Newsletter - #25 10/5 Meeting Summary; Know Your Rights; America's Lost Talents By Racial Profiling #25 10/5 Meeting Summary; Know Your Rights; America's Lost Talents By Racial Profiling Back View PDF October 28, 2020 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #56 Next Webinar; Breaking Report/"China Initiative"; Protect Science/Exaggerated Threat #56 Next Webinar; Breaking Report/"China Initiative"; Protect Science/Exaggerated Threat Back View PDF April 26, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #74 Your Action Needed For Rep. Ted Lieu's Letter; Nisha Ramachandran New CAPAC ED #74 Your Action Needed For Rep. Ted Lieu's Letter; Nisha Ramachandran New CAPAC ED Back View PDF July 22, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #259 Forum Today; Translation; 5/6 Meeting Summary; Research Security; Teachers Workshop; + #259 Forum Today; Translation; 5/6 Meeting Summary; Research Security; Teachers Workshop; + In This Issue #259 · Forum Today: A Dialogue Between Communities with The FBI · Translation of Commentary by Carter Center · 2024/05/06 APA Justice Monthly Meeting Summary · Workshop on Research Security · Teachers Workshop on "U.S.-China Relations: Untangling Campaign Rhetoric & Understanding Policy" · News and Activities for the Communities Forum Today: A Dialogue Between Communities with The FBI Today is the day the Baker Institute and the Office of Innovation at Rice University, the Texas Multicultural Advocacy Coalition, and APA Justice will co-host a hybrid forum titled " A Dialogue Between the Academic and Asian American Communities and the FBI ," starting at 4 pm Central Time .The event brings together Jill Murphy , deputy assistant director of counterintelligence at the FBI, and the leadership of the FBI’s Houston field office for a dialogue with members of the academic and Asian American communities. It will examine gaps between national science and technology policy and its implementation. It will also explore the possibility of establishing a regular communication channel between the academic and Asian American communities with FBI field offices. Register to join the forum in person: https://bit.ly/4aFwvuK . Register to join the forum: https://bit.ly/3wjg759 . Translation of Commentary by Carter Center The Commentary by Neal Lane , Steven Pei , and Jeremy Wu on "An Urgent Call for Clear and Fair Law Enforcement Guidelines and Procedures for Research Security" has been translated into simplified Chinese and posted at the US-China Perception Monitor of the Carter Center: https://bit.ly/4ej0agv .The Commentary was originally published by Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy; full text is available here . The views expressed therein are those of the individual author(s), and do not necessarily represent the views of Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. The Baker Institute has exclusively authorized the Carter Center to translate and publish this article. 2024/05/06 APA Justice Monthly Meeting Summary The May 6, 2024, APA Justice monthly meeting summary is now available at https://bit.ly/3VswvKd . We thank the following speakers for their remarks and updates: · Nisha Ramachandran , Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, nisha.ramachandran@mail.house.gov , provided updates from CAPAC · Joanna YangQing Derman , Director, Anti-Profiling, Civil Rights & National Security Program, Advancing Justice | AAJC, provided updates from AAJC · Gisela Perez Kusakawa , Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), gpkusakawa@aasforum.org , provided updates from AASF · Nabila Mansoor , President, Texas Multicultural Advocacy Coalition (TMAC), and Kenneth M. Evans , Scholar in Science and Technology Policy, Baker Institute for Public Policy, Rice University, reported on "A Forum with the Asian American and Academic Communities and the FBI in Houston." · Rebecca Lynn Spyke Keiser , Chief of Research Security Strategy and Policy, National Science Foundation (NSF), provided updates from NSF, with comments by Tam Dao , Assistant Vice President for Research Security, Office of Innovation at Rice University on a workshop on NSF's Research on Research Security Program on May 23-24, 2024. Read the 2024/05/06 monthly meeting summary: https://bit.ly/3VswvKd . Read past monthly meeting summaries: https://bit.ly/3kxkqxP Workshop on Research Security Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy hosted a two-part workshop to advance the emerging field of research on research security (RoRS). Supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), this event included a virtual session on May 2 and an in-person gathering on May 23-24. The workshop featured experts from public policy, mathematics, physics, computer sciences, engineering and the social sciences, aiming to address issues in research security.Participants from around the globe, including representatives from the EU, UK, Canada, Australia, and Japan, collaborated to identify current challenges and develop a future roadmap for NSF’s RoRS program, which was launched in July 2023. This initiative is in response to the CHIPS and Science Act and aims to enhance the study of research security. Tam Dao , the assistant vice president for research security at Rice University and a former FBI agent, tasked attendees with creating testable hypotheses and research methods. Ramamoorthy Ramesh , Rice’s executive vice president for research, emphasized the global nature of research security and the need for international cooperation. Rebecca Keiser , NSF’s chief of research security strategy and policy, highlighted the importance of using data to influence policy and advocated for forming a community of practice to integrate various research fields. Kenny Evans from the Baker Institute expressed hope that the workshop's outcomes would shape future federal research security policies. The workshop titled "Responsible Collaboration through Appropriate Research Security," aimed to foster a balance between securing research and maintaining open international collaborations. Read the Rice News report on the workshop: https://bit.ly/3Xdy146 Teachers Workshop on "U.S.-China Relations: Untangling Campaign Rhetoric & Understanding Policy" With U.S. elections looming, political campaigns have and continue to portray China in an unfavorable light, undermining decades-long efforts to build constructive bilateral relations, which has local and global implications. This virtual workshop hosted by 1990 Institute will feature expert speakers who will discuss some of the important strategic issues shaping U.S.-China relations, including trade, technology, and Taiwan.In today’s interconnected world, this workshop addresses the needs of the many middle and high school educators who are interested in deepening their understanding of U.S.-China relations, untangling political rhetoric from actual policies, and incorporating this knowledge into their teaching. This workshop will help attendees promote critical thinking, understand policy implications, augment current knowledge of U.S.-China relations, and build media literacy. APA Justice is a co-sponsor of this workshop. WHAT: U.S.-China Relations: Untangling Campaign Rhetoric & Understanding Policy – Teachers Workshop WHEN: June 20, 2024, 7:00 pm ET WHAT: Online Webinar HOST: 1990 Institute Moderator: Ha-Yu Sebastian Cherng, Vice Dean for Research and Equity, Office of Research and Office of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging; Associate Professor of International Education, New York University Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. Panelists: · Neysun Mahboubi, Director of the Penn Project on the Future of U.S.-China Relations, University of Pennsylvania · Susan Thornton, Senior Fellow and Visiting Lecturer in Law, Yale University Law School Paul Tsai China Center; Director of the Forum on Asia-Pacific Security, National Committee on American Foreign Policy; and Non-Resident Fellow, Brookings Institution REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3x4hnt7 News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2024/06/06 A Dialogue Between Academic/AAPI Communities with The FBI2024/06/20 U.S.-China Relations: Untangling Campaign Rhetoric & Understanding Policy – Teachers Workshop2024/06/20-22 Social Equity Leadership Conference2024/06/27-30 UCA: 2024 Chinese American ConventionVisit https://bit.ly/45KGyga for event details. Back View PDF June 6, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus issued a Messaging Guidance on Rhetoric and Anti-Asian Hate to the U.S. House of Representatives. July 16, 2021 On July 16, 2021, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) issued a Messaging Guidance on Rhetoric and Anti-Asian Hate to all members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The letter states that "[t]ime and time again history has taught us the horrific impact xenophobic rhetoric can have on Asian Americans. This is reason enough to end the use of rhetoric that stokes hatred. But it is notable that this type of rhetoric isn’t only dangerous to Asian Americans, it’s harmful to the United States’ long-term interests. Our country faces global security challenges such as climate change, supply chain disruption, and nuclear proliferation that require collaborative bi-lateral and multi-lateral solutions. Our leaders’ use of xenophobic rhetoric undermines our ability to work with other countries to pursue those solutions." 2021/07/16 CAPAC: Messaging Guidance on Rhetoric and Anti-Asian Hate The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus issued a Messaging Guidance on Rhetoric and Anti-Asian Hate to the U.S. House of Representatives. Previous Next CAPAC Issues Messaging Guidance on Anti-Asian Hate

Tracking Universities' statements on AAPI discrimination, immigration and international collaboration. Explore University Statements Michigan State University 01 2021/03/17 Michigan State University President's Support Statement President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., Provost and Executive Vice President Teresa K. Woodruff, and Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Jabbar R. Bennett issued a joint support statement recognizing that persistent racism against Asian Pacific Islander Desi Americans (APIDA) and Asian individuals and communities has a long history in American society, and it has only been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. These leaders declare that they "stand with our APIDA and Asian students, faculty, staff and alumni to oppose this hate, discrimination and intolerance. MSU students, staff, faculty and alumni are affected by anti-APIDA and anti-Asian racism and xenophobia, which are antithetical to our commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion and ensuring the safety and overall well-being of all Spartans." President Lee Bollinger published an op-ed in the Washington Post titled "No, I won’t start spying on my foreign-born students " on August 30, 2019. "Law enforcement and intelligence agencies determined to thwart the illegal transfer of intellectual property to foreign rivals are encouraging U.S. academics and administrators to develop more robust protocols for monitoring foreign-born students and visiting scholars — particularly if they are ethnically Chinese." "The mission of a university is to foster an open atmosphere conducive to speculation, experimentation and creation. American higher education is the envy of the world not in spite of, but because of, its unrivaled commitment to openness and diversity. Attracting — and welcoming — the brightest minds in the world, regardless of nationality or country of origin, is what we’re all about." "The unauthorized use of intellectual property by overseas competitors is a serious problem. But the surveillance of foreign-born scholars in this country is the wrong solution. If law enforcement agencies have legitimate concerns, it seems to me that they should identify and monitor those they designate as “suspicious people” based on real threats, not broad worries about entire nationalities." "The mandate of our colleges and universities is to pursue open, robust inquiry across a wide range of topics. Our institutions of higher learning should do more — not less — of what made the United States the most innovative nation in the history of the world." President Bollinger also sent this open message to the university community on September 3, 2019. Dean of Engineering Mary C. Boyce sent an earlier letter to the Columbia engineering community on June 14, 2019. Columbia University 02 2019/08/30 Columbia University President Published Op-Ed Chancellor Rebecca Blank shared the history of UW-Madison and her story including a trip to China in May. "Why visit at a time when the geopolitical relationship between the countries is strained? Quite simply, UW and China need each other more than ever and can learn much from one another." "There is growing concern about security issues with China, particularly around intellectual property. We need to be smart and respectful in all of our international collaborations. Full transparency and disclosure will benefit all partners and everyone involved in collaborative research projects." "But I am proud of the number of scholars at UW – both US citizens and citizens of other countries – who have ties to China, and I support the work that they do." "The U.S. and China need each other. We need each other as trading partners; we need each other as major world leaders. And our universities need each other. We can learn more working together than working in silos." "As long as we both share a commitment to open inquiry, outstanding education, and sharing knowledge and discoveries in a way that improves people’s lives, we can work together." University of Wisconsin-Madison 03 2019/08/22 Chancellor Shared History and Story on Relationship with China UCA posted this letter from President Farnam Jahanian that "[a]s public concerns and political debates emerge about global engagement in higher education, we must ensure that our research ecosystem remains strong. This requires steadfast commitment to both the free flow of ideas and the safeguarding of our work as required by the national interest." "In this time of intense rhetoric and in the wake of recent incomprehensible tragedies, it is important to remember that the United States is a nation of immigrants... This is who we are and who we always will be. As an immigrant myself, I value this fundamental principle on a very personal level." "Can we be both open and secure? I believe we can... First, we must be — and are — ever-vigilant to protect our work and safeguard the national interest by following best practices, applicable laws and policies that shield us from foreign interference and exploits... Second, we must double down on what we do best: leading the world in innovation, creativity and finding solutions to society’s most pressing challenges... Finally, as a nation we must prioritize immigration policies that are central to continuing our global work and deepening our commitment to national security. " Carnegie Mellon University 04 2019/08/15 President's Letter to University Community Chancellor Patrick Gallagher stated in his letter to the Pitt community members that "We seek to tackle the world’s greatest challenges. We welcome the most talented faculty, students, staff and visitors from near and far. And we collaborate with the most distinguished scholars, universities and research institutions from around the world." "Yet, this long-standing tradition of global academic engagement is increasingly under attack. Rising geopolitical tensions over economic competitiveness, trade and national security have begun to erode support for the robust global academic engagement that we have long enjoyed—and which is crucial for Pitt’s continued success. ... For the international members of our academic community, I will state the obvious: You belong here. We welcomed you to our campus in good faith and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, and we want you to have a productive and positive Pitt experience. We will continue to do our part to help you feel at home here—no matter where else you have called home." University of Pittsburg 05 2019/07/22 Chancellar's Letter in Support of Global Engagement President Thomas F. Rosenbaum and Provost David A. Tirrell wrote in the letter that "The strength of the United States as a scientific, technological, and economic power has depended crucially on the contributions of scholars and entrepreneurs from all over the world." At Caltech, 45% of the faculty were born outside the United States, and roughly the same percentage of the graduate student body is international. Approximately 35% of American Nobel Prizes in the sciences have been awarded to individuals born outside the United States. The letter also stated that "[i]t is essential that we maintain the open, vibrant sense of community that is so central to successful scholarship and innovation. In particular, we must ensure that our international colleagues – students, postdoctoral scholars, staff, and visitors – continue to feel welcome here, and continue to enjoy the personal and professional support that they need to pursue their most ambitious goals." The letter concludes with "we must all make special efforts to reaffirm our embrace of scholars from all over the world, our commitment to open exchange, and our celebration of the richness of international collaboration." California Institute of Technology 06 2019/07/11 President and Provost's Letter to the Caltech Community on International Community of Scholars President L. Rafael Reif said he felt compelled to write a letter "to share my dismay about some circumstances painfully relevant to our fellow MIT community members of Chinese descent." "As the US and China have struggled with rising tensions, the US government has raised serious concerns about incidents of alleged academic espionage conducted by individuals through what is widely understood as a systematic effort of the Chinese government to acquire high-tech IP. As head of an institute that includes MIT Lincoln Laboratory, I could not take national security more seriously. I am well aware of the risks of academic espionage, and MIT has established prudent policies to protect against such breaches. But in managing these risks, we must take great care not to create a toxic atmosphere of unfounded suspicion and fear. Looking at cases across the nation, small numbers of researchers of Chinese background may indeed have acted in bad faith, but they are the exception and very far from the rule. Yet faculty members, post-docs, research staff and students tell me that, in their dealings with government agencies, they now feel unfairly scrutinized, stigmatized and on edge – because of their Chinese ethnicity alone." Massachusetts Institute of Technology 07 2019/06/25 President's Letter to the MIT community: Immigration is a kind of oxygen The letter led by President Ronald J. Daniels reaffirmed its enduring commitment to its international students, researchers, and patients. It pledges to "advocate for sound policies that allow us to continue to be a place of open academic exchange" and "remain steadfast in supporting our colleagues and students from abroad who have committed themselves to our shared pursuit of truth and service to humanity." Johns Hopkins University 08 2019/07/09 A joint letter from President, Provost, and Dean of the Medical Faculty to University Community President Barbara R. Snyder and Provost Ben Vinson III issued an email stating that "[d]iversity is a core value at Case Western Reserve. It is essential to advancing our educational and research missions.... Integrity and transparency are also core values of our university. We all must follow government regulations and university policies.... National security is a paramount concern for all of us, but it must not be used as an excuse for isolation, discrimination or xenophobia." Case Western Reserve University 09 2019/06/11 Case Western Reserve University President and Provost's Message to Faculty, Staff and Students President Robert J. Zimmer wrote to "reaffirm the University's unwavering commitment to welcoming and supporting people of all backgrounds and nations" given recent developments impacting U.S.-China relations. The email added that "[w]e are monitoring these issues closely and, in keeping with the framework of laws and regulations, will continue to work with our community and external partners to address any concerns. University of Chicago 10 2019/06/10 President email to University Members on Internartional Scholarship President Wallace Loh wrote "to reaffirm the University of Maryland's commitment to international collaborations and support for all faculty, students, visiting scholars, and staff on our campus from all countries, including China. American research universities, a landmark of American civilization, have thrived because of our core values of openness, academic freedom, and inclusiveness. Our universities draw talent from all over the world. In the U.S., the majority of PhDs in STEM fields are awarded to international students, many of whom eventually become U.S. residents and citizens." Read his entire statement . University of Maryland 11 2019/05/30 President Wallace Loh on commitment to international collaborations and the international community University President Peter Salovey issued a statement about "tensions in United States–China relations and increased scrutiny of academic exchanges have added to a sense of unease among many international students and scholars here at Yale and at universities across the country." The statement concludes that "I will continue to advocate for government policies that support the ability of international students and scholars to study and work in the United States. Openness—a key to the extraordinary success of America’s great research universities—must remain a hallmark of Yale." Yale University 12 2019/05/23 Yale’s steadfast commitment to our international students and scholars The message states that "Blanket generalizations regarding any group are dangerous, and risk leading to racial profiling and other forms of discrimination. Indeed, such discrimination has been felt more broadly by those of Asian descent, whether immigrants or not. On our campus, discrimination on the basis of citizenship, national origin or race is a clear violation of our policies. When members of our community with international backgrounds face obstacles to their freedom of movement or work, we will seek to support them. And while recognizing there are important issues that must be addressed in international relations, we will advocate forcefully for the openness of our country and institutions of higher education for both learning and research." Rice University 13 2019/05/17 Message from President David Leebron to the Rice Community University of Delaware President Dennis Assanis and Provost Robin shared this message to "reaffirm our unwavering support for our international students, faculty, staff and visitors, as well as the vital partnerships and initiatives that enable their work" after concerns were voiced regarding rhetoric and actions targeting certain international community members, such as Chinese or Chinese-American scholars. University of Delaware 14 2019/05/10 University President and Provost Share Commitment to International Scholarship The statement by four top university administrators led by Chancellor Gary S. May reiterates, "Let there be no doubt: At UC Davis, we highly value our international researchers, scholars and students. Indeed, our international relationships and collaborations form an essential part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion." University of California at Davis 15 2019/04/22 UC Davis Reaffirms Commitment to Our International Community President Shliessel's statement reiterates that the University of Michigan is proud to support research and educational collaborations with international scholars, including those from China. He believes that "one of the underappreciated aspects of having international exchanges is that they make our world a safer place." See also President's statement in panel discussion titled "US-China Academic Collaboration in the Current Environment" sponsored by University of Michigan Association of Chinese Professors (Audio 1:24:48) University of Michigan 16 2019/03/28 President Schlissel discusses U-M’s support of U.S.-China research collaborations The statement was issued in response to reports of negative comments directed at Chinese-American faculty, as well as at researchers engaged in collaborations with Chinese companies and institutions University of California at Berkeley 17 2019/02/21 UC Berkeley Reaffirms Support for International Community The joint blog by the president and provost states that "[a]s our country works to both advance innovation and protect national security, let us also make sure to reject prejudice and discrimination in all their forms." Stanford University 18 2019/03/07 Stanford Issues Statement "In Support of Our Community" Calls for Action During a time of rising tension between the U.S. and China, an entire group of students, scholars and scientists of Chinese heritage is caught in the crossfires and targeted as potential national security threat to America. An increasing number of faculty and students have reported that they have been subject to prejudicial comments, unwarranted scrutiny or professional strictures based on their race, ethnicity or national origin. The United Chinese Americans (UCA) has called for universities and higher education institutions to issue statements to protect innocent Chinese American scientists, guard against racial profiling, and reaffirm support for the international students, faculty, staff and visitors, as well as the vital partnerships and initiatives that enable their work. If you can help with these efforts, please contact UCA at info@ucausa.org or (202) 642-5060 . The 80-20 Educational Fund has also issued a Call for Action: https://conta.cc/2H4Fg5R .

Newsletter - #37 Letters To Biden And Raskin; GAO Report And Civil Rights Alert; And Lots More #37 Letters To Biden And Raskin; GAO Report And Civil Rights Alert; And Lots More Back View PDF January 7, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #165 Ongoing Anti-Discrimination Efforts Stemming From Texas Senate Bills 147 and 552 #165 Ongoing Anti-Discrimination Efforts Stemming From Texas Senate Bills 147 and 552 In This Issue #165 This issue of the APA Justice newsletter is dedicated to the ongoing anti-discrimination efforts stemming from Texas Senate Bills 147 and 552. Houston March Against the Racist Texas Senate Bills 147 & 552 in Chinatown on February 11, 2023 New York Times Reports on Discriminatory Land Bills Los Angeles Times Reports on New Chinese Exclusion Agriculture.com Reports on Federal Bills Upcoming Mini Series of Two Webinars on Texas SB 147 and Alien Land Laws New Asian American Pacific Islander Caucus in Texas Notre Dame Expert on Bills Preventing Chinese Citizens and Companies from Purchasing Land Houston March Against the Racist Texas Senate Bills 147 & 552 in Chinatown on February 11, 2023 Texas State Representative Gene Wu and a coalition of community organizations led by Asian Americans Leadership Council (AALC), United Chinese Americans (UCA), Chinese Civic Center, Houston Chinese Alliance (HCA), DFW Chinese Alliance (DFWCA), APAPA TX, OCA-Greater Houston are organizing a Houston Rally on February 11, 2023, to protest against the proposed discriminatory Senate Bills 147 and 552. The march aims to raise awareness about these bills' implications and voice the immigrant communities' concerns and opposition to the New Chinese Exclusion Act.The proposed legislation classifies immigrants from four countries as security threats, ignoring that these individuals left their home countries in search of the American Dream. These pieces of legislation will strip immigrants of their right to purchase real property and grant the Texas Governor and the Texas Legislature unchecked power to classify any immigrant group as a security threat in the future. AALC and numerous other community organizations denounce these two bills that go against the very essence of the American Dream, which has always been about providing equal opportunities to all individuals, regardless of their background. The march will bring together over 500 attendees from the immigrant community to stand in solidarity against these racist bills and demand that their rights be protected. They will be joined by numerous Houston-area elected officials, community leaders and members. What: Anti-SB 147 Rally & March When: Saturday, February 11, 2023, 10:00AM - 12:00PM Where: Sterling Plaza 黃金廣場, 9888 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77036 Contact: Dr. Fengxiang Qiao , 832-293-0914 New York Times Reports on Discriminatory Land Bills On February 7, 2023, the New York Times reported that states are pursuing bills to bar Chinese citizens from purchasing land. According to the report, Governor Greg Abbott announced his support for a bill to stop Chinese citizens and companies from buying land, homes or any other real estate in Texas. "We don't want to have holdings by hostile nations," Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida said in a news conference last month. Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia made it part of his State of the Commonwealth speech soon after.In Texas, Democratic leaders said the broad measure now before the Legislature appeared to be prompted more by a rising anti-China political environment than by any legitimate concern over espionage or foreign ownership of the food supply. The bill as currently written would make it impossible for the large number of Chinese immigrants who have come to work in the tech sector or study at Texas universities to do something as basic as buy a home. A 2021 census survey estimated that about 150,000 foreign-born Chinese are living in Texas. Protesters have rallied against the bill in Houston and Dallas in recent weeks, saying that the legislative efforts could worsen the climate of anti-Asian violence and could be easily extended to include other immigrant groups. Lawyers with the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas said the measure was likely to run afoul of the federal government's prerogative to manage relations with other nations, and that it was unconstitutional. The discriminatory bill would prohibit members of the targeted communities from participating in the Texas economy, including dual citizens and legal permanent residents, such as green card holders. Some legal scholars are also skeptical. Such a bill would raise a host of constitutional issues because the measure does not distinguish between targeting people who are already here and those outside the United States. It raises serious due process and equal protection issues. The share of United States farmland owned by Chinese people and companies is small and has not been growing substantially. Chinese owners held about 350,000 acres at the end of 2020, and most of the farmland came from the Chinese acquisition of Smithfield Foods in 2013. Canadian owners, by contrast, held 12.4 million acres. (Source: Congressional Research Service: Foreign Ownership and Holdings of U.S. Agricultural Land ) Read more about the New York Times report: https://nyti.ms/40IuVEq . Los Angeles Times Reports on New Chinese Exclusion According to the Los Angeles Times on February 8, 2023, Republican leaders rumored to be open to 2024 presidential runs are eyeing more narrow property restrictions focused on agriculture as part of a tough-on-China push. Some Democrats, too, have expressed similar concerns. The Texas legislation will make some people more “willing to express their hatred toward certain race groups,” said Hao Zhu , an associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin. “From COVID, already just because of our skin color, we were hated.” Zhu attended the rally with her husband and 2-year-old son, who was balanced in his dad’s arm holding tiny Texas and American flags. “Look around,” Zhu said, as families and businesspeople — many waving American flags and chatting in English or Mandarin — walked past the Capitol. The bill is not affecting a “security issue at the national level” but “regular people’s lives.” She started to bring up fears about her son going to school, then paused, in tears.A California bill, authored by a Democrat, to restrict foreign ownership of agricultural land passed the Legislature last year but was vetoed by Gov. Gavin Newsom .Some experts wonder whether policies that turn away from America’s democratic strengths will only hurt the U.S. in the long term. “A ban that targets a person’s country of origin, particularly if it includes those on a pathway to U.S. citizenship, goes against everything that the United States stands for,” said Jessica Chen Weiss , a political scientist and government professor at Cornell University. At the Austin rally, people held signs that said, “STOP Chinese Exclusion,” evoking the Chinese Exclusion Act, a 19th century law that blocked citizenship to Chinese residents in the U.S., affirming the exclusion of Asian immigrants from a 1790 naturalization law. A speaker also referenced “alien land laws,” racist laws in California and other states that restricted Asian immigrants and others from owning property, including agricultural land.Lawmakers’ framing of the new bill as a national security measure also in some ways echoes the past. Madeline Hsu , a history professor at the University of Texas at Austin, said that in historically justifying anti-Chinese immigration laws, Chinese immigrants were portrayed “as this threat to the civilization of the United States.”Read the Los Angeles Times report: https://lat.ms/3XhN1u4 Agriculture.com Reports on Federal Bills According to Agricultute.com on February 3, 2023, Rep. Elise Stefanik , a member of the House Republican leadership, and 19 other representatives filed the Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security bill in the House, while six senators offered the Senate version. Along with prohibiting China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea from buying U.S. agricultural land or companies, the bill would make the Agriculture Department a member of the interagency Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, which decides if projects would pose a national security risk. Federal law requires foreign individuals and entities to disclose ownership information to the USDA, but it does not restrict ownership of private U.S. agricultural land. Fourteen states restrict or prohibit foreign ownership. Read the Agriculture.com report: http://bit.ly/3I9hPJb Texas State Representative Gene Wu at January APA Justice Monthly Meeting Gene Wu is a Texas State Representative and a champion of immigrant rights serving in his sixth term at the Texas Legislature. As a proud immigrant himself, Rep. Wu has dedicated his career to serving the community and advocating for policies that promote equality and justice for all individuals, regardless of their background.On February 6, 2023, Rep. Wu explained the discriminatory nature and implications of Texas Senate Bill 147 and related legislations in the APA Justice monthly meeting. He has been a leading voice of the rallies in Texas."If the concern is about national security or foreign actors, we have already passed that law in 2021. It was Senate Bill 2116. It was signed into law, and it is already in effect," said Rep. Wu. He warned that the added provisions target individuals and its mentality is spreading across the nation. A lot of it is based on tensions between the U.S. and China, but it is really a rehashing of similar discriminatory laws that were passed against Asian Americans for the past century and a half, going back to the 1800s and into the 20th century. It is now revived in the 21st century. Nisha Ramachandran , Executive Director of Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), reported that CAPAC members in Texas have brought up their concerns and asked to be kept informed about the developing situation. Nisha can be reached at nisha.ramachandran@mail.house.gov . Organizers of the Austin, Dallas, and Houston rallies were recognized in the meeting. Some gave remarks and joined the discussion.Watch Rep. Wu's talk and discussions in this YouTube video: https://bit.ly/3DVEdU6 (56:48) Upcoming Mini Series of Two Webinars on Texas SB 147 and Alien Land Laws It was announced during the January 9 APA Justice monthly meeting that a mini series of two webinars is being organized. It will be co-sponsored by United Chinese Americans (UCA, www.ucausa.org ), APA Justice ( www.apajustice.org ) and 1882 Foundation ( www.1882foundation.org ) The first webinar is tentatively scheduled around February 16-18. Invited panelists include (1) Texas State Representative Gene Wu , (2) Attorney Clay Zhu of the Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance (CALDA), (3) Representative from the National Iranian American Council (NIAC), and (4) Representative from the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas. Rep. Judy Chu , Chair of Congressional Asian and Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), is invited to give the opening remark. The second webinar is tentatively scheduled for March 1, 2023, 6:30 PM ET/3:30 pm PT. It will provide a historical perspective to understanding the consequences and significance of laws as being proposed in Texas. Invited panelists include (1) Carol Suzuki , Professor of Law, University of New Mexico, (2) Madeline Hsu , Professor, Mary Helen Thompson Centennial Professorship in the Humanities, University of Texas at Austin, and (3) Texas State Representative Gene Wu . Janelle Wong , Director, Asian American Studies andProfessor, American Studies and Government and Politics at the University of Maryland, will serve as moderator. Ted Gong , Executive Director of the 1882 Foundation, will give opening remarks.More details will come soon. New Asian American Pacific Islander Caucus in Texas According to the Austin American-Statesman on January 31, 2023, State Reps. Gene Wu , Salman Bhojani , and Suleman Lalani announced that they intend to create an Asian American and Pacific Islander legislative caucus. The announcement coincided with the progressive organization Rise AAPI holding AAPI Legislative Day at the Capitol to discuss the obstacles and opportunities Asian American and Pacific Islander Texans have this legislative session.The committee will be co-chaired by Wu, D-Houston, and Angie Chen Button , R-Richardson. In addition to Bhojani, D-Euless, and Lalani, D-Sugar Land, Reps. Hubert Vo , D-Houston, and Jacey Jetton , R-Katy, will serve in the caucus. The legislators intend to register the caucus with the Texas Ethics Commission soon, according to Wu's office."The formation of the AAPI caucus is a big stepping stone, a big milestone for our community," Wu said.The Legislature hit new diversity milestones this year with the election of Lalani and Bhojani, the first Muslim state representatives in Texas.Read the Austin American-Statesman report: http://bit.ly/3jD7vQx Notre Dame Expert on Bills Preventing Chinese Citizens and Companies from Purchasing Land According to a press release by the University of Notre Dame on February 8, 2023, Kyle A. Jaros , Associate Professor of Global Affairs, said the following in response to the recent trend among states that are pursuing and supporting bills to prevent Chinese citizens and companies from purchasing land:“The intense politicization of state- and local-level ties with China during the past few years marks a major departure from past trends. State and local relations have moved from the background of U.S.-China relations to the foreground, becoming a driver of broader U.S.-China dynamics in their own right. Whereas a few years ago both sides regarded state- and city-level interactions as a stabilizing element in the larger relationship, this domain has now become a lightning rod. ”“However, in today's heated political atmosphere, many states and communities risk overreacting to what they perceive as an omnipresent menace of CCP influence. While targeted measures to address known security risks are sensible, adopting blanket restrictions on commercial, educational, and/or scientific interaction with Chinese businesses and citizens will come with huge collateral costs: further inflaming anti-Chinese and anti-Asian xenophobia, harming the economic development of states and localities, undermining the vitality of the U.S. higher education sector and accelerating the dangerous downward spiral in national-level relations.”Read the University of Notre Dame press release: http://bit.ly/3x9V9SQ 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 9, 2023 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #157 Ted Lieu; Urgent Letter; Franklin Tao; NASEM Workshop; Dr. Keiser Video; Sherry Chen #157 Ted Lieu; Urgent Letter; Franklin Tao; NASEM Workshop; Dr. Keiser Video; Sherry Chen Back View PDF December 2, 2022 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

On December 2, 2021, MIT Technology Review published two investigative reports on the China Initiative as newly appointed Assistant Attorney General Matt Olsen was conducting a review of the initiative. December 2, 2021 Table of Contents Overview DOJ Changed Its Online Records Matt Olsen to Conduct DOJ Review APA Justice Reported DOJ Change of Records Links and References Overview On December 2, 2021, MIT Technology Review published the first of two investigative reports titled The US crackdown on Chinese economic espionage is a mess. We have the data to show it . According to the report, the US government’s China Initiative sought to protect national security. MIT Technology Review reveals how far it has strayed from its goals. Among its major findings are: The DOJ has neither officially defined the China Initiative nor explained what leads it to label a case as part of the initiative The initiative’s focus increasingly has moved away from economic espionage and hacking cases to “research integrity” issues, such as failures to fully disclose foreign affiliations on forms A significant number of research integrity cases have been dropped or dismissed Only about a quarter of people and institutions charged under the China Initiative have been convicted Many cases have little or no obvious connection to national security or the theft of trade secrets Nearly 90% of the defendants charged under the initiative are of Chinese heritage Although new activity appears to have slowed since Donald Trump lost the 2020 US presidential election, prosecutions and new cases continue under the Biden administration The Department of Justice does not list all cases believed to be part of the China Initiative on its webpage and has deleted others linked to the project. DOJ Changed Its Online Records Also on December 2, 2021, MIT Technology Review published the second of its two investigative reports titled We built a database to understand the China Initiative. Then the government changed its records . Since the US government launched the China Initiative in 2018, the main source of information about it has been press releases on the Department of Justice’s China Initiative webpage announcing arrests, charges, and indictments. But the record is incomplete. APA Justice and other civil rights groups have been tracking the reported cases and changes made to the initiative’s webpage out of concerns about its potential for racial profiling. They have seen gaps and inconsistencies in the DOJ’s messaging. “I’d like to see a balance sheet,” said Jeremy Wu, who held senior civil rights and ethics positions in the US government before co-founding the APA Justice Task Force, one of the groups that is independently tracking the China Initiative. “What did we gain? How many spies did we catch, compared to how much damage that has [been] done not only to individuals, but also to the future of American science and technology?” The MIT Technology Review database is not that balance sheet. But it is an important step toward answering some of the questions Wu poses—questions that the US government has not answered. Rather, it has added to the confusion: two days after MIT Technology Review reached out with a request for comment, DOJ made major updates to its webpage, removing cases that do not support its narrative of a successful counterintelligence effort. A link to the MIT Technology Review database is located here: https://bit.ly/3xYhp5T Matt Olsen to Conduct DOJ Review During a House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing on the Department of Justice on October 21, 2021, Rep. Ted raised the concerns of racial profiling by citing the acquitted case of Professor Anming Hu as an example and requested Attorney General Merrick Garland to review the China Initiative. In response, Garland committed Matt Olsen to conduct a review upon Olsen’s confirmation as the next Assistant Attorney General for National Security. Watch Rep. Ted Lieu’s questions during the hearing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BcwIK269zs (video from 2:52:28 to 2:57:53) Matthew Olsen was sworn in on November 1, 2021. He filled the position vacated by John Demers. APA Justice Reported DOJ Change of Records On November 24, 2021, APA Justice sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland , making two requests on the pending review of the China Initiative: To ensure credibility and integrity for the review process, we request the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release the official scope and boundaries of the “China Initiative” and a complete list and a formal count of the “China Initiative” cases since the program was launched in November 2018. An unannounced and unexplained update of the DOJ online "China Initiative" report on November 19, 2021 shows the removal of about 20 cases from previous record, including the dismissed or acquitted cases of 7 scientists and researchers - Anming Hu, Qing Wang, Chen Song, Xin Wang, Juan Tang, Kaikai Zhao, and Guan Lei. We request the DOJ to include letters and comments from almost 2,000 faculty members, scholars, and administrators nationwide as part of the thorough review of the “China Initiative.” As of November 23, 2021, a total of 1,959 faculty members from 223 institutions nationwide have endorsed the Stanford letter and joined the call to end the "China Initiative." The nationwide campaign is continuing until the "China Initiative" has ended. The latest counts and comments are posted publicly online at https://bit.ly/3wwrD8A . Jump to: Overview DOJ Changed Its Online Records Matt Olsen to Conduct DOJ Review APA Justice Reported DOJ Change of Records On December 2, 2021, MIT Technology Review published two investigative reports on the China Initiative as newly appointed Assistant Attorney General Matt Olsen was conducting a review of the initiative. Previous Next 11. MIT Technology Review Investigative Reports

Newsletter - #228 1/8 Monthly Meeting; "China Initiative;" US-China Ties; CA Leaders in Higher Ed; + #228 1/8 Monthly Meeting; "China Initiative;" US-China Ties; CA Leaders in Higher Ed; + In This Issue #228 · Reminder: 2023/01/08 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · Opposition to Revive "China Initiative" · 45th Anniversary of US-China Diplomatic Ties · Book: The Rise of Chinese American Leaders in U.S. Higher Education: Stories and Roadmaps · News and Activities for the Communities Reminder: 2024/01/08 APA Justice Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, January 8, 2023, starting at 1:55 pm ET. In addition to updates by Joanna Derman, Director, Advancing Justice | AAJC and Gisela Perez Kusakawa, Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), confirmed and invited speakers include: · Rep. Judy Chu 赵美心, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, to kick off the New Year with us by reviewing 2023 and looking to what is ahead in 2024. · Haipei Shue 薛海培, President, United Chinese Americans (UCA), Hongwei Shang 商红伟, and Echo King 金美声, Co-Founders of Florida Asian American Justice Alliance (FAAJA) to give us a report on December 16 Justice4All protest in Miami. · Ted Gong, Executive Director of the 1882 Foundation will introduce the 1882 Project, 1882 Foundation, and its upcoming activities in 2024, and Martin Gold , Pro Bono Counsel, 1882 Project; Partner, Capitol Counsel, LLC, on a future lecture. · Dr. Yawei Liu 刘亚伟, Senior Advisor, China Focus, Carter Center to introduce us to the China Focus at the Carter Center and the upcoming Conference for the 45th Anniversary of U.S.-China Relations in Atlanta. The monthly meeting is by invitation only. It is closed to the press. If you wish to join, either one time or for future meetings, please contact one of the co-organizers of APA Justice - Steven Pei 白先慎, Vincent Wang 王文奎, and Jeremy Wu 胡善庆 - or send a message to contact@apajustice.org . Opposition to Revive "China Initiative" The Department of Justice (DOJ) ended the China Initiative nearly two years ago. It targeted mostly ethnic Chinese academics and their links to China. The program was stopped after criticism of racial profiling. Now, a proposed House spending bill wants to bring the initiative back. According to a NPR report on January 2, 2024, about 90% of the more than 70 cases prosecuted under the initiative involved people who were ethnically Chinese. Just about a quarter were convicted and usually for much lesser charges. Charges against MIT Professor Gang Chen were all dismissed - he had done nothing wrong, but the damage has been lasting on him and his wife. Professor Chen told NPR, "The China Initiative has fundamentally harmed the U.S. competitiveness. The biggest competition is on talents. And that really deterred a lot of talents coming to the U.S."NPR also interviewed Gisela Perez Kusakawa , Executive Director at the Asian American Scholar Forum, John Yang , president of Advancing Justice | AAJC, and Baimadajie Angwang , New York Police Department Officer who was also charged with being an unregistered foreign agent for China under the China Initiative and also had all the charges against him dismissed. Read the NPR report: https://n.pr/3NPexgA .On December 7, 2023, a coalition of over 50 organizations wrote to Congressional leaders Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, Mike Johnson, and Hakim Jeffries to voice their concerns and strong opposition to reinstate the “China Initiative.” Read the letter: https://bit.ly/47oQP1F . Alien Land Laws Among Top Community Concerns in 2024 In 2023, an onslaught of federal and state legislation was started to prohibit property ownership by citizens of foreign countries (i.e. “alien land laws”). It has raised alarm and response throughout the Asian American community and is expected to continue in 2024. According to a Legal Sidebar by the Congressional Research Service (CRS), during the first six months of 2023, at least 15 states enacted legislation regulating foreign ownership of real property. A group of plaintiffs filed a legal challenge to one state law—Florida’s Senate Bill 264 (SB 264)—arguing that it violates their constitutional rights, does not comport with the federal Fair Housing Act, and is preempted by federal law.The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a Statement of Interest in the case supporting the plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction and arguing that the Fair Housing Act bars SB 264. The statute declares invalid “any law of a State” that permits or requires a discriminatory housing practice. In addition, the United States argues, SB 264 violates the Equal Protection Clause, because it discriminates based on alienage and national origin without justification. While the federal government has more leeway in regulating alienage, the United States explains, state classifications singling out aliens must be narrowly tailored in pursuit of a compelling government interest. The United States maintains that the law “will not advance the State’s purported goal of increasing public safety,” as Florida has not identified “any legitimate connection between protecting the State” and barring individuals of certain nationalities from owning real property. Plaintiffs, the United States points out, are not members of the PRC government or of the Communist Party of China and are not representatives of their country of origin.Read the CRS Legal Sidebar: https://bit.ly/41N2QwM According to the South China Morning Post on December 16, 2023, Chinese land ownership in US was down 2 per cent in 2022 amid heightened national security concerns. Agriculture Department data reveals holdings fell to nearly 350,000 acres, just shy of 1 per cent of all foreign-held American land. Read the South China Morning Post Report: https://bit.ly/48MC4qR According to a New York Times opinion by Professor Mae Ngai of Columbia University, her parents faced discrimination when attempting to buy land in northern New Jersey due to their Chinese heritage in the 1950s. This discrimination was part of a broader history of racial segregation in the United States, with practices like racial covenants and alien land laws preventing certain groups, including Asians, from owning property. Fast forward to the present day, similar discriminatory measures are resurfacing, with some states passing laws to restrict Chinese nationals, Chinese-owned companies, or the Chinese government from buying land near critical infrastructure like military facilities and airports. Several states have already implemented such laws, with others considering similar measures, and some proposals have been introduced at the federal level targeting foreign land ownership.Citing national security concerns as a reason to prevent foreign adversaries and entities from owning U.S. property, these laws, exemplified by Florida's land bill, target Chinese nationals and companies, promoting a view that associates all Asians, especially Chinese people, with being enemies of America. This echoes a long history of discriminatory legislation dating back to the "yellow peril" fears of the 19th century, which restricted Asian rights and immigration. The contemporary wave of anti-Chinese measures is not entirely new; it was exacerbated during the Trump administration, blaming China for the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in racist assaults on Asian Americans. Policies like the China Initiative, initially aimed at intellectual property theft, unfairly targeted Chinese and Chinese American academics without evidence of wrongdoing. Although disbanded, it left a chilling effect on ethnic Chinese scientists in the U.S., affecting their job security and deterring future talent from coming to the country. The justification for these measures, rooted in national security concerns, seems overstated. Statistics show that the ownership of agricultural land by foreign nationals, especially Chinese, is minimal, contradicting the perceived threat. The narrative framing China as an adversary serves political expediency but carries severe consequences, including racial harassment and discrimination against Asian Americans.While the Biden Administration has attempted to ease tensions, like President Joe Biden 's meeting with President Xi Jinping and calls for trade relationship "derisking," the persistent linkage of trade and national security perpetuates discrimination against Chinese and Asian Americans. This echoes a history of injustice, such as the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, which took decades to receive an official apology.Professor Ngai's parents, immigrants from China, eventually found success in their careers and in buying a home, benefiting from the civil rights gains. However, they would likely express concerns about current U.S. policies towards China today, recognizing the potential impact and targeting of individuals like themselves due to their heritage.Read the New York Times opinion: https://nyti.ms/3H9GLiE On December 15, 2023, the Committee of 100 (C100) issued a statement to denounce the legislation in Florida, Texas and additional states that would limit the ability of non-U.S. citizens to purchase land in their state. To track the recent surge of legislation prohibiting property ownership by Chinese citizens (including permanent residents) across the U.S., C100 launched a new database that identifies and explains such legislation considered, and in some cases passed, by Congress and state governments.The webpage features an interactive map of the United States that visually demonstrates the data. The data can be filtered by the provisions included in the legislation, including the types of entities prohibited from owning property (e.g. Chinese citizens, businesses headquartered in China) and the types of properties prohibited from ownership (e.g. residential, commercial, agricultural property).C100’s database, tracking the legislation and documenting resources on the subject, will be updated on a quarterly basis.Read the C100 announcement: https://bit.ly/41NWtJG On December 16, 2023, hundreds braved a stormy day in Miami to protest the unfair legislation of Florida's SB264 and SB846 state laws. The rally was an urgent call for unity and justice, aiming to bring together concerned citizens of all backgrounds and all ethnicities in opposition to injustice and unfair treatment going on in Florida right now. Elected officials and community leaders from across the country actively participated and delivered inspirational speeches. Visit the FAAJA website at https://www.faaja.org/ for more reports. Read the West Orlando News report: https://bit.ly/3TRjlpI 45th Anniversary of US-China Diplomatic Ties According to multiple media reports, President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping exchanged greetings on January 1, 2024, which marked the 45th anniversary of US-China diplomatic ties. The two countries are trying to restore relations that have reached their most confrontational point in the 45 years since ties were established in 1979. Beijing and Washington officially established ties on January 1, 1979, based on agreements reached after years of negotiations. On the same date, Washington officially switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing.In his letter to Biden, Xi said the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the US was a “major event” in the history of bilateral and international relations. “Over the past 45 years, China-US relations have gone through ups and downs but have generally moved forward, which has not only enhanced the well-being of the two peoples, but also promoted world peace, stability and prosperity,” he said.Biden responded that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1979, the relationship between the US and China had promoted prosperity and opportunities for the US, China and the world. “I am committed to responsibly managing this important relationship. I look forward to building on the progress made by our predecessors and our many meetings and discussions as we continue to advance the US-China relationship,” Biden said. The Carter Center will honor President Jimmy Carter and commemorate the 45th anniversary of the normalization of U.S.-China relations during a conference in Atlanta on January 9, 2024. World-renowned experts will participate in panel discussions on different dimensions of the U.S.-China diplomatic, military, and economic relationship. A gala dinner to celebrate President Carter’s legacy promoting peace in East Asia will follow the conference in the evening. Both events are open to the public. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3TQYG58 Book: The Rise of Chinese American Leaders in U.S. Higher Education: Stories and Roadmaps A new book titled "The Rise of Chinese American Leaders in U.S. Higher Education: Stories and Roadmaps" has been published by Springer Nature. It is a collection of 36 stories and reflections that represent Chinese American leaders and depict their tortuous journeys in U.S. higher education that comes at a critical point in time. Many books have been devoted to academic leadership, but this volume uniquely focuses on subjects most relevant to Chinese Americans. We live at a time that not only witnesses an increase in Chinese American leaders on U.S. campuses but also mounting incidents of discriminatory treatment of this group. They represent leaders holding different ideological values in various academic fields, positions, stages of careers, professional trajectories, generations, Chinese ethnic groups, and geographical locations. Read more about the book at https://bit.ly/48eNQu5 . If you wish to submit a formal review of the book, please visit: https://bit.ly/48p7J1t . News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2024/01/08 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2024/01/09 The Jimmy Carter Forum on US-China Relations in Honor of 45th Anniversary of Normalization2024/01/20 White House Initiative AA and NHPI Economic Summit in Metro Atlanta2024/01/17 Committee of 100 - Are Asian Americans Paid Less in Business?2024/02/04 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/02/05 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2024/03/03 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/45KGyga for event details. Back View PDF January 7, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

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