Newsletter - #91 Rep. Lieu Questions AG; Letter to AG; 11/01 Meeting; New Red Scare; UTK; More #91 Rep. Lieu Questions AG; Letter to AG; 11/01 Meeting; New Red Scare; UTK; More Back View PDF October 25, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #312 Ambassador Julia Chang Bloch, AAJC/AASF updates, Funding Freezes/Birthright Rulings; + #312 Ambassador Julia Chang Bloch, AAJC/AASF updates, Funding Freezes/Birthright Rulings; + In This Issue #312 · Remarks by Ambassador Julia Chang Bloch · Updates by Advancing Justice|AAJC and AASF · Judges Block Trump's Funding Freezes as Lawsuits Against His Orders Surge · Third Court Injunction Against Trump's Executive Order Ending Birthright Citizenship · News and Activities for the Communities Remarks by Ambassador Julia Chang Bloch Ambassador Julia Chang Bloch is the Founder and Executive Chair of the US-China Education Trust . She was appointed by President George H.W. Bush to become the first Asian American ambassador in US history.Ambassador Julia Chang Bloch spoke at the APA Justice monthly meeting on February 3, 2025, She highlights the urgent need to address the impact of U.S.-China competition on Chinese and Asian American communities. Julia acknowledges the work of APA Justice and its advocacy efforts while emphasizing the necessity of a new initiative that brings together racial justice and foreign policy concerns. Julia notes that discussions on U.S.-China relations often overlook the lived experiences of Chinese and Asian Americans, who face increasing discrimination and scrutiny. By forming broader coalitions, she hopes to bridge the gap between national security concerns and racial justice efforts.Julia references historical instances of racial profiling, such as the Cox Report of 1999 and the wrongful prosecution of Wen Ho Lee , to illustrate how Chinese Americans have long been caught in the crosshairs of U.S.-China tensions. The China Initiative, initially launched under the Trump administration, further exacerbated fears by disproportionately targeting Chinese American academics and researchers. Despite past failures, Julia warns that Congress may seek to revive similar policies, reinforcing a dangerous precedent that equates ethnicity with suspicion. Julia also highlights Beijing’s efforts to exert influence on Chinese diasporas through United Front operations, which seek to blur distinctions between PRC citizens, diaspora Chinese, and Chinese Americans. These tactics, she argues, create further complications for Chinese Americans, who are unfairly perceived as foreign agents or political pawns. The result is an atmosphere of fear, scrutiny, and exclusion, where Chinese Americans must constantly prove their loyalty to the United States.The rise in anti-Asian hate during the pandemic has further deepened the community’s vulnerability. Many Chinese Americans have distanced themselves from U.S.-China policy discussions out of fear, choosing self-preservation over engagement. Julia stresses that this silence weakens the ability of Chinese and Asian Americans to advocate for their rights and contribute meaningfully to shaping U.S.-China relations. Without their voices, the United States risks losing a critical perspective that could help navigate this complex geopolitical rivalry in a way that upholds American values of inclusion and justice. Julia draws a direct link between historical and present-day discrimination, citing the 1982 murder of Vincent Chin as a tragic reminder of the consequences of racial scapegoating. Chin, a Chinese American, was beaten to death with a baseball bat by two white auto workers who blamed Japan for the decline of the U.S. auto industry. His murder, and the lack of justice that followed, underscore the persistent view of Asian Americans as perpetual foreigners. Julia also highlights the case of Sherry Chen, a Chinese American scientist wrongfully accused of espionage and fired from her job at the National Weather Service in 2014. Despite being exonerated, Chen’s case exemplifies how racial profiling continues to damage lives and careers. Her legal victory, including nearly $2 million in damages, was a rare but important step toward accountability. However, Julia warns that similar injustices will persist if structural biases are not addressed. USCET aims to create a dialogue that not only acknowledges Beijing’s actions but also holds Washington accountable for policies that harm Asian Americans. The initiative seeks to educate policymakers on the consequences of targeting Chinese Americans, encourage open discussions within the community, and guide the media in reporting on U.S.-China relations responsibly. Julia calls for collaboration between national security and racial justice advocates to tackle both the symptoms and root causes of discrimination against Asian Americans. In closing, she urges APA Justice and other advocacy groups to unite in a powerful coalition that demands the U.S. government address security concerns without endangering Chinese and Asian American lives. The United States, she insists, must meet the challenge of China without sacrificing the rights and dignity of its own citizens.A summary of the February 2025 APA Justice monthly meeting is begin prepared at this time. For past monthly meeting summaries, visit https://bit.ly/4hyOV4i Updates by Advancing Justice|AAJC and AASF During the APA Justice monthly meeting on February 3, 2025, Joanna YangQing Derman , Director, Anti-Profiling, Civil Rights & National Security Program, Advancing Justice | AAJC provided an update on AAJC's response to the numerous executive orders issued by President Trump since January 20. She stated that these orders aim to militarize borders, expand deportation and detention, punish immigrant advocacy groups and local governments, and misinterpret constitutional and immigration laws. In addition to the ongoing litigation over birthright citizenship, AAJC has partnered with the Washington Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights and OCA to file a lawsuit challenging Trump's authority to strip citizenship from babies born in the U.S. to parents on temporary visas or who are undocumented. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, argues that the executive order violates the 14th Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act. AAJC is also monitoring nearly a dozen new immigration-related laws in Texas, conducting a threat assessment to categorize them from problematic to extremely harmful. The organization is working closely with local partners to equip them with the necessary resources to oppose these laws effectively. These legislative measures are seen as a continuation of policies that restrict immigrant rights and increase enforcement actions at the state level. AAJC has been tracking Trump’s nominations for key government positions and has taken public stances opposing several appointees. The organization has actively opposed Kash Patel for FBI Director, Pam Bondi for Attorney General, and Russell Vought for Director of OMB. Despite their efforts, Pete Hegseth and Kristi Noem have already been confirmed as Secretary of Defense and DHS Secretary, respectively, though AAJC also opposed their nominations. AAJC remains deeply engaged in legal, legislative, and political advocacy efforts to counter policies they view as harmful to immigrant communities. They continue to collaborate with legal groups, assess the impact of new laws, and push back against controversial government appointments, ensuring that communities affected by these decisions have the support and representation they need. During the same meeting, Dr. Kai Li , Vice President, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), provided an update on key concerns and ongoing efforts. He highlighted worries about the Senate hearing on malign foreign influence, particularly remarks by Senator Risch suggesting that every Chinese student could be a spy. Kai noted that Cornell's recent survey on international students with respect to transnational aggression disagreed with the remarks. He warned that restricting student visas from China, especially for AI graduate students, could harm U.S. leadership in science and technology. He suggested conducting more surveys or studies to assess the actual prevalence of transnational aggression among Chinese students. AASF continues to work with federal agencies like the National Science Foundation (NSF) to address concerns about potential biases in new policies that may disproportionately affect Asian American faculty. This initiative, which began before January 20, remains active as long as agencies are engaged. The organization is helping facilitate outreach efforts to ensure fair treatment in research funding and academic policies.AASF remains focused on both protecting Chinese students from unjust scrutiny and advocating for Asian American faculty in federal policy decisions. They emphasize the need for data-driven approaches to better understand these issues and prevent discriminatory practices.A summary of the February 2025 APA Justice monthly meeting is begin prepared at this time. For past monthly meeting summaries, visit https://bit.ly/4hyOV4i Judges Block Trump's Funding Freezes as Lawsuits Against His Orders Surge As of February 13, 2025, the number of lawsuits against President Donald Trump 's executive actions reported by the Just Security Litigation Tracker has grown to 63.According to New York Times and multiple media reports, U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell Jr. in Rhode Island said on February 10, 2025, that the White House had defied his order to release billions of dollars in federal grants, marking the first time a judge has expressly declared that the Trump administration is disobeying a judicial mandate. Judge McConnell mandated the immediate restoration of billions of dollars in federal grants and loans that had been halted.“These pauses in funding violate the plain text of the T.R.O.,” Judge McConnell wrote. That earlier ruling ordered the administration not to “pause, freeze, impede, block, cancel or terminate” money that had already been allocated by Congress to the states to pay for Medicaid, school lunches, low-income housing subsidies and other essential services. These funds were intended for various programs, including early childhood education, pollution reduction, and HIV research. The judge's decision emphasized that the administration's broad categorization of the funding freeze lacked specific findings of potential fraud and violated the restraining order. The judge also made clear that White House officials were obligated to comply regardless of how they thought the case might conclude. Another order requiring that the disputed funds be released was issued by Judge Loren AliKhan of the District of Columbia. That case, National Council of Nonprofits v. Office of Management and Budget (1:25-cv-00239) , was filed by a coalition of nonprofits represented by Democracy Forward.According to the Washington Post and multiple media reports, on February 10, 2025, U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley for the state of Massachusetts granted a temporary restraining order for the case of Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. National Institutes of Health (1:25-cv-10338) , blocking the Trump administration from making drastic cuts to biomedical research funding in 22 states that banded together to sue. The judge ordered the National Institutes of Health (NIH) not to implement a funding change the agency had announced in the evening of Friday, February 7, which would dramatically reduce funding to universities and other research organizations for indirect costs related to research. The pause is to remain until otherwise ordered by the court. It only applies to the 22 states party to the lawsuit. A hearing is set for February 21, 2025. On February 10, 2025, university leaders announced that they were also suing to halt the cuts, with the lawsuit Association of American Medical Colleges v. National Institutes of Health (1:25-cv-10340) that has the potential to be more far-reaching because the organizations filing it have nationwide reach.A third lawsuit has been filed by organizations representing private and public universities inclduing the Assocation of American Universities (AAU), American Council on Education, and Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, the University of California system, and 12 private universities. On February 10, 2025, STAT News reported on that since Trump’s return to the White House, many researchers have raised concerns over the administration’s disruption of grant reviews and executive orders that ended federal support for programs that support diversity, equity, and inclusion. But at an institutional level, major universities have mostly been quiet and reluctant to directly oppose the administration. "Now that Trump is going after the fiscal lifeblood of these institutions, however, that seems to be changing," the STAT News report said. ***** During the APA Justice monthly meeting on July 11, 2022, MIT Professor Yoel Fink who co-authored a faculty letter that sparked the "We Are All Gang Chen" movement nationwide, emphasized the tort in standing complacent in the face of injustice by quoting Martin Niemöller (1892–1984), a prominent Lutheran pastor in Germany. "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." Third Court Injunction Against Trump's Executive Order Ending Birthright Citizenship According to AP News , Reuters , and multiple media reports, U.S. District Judge Joseph N. Laplante in New Hampshire has issued a preliminary injunction blocking President Donald Trump 's executive order that sought to end birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to individuals residing in the country illegally. This decision marks the third such injunction against the order, following similar rulings by federal judges in Seattle and Maryland. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed the lawsuit, New Hampshire Indonesian Community Support v. Trump (1:25-cv00038) , leading to Judge Laplante's ruling, arguing that the executive order violates the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which has been consistently interpreted to guarantee birthright citizenship to those born on U.S. soil.According to the Just Security Litigation Tracker , ar least nine lawsuits have been filed against Trump's executive order ending birthright citizenship.On February 10, 2025, New York Times reported on Wong Kim Ark as " This Man Won Birthright Citizenship for All. " Today, the decision of United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898) is the focus of debate over who can be an American. News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/02/13 China Initiative: Impacts and Implications2025/02/13-15 2025 AAAS Annual Meeting2025/02/16 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/02/18 Protecting Our Organizations: 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Compliance Virtual Training2025/02/23 World Premier of "Quixotic Professor Qiu" with Xiaoxing Xi2025/03/02 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/03/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/03/12 MSU Webinar on China Initiative2025/03/16 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine Held Town Hall and Offer Help to Feds U.S. Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner , both of Virginia, held a town hall on February 10, 2025, to address a variety of issues related to President Donald Trump 's executive actions. They have dedicated staff and set up these webpages to assist federal employees, including understanding their rights, filing complaints, and collecting stories about what they are experiencing. · Senator Tim Kaine's Resources for Federal Workers: https://bit.ly/4aVH0fa , (202) 224-4024 · Senator Mark Warner's Resources for Federal Employees: https://bit.ly/4jPaijz , 202-224-2023 3. Reuters: Boston Man Cleared of US Charges He Acted as Chinese Agent According to Reuters and multiple media reports on February 10, 2025, a jury found Litang Liang of Boston, a China-born U.S. citizen, not guilty of U.S. charges that he acted as an unlawful agent of China's government by supplying officials information about individuals, dissidents and groups in the local Chinese community. Lian, 65, was acquitted in federal court of charges in a case brought in 2023 that U.S. authorities had portrayed as part of their commitment to counter efforts by China's government to silence its critics abroad. # # # 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 February 13, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #19 Facebook Streaming Link For 09/30 Webinar #19 Facebook Streaming Link For 09/30 Webinar Back View PDF September 30, 2020 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #52 Science, NAS, APS, And AAU Voice Concerns; Actions On Anti-Asian Hate; AAUC Podcast #52 Science, NAS, APS, And AAU Voice Concerns; Actions On Anti-Asian Hate; AAUC Podcast Back View PDF April 2, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #334 6/2 Monthly Meeting; Influence of Hate & Extremism; CAPAC Concerns in U.S. Revoking Visas for Chinese Students; Wu Chien-Shiung #334 6/2 Monthly Meeting; Influence of Hate & Extremism; CAPAC Concerns in U.S. Revoking Visas for Chinese Students; Wu Chien-Shiung In This Issue #334 · 2025/06/02 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · Influence of Hate and Extremism Grow; Attacked Asian Professor Speaks Out · CAPAC Expressed Concerns in the U.S. Revoking Visas for Chinese Students · Chinese Students at Harvard Cancel Flights, Scramble for Legal Help After Trump Ban · U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Plans for Expanded Social Media Screening · Federal Judge Halts Trump’s Harvard Foreign Student Ban Amid Escalating Clash · Wu Chien-Shiung: The Chinese-American Physicist Who Changed Science But Was Denied the Nobel · News and Activities for the Communities 2025/06/02 APA Justice Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, June 2, 2025 , starting at 1:55 pm ET . In addition to updates by Judith Teruya , Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Joanna YangQing Derman , Program Director, Advancing Justice | AAJC, and Gisela Perez Kusakawa , Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), invited speakers are: · Judy Chu , Member, U.S. House of Representative · Aki Maehara , Professor, Historian, East Los Angeles College · Ya Liu , Member, North Carolina House of Representatives · Juanita Brent , Member, Ohio House of Representative · Christina Ku and Gerald Ohn, Co-Founders, Asian American Civil Rights League · Brian Sun , Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright · Edgar Chen , Special Policy 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 . Influence of Hate and Extremism Grow Despite Numbers Decline; Attacked Asian Professor Speaks Out The Associated Press recently reported that the number of hate and extremist groups in the United States slightly declined in 2024, but not because their influence is waning—in fact, the opposite may be true. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), whose annual Year in Hate and Extremism report was released Thursday, many white nationalist, anti-LGBTQ+, and anti-government ideologies have become increasingly mainstream, infiltrating politics, education, and public discourse. The SPLC counted 1,371 hate and extremist groups in 2024, down 5% from the previous year. Of these, 533 were active hate groups, a continued decline from the 1,021 peak in 2018. But researchers cautioned against reading this as progress. “The trends have slightly sort of gone up and down but let’s just say generally, since our tracking, have increased,” said Rachel Carroll Rivas, interim director of the SPLC’s Intelligence Project. “And that’s not just on a total numbers level but also on a per capita.” One reason for the drop, the SPLC says, is that extremist views are being adopted more widely, reducing the need for formal group structures. These include calls for bans on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, opposition to LGBTQ+ visibility, and the rise in book bans. Anti-government groups rose to 838, with many believing the federal government is “tyrannical.” The SPLC also noted a rise in male supremacist hate groups, growing from nine to 16 in 2024. These groups promote strict gender roles and misogyny. Their emergence coincides with Vice President Kamala Harris becoming the first woman of color to win a major party’s presidential nomination. “We saw intense vilification, the claiming of demonization of Harris,” Rivas said, adding that far-right online spaces falsely portrayed women as unqualified to lead. The report’s release coincided with the public appearance of Aki Maehara , a 71-year-old Japanese American professor at East Los Angeles College who survived a violent hate crime in April. Maehara held a press conference on May 22 at the Chinese American Museum in Los Angeles to speak publicly about this violent incident he experienced, which is being investigated as a possible hate crime. On April 29, while riding his electric bicycle home in Montebello, Maehara was struck from behind by a car. The driver reportedly shouted anti-Asian slurs, including “Go back to Ch—k-land,” before fleeing the scene. Maehara sustained multiple injuries, including a concussion, fractured cheekbone, neck injury, and extensive bruising. “I am wanting to add my voice to efforts to address fascist, racist violence,” Maehara said during this press conference. A GoFundMe campaign was launched to assist with Maehara's medical expenses and recovery, raising over $82,000 as of May 27. A change.org page was also set up with the title “Demand Justice for Professor Aki Maehara: Fully Investigate This Hate Crime.” Despite being injured, Maehara has returned to teaching his course on racism in the U.S. and is considering donating part of the nearly money raised for his recovery to other victims of hate violence. “All of your support, concern and care has helped to speed up my healing,” he told supporters. Watch the full YouTube interview with Professor Maehara: Decolonizing Academia: An interview with Professor Aki Maehara, Historian, Activist In this interview, Maehara shared his experiences growing up in East LA, intergenerational trauma, Vietnam and more. CAPAC Expressed Concerns in the U.S. Revoking Visas for Chinese Students In response to Secretary Rubio saying that the U.S. will “aggressively revoke” visas for Chinese students, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) issued a statement pressing concerns: “The wholesale revocation of student visas based on national origin — and without an investigation — is xenophobic and wrong. “Turning these students away —many of whom simply wish to learn in a free and democratic society — is not just shortsighted but a betrayal of our values.” According to New York Times , Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the students who will have their visas canceled include people with ties to the Chinese Communist Party and those studying in “critical fields.” He added that the State Department was revising visa criteria to “enhance scrutiny” of all future applications from China, including Hong Kong. The move was certain to send ripples of anxiety across university campuses in the United States. China is the country of origin for the second-largest group of international students in the United States. Chinese Students at Harvard Cancel Trips, Scramble for Legal Help After Trump Ban According to Reuters , Chinese students at Harvard University were left reeling on Friday after the Trump administration blocked the school from enrolling international students, triggering panic, canceled flights, and widespread legal uncertainty. The administration’s order—citing allegations that Harvard had coordinated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), among other claims—would force current foreign students to transfer to other institutions or risk losing their legal status. The policy could potentially be expanded to include other universities as well. Zhang , a 24-year-old PhD student in physics, said the Chinese student community felt particularly vulnerable. “I think the Chinese community definitely feels like a more targeted entity compared to other groups,” he said. Fearing escalation, friends even advised him to avoid staying at his apartment in case of immigration enforcement action. “They think it’s possible that an ICE agent can take you from your apartment,” he said, requesting anonymity for safety reasons. The uncertainty caused immediate disruptions. Zhang Kaiqi , a 21-year-old master’s student in public health, had packed his bags for a flight back to China when the order hit. “I was sad and irritated. For a moment I thought it was fake news,” he said. He canceled the flight—losing both money and a summer internship with a U.S. NGO in China. Many students were especially concerned about losing visa-linked internships vital for future graduate school applications. Others scrambled for legal advice. Two Chinese students said they were added to WhatsApp groups where panicked peers shared updates and legal tips. One transcript showed a lawyer advising students not to travel domestically or leave the country until official school guidance was issued. A federal judge issued a two-week restraining order, temporarily freezing the ban. The Chinese Foreign Ministry condemned the action, warning it would damage the U.S.’s international credibility and pledging to protect the rights of Chinese students abroad. “It will only damage the image and international credibility of the United States,” the ministry said. Some Chinese families are now reconsidering the U.S. as an education destination. “It’s likely to be a final nudge toward other destinations,” said Pippa Ebel, an education consultant based in Guangzhou. Incoming Harvard master’s student Zhao , 23, said she may defer or transfer if the situation doesn’t improve. “It’s really disturbed my life plans. I had planned to apply for my U.S. visa in early June, and now I’m not sure what to do,” she said. U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Plans for Expanded Social Media Screening According to Politico , Associated Press , NPR , and others, the U.S. State Department has temporarily halted the scheduling of new visa interviews for foreign students, signaling a further tightening of the Trump administration’s approach toward international students. The pause, which does not affect applicants with already scheduled interviews, comes as the government prepares to implement more stringent screening of applicants' social media activity. According to a diplomatic cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and obtained by The Associated Press, consular sections have been instructed not to add "any additional student or exchange visitor visa appointment capacity" until new guidance on expanded vetting is issued. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce defended the move during a Tuesday briefing, saying, “We will continue to use every tool we can to assess who it is that’s coming here, whether they are students or otherwise.” The suspension, first reported by Politico , adds to a growing list of measures targeting foreign students. Just last week, the Trump administration revoked Harvard University's ability to enroll international students, a decision that was swiftly challenged in court and is now temporarily blocked. Earlier this year, the administration also revoked the legal status of thousands of international students, prompting legal battles and widespread concern. Critics argue these measures risk disrupting academic plans and damaging U.S. higher education institutions that rely heavily on international students for both diversity and revenue. Many foreign students pay full tuition, helping universities offset declining federal funding. An anonymous U.S. official told the Associated Press that the current halt is temporary, but uncertainty looms. “This kind of broad suspension without clarity creates a chilling effect on applicants and institutions alike,” the official noted. With the summer and fall terms approaching, the prolonged visa delays could significantly impact enrollment and campus life across the country. Federal Judge Halts Trump’s Harvard Foreign Student Ban Amid Escalating Clash According to Associated Press , CNN , Reuters , New York Times , and others, a federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from barring Harvard University from enrolling international students—a move the university called unconstitutional retaliation for resisting federal demands. U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs temporarily halted the policy, which threatened to strip Harvard of its ability to host international students, who make up roughly a quarter of its student body. In its lawsuit, Harvard argued that the administration’s actions violated the First Amendment and would have an “immediate and devastating effect,” warning that the measure could force thousands of students to transfer or lose legal immigration status while damaging the university’s global standing. “Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard,” the school said in its filing. A New York Times report sheds light on the escalating conflict between Harvard and the Trump administration. According to the report, the conflict escalated after the Department of Homeland Security, led by Secretary Kristi Noem, demanded extensive data on international students, including coursework, disciplinary records, and even video footage of student protests. While Harvard provided data it was legally required to share, it pushed back on the broader demands, calling them vague, politically motivated, and beyond the scope of federal law. The administration accused Harvard of fostering an unsafe campus environment and alleged links to the Chinese Communist Party—claims the university firmly denied. Former Harvard President Lawrence Summers condemned the government’s actions on X (formerly Twitter), calling them “madness” that risks alienating future global leaders. This confrontation reflects a broader campaign by the Trump administration to reshape the U.S. higher education, with elite universities accused of promoting "woke" ideologies, tolerating antisemitism, and resisting conservative values. Multiple federal agencies—including the Departments of Justice, Education, Health and Human Services, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission—have launched investigations into Harvard, focusing on admissions practices, compliance with the Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling, and foreign funding disclosures. Harvard’s legal team contends that universities have a constitutionally protected right to manage their academic communities free from government interference, citing case law that protects not just students and faculty, but institutions themselves. Wu Chien-Shiung: The Chinese-American Physicist Who Changed Science But Was Denied the Nobel In May, during AAPI Heritage Month, the South China Morning Post published a feature story on Wu Chien-Shiung , the legendary Chinese American physicist whose groundbreaking work helped shape modern science—despite a lifetime of discrimination and under-recognition. Born in 1912 in a small village near Shanghai, Wu rose to become one of the most influential experimental physicists of the 20th century. Known as the "Queen of Physics," she played a critical role in the Manhattan Project, helping solve complex problems in uranium enrichment. Her expertise was so well regarded that when Enrico Fermi encountered a technical obstacle, the advice he received was simply: “Ask Miss Wu.” Yet, despite her pivotal contributions, Wu was excluded from the 1957 Nobel Prize awarded to Tsung-Dao Lee and Chen-Ning Yang for their theory of parity violation—an idea her meticulous experiments had confirmed. Many scientists and historians have since argued that Wu deserved a share of that honor, if not a Nobel Prize of her own. As an Asian woman in a white male-dominated field, Wu endured systemic discrimination throughout her career. FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover even referred to her as “he” in vetting documents, reflecting both racial and gender bias. She was routinely paid less than her male counterparts and had to fight for basic professional respect. Still, she persisted. Later in her life, Wu became a fierce advocate for women in science. “The traditional role of wife and mother and dedicated scientist are compatible,” she once declared, challenging both cultural and institutional barriers. She urged young girls to pursue science and questioned the belief that physics was only for men. Beyond her scientific achievements, Wu also played a quiet diplomatic role. She advised against Taiwan’s nuclear weapons ambitions and helped foster China’s scientific development during a time of strained U.S.-China relations. Though she was omitted from the recent film Oppenheimer and denied the Nobel recognition she deserved, Wu Chien-Shiung’s legacy has only grown. She has been honored with a U.S. postage stamp and a towering statue in her hometown. Wu passed away in 1997, but today she is remembered as one of the greatest experimental physicists of her era—a pioneer whose brilliance and resilience continue to inspire new generations. News and Activities for the Communities APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/05/29 U.S. v. Wen Ho Lee - 25 Years Later2025/06/01 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/06/02 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/06/03 The Second Annual State of the Science Address2025/06/15 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/06/15-18 2025 Applied Statistics Symposium2025/06/16-24 Discover China 2025: Summer Youth Exchange to the Greater Bay Area2025/06/29-30 2025 ICSA China ConferenceVisit 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 May 29, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #224 Henry Kissinger; 12/12 Section 702 Briefing; WH Commission/WH Fellows; DETERRENT Act #224 Henry Kissinger; 12/12 Section 702 Briefing; WH Commission/WH Fellows; DETERRENT Act In This Issue #224 · Invited Report: Dr. Kissinger's Passing and the Debate over His One-China Policy · 12/12 Community Briefing on Section 702 of FISA · President's Advisory Commission Renewed; White House Fellows Program Opens · CAPAC Chair Urges Opposition to DETERRENT Act on House Floor · News and Activities for the Communities Invited Report: Dr. Kissinger's Passing and the Debate over His One-China Policy Author: Juan Zhang , Editor, US-China Perception Monitor/ 中美印象, Carter Center, Juan.Zhang@cartercenter.org On November 29, 2023, Dr. Henry Kissinger , former U.S. Secretary of State, passed away at the age of 100. Dr. Kissinger advised 12 U.S. presidents on foreign policy, from President Kennedy to President Biden . The foreign policies he shaped influenced the lives of billions of people worldwide.This is especially true when it comes to China. In the early 1970s, Dr. Kissinger, with a strategic vision and great wisdom, opened the door for China to engage with the United States. China has since changed profoundly. The one-China policy and strategic ambiguity toward cross-strait was at the heart of the China policy that Dr. Kissinger and his aides crafted. This policy has helped maintain peace in East Asia for decades, laying the foundation for the region's prosperity.In light of growing competition in US-China relations, the policy of strategic ambiguity has become a point of tension. China hawks explicitly call for arming and defending Taiwan. Even President Biden has “misspoken” four times in recent months that the U.S. will come to Taiwan’s defense if China uses force. Under those noises, some experts and former diplomats have started to voice their support for policies that will and have maintained cross-strait peace. In a recent in-depth interview with the US-China Perception Monitor of the Carter Center, Ambassador Winston Lord , the close aide who accompanied Dr. Kissinger on visiting China in 1970s, shared his view on this question: The bipartisan Taiwan policy of nine American Presidents is one of the greatest diplomatic achievements in recent history, and "strategic ambiguity" is an essential part of that policy. …… To switch to "strategic clarity" would destroy a half-century of "One China" policy, upend our relationship with Beijing, and give Taiwan leaders the green light to take provocative actions, assuring that we would come to their defense in case of conflict, no matter what the origins.(Read the full piece: https://uscnpm.org/2023/11/30/ambassador-winston-lord/ ) Furthermore, three top-notch experts on China/Taiwan published a joint article on Foreign Affairs . In their piece, Bonnie S. Glaser , Jessica Chen Weiss , and Thomas J. Christensen argue that the United States cannot rely solely on deterrence to China. It should use a combination of assurance and deterrence. While strengthening deterrence, the United States should assure China that it will not support Taiwan's independence. At the same time, China must continue to explore peaceful unification means. Those points reflect fundamental elements of the strategic ambiguity policy that Dr. Kissinger, Ambassador Lord, and others established decades ago. (Read the full piece: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/taiwan/taiwan-china-true-sources-deterrence ) Community Briefing on Section 702 of FISA WHAT: Webinar - Community Briefing on Section 702 of FISA: Sweeping Reforms to Warrantless Surveillance Initiative WHEN: December 12, 2023, 2-3 pm ET/11-12 noon PT HOSTS: Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), Advancing Justice | AAJC, APA Justice, Brennan Center for Justice, Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA) MODERATOR: Eri Andriola , Associate Director of Policy & Litigation, AASF SPEAKERS: · Noah Chauvin, Counsel, Liberty & National Security, Brennan Center for Justice · Joanna YangQing Derman, Director of Anti-Profiling, Civil Rights, and National Security, Advancing Justice | AAJC · Gisela Perez Kusakawa, Executive Director, AASF · Andy Wong, Managing Director of Advocacy, CAA DESCRIPTION: The briefing will feature civil rights, national security, and policy experts, who will break down what Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) is and how it impacts Asian American communities. Panelists will discuss the key reform bills at play, including the Government Surveillance Reform Act (GSRA) and the Protecting Liberty and Ending Warrantless Surveillance Act (PLEWSA), and how the Asian American community and advocates can get involved on this issue. REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/41ejxkG Breaking News: NBC News reported on December 6, 2023, that lawmakers have reached an agreement to temporarily extend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). The agreement to reauthorize FISA through April 2024 is part of bipartisan and bicameral negotiations over a path forward for the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Read the NBC News report: https://nbcnews.to/3Nho4Nv Earlier on December 5, 2023, a post on X, previously Tweeter, by Punchbowl News reported that House Speaker Mike Johnson nixed (more permanent) reauthorization of Section 702 in the NDAA. Read the X post: https://bit.ly/47Mdvdj President's Advisory Commission Renewed; White House Fellows Program Opens On September 29, 2023, President Joe Biden signed Executive Order 14109 to renew the President's Advisory Commission through September 2025. The action also amends Executive Order 14031 to provide commissioners with new authorities to more effectively communicate their work with the public. Established in May 2021, and co-chaired by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra and U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai , the 25-member Commission of AA and NHPI leaders advises the President on ways the public, private and non-profit sectors can work together to advance equity, justice, and opportunity for AA and NHPI communities. Read the White House announcement: https://bit.ly/3T8P2un White House Fellows Program Opens Applications for the Class of 2024-2025 White House Fellows Program is now open through 3:00 p.m. ET on Friday, January 5, 2024. You can apply here now: https://bit.ly/3OGlwb1 . Individual registration is required. On December 7, 2023, starting at 8 pm ET, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) will host an online event for the public to learn how to apply, explore selection criteria, and ask for advice directly from Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander alumni panelists. Register for "An Introduction to the White House Fellows Program" here: https://bit.ly/3RbsAxZ Meet The AANHPI Team at The White House From left to right: · Krystal Ka‘ai , Executive Director, White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders · Neera Tanden , Senior Advisor to the President and White House Staff Secretary · Erika L. Moritsugu , Deputy Assistant to the President and AA and NHPI Senior Liaison · Philip Kim , Senior Advisor, White House Office of Public Engagement They were introduced by Hannah Y. Kim , Asia-Pacific policy adviser to the White House Chief of Staff, in a video celebrating the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month during the APA Justice monthly meeting on May 1, 2023. A summary for the monthly meeting has been posted at https://bit.ly/3RwbRa0 . Other speakers at the meeting were · Nisha Ramachandran, Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, nisha.ramachandran@mail.house.gov · John Yang 杨重远, President and Executive Director, Advancing Justice | AAJC · Gisela Kusakawa, Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), gpkusakawa@aasforum.org · Brenna Isman , Director of Academy Studies, National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) · Paula Williams Madison, Former Print and TV Journalist, Retired NBCUniversal executive CAPAC Chair Urges Opposition to DETERRENT Act on House Floor According to a press release by the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) on December 6, 2023, CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) took to the House Floor to urge her colleagues to vote in opposition to H.R. 5933 , the DETERRENT Act.Her remarks as delivered:“As Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I rise in strong opposition to the DETERRENT Act.“The DETERRENT Act would burden higher education institutions and federal agencies by needlessly complicating existing research security measures. Further, the bill would impose unreasonably expansive reporting requirements on individual researchers. What is worst is that it would broadcast their personal information on public databases, therefore casting a chilling effect disproportionately on the Asian American academic community.“From the incarceration of Japanese Americans in World War II to racial profiling of Chinese American scientists under the failed China Initiative, countless Asian Americans have had their lives destroyed because our government falsely accused them of being spies. Already, seventy two percent of Asian American academic researchers report feeling unsafe. “Safeguarding national security can be done through commonsense reforms that Democrats have offered that don’t come at the expense of U.S. scientific innovation, global collaboration, and the Asian American community. In fact, Congressmember Bobby Scott has submitted such an amendment that is a commonsense reform. In the meanwhile, this bill, the DETERRENT Act, is a bill that I urge all my colleagues to vote no on.” News and Activities for the Communities APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2023/12/06 1882 Foundation Lecture and Reception: We are Americans 2023/12/07 An Introduction to The White House Fellows Program2023/12/10 Rep. Gene Wu 's Weekly town hall meeting 2023/12/12 Community Briefing on Section 702 of FISA2023/12/17 Rep. Gene Wu 's Weekly town hall meeting Visit https://bit.ly/45KGyga for event details. Back View PDF December 7, 2023 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

2020 was an unprecedented year that saw our nation increasingly divided and filled with anti-Asian hate. However, it ended with a positive story on humanity in which the heroes and victims in an anti-Chinese hate crime are not even of Chinese origin. December 27, 2020 The year 2020 was one of unprecedented challenges that saw our nation increasingly divided, unable to control the COVID-19 pandemic that was filled with anti-Asian hate and continuing profiling of hundreds if not thousands of Chinese American scientists under investigations and prosecutions. However, it ended with a positive story on humanity in which the heroes and victims in an anti-Chinese hate crime are not even of Chinese origin. On December 27, 2020, a virtual event was held with Professor Steven Pei as the host to conclude a successful GoFundMe campaign , which was reported by the World Journal under the headline 员工勇救亚裔 华人5天募10万 . During the event, Zach Owen and Bawi Cung took the stage to express their appreciation for the generous donations of more than $121,000 from over 2,700 individuals. President Qiang Gan and Treasurer Lin Li of ACP Foundation Dallas reported the state of the finances and various details of the fundraiser. Other organizers for the fundraiser include OCA Greater Houston (H.C. Chang and Cecil Fong); Reagan Hignojos , friend of the Cung Family; United Chinese Americans (Steven Pei); and APAPA Austin Texas Chapter (C.J. Zhao). Bawi Cung and his two boys, aged 2 & 6, were hate crime victims in Midland, TX on March 14, 2020. The suspect thought the Burmese family was Chinese and spreading the coronavirus and attacked them with a knife. As a bystander, Zach Owen disarmed the suspect bare handedly. Unfortunately, Zach’s right palm also suffered permanent injury and has retained only 40% of his grip strength. With the hope to find a better job in the west Texas oil field, Zach came to Midland from Oklahoma. The injury disqualifies him from many oil field jobs. He has also been treated for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The first $50,000 of donation will still be given to Zach on or before his birthday in mid-January 2021 to pay for his ongoing out-of-pocket medical bills, cover some of the financial deficit incurred due to the reduced working hours during his recovery period, and also help with Zach’s return to a normal life. We need more heroes like Zach Owen. Earlier on June 22, 2020, a coalition of Asian American organizations honored Zach Owen and Bernie Ramirez , a Border Patrol agent who also intervened in the violent anti-Asian stabbing with a special Lily and Vincent Chin Advocacy Award Ceremony . It was followed by the From Vincent Chin to George Floyd Webinar led by Helen Zia, award-winning journalist and community activist, and moderated by Gordon Quan, attorney and former Houston City Council member. On August 10, 2020, Zach Owen testified in the Tri-caucus Congressional Forum on Rise in Anti-Asian Bigotry during the COVID-19 Pandemic ,” which was organized by the Congressional Asian Pacific Americcan Caucus. 2020 was an unprecedented year that saw our nation increasingly divided and filled with anti-Asian hate. However, it ended with a positive story on humanity in which the heroes and victims in an anti-Chinese hate crime are not even of Chinese origin. Previous Next 2020 Ends With A Positive Story

Nearly two years later, a 21-year-old Texas man who attempted to kill an Asian man and his young child has pleaded guilty to federal hate-crime charges. February 24, 2022 On February 24, 2022, the Washington Post published Texas man accused of attacking Asian family over racist coronavirus fears pleads guilty to hate-crime charges . A 21-year-old Texas man, Jose Gomez III, who attempted to kill an Asian man and his young child because he thought they were Chinese — and therefore, he said, responsible for the coronavirus pandemic — has pleaded guilty to federal hate-crime charges. He slashed the 6-year-old boy’s face. “The blade entered millimeters from [the boy’s] right eye, split his right ear, and wrapped around to the back of his skull,” prosecutors said. Gomez then stabbed a White employee who had intervened to stop the attack. Justice Department officials said that while Gomez was pinned down after being subdued, he yelled to the family, “Get out of America!” Gomez later told local authorities that he had never seen the father before but had perceived him as a “threat” because he supposedly “came from the country who started spreading the disease around.” He admitted to trying to kill the father and the 6-year-old in an effort to “stop the threat.” Gomez pleaded guilty to three counts of committing a hate crime and faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a total of $750,000 in fines. Nearly two years later, a 21-year-old Texas man who attempted to kill an Asian man and his young child has pleaded guilty to federal hate-crime charges. Previous Next Texas man accused of attacking Asian family over racist coronavirus fears pleads guilty to hate-crime charges

Newsletter - #1 Reminder Of July 6 Meeting #1 Reminder Of July 6 Meeting Back View PDF July 5, 2020 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #127 6/6 Meeting; ODNI Overdue Report; US-China Future/Past; Chinese Students; Census Data #127 6/6 Meeting; ODNI Overdue Report; US-China Future/Past; Chinese Students; Census Data Back View PDF May 30, 2022 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Birthright Citizenship WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME Go Go Prev Next Table of Contents What is Birthright Citizenship? Donald Trump Executive Order Why Protect Birthright Citizenship? Timeline Visualization Historical Context Related Media Legal Battles Summary What is Birthright Citizenship? Birthright citizenship grants automatic citizenship to individuals born within a country's territory, regardless of their parents' nationality or immigration status. In the United States, it is enshrined in the 14th Amendment of the Constitution , which states: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside." Back to Table of Contents Donald Trump Executive Order On January 20, 2025 Donald Trump issued Executive Order 14160 seeking to end birthright citizenship in the United States. Read the executive order here . Threats to Birthright Citizenship Executive Actions : Attempts to redefine or restrict citizenship via executive orders. Legislative Proposals : Bills challenging the interpretation of the 14th Amendment. Misinformation : Campaigns framing birthright citizenship as a "loophole" or "anchor baby" issue. Court Challenges : Lawsuits aiming to reinterpret the jurisdiction clause of the 14th Amendment. Back to Table of Contents Why Protect Birthright Citizenship? Legal Foundation : It upholds the principles of equality and inclusion. Stability : Ensures clarity in citizenship rights and avoids creating stateless individuals. Economic Contributions : Children born as citizens contribute to the nation’s workforce, innovation, and economy. Human Rights : Aligns with international norms discouraging discrimination based on ancestry or immigration status. How to Protect Birthright Citizenship Advocacy : Support organizations fighting to uphold constitutional rights (e.g., ACLU, JACL, Asian Americans Advancing Justice). Engage in grassroots campaigns to raise awareness. Education : Inform communities about the 14th Amendment and its protections. Share historical examples, such as Wong Kim Ark's case and Japanese American Internment, to highlight the consequences of eroding citizenship rights. Legislation : Advocate for laws that reaffirm birthright citizenship and oppose restrictive measures. Support elected officials who prioritize protecting constitutional rights. Judicial Defense : Monitor legal challenges and support amicus briefs defending birthright citizenship. Fund and back litigation efforts to uphold the 14th Amendment. Community Action : Build coalitions with diverse groups affected by immigration and citizenship issues. Amplify personal stories to humanize the issue and dispel negative stereotypes. Key Talking Points Constitutional Mandate : Birthright citizenship is a core constitutional right, upheld by over a century of legal precedent, including the landmark Wong Kim Ark decision. Historical Lessons : The Wong Kim Ark case and Japanese American Internment remind us of the dangers of prejudice and the importance of protecting citizenship rights. American Values : Birthright citizenship reflects principles of fairness, equality, and the immigrant roots of the U.S. Economic Impact : Policies undermining birthright citizenship harm economic growth and social cohesion. Back to Table of Contents Timeline Visualization Source: https://www.tiki-toki.com/timeline/entry/2139841/Birthright-Citizenship/ Back to Table of Contents Historical Context 1790: The Naturalization Act of 1790 The first Act to define parameters for citizenship by naturalization, this Act limited naturalization to white, male property owners who had resided in the U.S. for at least two years, setting an early precedent for exclusive definitions of American citizenship. Resources https://immigrationhistory.org/item/1790-nationality-act/ https://www.visitthecapitol.gov/artifact/h-r-40-naturalization-bill-march-4-1790 1857: Dred Scott v. Sandford Dred Scott, an enslaved man, sued for his freedom, arguing that his past residence in free territories made him a free man. The Supreme Court ruled that, because Scott was of African descent, he could not be considered an American citizen and therefore did not have standing to sue in federal court. This landmark case resulted in the denial of citizenship from all individuals of African descent in the United States and entrenched the idea that American citizenship was linked to race. Resources https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/dred-scott-v-sandford https://www.thirteen.org/wnet/supremecourt/antebellum/landmark_dred.html 1868: Ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment The Fourteenth Amendment granted citizenship to all persons “born or naturalized in the United States” and guaranteed all citizens “equal protection of the laws” in an attempt to address the grievances established in Dred Scott v. Sandford. The Fourteenth Amendment was the second of three amendments adopted during Reconstruction following the Civil War. Resources https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/14th-amendment https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/it-was-today-congress-approved-the-14th-amendment 1868: Burlingame Treaty Signed six years after authorization for construction of the Transcontinental Railroad, this agreement secured U.S. access to Chinese laborers, granting Chinese free immigration and travel within the U.S. and granting China most favored nation status in trade. This treaty was reversed by the Angell Treaty in 1868. Resources https://immigrationhistory.org/item/burlingame-treaty-of-1868/ https://immigrationhistory.org/item/angell-treaty-of-1880/ 1875: Page Act In writing, this Act prohibited the "importation of women for the purposes of prostitution" and the recruitment of laborers from Asia who were not brought to the U.S. of their own volition. In practice, this law prevented Chinese women from migrating to the U.S., essentially requiring Chinese men to leave the U.S. if they wished to get married. The Page Act was repealed in 1974.\ Resources https://www.history.com/articles/chinese-immigration-page-act-women 1882: Chinese Exclusion Act and Chinese Immigration The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 prohibited the immigration of Chinese laborers for 10 years, the first act of its kind to place broad restrictions on immigration. The Act served as a response to growing anti-China sentiment in the U.S., particularly from other workers in the American economy who felt they faced increased job competition. In 1888, Congress passed the Scott Act, forbidding reentry into the U.S. after a visit to China. The Geary Act of 1892 extended Chinese exclusion for another 10 years and incorporated Hawaii and the Philippines. In 1943, Congress repealed the exclusion acts, two years after China joined the Allied Nations during World War II. Only in 2011 did Congress officially condemn the Chinese Exclusion Act with the unanimous passing of Senate Resolution 201 and House Resolution 683. Resources https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/chinese-exclusion-act#:~:text=In%20the%20spring%20of%201882,immigrating%20to%20the%20United%20States https://history.state.gov/milestones/1866-1898/chinese-immigration 1886: Yick Wo v. Hopkins In this case, the court determined that Chinese immigrants, though not citizens of the U.S., were still entitled to equal protections under the Fourteenth Amendment. Resources https://www.oyez.org/cases/1850-1900/118us356 1898: United States v. Wong Kim Ark Wong Kim Ark, born in San Francisco to Chinese parents, was denied reentry into the U.S. after a trip abroad, as officials argued he was not a citizen due to the Chinese Exclusion Act. In United States v. Wong Kim Ark, the Supreme Court ruled that the Fourteenth Amendment guaranteed citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil, regardless of parental citizenship. This landmark case cemented the principle of birthright citizenship and set a crucial precedent for defending the rights of children born to immigrants. Resources https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/a-look-back-at-the-wong-kim-ark-decision https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/united_states_v._wong_kim_ark 1906: The Naturalization Act of 1906 This Act required all immigrants to learn English in order to become naturalized citizens. Resources https://www.nvlchawaii.org/limits-japanese-immigration-us-enters-wwi/ 1922: Ozawa v. United States Takao Ozawa, a Japanese man who moved to the U.S. for college and began a family in Hawaii, applied for citizenship and was rejected due to his race, despite meeting all non-racial qualifications. This landmark decision determined all Issei ineligible for citizenship, reinforcing racial barriers to citizenship and solidifying the exclusion of Asian immigrants from naturalization. Resources https://encyclopedia.densho.org/Ozawa_v._United_States https://www.nvlchawaii.org/limits-japanese-immigration-us-enters-wwi/ 1924: Immigration Act of 1924 This act established a national origins quota in order to severely restrict the number of immigrants entering the U.S. The quota provided immigration visas to two-percent of the total number of people of existing nationalities in the U.S but also included natural-born citizens, so the number of people allowed from the British Isles and Western Europe was higher than elsewhere. The act also prohibited immigration from those countries who were already ineligible for citizenship in the U.S. Since all people of Asian lineage were prohibited from naturalizing, this meant that even those who could immigrate but not naturalize, such as the Japanese, could now not do either. The act also severely restricted the number of European Jews and refugees fleeing fascism and the Holocaust. Although this violated the Gentlemen’s Agreement, the U.S. government remained firm. Resources https://history.state.gov/milestones/1921-1936/immigration-act https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/1924-us-immigration-act-history 1924: Indian Citizenship Act (Snyder Act) The Indian Citizenship Act granted citizenship to all Native Americans born in the U.S. The right to vote was still governed by state law, leaving some Native Americans unable to vote until 1957. Resources https://www.loc.gov/item/today-in-history/june-02/ 1925: Chang Chan v. Nagle Under the Immigration Act of 1924, the Supreme Court determined that Chinese women were ineligible for citizenship and thus could not qualify as non-quota immigrants to the U.S., due to their Chinese descent. Thus, Chinese wives of American citizens were not allowed entry into the U.S. Resources https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/268/346/ 1942: Japanese Internment During World War II, over 120,000 Japanese Americans – two-thirds of whom were U.S. citizens by birth – were forcibly removed from their homes and incarcerated without due process. This demonstrated how prejudice can undermine constitutional rights. Only in 1988 did Congress and President Reagan sign the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 expressing regret for the injustice of internment and offering $20,000 to each incarcerated individual. Resources https://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/japanese-relocation https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/japanese-american-relocation 1952: McCarran-Walter Act This act continued the controversial quota system established in the Immigration Act of 1924. While the act finally allowed universal Asian immigration and naturalization, the quota system ensured that eighty-five percent of annually available visas were allotted to people of northern and western European heritage. Resources https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/immigration-act https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/sites/default/files/research/Brief21%20-%20McCarran-Walter.pdf 1982: Plyler v. Doe A Texas education law allowed the state to deny funding for educating children of non-citizens. The Supreme Court struck down this law, ruling that non-citizens and their children were afforded Fourteenth Amendment protections under the Equal Protection Clause. Resources https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/457/202/ https://www.uscourts.gov/educational-resources/educational-activities/access-education-rule-law Back to Table of Contents Related Media 2025/05/09 San Francisco Bay Times: Standing Up for Birthright Citizenship: A Personal Reflection 2025/04/11 AALDEF: With 80+ Asian American organizations and race and law centers, AALDEF submits brief in support of birthright citizenship 2025/04/09 NAPABA: NAPABA Leads Broad Coalition to Defend Birthright Citizenship in Court 2025/03/28 Edgar Chen and Chris M. Kwok in Just Security (translation by Juan Zhang) - 特朗普政府重塑《第十四修正案》 ——《黄金德案》并未限制出生公民权 2025/03/28 Edgar Chen and Chris M. Kwok in Just Security - The Trump Administration’s 14th Amendment Retcon: ‘Wong Kim Ark’ Does Not Limit Birthright Citizenship 2025/03/28 CAPAC press release: CAPAC Chair Meng Statement on the Anniversary of United States v. Wong Kim Ark Decision 2025/01/24 PBS: What to know about the legal battle over Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship 2025/01/23 New York Times: “Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump’s Executive Order to End Birthright Citizenship” 2025/01/23 ABC News: “What to Make of Trump’s Attempt to End Birthright Citizenship” 2025/03/31 Senator Tim Kaine Letter 2018/11/01 Pew Research Center. “Number of U.S.-Born Babies with Unauthorized Immigrant Parents Has Fallen Since 2007” 2018/01/11 Congressional Research Service: The Citizenship Clause and “Birthright Citizenship”: A Brief Legal Overview 1898/03/28 Justia: United States v. Wong Kim Ark, 169 U.S. 649 1868/07/09 National Archives: 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Civil Rights (1868) Japanese American Citizens League: The Japanese American Experience Chinese Historical Society of New England. Exclusion Acts and Legal Resistance Global Birthright Citizenship Laws Law Library of Congress. “Birthright Citizenship Conditions.” More info here . Global Birthright Citizenship Laws Back to Table of Contents Legal Battles On January 20, 2025, the Trump Administration issued an executive order seeking to strip certain babies born in the United States of their U.S. citizenship. The following lawsuits have been filed to stop the implementation of the executive order. 1. New Hampshire Indonesian Community Support v. Trump (1:25-cv00038) U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire File Date: January 20, 2025 Plaintiffs: New Hampshire Indonesian Community Support, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), and Make the Road New York Legal Team: American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), along with its affiliates in New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts, the Asian Law Caucus, the State Democracy Defenders Fund, and the Legal Defense Fund 2. Doe v. Trump (1:25-cv-10136) U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts File Date: January 20, 2025 Plaintiffs: Jane Doe and others Legal Team: Lawyers for Civil Rights 3. Thien Le v. Donald J. Trump (8:25-cv-00104) U.S. District Court for the Central District of California File Date: January 20, 2025 Plaintiff: Thien Le Legal Team: TFC Legal Services & Associates 4. State of Washington et al v. Trump et al (2:25-cv00127) U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington File Date: January 21, 2025 Plaintiffs: State of Washington, along with Arizona, Illinois, and Oregon 5. State of New Jersey v. Trump (1:25-cv-10139) U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts File Date: January 21, 2025 Plaintiffs: the State of New Jersey, along with 17 other states, San Francisco, Washington DC. At least 72 jurisdictions across 24 states have joined the legal challenge 6. CASA Inc. et al v. Trump et al (8:25-cv-00201) U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland File Date: January 21, 2025 Plaintiffs: CASA Inc., the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project, and individual plaintiffs Maribel, Juana, Trinidad Garcia, Monica, and Liza Legal Team: Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection, Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project, 7. Franco Aleman v. Trump (2:25-cv-00163) - merged into 4 on 2025/01/27 U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington File Date: January 24, 2025 Date Terminated: January 27, 2025 Plaintiffs: Class action led by Cherly Norales Castillo, Alicia Chavarria Lopez, and Delmy Franco Aleman Legal Team: Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (Seattle) 8. OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates v. Rubio (1:25-cv-00287) U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia File Date: January 30, 2025 Plaintiff: OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates Legal Team: Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP and Asian Americans Advancing Justice-AAJC 9. County of Santa Clara v. Trump (5:25-cv-00981) U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California File Date: January 30, 2025 Plaintiff: County of Santa Clara New York Immigration Coalition v. Trump et al. (1:25-cv-01309) U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York File Date: February 13, 2025 Plaintiff: J.V. and New York Immigration Coalition Barbara v. Trump (1:25-cv-00244) U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire File Date: June 27, 2025 Plaintiff: Barbara, Immigration Law Reform Institute, Mark, Matthew, Sarah, Susan Legal Team: ACLU, Asian Law Caucus, NAACP Legal and Defense Education Fund, State Democracy Defenders Action Major Developments 2025/07/16 6. CASA Inc. et al v. Trump et al (8:25-cv-00201) Judge Boardman issued a memorandum opinion and an indicative ruling granting a class-wide injunction pending the district court acquiring jurisdiction on remand from the Fourth Circuit where this part of the litigation is still on appeal. 2025/07/10 11. Barbara v. Trump (1:25-cv-00244) Judge Laplante granted a seven-day classwide injunction preventing the administration from enforcing Executive Order 14160. 2025/07/10 1. New Hampshire Indonesian Community Support v. Trump (1:25-cv00038) Judge Joseph N. Laplante issued an injunction blocking Trump’s executive order limiting birthright citizenship, ruling that the Plaintiffs could proceed as a class. 2025/07/03 5. State of New Jersey v. Trump (1:25-cv-10139) The FIrst CIrcuit denied the government’s request for a supplementary briefing on the state of the preliminary injunction granted previously and remanded the case to the lower court to consider whether Trump v. CASA impacts the court’s preliminary injunction. 2025/07/02 10. New York Immigration Coalition v. Trump et al. (1:25-cv-01309) Plaintiffs submitted a letter indicating that they would amend their complaint following the Supreme Court ruling on June 27, 2025. 2025/07/01 8. OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates v. Rubio (1:25-cv-00287) OCA filed an amended complaint which included several co-complaintant prospective mothers proceeding anonymously and which updated the complaint with statements and actions taken by the Trump administration since the initial complaint was filed. On July 2, the OCA moved for partial summary judgement to declare the EO unconstitutional and to enjoin the administration from carrying it out. 2025/06/27 6. CASA Inc. et al v. Trump et al (8:25-cv-00201) Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint , which included additional plaintiffs and removed President Donald Trump as a defendant while adding the Director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) as a defendant. 2025/06/27 6. CASA Inc. et al v. Trump et al (8:25-cv-00201) 4. State of Washington et al v. Trump et al (2:25-cv00127) The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to partially stay a lower court injunction against Executive Order 14160. The ruling limits the injunction’s scope to only the litigants in the case, but left open whether broader relief might be permitted in class actions. 2025/04/11 4. State of Washington et al v. Trump et al (2:25-cv00127) 208 House Democrats filed amicus brief against Trump birthright citizenship executive order with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Case Number 25-807 2025/04/11 4. State of Washington et al v. Trump et al (2:25-cv00127) AALDEF and coalition filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Case Number 25-807 2025/04/09 4. State of Washington et al v. Trump et al (2:25-cv00127) NAPABA and coalition filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Case Number 25-807 2025/04/04 5. State of New Jersey v. Trump (1:25-cv-10139) The Plaintiffs filed an amicus brief with Supreme Court Case Number 24A886 2025/04/04 4. State of Washington et al v. Trump et al (2:25-cv00127) The Plaintiffs filed an amicus brief with Supreme Court Case Number 24A885 2025/04/04 6. CASA Inc. et al v. Trump et al (8:25-cv-00201) The plaintiffs filed an amicus brief with Supreme Court Case Number 24A884. 2025/03/13 4. State of Washington et al v. Trump et al (2:25-cv00127) The government appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court for a partial stay after the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals denied its request for a partial stay of the district court's injunction. 2025/03/13 6. CASA Inc. et al v. Trump et al (8:25-cv-00201) The government appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court for a partial stay after the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals denied its request for a partial stay of the district court's injunction. 2025/03/11 5. State of New Jersey v. Trump (1:25-cv-10139) The First Circuit Court of Appeals denied the government’s motion for a stay. The government appealed to the Supreme Court. 2025/02/19 4. State of Washington et al v. Trump et al (2:25-cv00127) The Ninth Circuit issued an order denying the government’s emergency motion to stay the district court’s injunction and leaving the existing briefing schedule unchanged. 2025/02/13 5. State of New Jersey v. Trump (1:25-cv-10139) Judge Leo T. Sorokin issued an opinion granting a preliminary injunction enjoining the government from implementing and enforcing Executive Order No. 14,160. 2025/02/13 2. Doe v. Trump (1:25-cv-10136) Judge Leo T. Sorokin issued an opinion granting a preliminary injunction enjoining the government from implementing and enforcing Executive Order No. 14,160. 2025/02/10 1. New Hampshire Indonesian Community Support v. Trump (1:25-cv00038) U.S. District Judge Joseph N. Laplante issued a preliminary injunction . 2025/02/05 6. CASA Inc. et al v. Trump et al (8:25-cv-00201) U.S. District Court Judge Deborah L. Boardman issued a preliminary nationwide injunction until the case is resolved or a higher court overturns it. 2025/01/27 7. Franco Aleman v. Trump (2:25-cv-00163) This case was terminated and consolidated into 3. State of Washington et al v. Trump et al (2:25-cv00127) 2025/01/23 4. State of Washington et al v. Trump et al (2:25-cv00127) U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour granted a temporary restraining order, halting the enforcement of the executive order for 14 days. He described the order as "blatantly unconstitutional," emphasizing its immediate and irreparable harm to individuals affected. Back to Table of Contents Summary The legal victory of Wong Kim Ark and the struggles of Japanese Americans during internment illustrate the enduring importance of protecting birthright citizenship. Defending this right ensures the United States remains a nation of equality and justice. Let’s learn from history, honor constitutional principles, and secure a future where all are treated with dignity and fairness. Back to Table of Contents Timeline Contents Birthright Citizenship Select Title

Newsletter - #333 Hate Crime Victim Speaks; Trump on Harvard/Funding Cuts/Litigations; Meng/Hirono Bill+ #333 Hate Crime Victim Speaks; Trump on Harvard/Funding Cuts/Litigations; Meng/Hirono Bill+ In This Issue #333 · Hate Crime Victim to Speak at 2025/06/02 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · Trump Revokes Harvard’s Authority to Enroll International Students · U.S. Science Faces Crisis Amid Deep Federal Funding Cuts · Latest on Litigations Against Trump's Executive Actions · Meng, Hirono Introduce Legislation to Promote the Teaching of AANHPI History in Schools · News and Activities for the Communities Hate Crime Victim to Speak at 2025/06/02 APA Justice Monthly Meeting According to AsAmNews , BlackNews , KABC , LA Times , Washington Post , and multiple media reports, Aki Maehara , a 71-year-old Japanese American professor and Vietnam War veteran, was struck by a speeding vehicle on April 29, 2025, while riding his electric bicycle near his home in a suburb of Los Angeles. Moments before the crash, Maehara says he heard racial slurs directed at him. The case is now under investigation by the Montebello Police Department as a possible hate crime.Maehara, a longtime professor of Asian American history at East Los Angeles College (ELAC), sustained serious injuries in the attack. He suffered a concussion, fractured cheekbone, deep arm lacerations, and trauma to his hips, lower back, and neck. His electric bike was destroyed in the collision. But what shocked him even more than the physical pain were the words he heard before and after the attack.“I heard, ‘ f**** c***k,’ and I got hit,” Maehara told Eyewitness News. “My bike and I were thrown down. As soon as I hit that row of bricks, I heard the guy say, ‘Go back to f**** c***k land,’ and then he drove away.” “I wear a full-face helmet with a glare visor,” Maehara said. “There’s no way anybody could see my face. So how the hell did he know I’m Asian?”The motive behind the attack appears deeply personal. Maehara is no stranger to harassment. Over the course of his teaching career, which has included courses on the history of racism in the United States and the Vietnam War, he has faced intimidation and threats. He recounted multiple incidents, including classroom protests by Chicano Republicans and even a visit from Ku Klux Klan members during his tenure at Cal State Long Beach.Despite his injuries and the trauma of the attack, Maehara refused to retreat from the classroom. Just weeks after being hospitalized, he returned to teach his final classes of the semester. “It was important for me to show up because they’re trying to stop me,” he said.Friends, former students, and community members have rallied around him in the wake of the attack. Glorya Cabrera , a longtime friend, launched a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for his recovery expenses, including additional in-home care beyond what the VA hospital is currently providing. Community leaders have called for greater awareness and systemic change. “This isn’t just about one man on a bike,” said a spokesperson from the Stop AAPI Hate coalition. “It’s about decades of racism, invisibility, and a failure to protect our communities. Mr. Maehara’s story is one of courage, but also a wake-up call.”Maehara’s attack is yet another stark reminder that anti-Asian hate remains an ongoing battle and underscores the vulnerability that many AAPI individuals feel in their daily lives.Professor Aki Maehara, along with community leaders, has accepted the invitation to speak on the incicent at the APA Justice monthly meeting on June 2, 2025. 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 . Trump Revokes Harvard’s Authority to Enroll International Students According to CNN , New York Times , Reuters , The Hill , and multiple media reports, in a dramatic escalation of its ongoing confrontation with Harvard University, the Trump administration on May 22, 2025, revoked the school’s ability to enroll international students—striking a major blow to one of the university’s most important sources of funding and global prestige.The decision, conveyed in a letter from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem , is part of a broader federal investigation into Harvard’s compliance with immigration and education policies. The move follows tense exchanges between the university and the Department of Homeland Security over the legality of a sweeping request for records related to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).The revocation means that Harvard can no longer admit international students and that current international students must transfer or risk losing their legal status in the United States. The university, which has around 6,800 international students—roughly 27% of its student body—is expected to challenge the move in court. It would be the second legal confrontation between Harvard and the Trump administration in recent weeks. Last month, the university sued the federal government over what it described as unconstitutional attempts to alter its curriculum, admissions policies, and hiring practices.The financial impact of the decision is likely to be significant. With tuition alone approaching $60,000 a year—and total costs nearing $87,000—international students often pay a substantial share of their education expenses, making them a key revenue source.Harvard said the move by the Trump administration was illegal and amounted to retaliation. Harvard rejected the allegations and pledged to support foreign students. The government’s action is unlawful," the university said in a statement. "This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard’s academic and research mission.” The university said it was "fully committed" to educating foreign students and was working on producing guidance for affected students. U.S. Science Faces Crisis Amid Deep Federal Funding Cuts According to reports by the New York Times on May 21 and May 22 , 2025, respectively, a deepening funding crisis is shaking the foundation of U.S. scientific research, with the Trump administration imposing sweeping cuts across key institutions, including Harvard University and the National Science Foundation (NSF). The result is a dramatic slowdown in research activity, jeopardizing America’s innovation pipeline and scientific leadership.At the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the situation is especially severe. Following accusations from federal officials that the school promotes “amorphous equity objectives” and fosters antisemitism, the administration froze federal grants—cutting off a vital lifeline that constitutes nearly 60% of the school’s revenue. More than 130 researchers had their funding abruptly canceled, threatening major studies on ALS, tuberculosis, and multiple sclerosis. Faculty describe the emergency response—cutting programs, ending leases, and training staff in private fundraising—as “all-consuming.” With many scientists considering offers from institutions in Europe and China, administrators fear a permanent brain drain. Simultaneously, the NSF is issuing new grants at the slowest rate in at least 35 years. As of May 21, only $989 million in grants had been awarded for 2025—down 51% from the average of the past decade. The slowdown is hitting virtually every scientific field, including computer science, biology, climate research, and STEM education. Compounding the problem, more than 1,600 active NSF research projects have beenterminated, eliminating around $1.5 billion in previously approved funding.While the administration argues that elite universities like Harvard should rely on their own endowments and that NSF funds must align with conservative priorities, critics warn these ideologically driven cuts threaten the nation’s scientific infrastructure. Economists caution that reduced research investment could have long-term consequences on economic growth, innovation, and global competitiveness. Latest on Litigations Against Trump's Executive Actions As of April 29, 2025, the second Trump Administration has issued 142 executive orders, exceeding the record of 99 set during President Franklin D. Roosevelt 's first term, according to a May 16, 2025, Congressional Research Service (CRS) report . This surge in executive actions has sparked court challenges and injunctions. As of May 21, 2025, the number of lawsuits against President Donald Trum p's executive actions reported by the Just Security Litigation Tracker has grown to 246 (8 closed cases). As of May 21, 2025, the New York Times reported at least 165 of the court rulings have at least temporarily paused some of the Trump administration initiatives due to concerns over presidential authority, constitutional violations, or federal statute infringements. The CRS report identified 25 cases in which district courts had issued nationwide injunctions. Nationwide injunctions are court orders against the government that prevent the government from implementing a challenged law, regulation, or other policy against all relevant persons and entities, whether or not such persons or entities are parties participating in the litigation. Commentators, judges, lawmakers, and executive branch officials debate whether and when it is appropriate for a court to enjoin a government action in its entirety, with some arguing that nationwide injunctions are rarely or never appropriate, while others defend the practice.They 25 nationwide injunctions covered by CRS include: · 10 on federal funding · 3 on birthright citizenship · 2 each on federal agencies, federal employment, immigration, information disclosure, and military service · 1 each on DEI and elections. CRS categorized cases by subject matter manually. While some cases raised multiple legal and policy issues and could potentially be classified in multiple subject areas, CRS selected one primary issue area per case for ease of analysis. National Injunction from terminating the immigration status of foreign students According to the Washington Post on May 23, 2025, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White of the Northern District of California blocked the Trump administration from terminating the immigration status of foreign students, granting nationwide relief to thousands of students caught in the crosshairs of the administration’s crackdown on alleged antisemitism on college campuses. The Trump administration “likely exceeded their authority and acted arbitrarily and capriciously” when officials terminated the legal status of students in a database overseen by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Judge White wrote. “The relief the Court grants provides Plaintiffs with a measure of stability and certainty that they will be able to continue their studies or their employment without the threat of re-termination hanging over their heads.”While many courts have granted relief to individuals suing the administration, the judge’s order effectively bars the federal government from arresting, incarcerating or transferring students in these cases and all other individuals nationwide while similar cases are still pending. Injunction Against Dismantling Department of Education According to Reuters on May 23, 2025, U.S. District Judge Myong Joun in Boston issued an injunction blocking the department from moving forward with a mass termination announced in March of over 1,300 employees, which would cut its staff by half. "The record abundantly reveals that defendants' true intention is to effectively dismantle the department without an authorizing statute," wrote Joun. "This court cannot be asked to cover its eyes while the department's employees are continuously fired and units are transferred out until the department becomes a shell of itself," the judge wrote. He ordered the administration to not just reinstate the workers but also to halt implementation of Trump's March 21 directive to transfer student loans and special needs programs to other federal agencies.The Trump administration has appealed the decision. Meng, Hirono Introduce Legislation to Promote the Teaching of AANHPI History in Schools On May 22, 2025, U.S. Representative Grace Meng (D-NY), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), and U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) introduced the Teaching Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander History Act , bicameral legislation to promote the teaching of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) history in schools across the country. Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have made and continue to make immeasurable contributions to our nation, including in sports, arts, government, science, business, and military service. However, the K-12 education system and social studies textbooks have poorly represented how AANHPIs have played pivotal roles in shaping America for the better. In a recent survey , 42% of respondents were unable to name a famous Asian American, and 42% were unable to name a famous Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. The Teaching AANHPI History Act requires Presidential and Congressional Academies’ grant applicants and recipients to include Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian history as part of their American history and civics programs offered to students and teachers. Every year, hundreds of teachers and students attend these academies, which are funded by the U.S. Department of Education, for an in-depth study of American history and civics. The bill would also encourage the inclusion of AANHPI history within national and state tests administered through the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and promote collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution’s Asian Pacific American Center to develop innovative programming. APA Justice is among the many organizations that have endorsed the Meng-Hirono legislation.Read the CAPAC press release: https://bit.ly/43JYFEs . Read the full text of the legislation: https://bit.ly/4myhBxG . News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events:2025/05/22 Serica 2025 Trailblazers Conference & Gala2025/05/29 U.S. v. Wen Ho Lee - 25 Years Later2025/06/01 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/06/02 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/06/03 The Second Annual State of the Science Address2025/06/15 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/06/15-18 2025 Applied Statistics Symposium2025/06/16-24 Discover China 2025: Summer Youth Exchange to the Greater Bay AreaVisit 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 May 23, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter