, CCF sent NIH a 17-page summary of its findings. Within days NIH suspended Wang’s $2.8 million grant and CCF terminated his employment. He was arrested on May 13, 2020, charged with making false claims in connection with the grant under the China Initiative. However, in July 2021 DOJ abruptly dropped its effort to prosecute him without explaining its decision. Wang, who grew up in China but trained in the United States and became a U.S. citizen in 2005, has restarted his research career at China’s Huazhong University of Science and Technology.To Wang’s lawyer, Peter Zeidenberg , the reason the government threw in the towel is clear: His client had followed the rules and voluntarily disclosed his Chinese support. “He told them everything—both NIH and CCF,” says Zeidenberg, a partner with ArentFox Schiff LLP. The CCF settlement, he adds, simply confirms Wang’s innocence.The CCF settlement eclipses two earlier civil settlements involving alleged nondisclosures between the government and the Van Andel Institute. In those 2019 and 2021 cases, totaling $6.6 million, the scientists involved in the grants were never criminally charged with any wrongdoing. Read the Science report: https://bit.ly/3XzJRpE News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2024/06/27-30 UCA: 2024 Chinese American Convention2024/07/01 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2024/07/01 President's Advisory Commission Public Meeting - Livestreaming2024/07/02 President's Advisory Commission Public Meeting - In Person2024/07/03 Hearing on Preliminary Injunction on Florida SB 846Visit https://bit.ly/45KGyga for event details. 2. Hate Crime Conviction in Texas According to NBC News and WFAA-TV on June 18, 2024, a woman in Plano, Texas, has been convicted on charges of hate crime in connection to a 2022 incident in which several Asian American women were physically and verbally attacked. Esmeralda Upton , 59, was convicted of three misdemeanor assault charges and one misdemeanor charge of terroristic threat. Each of the charges includes a state hate crime enhancement, alleging that Upton chose the victims based on her bias and prejudice against their race and national origin. It comes after Upton was accused of attacking four South Asian women outside a restaurant two years ago. During the altercation, she made racist comments, attempted to hit the women, told them to “go back to India,” video of the incident showed. Upton, who pleaded guilty to the four charges, was sentenced to two years of community supervision probation and 40 days confinement in the Collin County Jail for each of the cases, served concurrently. There is still a pending civil suit against Upton, filed by the victims. Read the NBC News report: https://nbcnews.to/3KY7Hn6 . Read and watch the report by WFAA-TV : https://bit.ly/4bf8qeH (video 0:44) Back View PDF June 24, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #169 03/06 Meeting; "China Initiative"; Texas SB 147+; Racist Attacks; AA Leadership; News #169 03/06 Meeting; "China Initiative"; Texas SB 147+; Racist Attacks; AA Leadership; News In This Issue #169 2023/03/06 APA Justice Monthly Meeting One Year After the End of the "China Initiative" Updates on Texas Senate Bill 147 and Opposition to Revival of Alien Land Laws Racist and McCarthyist Attacks on Rep. Judy Chu and Dominic Ng Condemned Building a Sustainable Platform and Pipeline for AAPI Leadership in Higher Education Asian American Community News and Activities 2023/03/06 APA Justice Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held on Monday, March 6, 2023. Confirmed speakers include: Nisha Ramachandran , Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), to provide updates on the latest developments and activities of CAPAC John Yang 杨重远 , President and Executive Director, Advancing Justice | AAJC to provide updates on the Anti-Profiling, Civil Rights & National Security Program and related Activities Gisela Kusakawa , Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum, to provide updates on AASF activities Peter Toren , Attorney and Member of Sherry Chen Legal Team, to be recognized and share his reflections on the Sherry Chen case Steven Pei 白先慎 , Co-organizer, APA Justice, to provide updates on Texas Senate bills, webinars, and opposition to discriminatory land laws Grace Meng 孟昭文 , Member, U.S. Congress and Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, to remark on the latest developments and legislation for the Asian American community Baimadajie Angwang 昂旺 , New York Police Department, and John Carman , Attorney, to share Angwang's story of injustice as another victim of racial profiling under the "China Initiative" The virtual monthly meeting is by invitation only. If you wish to join, either one time or for future meetings, please contact one of the co-organizers of APA Justice - Steven Pei 白先慎 , Vincent Wang 王文奎 , and Jeremy Wu 胡善庆 - or send a message to contact@apajustice.org . Read past monthly meeting summaries here: https://bit.ly/3kxkqxP . One Year After the End of the "China Initiative" 1. Baimadajie Angwang 昂旺. One year has passed since the end of the "China Initiative," but the damages inflicted on impacted innocent persons continue. Hear the story of a New York police officer, an Afghanistan veteran, and an Army reservist, who became yet another victim of the "China Initiative." His case was finally dismissed in January 2023. After an ordeal of two and a half years, he has yet to return to the New York Police Department. What does he want the public to know and learn from his experience? Where does he go from here? Angwang will tell his story with his attorney John Carman in the March 6, 2023, APA Justice monthly meeting. Read more about Angwang's story at https://bit.ly/3RIqXId 2. Nature Report. According to the Nature report on February 24, 2023, anti-Asian scrutiny has only intensified since the controversial "China Initiative" ended one year ago. Scientists of Chinese heritage say that they are still being targeted unfairly and fear for their safety.¶ While the "China Initiative" was active, more than 150 people were criminally charged for actions such as failing to disclose funding or partnerships with institutions in China.¶ Nearly 90% of them were of Chinese heritage. Many of the charges brought by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) after the initiative’s launch in 2018 were eventually dropped or dismissed, and some prosecutions ended in acquittal.¶ The climate of fear and anxiety hasn’t gone away — researchers are just being pressured in a new way, says Jenny Lee. ¶ Since the initiative’s official shutdown, the US government has adopted various anti-China policies. And although the DOJ is pursuing fewer criminal charges, it says that it will work increasingly with federal agencies to investigate researchers and issue civil and administrative penalties for noncompliance. Universities are also taking a more active role in assisting investigations and pursuing potential wrongdoing, sources tell Nature .¶ “I’m sorry to say that it has only intensified,” says MIT professor Gang Chen 陈刚 , He and others who have had their lives upended by the initiative have been speaking out about the damage that it has done.¶ According to the San Diego Union-Tribune in December 2022, Xiang-Dong Fu , a molecular biologist at the University of California, San Diego, was forced to quit his position after the university accused him of hiding ties to China.¶ According to Toby Smith , US institutions acknowledge the considerable research contributions from these scientists. Universities are working to ensure that all faculty members are disclosing information properly. But he calls on US funding agencies to provide greater clarity for universities on what counts as an offense and what are appropriate and fair sanctions.¶ The end of the "China Initiative" gave the illusion that researchers of Chinese heritage would be targeted less, Jenny Lee says, but “the chilling effect” is “still very much at play.”¶ Researchers unjustly accused under the "China Initiative" and now rebuilding their lives and careers are emblematic of this situation. Scrutiny of researchers of Chinese heritage had begun years earlier than the launch of the "China Initiative." Xiaoxing Xi 郗小星 was accused of passing information to scientists in China about restricted technology in 2015. The DOJ eventually dropped the charges. “I am afraid of doing any research,” he says. “We always live in fear.”¶ Anming Hu 胡安明 , a nanotechnology researcher at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, who was indicted for hiding ties with China in 2020 and put under house arrest for more than a year before being acquitted, is also trying to get his research back on track. He has spent the past year rebuilding his lab, but has had trouble securing any funding.¶ Read the Nature report: https://go.nature.com/3kveefx Updates on Texas Senate Bill 147 and Opposition to Revival of Alien Land Laws 1. Second Webinar: Historical Re-Hash - Alien Land Law and SB147 WHAT: Webinar titled "Historical Re-Hash - Alien Land Laws and SB147" WHEN: Friday, March 1, 2023, starting at 6:30 pm ET/3:30 pm PT WHO: Moderator: Janelle Wong, Professor of American Studies, University of Maryland Panelists: Gene Wu 吳元之, Attorney and Texas State Representative Madeline Hsu, Professor of History and Asian American Studies, University of Texas at Austin Carol Suzuki, Professor of Law, School of Law, University of New Mexico at Albuquerque Opening Remarks: Ted Gong , Executive Director of the 1882 FoundationRegister for this webinar at http://bit.ly/3Id2uGp 2. Joint Statement in Opposition to Texas SB 147. On February 17, 2023, the Asian American Bar Association of Houston (AABA Houston), the Austin Asian American Bar Association (Austin AABA), the Dallas Asian American Bar Association (DAABA), and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) issued a joint statement to strongly oppose the provisions of Texas Senate Bill 147 that prohibit individuals from owning land, buying homes, or establishing businesses in Texas based on their family's country of migration.¶ Read the joint statement: https://bit.ly/3EG7YZl 3 . SB 147 Panel: A Reprisal of Alien Land Laws? On March 2, 2023, the American Constitution Society (ACS) will host an event to discuss proposed Texas Senate Bill 147. Panelists will discuss the Federal and State constitutionality of the proposed bill, its mirroring of bigoted Alien Land Laws that banned Asian immigrants from owning property and establishing businesses, and the overall policy implications of this bill on our immigrant communities. The event is co-sponsored with: ACS DFW Lawyer Chapter, NAPABA, DAABA, AABA Houston, SMU APALSA, SMU ACS, SMU FedSoc. WHEN: Thursday, March 2, 2023, 12:30pm CT WHERE: Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law | Karcher Auditorium, 3315 Daniel Ave, Dallas, Texas 75205 WHO: Panelists: Rep. Salman Bhojani , Texas State Representative District 92 Rep. Gene Wu 吳元之, Texas State Representative District 137 Leo Yu , Clinical Professor of Legal Research, Writing, and Advocacy and ACS Faculty Advisor, SMU Dedman School of Law Moderator: Kristine Cruz , Associate, Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP; Co-Chair, ACS Dallas-Ft. Worth Lawyer Chapter; President-Elect, Dallas Asian American Bar AssociationRegister for the hybrid in-person and Zoom event at: http://bit.ly/3Z28id0 4. Media Reports MSNBC . According to a MSNBC report on February 25, 2023, a bill introduced in December 2022 is picking up steam in the Texas Senate. SB 147 would make it illegal for Chinese citizens to buy any property in the state of Texas, including home purchases. Ling Luo 罗玲 , founder and chair of the Asian Americans Leadership Council, stops by "The Katie Phang Show" to discuss the bill. Watch the MSNBC video: https://on.msnbc.com/3SvK9Jo (4:42) San Francisco Standard . According to a report by the San Francisco Standard on February 23, 2023, Nick Gee, a staff member of Chinese for Affirmative Action, flew from San Francisco to his hometown of Houston to join the local protests against Texas SB 147.¶ Texas SB 147 has sent a shock wave through Chinese American communities nationwide, sparking new debate on the anti-China rhetoric, anti-Chinese racism in politics and the “perpetual foreigner” stereotype. In response, a coalition of Chinese Americans from across the country are banding together to voice their opposition.¶ Peter Kuo , the vice chairman of the California Republican Party, said he was disheartened by the proposed bill. “It actually harnesses a lot of negative energies or negative prejudice against the Chinese Americans who are already here,” said Kuo. He said the bill’s language would increase anti-Asian sentiment and turn Asians into scapegoats. Read the San Francisco Standard report: http://bit.ly/3KAcVXs Washington Post. According to a report by Washington Post on February 22, 2023, a growing number of state legislators and members of Congress are offering a master class in how not to confront China by supporting indiscriminate crackdowns on Chinese citizens and companies seeking to purchase U.S. land.¶ Bills like SB 147 evoke a long and painful history. In the past, the desire to ensure U.S. national security has often been expressed in ways that excused or justified hatred against Asians. In turn, racist anxieties about people of Asian descent have played a key role in shaping the development of national security policy.¶ Revisiting the long history of anti-Asian behavior in the United States makes clear the inherent dangers of today’s assaults. Read the Washington Post article: https://wapo.st/3Z3ZpzI Racist and McCarthyist Attacks on Rep. Judy Chu and Dominic Ng Condemned 1. Mediaite.com . According to a report by Mediaite.com on February 24, 2023, top House Democrats slammed Rep. Lance Gooden (R-TX) over the Republican’s comments on Fox News earlier in the week in which he said he questions Rep. Judy Chu’s 赵美心 ( D-CA) “loyalty or competence.”¶ Gooden made the remarks in response to Fox News host Jesse Watters asking if he believed “Congresswoman Chu should be looked into?”¶ House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) also released a statement lambasting Gooden. “Lance Gooden’s slanderous accusation of disloyalty against Rep. Chu is dangerous, unconscionable and xenophobic.”¶ Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA), head of the House Democrats’ campaign arm, also released a statement: "At a time when anti-Asian hate continues to threaten communities, it’s critical that we condemn these racist and xenophobic attacks immediately and hold our fellow colleagues accountable to rid our politics of such dangerous statements and hatred." Read the Mediaite.com report: http://bit.ly/3ZnnfpN 2 . Congressional Black Caucus. On February 24, 2023, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) issued the following statement: "Last night, Rep. Lance Gordon appeared on Fox News and questioned the loyalty of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chairwoman Rep. Judy Chu 赵美心 , indicating that she should be stripped of her security clearance simply because of her Chinese ethnicity. To be clear, a person's ethnicity is not indicative of their trustworthiness or loyalty to this country and to suggest otherwise is inflammatory as a nation of immigrants. The CBC stands with CAPAC in denouncing Rep. Gooden's racist and xenophobic remarks, and we urge Republican House leadership to follow suit and take action." 3. United Chinese Americans (UCA). On February 26, 2023, UCA issued a statement. "United Chinese Americans (UCA) strongly condemns the recent racist and offensive remarks made by Texas Representative Lance Gooden against Representative Judy Chu 赵美心 , Chairwoman of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, and a highly respected leader in Chinese American and AAPI communities. His baseless comments questioning Representative Chu's loyalty to the United States are McCarthyist, racist, and shameful."¶ "It is no less disturbing and shameful to accuse Dominic Ng 吴建民 , a highly respected Chinese American business and community leader, and President Biden’s pick to represent the United States on the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in 2023, of treason to America, based on flimsy and unsubstantiated evidence." Read the UCA statement: https://bit.ly/3kBl0An 4 . AP News Report. According to an AP News report on February 26, 2023, the leaders of a new House select committee on China defended Democratic Rep. Judy Chu 赵美心 , saying it was abhorrent and unacceptable for a GOP lawmaker to question her loyalty to the United States based on her Chinese heritage.¶ “One of my colleagues, unfortunately, attacked Judy Chu, the first Chinese American congresswoman in the United States Congress, saying that somehow she’s not loyal to the United States. I find that offensive as an Asian American myself,” said Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi , the ranking Democrat on the panel, about the comments last week from Rep. Lance Gooden .¶ Wisconsin Rep. Mike Gallagher , the Republican chair of the China panel who appeared with Krishnamoorthi on CBS ’ “Face the Nation,” said Gooden was out of line. “We should not question anybody’s loyalty to the United States,” Gallagher said. “That is out of bounds. It’s beyond the pale.” Gallagher said his bipartisan committee, which is officially called the “Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party” was named as such “to constantly make that distinction between the party and the people.” “We must constantly be aware of going overboard as we try and win this competition with China,” he said. Read the AP News report: http://bit.ly/3IwLhI5 More Media Reports Politico. According to a Politico report on February 26, 2023, “One of my colleagues, unfortunately, attacked Judy Chu 赵美心 , the first Chinese American Congresswoman in the United States Congress, saying that somehow she’s not loyal to the United States. I find that offensive as an Asian American myself,” Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi said of criticism last week of the California Democrat by Rep. Lance Gooden .¶ Joining Krishnamoorthi on CBS ’ “Face the Nation,” Rep. Mike Gallagher agreed with him: “We should not question anybody’s loyalty to the United States. I think that is out of bounds.” “Absolutely, we shouldn’t question anybody’s loyalty,” Gallagher added.¶ Host Margaret Brennan asked Gallagher how the American people can be sure the panel doesn’t end up as being seen as persecuting people, as in the 1950s loyalty hearings led by Sen. Joseph McCarthy (R-Wis.).¶ “Joseph McCarthy’s from my district, he’s buried in my district; we need not exhume his body and reanimate it,” Gallagher said, adding: “We must constantly be aware of going overboard as we try and win this competition with China.”¶ Read the Politico report: https://politi.co/3KBOxVn 2023/02/27 CBS News. "House China panel leaders denounce heritage-based attack on Rep. Judy Chu." https://cbsn.ws/3SEe4iz 2023/02/27 Salon. House Democrats rip MAGA Republican for 'blatantly racist' attack on Rep. Judy Chu." http://bit.ly/3Zvv9xz 2023/02/27 NBC News. " House China panel leaders defend Rep. Judy Chu after Texas Republican's attack." https://bit.ly/3xWLqjd 2023/02/25 Los Angeles Times. "GOP congressman questions her ‘loyalty.’ Rep. Judy Chu, House Democrats blast ‘racist’ rhetoric:" https://lat.ms/3ktyMVV . 2023/02/25 Business Insider. "Democratic Rep. Judy Chu, the first Chinese American woman elected to Congress, blasts a Texas GOP congressman after he questioned her loyalty to the US: 'It is racist'." http://bit.ly/3xXleoA 2023/02/25 Vanity Fair. "Democrats Denounce Rep. Lance Gooden for Questioning The 'Loyalty' of Rep. Judy Chu Following Rumors of Ties to China's Communist Party." http://bit.ly/41uG1xr 2023/02/24 The Hill. "Democrats erupt with fury after Republican questions ‘loyalty’ of Rep. Chu." http://bit.ly/3Y4rYvx 2023/02/24 Washington Post. "Democrats defend Rep. Chu against ‘xenophobic’ accusations of disloyalty to U.S." https://wapo.st/3Z6miCs . Building a Sustainable Platform and Pipeline for AAPI Leadership in Higher Education Register for this workshop webinar: http://bit.ly/3xPv6Rj Chang-Lin Tien Leadership in Education Award. Know an academically accomplished AAPI leader in Higher Education? Nominate them to the Asian Pacific Fund for the 2023 Chang-Lin Tien Leadership in Education Award! Deadline MARCH 3, 2023. For eligibility criteria and more information, go to: https://bit.ly/TienAward Asian American and Scientific Community News and Activities 1. Workshop on Asian American Trailblazers in Civil Rights. On Wednesday, March 22, 2023, the 1990 Institute and the Alice Fong Yu Alternative School invite middle and high school teachers to learn more about the Asian Americans who fought for civil rights that benefited all who call America home. By 2025, a majority of states will have requirements in place for Asian American and Pacific Islander studies be taught in school. This multifaceted event will highlight Asian American pioneers and the pivotal court cases that have changed the landscape of U.S. civil rights, including the U.S. Supreme Court decision in United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898) that established the constitutional guarantee of birthright citizenship. The 125th anniversary of this landmark case is on March 28, 2023. Register for the event: http://bit.ly/3ZpBLgN 2. MIT Technology Review. According to a report by MIT Technology Review on February 20, 2023, Citizen, a hyperlocal app that allows users to report and follow notifications of nearby crimes, is trying to remake itself by recruiting elderly Asians.¶ Read the MIT Technology Review Report: http://bit.ly/3xVWmgZ 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 February 28, 2023 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #365 12/1 Meeting; CACA President Kin Hui; Will Kim; Statistician Uproar; AI Talent/Prize + #365 12/1 Meeting; CACA President Kin Hui; Will Kim; Statistician Uproar; AI Talent/Prize + In This Issue #365 · 2025/12/01 APA Justice Monthly Meeting | Giving Tuesday · Kin Yan Hui Elected National President of C.A.C.A. · Texas A&M Doctoral Student Will Kim Released from ICE · Uproar at Republican Push for Voluntary Census and Surveys · AI Race for Talent | Chen Institute and Science Prize · News and Activities for the Communities 2025/12/01 APA Justice Monthly Meeting | Giving Tuesday The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held on Monday, December 1, 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: · Kin Yan Hui , National President, Chinese American Citizens Alliance · Patrick Toomey , Deputy Director, National Security Project, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) · Edgar Chen , Special Advisor, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) 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 . ***** Giving Tuesday - Consider APA Justice APA Justice has been advancing fairness, equity, and belonging for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders for the past 10 years. We identify emerging issues through coalition work, community engagement, and data insights. We educate policymakers and allies through media collaboration, an online resource hub, and regular briefings. And we mobilize communities to advocate for practical solutions and stronger civic participation.Your support strengthens civil rights protections, elevates AAPI voices, and helps build a more inclusive America. Now, as a powered by the Committee of 100 initiative, APA Justice invites you to make a tax-deductible contribution to sustain this work at: https://bit.ly/Donate2APAJustice . Kin Yan Hui Elected National President of C.A.C.A. The Chinese American Citizens Alliance (C.A.C.A.), founded in 1895 during the era of the Chinese Exclusion Act, is one of the nation’s oldest and most enduring civil rights organizations dedicated to protecting the rights, heritage, and dignity of Chinese Americans. With lodges across the country, C.A.C.A. promotes civic participation, youth development, community service, and advocacy against discrimination. For more than a century, it has played a vital role in elevating Chinese American voices and strengthening the broader Asian American community. This year, C.A.C.A. elected Kin Yan Hui as its National President. A longtime member and leader within the organization, Hui previously served as National Executive Vice President, National Vice President for Membership, and Past President of the San Antonio Lodge. He brings to the role deep experience in nonprofit governance, community engagement, and public service. Kin’s background includes more than 35 years as a civil servant with the U.S. Air Force, concluding his career as Chief Engineer for four Cyber Weapon Systems. In San Antonio, he continues to serve his community as the District 6 Zoning Commissioner and as a member of the Bexar County Civil Service Commission. Kin has accepted our invitation to speak at the next APA Justice monthly meeting on Monday, December 1, 2025. Texas A&M Doctoral Student Will Kim Released from ICE On November 15, 2025, Tae Heung “Will” Kim was released from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Raymondville, TX, near the Mexican border. Will has lived in the United States for 35 years, since he was five, and is a green-card holder pursuing his doctorate degree at Texas A&M University, where he is researching a vaccine for Lyme disease. When returning from a two-week trip to South Korea for his younger brother’s wedding, Will was detained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at San Francisco International Airport on July 21. He was held in the airport’s “secondary inspection” rooms and slept in chairs with the lights on 24/7. Aside from a brief phone call, the only communication Will’s family had with him came through what they believe were secondhand text messages. Will was transferred from the airport to Florence, Arizona, under ICE custody around July 29, then to Raymondville, Texas, until his release. Will was charged in 2011 with misdemeanor marijuana possession and completed community service. He later petitioned to have the case sealed from the public record. According to the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC), Will’s removal proceedings were terminated in October after prosecutors “failed to produce required court-ordered documents.” The case was ultimately dropped when the Department of Homeland Security did not appeal the termination. Will’s case has drawn national attention not only from immigrant rights and civil rights advocates but also from academic and human rights communities, including the Committee on Human Rights of the National Academies, because it highlights concerns about the lack of due process and the detention of legal permanent residents for old, minor offenses. The Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) called on immigration authorities shortly after Will’s detention to immediately provide due process, ensure his access to legal representation, and clarify the basis for his detention. The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) also issued a statement before Will’s release, noting that “critics argue his detention reflects a due-process problem: long-time legal residents being held without clear justification or access to a lawyer.” “Collective action is powerful. Across the nation, people spoke up and took action for Will. He and his family have expressed shock and appreciation at the public’s outspoken support,” NAKASEC said in a statement. · 2025/11/17 AsAmNews: U.S. permanent resident released from ICE custody · 2025/11/16 Houston Chronicle: Texas A&M doctoral student, green card holder released after months in immigration detention · 2025/09/17 Battalion: ‘No person should have had to go through what Will went through’: Aggie researcher detained by ICE · 2025/08/26 The EDU Ledger: Texas A&M Doctoral Student Remains in ICE Detention as Immigration Crackdown Spreads Fear Across Campuses Uproar at Republican Push for Voluntary Census and Surveys According to Science and WebProNews , Republican lawmakers are advancing multiple bills that would make participation in key U.S. Census Bureau surveys voluntary, triggering strong warnings from statisticians and data users who say the proposals would severely undermine the accuracy and reliability of the nation’s most important demographic datasets.Representative Greg Steube (R–FL), despite promoting American Community Survey (ACS) data on his own website, has introduced the Freedom from Government Surveys Act to eliminate penalties for nonresponse—effectively making the ACS optional. Senator James Risch (R–ID) and Senator Mike Lee (R–UT) have introduced companion measures in the Senate, while a pending House spending bill goes even further by making both the ACS and the decennial census voluntary and restricting the Census Bureau to a single follow-up outreach attempt.Supporters say they are protecting constituents from intrusive questions and government overreach. But demographers, statisticians, and former Census officials warn the legislation would devastate the agency’s ability to produce accurate, representative data used to guide over $1.5 trillion in federal funding and inform everything from infrastructure planning and school construction to business expansion and disaster response. One former Census official said a voluntary, limited-contact ACS “becomes almost a poll rather than an actual survey.”Evidence from past research backs these concerns. When the Census Bureau tested voluntary ACS participation before its 2005 launch, the results were so unrepresentative that nearly two-thirds of the population—208 million people—would have had unreliable data. Canada’s 2011 shift to a voluntary census similarly produced massive data gaps, forcing the government to reinstate a mandatory version in 2016.Further proposals target statistical privacy tools. A bill from Representative Andrew Clyde (R–GA) would eliminate differential privacy—used to protect respondent identity—despite experts warning that removing it would expose personal information in public datasets.The push comes amid broader political pressure on federal statistical agencies, with critics noting continued attempts to add a citizenship question, accelerate census timelines, or limit follow-up efforts—all moves that would disproportionately undercount immigrants, young people, rural residents, and lower-income households. Such shifts could reshape congressional representation and shift political power. Advocacy groups—including the American Statistical Association, the Census Project, and numerous former Census officials—are mobilizing to warn Congress that voluntary surveys would increase costs, reduce quality, and jeopardize data essential for evidence-based policymaking. Dr. Mark Calabria , newly appointed Chief U.S. Statistician at the White House noted that many lawmakers underestimate the value of federal data until it disappears.The fate of the proposals will unfold as Congress debates the 2026 spending bill, but experts are clear: “The only reliable data source,” one former Statistics Canada leader stressed, “is a mandatory survey, done properly.” AI Race for Talent | Chen Institute and Science Prize According to the New York Times on November 19, 2025, Chinese-born researchers play a central role in U.S. artificial intelligence development, even as political rhetoric increasingly casts China as a strategic rival. When Mark Zuckerberg announced Meta’s new Superintelligence Lab, all 11 researchers he highlighted were immigrants educated abroad, including seven born in China. Two major studies—the Paulson Institute’s earlier analysis and a new Carnegie Endowment report—show that Chinese-origin researchers consistently make up a significant share of the world’s top AI talent, and the overwhelming majority of those already working in the U.S. have remained at American universities and companies despite tightening immigration rules and rising anti-China sentiment. Despite geopolitical tensions, collaboration between the U.S. and China in AI research remains extensive. A study by alphaXiv shows that since 2018, U.S.-China joint AI publications occur more frequently than collaborations between any other pair of countries. Major technology companies—including Meta, Microsoft, Apple, Google, Intel, and Salesforce—continue to publish widely cited papers with Chinese institutions. Meta alone received roughly 6,300 H-1B visa approvals this year, second only to Amazon, and insiders even joke that Mandarin is nearly as essential as coding languages inside Meta’s AI teams. While concerns about espionage and data theft persist, experts argue that restricting Chinese talent would damage U.S. competitiveness far more than it would enhance security. Analysts warn that expanded Trump-era crackdowns on Chinese researchers could erode America’s global AI lead, especially as China builds its own world-class research ecosystem. Some Chinese scientists report increasing obstacles, including visa difficulties and fears of not being readmitted after travel. The tense climate has begun to affect workplaces as well, illustrated by a recent case in which an Anthropic researcher left the company after disagreeing with its public framing of China as a security threat. ***** The Chen Institute and Science Magazine launched the "Chen Institute and Science Prize for AI Accelerated Research" in August 2024. This initiative aims to drive advancements in artificial intelligence that can expand scientific research. Young scientists from around the world are invited to submit AI-driven projects that demonstrate significant potential to improve research and lives. The competition will award a Grand Prize of $30,000, with the winner's essay published in Science and an accompanying five-year AAAS membership. Additionally, up to two runners-up will receive $10,000 each, with their essays published on Science Online and the same membership benefits, promoting sustained engagement with scientific progress. Visit and apply at https://bit.ly/3WTQq4K . The deadline is December 13, 2025. News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/11/25 Committee of 100 Conversations – “Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes” with Elaine Chao2025/12/01 Cook County Circuit Court Hearing - Estate of Jane Wu v Northwestern University2025/12/01 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/12/02 Serica Storytellers: The Presidents | David Wu & Frank Wu2025/12/08 Conversations, Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes: Alice YoungVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Serica Storytellers: The Presidents | David Wu & Frank Wu WHAT : Serica Storytellers: The Presidents | David Wu & Frank Wu WHEN : December 2, 2025, 6:30 - 8:00 pm ET WHERE : In-Person: Graduate School of Journalism, City University of New York (CUNY), 219 W 40th St 3rd floor, New York, NY 10018 HOST : Serica Initiative Co-Presenters : Asian American / Asian Research Institute, CUNY; Asian American Studies Program at Hunter College, CUNY Moderator : Joan Kaufman , Senior Director for Academic Programs for the Schwarzman Scholars Program Panelists : · David Wu , President, Baruch College, CUNY · Frank Wu , President, Queens College, CUNY DESCRIPTION : As federal visa policies evolve, international students at CUNY campuses face growing uncertainty. This timely conversation explores how student visa revocations are reshaping New York’s educational landscape. The panel delves into how immigration policy shifts ripple across classrooms, immigrant communities, and the city’s public higher education system — and how institutions can better advocate for and support affected students. REGISTRATION : https://bit.ly/47RWYHn # # # APA Justice Task Force is a non-partisan platform to build a sustainable ecosystem that addresses racial profiling concerns and to facilitate, inform, and advocate on selected issues related to justice and fairness for the Asian Pacific American community. For more information, please refer to the new APA Justice website under development at www.apajusticetaskforce.org . We value your feedback. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org . Back View PDF November 24, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #326 Xiaofeng Wang; Dean Chemerinsky; F1 Students; TX HB17; NAPABA/AALDEF; Litigations; + #326 Xiaofeng Wang; Dean Chemerinsky; F1 Students; TX HB17; NAPABA/AALDEF; Litigations; + In This Issue #326 · Urgent : Professor Xiaofeng Wang's Wife to Speak at Town Hall/Sign-On Letter · Dean Erwin Chemerinsky Remarks at APA Justice Monthly Meeting · Lawsuits Filed for F1 Visa Students · Update on Texas Alien Land Bill HB17 · NAPABA and AADELF Filed Amicus Briefs on Birthright Citizenship · Latest on Litigations Against Trump's Executive Actions · News and Activities for the Communities Urgent : Professor Xiaofeng Wang's Wife to Speak at Town Hall/Sign-On Letter On April 11, 2025, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) announced that Nianli Ma , wife of Professor Xiaofeng Wang 王晓峰 , will join the virtual State of Play Town Hall to share the challenges that her family is facing. Register to attend the Town Hall: https://bit.ly/4jaA40N . Indiana University (IU) terminated Professor Wang's tenured position as Associate Dean for Research; James H. Rudy Professor of Computer Science, Engineering and Informatics; Director of Center for Security and Privacy in Informatics, Computing, and Engineering; and Director of Secure Computing on March 28. His wife's employement as IU Libraries analytst was also terminated on March 24.AASF has prepared a letter to Rahul Shrivastav , Provost of Indiana University: https://bit.ly/4jmKKJI . Concerned organizations and inidviduals are requested to sign on to the letter by 8 pm ET on Monday, April 14, 2025: https://bit.ly/3EqluTS .The AASF announcement states in part, "In this letter, we raise our concerns about whether this termination occurred without adherence to the University’s due process policies, including the requirement for notice and a hearing before the Faculty Board of Review, under University Policy ACA-52 . We request the reinstatement of Professor Wang and for IU to grant him his due process rights and the opportunity to defend himself."Moreover, we provide this letter to offer additional context from the Asian American and broader scholar, scientific, and research community. Professor Wang’s case has implications for the broader research community. There is a concern that scholars could receive backlash from their universities for activities that are not their own (i.e., getting in trouble for a grant that is not your own or a project you had no awareness of), and a question on whether scholars will be scapegoated and stripped of due process by universities for administrative errors and mistakes on paperwork as opposed to working together to fix any administrative errors. Oftentimes, scholars are not even making any intentional mistakes as those who are considered collaborators may not always be clearly defined. The criminalization of administrative matters and the scapegoating of individual academics will lead to a chilling environment for the research community and deter international collaborations that are so vital to our country’s competitiveness and prosperity."As concerns increase about the potential return of the DOJ’s China Initiative, we must make a stand as a community and ensure that the principles of due process and fairness are upheld."APA Justice is tracking Professor Wang's case at: https://bit.ly/42tbPVR Dean Erwin Chemerinsky Remarks at APA Justice Monthly Meeting Erwin Chemerinsky is Dean and Jesse H. Choper Distinguished Professor of Law at University of California Berkeley Law School. He is a renowned constitutional scholar and a leading expert on civil rights, free speech, and the judiciary. In the first months of the Trump administration, he has been a vocal advocate for the rule of law. Dean Chemerinsky spoke at the APA Justice monthly meeting on April 7, 2025. · 2025/04/05 CNN: Law school dean on Trump's executive orders: 'This is just about retribution' · 2025/04/03 Washington Post Opinion: Trump is targeting law firms and academia. Why don’t they speak up? · 2025/03/14 AP News: Trump demands unprecedented control at Columbia, alarming scholars and speech groups · 2025/03/07 New York Times Opinion: The One Question That Really Matters: If Trump Defies the Courts, Then What? Dean Chemerinsky expressed deep concern about the future of American democracy, stating that if the country were to slide into authoritarianism, this is what it would look like. He emphasizes that his fears are nonpartisan and not about specific policies like tariffs or foreign affairs, but rather about blatant violations of the Constitution and rule of law. He believes the current administration has shown unprecedented lawlessness within its first 75 days, more than any administration before, and signals the urgency of collective action in response. Dean Chemerinsky covered six major topics: 1. Putting people in prison without any due process . Dean Chemerinsky describes a troubling case in which the Trump administration transferred over 200 Venezuelans—and mistakenly, a lawful Salvadoran resident named Kilmar Garcia —to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador without due process. Judge Patricia Millett criticized the action as lacking even "a gossamer of due process." The administration argues that no U.S. court has authority to review or intervene when individuals are detained in foreign countries. Although a U.S. District Court ordered Garcia's return, the Justice Department contends that only a writ of habeas corpus applies—something U.S. courts cannot issue for those held abroad. Dean Chemerinsky warns this stance could allow the government to detain anyone, even critics, outside the U.S. with no legal recourse, raising serious constitutional concerns. The Supreme Court was going to rule on an emergency motion to return Garcia to the U.S. 2. Elimination of Federal agencies and cutoff of Federal funds . Dean Chemerinsky criticizes the Trump administration for unilaterally abolishing federal agencies like USAID, the Department of Education, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau without Congressional approval, which he says is illegal since only Congress can do so via statute. He also highlights that the administration is unlawfully refusing to spend funds appropriated by Congress, despite having no authority to do so. Dean Chemerinsky points out that courts during the Nixon era ruled such actions violated the separation of powers, and the 1974 Impoundment Control Act explicitly forbids presidents from withholding congressionally approved spending. 3. Firings of agency heads and civil service workers . Dean Chemerinsky highlights the firing of agency heads and civil service workers without just cause, despite federal laws protecting them. He notes that since 1935, the Supreme Court has upheld Congress's authority to limit the removal of officials in multi-member agencies. Despite this, Trump dismissed leaders from bodies like the Merit Systems Protection Board and the National Labor Relations Board. Just recently, the D.C. Circuit ruled in Harris v. Bessent (7–4) that these firings were unauthorized. 4. Effort to strip birthright citizenship . Dean Chemerinsky identifies a fourth legal violation: the Trump administration’s attempt to eliminate birthright citizenship. The first sentence of Section One of the 14th Amendment states that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.” The phrase “within the jurisdiction” excludes only limited cases, such as children born to foreign soldiers during an invasion. The Supreme Court affirmed this broad guarantee in United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898), holding that all individuals born on U.S. soil are citizens, regardless of their parents’ immigration status. Dean Chemerinsky emphasizes that no prior president had challenged this interpretation—until Trump issued an executive order declaring that only children born to U.S. citizens or green card holders would be considered citizens, directly contradicting over a century of settled constitutional law. 5. Targeting universities . The fifth legal violation identified by Dean Chemerinsky is the Trump administration’s targeting of universities by cutting federal funds—$400 million from Columbia and $150 million from the University of Pennsylvania—without following legal procedures. Federal law requires prior notice, a hearing, findings of fact, and a 30-day notice to Congress before cutting university funding, none of which occurred. Moreover, funds may only be cut if a university is deliberately indifferent to a hostile environment, and only the specific discriminatory program may be defunded—not the institution as a whole. Chemerinsky argues this effort is an unlawful attempt to intimidate universities. 6. Retribution against law firms . The Trump administration's targeting of law firms through punitive executive orders aimed at retribution. Firms like Covington & Burling and Perkins Coie were singled out due to their past associations—one had a lawyer who worked with Jack Smith , the other represented Hillary Clinton . The executive orders barred these firms and their lawyers from obtaining security clearances, entering federal buildings (including courts), or representing businesses contracting with the federal government—effectively crippling them. Three federal judges have ruled such orders illegal, affirming that lawyers should not be punished for their clients or lawful, zealous advocacy. Nonetheless, a number of law firms have capitulated and settled, trying to avoid being named in executive orders. Taken together, it is a pattern of violations of the Constitution and laws. Dean Chemerinsky outlines three key actions we all need to take: · Stay Informed – We must continue to follow the news and understand the actions of the Trump administration, despite it being upsetting. · Get Involved – Support organizations challenging lawlessness by volunteering and providing financial assistance. Everyone should find ways to contribute to upholding the rule of law. · Speak Out – Take action by contacting Congress, signing petitions, writing public op-ads, or simply discussing these issues with others to raise awareness and advocate for change. Dean Chemerinsky closed his remarks by quoting Reverend Martin Niemuller (1892-1984), who upon release from a concentration camp, wrote. “First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.“Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.“Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.“Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.” Following Dean Chemerinsky’s remarks, a discussion including Drs. Les Wong and Jeremy Wu explored the implications of his warnings. Dr. Wong reflected on historical patterns of scapegoating and the importance of civic education, while Dr. Wu linked Dean Chemerinsky’s points to current threats targeting Asian American communities, such as the revival of the China Initiative and the use of wartime powers against immigrants. The discussion emphasized the need for vigilance, coalition-building, and active civic engagement to defend constitutional protection and uphold the rule of law.A video of Dean Chemerinsky's remarks is posted at https://bit.ly/42tYv2n (17:10)A summary of the April 2025 APA Justice monthly meeting is being prepared at this time. Update on the Case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia According to AP News , New York Times , Washington Post , and multiple media reports, on April 10, 2025, the Supreme Court in a 9-0 ruling rejected the Trump administration's appeal and instructed it to take steps to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran migrant it had wrongly deported to a notorious prison in El Salvador.The Trump administration refused to meet District Court Judge Paula Xinis ’ deadline of April 10 to share steps officials are taking to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, saying in a court hearing that the government needs more time to comply with a Supreme Court order. The government’s attorney, Drew C. Ensign , said he could not answer the judge’s questions about Kilmar Abrego García’s whereabouts, including where the man is being held, what the government has done so far to secure his return and what it plans to do next.In a written order after the hearing on April 11, Judge Xinis said the Trump administration had “failed to comply” with the court’s instructions and would not answer “straightforward questions.” She ordered the Trump administration to file daily status updates with the court about the government’s progress getting Abrego García back to the United States by 5 p.m. each day and set a follow-up hearing for the afternoon of April 15.The Justice Department suspended Erez Reuveni , a veteran lawyer who acknowledged that Kilmar Abrego García was mistakenly deported and said he did not know the legal basis for the decision. Lawsuits Filed for F1 Visa Students On April 11, 2025, DeHeng Law Offices PC announced that it has filed a civil lawsuit with the District Court of the Northern District of California: Chen et al v. Noem et al (3:25-cv-03292) . According to the announcement 为留学生F1签证身份起诉美国政府的通知与捐款倡议书 , the US government is terminating hundreds if not thousands of international students' SEVIS registration without legitimate reasons. This has wreaked havoc on the students' study and life in the US. With the termination, the international students are supposed to leave the country right away. The only solution is to get a court order to restore their SEVIS status immediately. A website has been created to track the continuing development of the case: www.caseforf1students.com . A GoFundMe campaign has started at https://bit.ly/4js7lEB . Please share informaion with your colleagues, friends, and families in your network.On April 10, 2025, ACLU of Michigan announced that it had filed a federal lawsuit, Deore v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Secretary of (2:25-cv-11038) , on behalf of four international students attending Michigan schools whose student visa status was revoked. The lawsuit includes a request for an emergency injunction ; and asks the court to reinstate the legal status of the students so they can complete their studies in the United States. Update on Texas Alien Land Bill HB17 According to AsAmNews on April 10, 2025, the House Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs (Homeland Security Committee) in the Texas House of Representative has delayed a vote on one of the most stringent Alien Land Bills in the country as a coalition grows to oppose it. House Bill 17 (HB 17) would not only restrict the purchase of property by foreign nationals from China, North Korea, Russia and Iran, it would also put limits on where they could rent.Organizations like United Chinese Americans (UCA), APA Justice, the Association of American University Professors (AAUP), and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) are actively opposing the bill. Professor Steven Pei of APA Justice views the vote delay as a positive sign, indicating internal discussions and hesitations among lawmakers. HB 17 was removed from the Homeland Security Committee's agenda less than 24 hours before the scheduled vote on April 9. A substitute bill is anticipated, but details remain unclear. The Senate counterpart, SB 17, has already passed. Brian Evans , President of Texas AAUP-AFT, highlights that the bill could prevent students, faculty, and professionals from the targeted countries from residing near educational institutions and workplaces, effectively discriminating against these communities.Read the AsAmNews report: https://bit.ly/42rWDXY . 1. Statement by Rep. Ray Lopez Texas Representative Ray Lopez serves as Vice Chair of the Homeland Security Committee. According to his post on X on April 9, Rep. Lopez met with Asian Americans leaders from around the state to have a critical conversation about protecting civil rights in Texas. "We held an important virtual discussion on HB 17 and its dangerous implications. This bill doesn’t just raise national security concerns — it opens the door to racial discrimination, fear, and exclusion. From unchecked executive authority, criminal penalty without due process, and banning people from living in urban areas sets a troubling precedent. HB 17 sends a message that certain individuals are not welcome in Texas — and that’s unacceptable," 2. AAUP-ATF Calls for Action On April 8, 2025, Texas AAUP-AFT issued an urgent call to action in opposition to HB 17, which was recently heard by the Texas House Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs. The bill seeks to ban citizens from China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia from purchasing or leasing property within 10 miles of what the state defines as “critical infrastructure.” While supporters claim the bill is about national security, the AAUP-ATF and other critics argue that it is rooted in racial and ethnic profiling, echoing the discriminatory history of alien land laws that previously targeted Asian immigrants. HB 17, they warn, threatens the rights of individuals based solely on their national origin rather than any actual wrongdoing.The AAUP emphasizes that HB 17 poses a direct threat to the educational mission and values of Texas institutions, particularly by creating a hostile environment for international students, faculty, and researchers. These individuals contribute significantly to academic excellence, research innovation, and cultural diversity on campuses across the state. If passed, the bill could deter international talent from coming to Texas, damage collaborative academic relationships, and send a chilling message that people can be excluded from basic rights due to their nationality. The AAUP calls on Texans to contact their state representatives and speak out against HB 17, defending the rights of all members of the academic community and upholding the principles of equity and inclusion. 3. Local NAACP and LULAC Joined Rally During the March 30, 2025, Houston rally against HB 17, NAACP Houston President Bishop James Dixon delivered a powerful speech urging federal and state leaders to uphold America's promise of justice and equality for all Americans - including Chinese, Japanese, African, and Latino Americans. He condemned policies like HB 7 and SB 17 as betrayals of democratic principles, declaring “We’re not asking for pity—we’re asking for justice.” Bishop Dixon called for unified, sustained actions beyond press conferences to achieve read change. He ended with a rallying cry: “The people united can never be defeated” and led the crowd in singing of "We Shall Overcome."Houston LULAC Council President Dr. Sergio Lira and his wife Maria also joined the rally in solidarity. Speaking with passion and conviction, Dr. Lira declared, “When there is discrimination against one, there is discrimination against all. We must stand together.” He emphasized the importance of unity and collective action, vowing, “We are going to let folks in Austin and across the nation know that we are brothers and sisters, united in the spirit of ‘yes we can.’” 4. An Emerging Broad and Diverse Coalition More than 80 organizations signed an open letter to Texas legislators opposing HB 17. The effort was led by The Texas Multicultural Aadvocacy Coalition (TMAC) and UCA, which was also posted as ads in Texas media. They represent a broad, diverse coalition of Texas-based and national groups united against discriminatory legislation targeting immigrants and communities of color.The 49 Texas organizations include cultural, civic, business, legal, and advocacy groups rooted in Asian American, Latino, and African American communities across major cities such as Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. These groups range from long-established institutions like the NAACP Houston Branch, Greater Houston LULAC Council, and OCA Greater Houston, to professional networks like the Asian American Bar Associations of Houston, Dallas, and Austin, as well as local cultural organizations such as the DFW Chinese Alliance, Shaanxi Folks Group, and Fujian Association of South USA. Together, they reflect a rich diversity of Chinese, Asian, and multicultural constituencies across Texas, voicing collective opposition to HB 17's targeting of foreign land ownership based on national origin.The 32 national and other organizations include leading civil rights, legal, and policy groups such as Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, APA Justice Task Force, Asian Pacific American Public Affairs, Chinese American Citizens Alliance, Chinese for Affirmative Action, Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), and OCA–Asian Pacific American Advocates. They are joined by grassroots networks like Pivot to Peace, Stop AAPI Hate, and United Chinese Americans (UCA), as well as academic and professional associations such as the Federation of Asian Professor Associations. These groups bring national visibility, legal expertise, and historical context to the fight against policies like HB 17, drawing parallels to past discriminatory land laws and mobilizing communities across the country in defense of civil rights and equal treatment under the law.The Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) and its San Antonio Chapter were also a key voice in the real estate and property rights sector, advocating against discriminatory barriers that would impact their members and clients at the state and national level.2025/04/10 西雅图中文电台: 德州众议院推迟限制华人租房/购房法案的投票 2025/04/08 休斯顿在线: 限制中国人买房/买地/租房的德州HB17法案明日投票！留给我们的时间不多了 NAPABA and AADELF Filed Amicus Briefs on Birthright Citizenship On April 11, 2025, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF)—with the Korematsu Center for Law and Equality and the Center for Civil Rights and Critical Justice—filed an amicus brief in opposition to the Trump administration’s executive order terminating birthright citizenship for children born to parents who are not citizens or permanent residents. The brief was submitted on behalf of more than 80 Asian American organizations and law centers to the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. The brief connects the executive order to its historical roots in the Asian exclusion movement of the late 19th century, arguing that this attack on birthright citizenship has no place in a democracy founded on the notion that all people are created equal. The authors center the stories of mixed-status families and additional instances of individuals who had their citizenship taken away to illustrate the harm the executive order will have if allowed to stand. Read the AALDEF announcement: https://bit.ly/42biaVZ . Read the full amicus brief: https://bit.ly/42FSscd .On April 9, 2025, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) and 43 of its affiliates and national associates from across the country joined forces to defend the fundamental constitutional guarantee of citizenship. The coalition filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in State of Washington v. Donald J. Trump. The Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution promises every person equal treatment under the law. It also includes an equal claim of citizenship to all persons born in the United States, regardless of the stature or circumstances of their parents.Executive Order 14160 upends that promise. It refuses to recognize the birthright citizenship of any child born in the United States to a mother who is lawfully present on a temporary basis, like those on work or student visas, and a father who is neither a U.S. citizen nor a lawful permanent resident.Read the NAPABA announcement: https://bit.ly/3G6WotN . Read the full amicus brief: https://bit.ly/4csfFln Latest on Litigations Against Trump's Executive Actions As of April 11, 2025, the number of lawsuits against President Donald Trump 's executive actions reported by the Just Security Litigation Tracker has grown to 186 (4 closed cases). These are some of the latest developments: · J.A.V. v. Trump (1:25-cv-00072) @Southern District of Texas and G.F.F. v. Trump (1:25-cv-02886) @Southern District of New York. Plaintiffs are Venezuelan nationals (proceeding under pseudonym) in immigration custody in Texas and New York respectively. They have filed habeas petitions asking the court to stop the government from removing them from the United States based on the Alien Enemies Act Presidential Proclamation, and to declare the Proclamation unlawful. The case has been brought on behalf of themselves and a class of all other persons similarly situated, to include all noncitizens from Venezuela in immigration custody in the Southern District of Texas and the Southern District of New York, who were, are, or will be subject to the Proclamation. The courts have temporarily blocked the Defendants from removing the Plaintiffs and others similarly situated through April 23, 2025. · Samuels v. Trump (1:25-cv-01069) @District of Columbia. On January 27, 2025, President Donald Trump removed Plaintiff Jocelyn Samuels from her position as Commissioner of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Samuels brought suit arguing that the EEOC is an independent agency, and President Trump does not have authority to remove her prior to the end of her term in 2026. Samuels asked the court to declare her removal unlawful and for injunctive relief to allow her to perform her duties as Commissioner. News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar 2025/04/13 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/04/14 State of Play Virtual Town Hall2025/04/15 China Connections: A Conversation with Emily Feng2025/04/22 Scholars Not Spies: Fighting for International Academic Workers’ Rights in an Era of Rising US-China Conflict2025/04/24 CHINA Town Hall: The First 100 Days: President Trump's China Policy2025/04/24-26 Committee of 100 Annual Conference and Gala2025/04/27 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/05/05 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/05/06 Asian American Careers - How to Build Your Personal Network, including Through Strategic Allies2025/05/11 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. # # # APA Justice Task Force is a non-partisan platform to build a sustainable ecosystem that addresses racial profiling concerns and to facilitate, inform, and advocate on selected issues related to justice and fairness for the Asian Pacific American community. For more information, please refer to the new APA Justice website under development at www.apajusticetaskforce.org . We value your feedback. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org . Back View PDF April 13, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

60 top scientific organizations are calling for balance between an open scientific environment and economic and national security. September 4, 2019 On September 4, 2019, 60 top science, engineering and international education organizations - representing hundreds of thousands of scientists, engineers and educators around the world - sent an open letter to five top federal officials in charge of science programs, calling for fairer treatment of foreign-born scientists in the face of policies that could put a chill on the participation of foreign nationals in the scientific enterprise. The letter was addressed to Dr. Kelvin Droegemeier , Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy at the White House; Dr. France Córdova, Director of the National Science Foundation; Dr. Francis Collins , Director of the National Institute of Health; Dr. Chris Fall, Director of the Office of Science at the Department of Energy; and Dr. Michael Griffin , Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. "Finding the appropriate balance between our nation’s security and an open, collaborative scientific environment requires focus and due diligence," the letter said. "Any response should consider the impact on both the overall scientific enterprise and on individual scientists and its development should include the input of the science and engineering community." Otherwise, "many scientists—both U.S. citizens and foreign nationals—who properly follow codes of conduct, regulations, policies and laws, may inappropriately be harmed in response to the misconduct and illegal actions of others." The co-signers of the letter ask the federal officials to "consider a wide range of stakeholder perspectives as your agencies work together through the new NSTC ( National Science and Technology Council ) Joint Committee on Research Environments to develop policies and procedures that address issues related to international researchers’ participation in the U.S. scientific enterprise, and we would welcome the opportunity to work with you." multisociety-letter-on-foreign-influence_9-4-2019 .pdf Download PDF • 73KB 60 top scientific organizations are calling for balance between an open scientific environment and economic and national security. Previous Next Top Scientific Organizations Call for Fairer Treatment of Foreign-born Scientists

Newsletter - #289 U.S. Heartland China Association Update and Event; Franklin Tao Speaks Out; Pandas; + #289 U.S. Heartland China Association Update and Event; Franklin Tao Speaks Out; Pandas; + In This Issue #289 · Update from US Heartland China Association · "China in the Heartland: Building a Balanced Approach" and the Case of Professor Franklin Tao · KSNT News: Professor Franklin Tao Speaks Out · Pandas are Here at the National Zoo in Washington DC · News and Activities for the Communities Update from US Heartland China Association Min Fan , Executive Director of the U.S. Heartland China Association, introduced USHCA to us at the February 2024 monthly meeting. Min Fan warmly invited meeting participants to join an upcoming hybrid event "China in the Heartland: Building a Balanced Approach" at the University of Kansas (KU) in Lawrence, Kansas. Former KU Professor Franklin Tao and his wife Hong Peng plan to attend and engage in discussions. This event has been in planning for over a year. It involved collaboration with local Chinese American scholars and the National Committee for U.S.-China Relations to ensure a meaningful exchange on pertinent topics. The emphasis is on fostering local engagement and informed debate around broader issues affecting the community.Min underscored the importance of having discussions about U.S.-China relations not just in Washington, D.C., but also in the Heartland. The U.S. Heartland China Association, a bipartisan organization founded by late Senator Adlai Stevenson III of Illinois originally under the name of Midwest U.S. China Association and currently chaired by Former Governor of Missouri Bob Holden , aims to promote stable U.S.-China relations to protect and advance the interests of the Heartland community, such as export market for our agricultural producers, global competitiveness of our businesses, talent attraction in our universities, and the cultural heritage of Chinese Americans In the Heartland. During this past summer, USHCA organized an agricultural delegation to China, which included members from rural areas who had never visited the country before. One delegate from Kentucky returned with a renewed perspective, expressing to his local trade association members and elected officials that China was nothing like the all-negative portrayals in the media. This experience illustrated the potential benefits of people-to-people exchanges in fostering better relations and understanding between the two nations. ( From Heartland to Mainland, reflections and insights , webinar replay) The trip was 100% funded by US Agriculture stakeholders. Min, who is the first Chinese American executive director of the organization, highlighted the scrutiny faced by Chinese Americans in leadership roles within nonprofits focused on U.S.-China relations. She is one of very few Chinese Americans leading a non-profit organization on U.S.-China relations. USHCA also faced political backlash and accusations of undue influence after sending a bipartisan delegation of six Heartland mayors to China ( Press Release , Video recap ). Despite the challenges, the organization continues to work closely with the State Department and other agencies to promote sub-national diplomacy and collaborative efforts around pressing issues like climate change. Min highlighted an upcoming event in Memphis, which aims to engage local partners, NGOs, and academics in a Yangtze-Mississippi Regional Dialogue about climate resilience, low carbon agriculture, and green transportation. This initiative seeks to promote balanced discussions in the Heartland, inviting broader community involvement and partnerships. The goal is to engage diverse local stakeholders in more informed conversations about U.S.-China relations and the future of Chinese Americans in this region. In closing, Min expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share insights with the broader community and emphasized the importance of ensuring that diverse voices are heard in discussions that shape the future. She called for continued collaboration and support to facilitate these critical dialogues and foster understanding among all stakeholders involved.A summary of the October 7 monthly meeting, including Min's update, is posted at https://bit.ly/48wdg7D . Farm Policy News: New US-China Trade War Could Cost Farmers Billions According to Farm Policy News on October 17, 2024, United States corn and soybean farmers could lose billions of dollars in annual production value if the US-China trade war induced new tariffs on agriculture products. The study found that “U.S. soybean farmers (could) lose an average of $3.6 to $5.9 billion in annual production value” while “U.S. corn farmers (could) lose an average of $0.9 to $1.4 billion in annual production value” depending on how China would respond to increased U.S. tariffs. “This burden is not limited to the U.S. soybean and corn farmers who lose market share and production value. There is a ripple impact across the U.S., particularly in rural economies where farmers live, purchase inputs, utilize farm and personal services, and purchase household goods,” the study said. The total economic contribution of soybean and corn production could drop between $4.9 billion and $7.9 billion annually, with the most heavily affected sectors including manufacturing and mining of crop protection, fertilizer products, and energy products, as well as real estate and transportation.Read the Farm Policy News report: https://bit.ly/4eR0yT8 "China in the Heartland: Building a Balanced Approach" and the Case of Professor Franklin Tao On October 11, 2024, Professor Jack Zhang of the University of Kansas (KU) Department of Political Science, joined by Susan Thornton , Vice Chair of the U.S. Heartland China Association (USHCA), and a retired senior U.S. diplomat with decades of experience in Eurasia and East Asia, and Kyle Jaros , an associate professor at the University of Notre Dame, for a discussion on building a balanced approach for relations with China. The event was hosted by USHCA and the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at KU. Kyle Jaros began by discussing the surge in China-related legislation and other state-level policy actions, which increased to at least 110 or 115 between 2016 and 2023. Probably 25 to 30% of these proposals have been enacted into law. What started out as a handful of tangible concerns has morphed into something that is far more ominous in the minds of many. When asked about the China policies of the Trump and Biden administrations, Susan Thornton stated that one of the key challenges in U.S.-China negotiations is the political divide within the U.S. in Washington. It has often been politically advantageous for lawmakers to exaggerate or promote dramatic, threatening proposals to get attention. While the federal government generally takes a balanced approach in assessing the China threat, politicians have put a lot more emphasis on some aspects of the so-called China threat than are warranted. This overemphasis on the perceived threat from China could lead to unintended consequences, as highlighted by Jack Zhang. Many legislators, both at the national and subnational levels, may not realize that the bills they are drafting and voting on could have adverse effects. One major concern is the effort to revive the China initiative in Congress. The China Initiative was a Department of Justice program that tried to combat espionage and technology theft on university campuses and industry. There is a lot of evidence that the FBI racially profiled Chinese and Asian American researchers, damaged and ruined a lot of careers.During the Q&A session, Hong Peng reminded the audience that her husband, Franklin Tao was a KU professor who was wrongly prosecuted by the China Initiative . After five years of hard fighting by the Taos, the Tenth Circuit Court acquitted the last charge against Franklin on July 11 this year. Justice finally prevailed and Franklin was fully exonerated. The victory was bittersweet for the couple. This fight has cost Franklin nearly everything; the wrongful prosecution destroyed his career that he spent over 20 years building and spending almost 16 hours a day each day working in his lab. The total cost of his legal defense is over 2.3 million. They used up all their savings. They took money out of their retirement accounts, borrowed money from every single friend who could help, and they raised funds through GoFundMe. And currently, they still have over a million in debt.Hong Peng said “We can't choose where we were born and where we came from. But we really should not be scapegoated because of our country of origin. Twenty years ago, we came to the United States to pursue our American dream. We never imagined we would spend five years trapped in this nightmare.” Despite all this, Franklin Tao remained fully occupied, fully dedicated to his scientific work. He has published over 30 papers during those five years. And a few days ago, he had one of his papers accepted by Science . Unfortunately, even until today, he is still fighting to reinstate his faculty position. Hong wondered how the community could help a victim like Franklin to rebuild his career. Kyle Jaros commented that an idea very well worth considering: a kind of amnesty for anybody who was found in violation of minor academic regulations, for example, disclosure of foreign research relationships which was a widespread issue across academia.Compliance and information about compliance was something that academics were not being regularly informed of for a long period of time. And then suddenly there was a huge frame shift. And within a few years, universities very quickly started to ramp up attention to these rules, and then law enforcement got involved and decided to make criminal cases or even kind of national security cases out of what in many instances were very minor. Kyle Jaros hoped that Franklin Tao can make progress in restitution. Susan Thornton thanked Franklin Tao for seeing the whole process through to the end and the acquittal. It is important for our justice system, for our institutions, for our faith in our institutions, which she thinks is coming under a lot of fire in this country and around the world. "I think we owe you a debt of gratitude on that score. We've seen periods of overzealousness of this type in U.S. history before, and then we always must come back and reflect on our errors. More publicity, more shining a light, as you've done tonight by standing up and telling your story, is what we need for people to be aware of," she said. "I hope that this very difficult ordeal can somehow have some kind of silver lining or benefit both for you and your family because you deserve it, but also the contribution that you make to our institutional fabric."Watch the video: https://bit.ly/3UhjmT7 (1:19:06). Read the Franklin Tao story: https://bit.ly/3y8SBsm . Ken Lao contributed to this report. KSNT News: Professor Franklin Tao Speaks Out On October 20 2024, KSNT News Inside Kansas Politics featured former Kansas University Professor Franklin Tao , his wife Hong Peng , and Ron Barrett-Gonzalez , KSAAUP (Kansas Conference of American Association of University Professors) Committee A Co-Chair. The interview discussed Professor Tao's legal battle after being wrongfully accused of Chinese espionage under the Trump administration's China initiative. His conviction was overturned by a U.S. appeals court in July 2024. Tao shares his journey, including his academic background and the distressing circumstances surrounding his arrest. Professor Tao’s wife, Hong Peng, described the emotional toll the situation took on their family, highlighting the fear and desperation they faced. The couple endured significant financial damage. Her testimonies revealed the emotional toll the situation has taken on her family, with children experiencing significant distress.Professor Barrett-Gonzalez expressed deep concern over the university's handling of Professor Tao's case. He recalled the horror felt within the academic community when it was revealed that a specific ethnicity of researchers, particularly those of Asian descent, were being disproportionately targeted by the federal initiative. After Professor Tao was acquitted, Professors Barrett-Gonzalez and Rob Catlett, also KSAAUP Committee A Co-Chair, and other faculty members expected the KU administration to promptly reinstate him, recognizing the importance of justice and fairness in academia. However, to their disappointment, the administration opted not to take action, which Professor Barrett-Gonzalez argued is unfairly prolonging the distress for Professor Tao and his family. Professor Barrett-Gonzalez referenced similar cases where universities acted appropriately after faculty were acquitted. For example, Professor Anming Hu in Tennessee facing similar accusations was reinstated following a court ruling, as the university recognized the negative impact on its reputation. In contrast, Professor Barrett-Gonzalez criticized KU for failing to follow suit and reinstate Professor Tao. The discussions between Professors Barrett-Gonzelez and Catlett and university officials centered around what they considered clear violations of civil rights laws, particularly the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on nationality or ethnic origin. They highlighted how the 10th Circuit Court has recognized tenure as a property right, arguing that the university’s actions have violated Professor Tao's Fifth Amendment rights by not providing due process in his dismissal. Professor Barrett-Gonzalez asserted that this treatment reflects a broader ethical failure on the part of the university administration.In closing, Professor Tao underscored his continued dedication to research despite challenges, arguing that he has been wrongfully persecuted and calling for his immediate reinstatement to help restore the university's reputation. The segment concludes with a commitment to continue advocating for justice and fairness in the academic environment.Watch the KSNT News report: https://bit.ly/3YyWeSV (27:57). Professors Barrett-Gonzalez and Catlett spoke at the August 2024 APA Justice monthly meeting, a summary of which is posted here: https://bit.ly/3AHFSO1 Pandas are Here at the National Zoo in Washington DC According to Washington Post , CNN , and multiple media reports, two giant pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, both three years old, arrived at the National Zoo in Washington DC on October 15, 2024, after an absence of almost a year. They travelled on a specially chartered FedEx Boeing 777 cargo jet dubbed the “Panda Express.” They are here on a 10-year lease, and will make their public debut January 24, 2025, after a quarantine period. While born in Sichuan, Bao Li has deep familial roots in Washington. His mother, Bao Bao, was born a celebrity at the National Zoo in 2013 and returned to China four years later. His grandparents, Meixiang and Tian Tian, lived at the zoo for 23 years until their lease ended last year.“Panda Diplomacy” began with US President Richard Nixon ’s ice-breaking trip to Communist China during the Cold War. In June, the San Diego Zoo also received two giant pandas from China, which marked the first panda loans to the U.S. in two decades. On the same day Bao Li and Qing Bao arrived in Washington, On line livestream of "giant panda cam" from the San Diego Zoo was launched at https://bit.ly/4eRBVWu News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events:2024/10/24 Why Do Legislators Brawl? Lawmaking, Fist Fighting and Messaging in Taiwan 2024/10/25-27 Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the American Studies Network2024/10/26 Common Ground and Banquet2024/10/27 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/11/03 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/11/06 Asian American Women in Media and Music2024/11/10 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/11/12 Threats to International Engagement and Academic Freedom2024/11/14 An Advice and Networking Event (Financial Services, Investing and Consulting)2024/11/15 AAASE Inaugural Annual Summit2024/11/15 Yangtze-Mississippi Regional DialogueVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. NOTE: Because the regular scheduled day falls on the eve of Election Day, we have moved the next APA Justice monthly meeting to Monday, November 18, 2024. The virtual monthly meeting is by invitation only. It is closed to the press. If you wish to join, either one time or for future meetings, please contact one of the co-organizers of APA Justice - Steven Pei 白先慎 , Vincent Wang 王文奎 , and Jeremy Wu 胡善庆 - or send a message to contact@apajustice.org . 2. Summary of October 2024 Monthly Meeting Posted The October 2024 APA Justice monthly meeting summary has been posted at https://bit.ly/3BMUjB2 . We thank the following special speakers for their reports and updates: · Congresswoman Grace Meng gave her remarks that were covered in Newsletter #288 on October 21, 2024: https://bit.ly/4070ryi · Casey Lee , Policy Director of Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), provided an update on CAPAC on behalf of Nisha Ramachandran, Executive Director of CAPAC. She thanked Congresswoman Grace Meng and her team for leading efforts to prevent the reinstatement of the China Initiative in the FY 2025 appropriations bill. CAPAC remains committed to ensuring the AAPI community's voice is heard in key legislative processes, including the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Casey highlighted a recently released video featuring firsthand accounts of the racial profiling and wrongful prosecutions caused by the China Initiative, encouraging its wide distribution to raise awareness. She also acknowledged the collaboration with advocacy groups like AASF, AAJC, and CAA, emphasizing their role in shaping ongoing legislative negotiations to protect the community. · Gisela Kusakawa , Executive Director of Asian American Forum (AASF), expressed gratitude to Congresswoman Grace Meng for her leadership in opposing the reinstatement of the China Initiative and supporting the Museum of Asian Pacific American History. She highlighted AASF's success in gathering over 1,000 participants for its award ceremony, celebrating Asian American scholars, and emphasized AASF’s role in policy efforts and the museum’s establishment. Gisela also thanked Casey Lee and CAPAC for educating the public during "China Week," where scholars shared personal stories of facing discrimination. She praised AASF’s advocacy in recognizing civil rights icons and connecting university faculty with policymakers, urging continued community engagement to ensure Asian American voices are heard in shaping national policy. Gisela also mentioned AASF's collaboration with the NIH on transparency efforts and reiterated the importance of the community's involvement in policy discussions. · Min Fan , Executive Director of the U.S. Heartland China Association (USHCA), gave a report that is covered by today's newsletter. · Texas State Representative Gene Wu gave a report that was covered in Newsletter #288 on October 21, 2024: https://bit.ly/4070ryi Read the October APA Justice monthly meeting summary: https://bit.ly/48wdg7D . Read previous monthly meeting summaries: https://bit.ly/3kxkqxP 3. China and World Institute at Johns Hopkins University is Hiring Johns Hopkins University is seeking a Managing Director, China & The World Institute to play a pivotal role in the launch and growth of the new China and the World Institute at School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). The mission of the Institute is to bring greater rigor and reason to public and policy discussions on China, spearheading efforts to generate new knowledge and strategic insights to “get China right.” Working closely with and reporting to the inaugural Faculty Director, the Managing Director leads the strategic development, management, and advancement of the Institute, playing a critical role in building a leading center for interdisciplinary research, education, and public engagement on China's role in the world. It is also hiring an Academic Program Manager. Read more about these opportunities at https://bit.ly/40kgtES 4. 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 October 24, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter