We published a Special Edition of our newsletter to cover the July 18 court hearing on Florida's new discriminatory housing law. July 24, 2023 On July 24, 2023, APA Justice published a Special Edition of its newsletter to cover the July 18 court hearing on the emergency motion for preliminary injunction to block Florida's new discriminatory housing law and a new movement emerging from the protests and rallies against the legislation in front of the courthouse. It covered: July 18, 2023 - A New Movement Emerges Florida State and Local Leadership Meet The Attorneys for The Plaintiffs National and Community Organizations Support and Leadership Color Yellow, Playbooks, and Tracking Hate Federal Level Support and Leadership Read the Special Edition of the APA Justice Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3Y4uGCO We published a Special Edition of our newsletter to cover the July 18 court hearing on Florida's new discriminatory housing law. Previous Next Court Hearing and A New Movement Emerges

Chinese American? Who is a Chinese American? What is the Chinese American population? These questions may appear simple on the surface, but they are subject to definitions and interpretations. They have also evolved over time. Defining Chinese American For data collection purposes, the Office of Management and Budget is the official authority to define racial and ethnic categories for the United States. Today, Chinese American is a sub-category of Asian American, defined as "A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam." This government definition generally reflects a recognized social definition. It is not an attempt to define race biologically, anthropologically, or genetically, nor is it linked to the standard geographical definitions. In practice, an individual associates his or her race and ethnicity by self-identification. The U.S. Census Bureau produces official statistics on the Chinese American population according to this definition and self-identified data, which include U.S. citizens and nationals, as well as permanent residents. Under this definition and interpretation, a Chinese American may also be described as a Chinese in America. Definition used in social, legal and other applications may vary, such as the requirement of U.S. citizenship. Basic Statistics The first recorded arrival of three Chinese sailors in the U.S. travelled from Canton (now Guangzhou), China on board the ship Pallas to Baltimore, Maryland in August 1785. The first recorded Chinese immigrants arrived in the U.S. around 1820. By 1860, the census counted 34,933 Chinese living in California. More than three quarters of them were miners and laborers who first came to the U.S. during the 1848-1855 Gold Rush and then helped built and completed the First Transcontinental Railroad by 1869. The 2010 census showed that the Asian population grew faster than any other race group over the previous decade. Chinese Americans was the largest detailed Asian group, with about 3.3 million people reporting Chinese alone and an additional 700,000 people identifying as both Chinese and one or more additional detailed Asian groups and/or another race. According to the 2017 American Community Survey, the Census Bureau estimated a population of Chinese Americans of one or more races to be slightly over 5 million, or about 1.5% of the total U.S. population. Additional statistics on Chinese in America are available from, for example, the Census Bureau , the Migration Policy Institute , and the Pew Research Center . Beyond Statistics Beyond these statistics, the Chinese American population is complex as it has evolved over the past two hundred years. Several waves of immigrations have occurred; they were also severely repressed for more than 60 years under the Chinese Exclusion Act. There are American-born Chinese (ABC) whose roots have been here for generations; there are also recent naturalized citizens and immigrants of diverse economic and educational background who came from Hong Kong, Taiwan, China and the rest of the world. Not surprisingly, more in-depth understanding about the Chinese American population varies according to perspectives, experiences, and even aspirations, notably between ABCs and more recent naturalized citizens and immigrants. Two prominent Chinese American leaders of such diverse background, who have long been engaged with APA Justice, offer their views on this topic. They are: Frank H. Wu (吴华扬), William L. Prosser Distinguished Professor, University of California Hastings College of the Law and author of Yellow: Race in America Beyond Black and White . Frank was born in Cleveland, Ohio, son of Chinese immigrants from Taiwan. His paper, "The New Chinese Diaspora Embracing the Model Minority and Perpetual Foreigner? ," was orginally published in Chinese Historical Society of America: History & Perspectives . Chinese translation of the paper was made by Kathy Liu, Steve Ning, and Julia Pan. Xiaoyan Zhang (张小彥), visiting professor at University of Pittsburgh and Chair of United Chinese Americans (UCA). Xiaoyang was born in Beijing, China and came to the U.S. in the early 1980s. He is a naturalized U.S. citizen. Xiaoyan authored the UCA manifesto "From Sojourner to Citizen " in 2018 and shares a paper here "American Democracy in the Eyes of a New Immigrant from China " about his personal experience and understanding. A Chinese verison is also available. China Policy: Huaren and Huaqiao The Chinese diaspora, consisting of both Chinese living overseas who are citizens of China (huaqiao 华侨), and people of Chinese descent who are citizens of foreign countries (huaren 华人), have significantly shaped the making of modern China. China’s policy towards its diaspora is primarily governed by its national interests and foreign policy imperatives. However, the Chinese government has been careful to ensure that the huaqiao and the huaren fall into different policy domains: Chinese citizens living overseas are subject to China’s domestic policies, while Chinese descendants who are citizens of other countries come under China’s foreign affairs. Nevertheless, from the beginning, the latter continue to be regarded as kinsfolk distinct from other foreign nationals. The huaqiao-huaren distinction is often blurred in ordinary discourse and this has been a source of much misunderstanding. However, it has not been the policy of the Chinese government to blur this distinction, and it is acutely aware of the complexity of the issue and is therefore very cautious about implying any change. As such, when terms such as huaqiao-huaren are introduced in the official lexicon, they are meant to acknowledge certain historical and contemporary realities, and not to deliberately obfuscate the two categories. The use of the combined term is in fact a recognition of the clear-cut distinction between the two groups, and is meant to convey a semantic balance in which neither category is emphasized at the expense of the other. And more from below by Wu Xiaoan, professor of history at Peking University and director of its Centre for the Study of Chinese Overseas Huaren or huaqiao? Beijing respects the difference and is not coercing foreigners to toe its line China’s Evolving Policy Towards The Chinese Diaspora in Southeast Asia (1949–2018) US Policy: National, Citizenship, US Persons U.S. State Department on Dual Nationality and Citizenship : Section 101(a)(22) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) states that “the term ‘national of the United States’ means (A) a citizen of the United States, or (B) a person who, though not a citizen of the United States, owes permanent allegiance to the United States.” Therefore, U.S. citizens are also U.S. nationals. Non-citizen nationality status refers only individuals who were born either in American Samoa or on Swains Island to parents who are not citizens of the United States. The concept of dual nationality means that a person is a national of two countries at the same time. Each country has its own nationality laws based on its own policy. Persons may have dual nationality by automatic operation of different laws rather than by choice. For example, a child born in a foreign country to U.S. national parents may be both a U.S. national and a national of the country of birth. Or, an individual having one nationality at birth may naturalize at a later date in another country and become a dual national. U.S. law does not mention dual nationality or require a person to choose one nationality or another. A U.S. citizen may naturalize in a foreign state without any risk to his or her U.S. citizenship. However, persons who acquire a foreign nationality after age 18 by applying for it may relinquish their U.S. nationality if they wish to do so... Dual nationals owe allegiance to both the United States and the foreign country. They are required to obey the laws of both countries, and either country has the right to enforce its laws. It is important to note the problems attendant to dual nationality. Claims of other countries upon U.S. dual-nationals often place them in situations where their obligations to one country are in conflict with the laws of the other. For data collection and national security purposes, a "U.S. person" includes citizens, lawfully admitted permanent resident aliens, and corporations incorporated in the United States. See U.S. Code § 1801 (i): https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/50/1801 VS

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Newsletter - #282 Combating New McCarthyism; AASF Forum With NIH; Dr. Zhijian "James" Chen; More #282 Combating New McCarthyism; AASF Forum With NIH; Dr. Zhijian "James" Chen; More In This Issue #282 · AIP: House Pushes to Resurrect China Initiative · AASF Forum with the National Institutes of Health · Dr. Zhijian “James” Chen Wins “America’s Nobel” · News and Activities for the Communities AIP: House Pushes to Resurrect China Initiative According to the American Institute of Physics (AIP) on September 18, 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to reinstate the Justice Department’s China Initiative under a new name. The bill known as H.R. 1398 passed on a vote of 237-180, with support from 214 Republicans and 23 Democrats.The legislation is unlikely to advance in the Democrat-controlled Senate, where the companion bill has only Republican cosponsors. In addition, the White House issued a statement strongly opposing the bill, stating it “could give rise to incorrect and harmful public perceptions that DOJ applies a different standard to investigate and prosecute criminal conduct related to the Chinese people or to American citizens of Chinese descent.”Rising in opposition to the bill, Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) said that resurrecting the “misguided” China Initiative would represent a “clear step backwards.”“The China Initiative did not just waste valuable resources. If you were a person of Chinese descent working in American higher education, you were a suspect,” said Nadler, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee. “Rather than keeping America safe, the China Initiative divided workplaces, ruined careers, and contributed to anti-Asian hate at the height of the pandemic,” he added.Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, also took to the House floor in opposition to the bill. She described the China Initiative as “the new McCarthyism,” referring to fears of communist influence in the U.S. during the Cold War that were stoked by Sen. Joseph McCarthy (R-WI). “McCarthyism had deadly effects in the 1950s and so does the China Initiative, harming our country’s competitive edge by casting a chilling effect on our academic community,” Chu said. “While we all want to stop American secrets from being stolen, investigations should be based on evidence of criminal activity, not race and ethnicity.” “This bill would essentially re-establish the DOJ’s harmful and ineffective China Initiative, in all but name,” said Joanna Derman , director of anti-racial profiling, civil rights, and national security for Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, in an email. “Instead of reviving a program that we know led to the racial profiling of Asian immigrant and Asian American scientists, we should be discussing policy solutions that would actually attract and retain top talent in critical STEM fields,” Derman continued. Last week’s vote is not the first time that the House has attempted to reinstate the China Initiative — a similar provision is in the House’s appropriations bill for DOJ. Various advocacy groups representing Asian Americans, such as the Asian American Scholar Forum and Stop AAPI Hate, have called for Congress to remove the provision from the final version of the appropriations bill.AIP is a non-profit organization that promotes the advancement and dissemination of knowledge in the field of physics and related disciplines. Founded in 1931, it serves as a federation of scientific societies, supporting the physics community through a variety of initiatives, including publications, advocacy, education, and outreach.Read the AIP report: https://bit.ly/47yU0FU . Read the White House statement: https://bit.ly/3XvIXJ1 What is McCarthyism? McCarthyism refers to a period of intense anti-communist suspicion in the United States during the early Cold War, particularly in the late 1940s and 1950s. Named after Senator Joseph McCarthy , it is characterized by widespread accusations of communist infiltration in American institutions, often without substantial evidence. The movement targeted government officials, entertainment industry figures, educators, and union leaders, among others, accusing them of being Soviet sympathizers or communist spies. McCarthyism led to investigations by the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) and loyalty tests for federal employees. Many individuals lost their jobs, were blacklisted from industries (especially in Hollywood), or faced public shaming. The era also created a climate of fear and repression, where dissenting political views were suppressed.The term "McCarthyism" now broadly refers to the practice of making baseless accusations or using unfair investigative methods to suppress dissent and stoke public fear. The movement began to collapse in 1954 after McCarthy's own credibility was questioned during the televised Army-McCarthy hearings. The famous moment during the hearings came when Joseph Welch , an attorney for the Army, confronted McCarthy with the line, "Have you no sense of decency, sir?" This marked a turning point in public opinion against McCarthy, leading to his censure by the U.S. Senate, and the eventual end of the era.McCarthyism left a lasting impact on American politics and culture, often viewed as a cautionary tale about the dangers of political persecution and mass hysteria.Watch the PBS video clip "Have You No Decency?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svUyYzzv6VI (5:46) Book Chapter on New Red Scare The FBI has a long history of surveillance of ethnic Chinese scientists in the United States. McCarthyism, the Economic Espionage Act, and more recently the China Initiative were initiatives adversely impacting Chinese and Chinese Americans living in the U.S. The stereotypes of Asian and Chinese scientists as “disloyal” stem from the perpetual foreigner trope. The key here is that most of them were U.S. citizens. They are as much an American as any other American, yet their “loyalty” is perceived as less trustworthy. This stereotype has harmful, life-altering consequences.Read this and other chapters from the book Communicated Stereotypes at Work by Anastacia Kurylo (Editor, Contributor), Yifeng Hu (Editor, Contributor), Wilfredo Alvarez (Contributor), & 29 more. ASIN:B0CSK2PGY3. Lexington Books (May 15, 2024) Opinion on Don't Bring "China Initiative" Back and More Statements On September 19, 2024, The Hill published an opinion by Mike German, senior fellow in the Brennan Center for Justice’s Liberty and National Security Program and a former FBI special agent. According to the opinion, allies of Donald Trump aim to revive the China Initiative, a failed Trump-era program targeting economic espionage by Chinese agents, which led to racial profiling and harm to U.S. science. The Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 proposes its return, while Congress recently passed a bill to rebrand it as the "CCP Initiative."Originally launched in 2018, the China Initiative became a tool for targeting Chinese and Asian American researchers, rather than catching spies, leading to a chilling effect on scientific research. Although FBI Director Christopher Wray claimed widespread China-related misconduct, most investigations did not result in espionage convictions, instead focusing on minor administrative offenses.Read The Hill opinion by Mike German: https://bit.ly/47yBPQI Read more statements condemning the revival of the China Initiative:2024/09/20 1990 Institute: The 1990 Institute condemns H.R.1398, legislation that reestablishes the China Initiative 2024/09/18 AAASE: Open Letter to Congress 2024/09/18 OCA: OCA Condemns Measures Fueling Xenophobia and Discrimination 2024/09/09 ACE: Letter to House Leaders AASF Forum with the National Institutes of Health On September 19, the Asian American Scholars Forum (AASF) hosted a public forum with leadership from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The speakers included NIH Director Dr. Monica M. Bertagnolli and NIH Principal Deputy Director Dr. Lawrence A. Tabak . AASF Executive Director Gisela Kusakawa moderated the forum. In her opening remarks, Dr. Bertagnolli acknowledged the valuable contributions of Asian scholars to the U.S. scientific community and reaffirmed NIH's commitment to building relationships with Asian scholars to address the most challenging research challenges in health sciences collaboratively. Dr. Bertagnolli expressed deep concern over the fallout that the U.S. government’s efforts to address troubling actions from China have had on Asian scholars and the difficulties they face. She stated, "We are here to tell you: we hear you, and we see you. We are ready to work together with you as partners in a productive manner."Kusakawa asked about Dr. Bertagnolli’s vision for NIH in the future, and how NIH can create a warm and welcoming environment to protect and empower Asian scholars. Dr. Bertagnolli highlighted that one of NIH’s strengths is its inclusiveness, which brings together the best scientists from diverse backgrounds to address cutting-edge scientific challenges. She noted that ensuring that Asian scholars feel welcome in this environment is crucial. She also noted that rebuilding trust in NIH among Asian scholars, especially those who have lost confidence in the government and NIH, remains an ongoing effort.Dr. Bertagnolli listed a number of steps to make Asian American scholars feel included and welcomed at NIH. She said that today’s forum was aimed at clearing up misunderstandings, and listening to the voices of Asian scholars. She also said NIH will provide more training on research integrity, use new disclosure forms, and explain NIH’s new policy matrix, which further clarifies NIH’s response to foreign adverse influence. She thanked Asian American organizations including AASF for their input in developing these policies. Kusakawa mentioned the recent passage of a bill in the House of Representatives attempting to reinstate the China Initiative and asked how NIH handles political pressure while protecting Asian scholars from excessive scrutiny and maintaining the integrity of NIH research. Dr. Bertagnolli said this was a very important question and emphasized that, regardless of the political climate, NIH remains committed to ensuring the quality and integrity of the research it funds. These policies, on the one hand, are a responsibility to taxpayers and, on the other, help protect researchers from undue foreign influence, which has long been a core principle of NIH policy, well understood by researchers.Dr. Bertagnolli specifically emphasized that, in 2022, NIH began updating its Policies & Procedures for Promoting Scientific Integrity in response to a presidential memorandum. Dr. Bertagnolli reiterated that maintaining research integrity and protecting it from harmful foreign influence has always been NIH’s policy.During the subsequent session, NIH Principal Deputy Director Dr. Lawrence A. Tabak continued to answer questions from AASF. In his responses, Dr. Tabak denied that NIH specifically targeted Chinese researchers based on their ethnicity and stressed that NIH’s investigations targeted certain behaviors that potentially violate the agency’s policy, not focused on individuals. He clarified two additional misunderstandings: first, that NIH is not involved in the now-defunct Department of Justice's China Initiative; and second, that NIH does not have the authority to stop research funding to an institution or university due to the actions of an individual.Dr. Tabak also mentioned that while NIH does not have the power to suggest actions to members of Congress proactively, it always cooperates when lawmakers request technical explanations and support. NIH can use these opportunities to clarify relevant issues to legislators and educate them on specific issues. Kusakawa further raised the issue of how to overcome the underrepresentation of Asian scholars in leadership positions. Dr. Tabak explained that NIH’s previous approach was to train senior researchers with the hope that they would move into leadership roles. Now, however, they have begun training younger researchers hoping to address the problem more effectively.Finally, Dr. Tabak praised the work of organizations like AASF. He stated that NIH looks forward to collaborating with AASF and universities to strengthen connections with Asian scholars. More than 600 people registered for the forum, and over 60 questions were submitted. The record of this event will be available publicly. Juan Zhang , editor at US-China Perception Monitor, contributed this report. Comments and Questions Submitted by APA Justice APA Justice submitted the following comments and questions for the AASF Forum with NIH:"Dr. Bertagnolli’s recent statement was an important first step. The forum is another positive step to repair relationships and rebuild trust."While it is important to turn the page and move forward, it is equally essential to reflect on what went wrong and the lessons learned from all sides over the past six years—particularly with the looming threat of a China Initiative revival."Over the past six years, both intended and unintended consequences have emerged. Hundreds if not thousands of researchers, an overwhelming proportion of them were of Chinese origin, were placed under suspicion, surveilled, investigated, or prosecuted—many of them continue to this day. More than 100 scientists and researchers lost their jobs and had their reputation and finances ruined. At least two prominent Chinese American researchers—one from Northwestern University and another from Arizona State University—died by suicide, reportedly as a result of inquiries or investigations initiated by the NIH."Does the NIH believe all these scientists and researchers were treated fairly and justly? Will the NIH conduct a review of some, if not all, of these cases to assess the fairness of the process and hearing of their appeals? Will the NIH work with institutions, faculty, and the Asian American and scientific communities to establish a consistent due process framework, ensuring that the accused have a fair opportunity to refute charges and defend themselves?" Dr. Zhijian “James” Chen Wins “America’s Nobel” According to Forbes , South China Morning Post , and multiple media on September 19, 2024, Dr. Zhijian “James” Chen 陈志坚 won the 2024 Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award, which is also known as "America's Nobel."Dr. Chen is Professor of Molecular Biology and Director of the Center for Inflammation Research at University of Texas Southwestern (UTSW) Medical Center and the George L. MacGregor Distinguished Chair in Biomedical Science. He was recognized for his discovery of the cGAS enzyme that senses pathogens like viruses and bacteria and triggers the body’s immune system. His work provides clues for new treatments of cancer and other diseases.“Dr. Chen’s research has elucidated the process by which our bodies fight off invasive pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and other microbes, through the detection of wayward intracellular nucleic acids. Insights into this signaling pathway provide a foundation for new approaches to the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases as well as vaccine development,” said Daniel K. Podolsky , M.D., President of UTSW. Shan-Lu Liu , a professor of virology at Ohio State University, also said that Dr. Chen's discovery had "opened new avenues" for understanding autoimmune diseases. "Dr Chen's work not only enhances our understanding of immune mechanisms, but also provides potential strategies for treating diseases linked to immune dysregulation," Dr. Liu said.Dr. Chen is the fourth UTSW faculty member to win a Lasker Award. The previous three winners are all Nobel laureates. The Lasker Awards recognize significant achievements in medicine and biomedical research. Since 1945, the Lasker Foundation has awarded more than 400 prizes to outstandig scientists and clinical researchers. A total of six individuals were recognized this year with awards in three categories — basic research, clinical research, and public service. Each award carries a stipend of $250,000.Dr. Chen is the sixth scientist of Chinese origin to receive a Lasker Award. He is also the second Chinese recipient in the basic research category, more than six decades after biochemist Choh Hao Li , who won in 1962. Dr. Chen, 58, was born in a rural area of China's southeastern Fujian province. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in biology from Fujian Normal University in 1985, he won an overseas scholarship to the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he earned a PhD in biochemistry in 1991. He set up a lab at UTSW in 1997 and was elected to the US National Academy of Sciences in 2014. Read the Forbes report: https://bit.ly/3zDR9yK . Read the South China Morning Post report: https://bit.ly/3Bm3doN News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events:2024/09/25 C100: State of Chinese American Survey 2024 2024/09/25-26 APAICS Technology Summit2024/09/26 White House Initiative AA& NHPI Policy Summit2024/09/27 The War for Chinese Talent in America: The Politics of Technology and Knowledge in Sino-U.S. Relations2024/09/29 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/10/02 C100: Asian American Career Ceiling Initiative2024/10/06 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/10/07 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2024/10/08 Media Training for Election Season2024/10/10 China in the Heartland: Building a Balanced Approach2024/10/11 China and the World Forum (Virtual): China-U.S.: Destined for War or Inevitable Peace?The Community Calendar has moved. Visit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. APA Justice Newsletter Web Page Moving to New Website As part of its continuing migration to a new website under construction, we are moving the Newsletter webpage to https://www.apajusticetaskforce.org/newsletters . Content of the existing website will remain, but it will no longer be updated. We value your feedback about the new web page. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org . Back View PDF September 25, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #274 Alien Land Laws; 08/05 Meeting Summary; US-China Agreement; Hate Incidents in NYC; + #274 Alien Land Laws; 08/05 Meeting Summary; US-China Agreement; Hate Incidents in NYC; + In This Issue #274 · Present and Historical Impacts of Alien Land laws · Summary of August 2024 Monthly Meeting Posted · FT : China-US Tensions Erode Co-operation on Science and Tech · Two Unsettling Anti-Asian Hate Incidents in NYC · News and Activities for the Communities Present and Historical Impacts of Alien Land laws According to NBC News on August 19, 2024, Wen Raiti , a long-time Republican and small business owner in Jacksonville, Florida, switched her party affiliation to Democrat after Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill (SB) 264, which bans Chinese citizens from purchasing property in Florida. For Raiti, the law was the “last straw” after all the hostile rhetoric and scapegoating that Republicans have directed at Asian Americans during the Covid-19 pandemic. “It’s in our Constitution to treat everyone with equality and justice so that everyone can live here without fear,” she said. “The Republican Party has abandoned these principles.” “This bill alone helped activate a lot of people in the Chinese American community who historically are not engaged with the government, especially the state government,” said state Rep. Anna Eskamani (D-Orlando), who has been an outspoken critic of SB 264.The alien land law, which has angered the Chinese American community, has led to increased political engagement and voter mobilization among Chinese Americans, particularly in the lead-up to Florida's August 20 primary. The bill has been seen as discriminatory, drawing comparisons to historical anti-Asian land laws, and has pushed some conservatives to defect from the GOP.The Florida Asian American Justice Alliance (FAAJA) has been actively working to educate and mobilize voters, with many in the community now more involved in the electoral process. “After the law passed, we realized that Asian Americans really have no voice,” said Echo King , president of FAAJA, a nonprofit organization that was established last year to fight anti-Asian discrimination. “We’re contributing to this country, so why are we being targeted?” Legal experts compared SB 264 to century-old alien land laws that barred Asian Americans from owning land; Florida was one of the last states to repeal its law, in 2018. Chinese American conservatives have also been subjected to rampant anti-communism, or Red Scare tactics. In June, Bowen Kou , a Republican candidate in a state Senate race, sued Senate Republicans over attack ads that claimed he accepted contributions from Chinese donors linked to the Communist Party. In April, a federal appeals court heard a challenge to the law after four Chinese immigrants in Florida, backed by the American Civil Liberties Union and other civil rights groups, sued the state last summer. Advocates say they are hoping for an injunction ruling. The Justice Department supported the Chinese plaintiffs in a filing last June.Read the NBC News report: https://nbcnews.to/3yO5EzH On August 12, 2024, UCLA Professor Paul Ong and two co-authors at the UCLA Center for Neighborhood Knowledge published a paper titled "Lessons from California's Historical Alien Land Law: Racial Xenophobia and Homeownership." According to the paper, Florida enacted a controversial law known as SB 264 to prohibit foreigners from purchasing real estate, ostensibly for national security reasons. However, this legislation disproportionately targets individuals from Asian countries and risks creating a chilling effect on all Asians. Similar laws passed by other states echo this trend, unfortunately mirroring historical patterns of discrimination. The efforts, however, are not the first efforts targeting Asians. California and other states enacted alien land laws during the first half of the twentieth century. Rooted in deep-seated anti-Asian sentiments and hostilities, particularly directed at Japanese Americans, these laws combined a toxic blend of racism and xenophobia, further marginalizing Asians socially, politically, and economically. While instigated by the anti-Japanese movement, California’s law broadly applied to all aliens ineligible for citizenship -- a category exclusively encompassing Asians.A direct consequence of California’s law was an extremely low homeownership rate among Asians, far below that of other major racial and ethnic groups from 1910 to 1940. Ownership increased as some Asians found ways to circumvent the unfair law and as the number of U.S.-born Asians grew; nonetheless the rate remained significantly lower than that of non-Hispanic whites (NHW). Even after controlling for income, nativity and other factors, Asians were still several times less likely to own homes compared to NHW in 1940.While overt anti-Asian sentiment may be less intense today, Asian Americans continue to face discriminatory treatment, as evidenced by the surge in anti-Asian hate crimes during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This animus often stems from the perception of Asians as perpetual foreigners, exacerbated by rising global tensions with Asian nations. While the current wave of alien land laws may not explicitly target Asians, they have the potential to harm Asian Americans by restricting property ownership rights and fueling anti-Asian rhetoric.Read the report: https://bit.ly/3AsgDzc Summary of August 2024 Monthly Meeting Posted The August 2024 APA Justice monthly meeting summary has been posted at https://bit.ly/3AHFSO1 . We thank the following speakers for their reports and updates: · Nisha Ramachandran , Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC). Casey Lee , Policy Director for CAPAC, provided an update on recent activities, thanking Professor Franklin Tao and his wife for participating in a press conference celebrating their recent victory. CAPAC remains committed to supporting Professor Franklin Tao’s reinstatement at the University of Kansas. Casey also highlighted CAPAC’s efforts to remove the China Initiative language from the House Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations bill, which passed out of committee in July but was not considered by the full House before recess. CAPAC will collaborate with lawmakers and advocacy groups to ensure the provision is excluded from the final bill. · Joanna YangQing Derman , Director, Anti-Profiling, Civil Rights & National Security Program, Advancing Justice | AAJC. Joanna voiced strong support for Casey's remarks and highlighted Advancing Justice | AAJC's efforts to oppose the reinstatement of the China Initiative, particularly focusing on language in the House's Commerce and Justice Appropriations report. Fortunately, the Senate version lacks this language, offering hope for a positive outcome in conference discussions. AAJC is closely collaborating with CAPAC and other allies to monitor developments. They are also tracking the Department of Treasury’s proposed rulemaking related to CFIUS and may submit comments to ensure protections against national origin discrimination. Additionally, AAJC is coordinating with coalition partners to align their advocacy efforts and recently held a press briefing celebrating Professor Tao’s legal victory. Gisela Perez Kusakawa , Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF). Gisela reported that AASF has been actively working with allies on policy impacts while fostering community engagement. The inaugural Asian American Pioneer Medal Symposium and Ceremony, held in partnership with Stanford University's Asian American Activity Center, was a resounding success, drawing over 1,300 attendees. The event featured prominent figures in AI, life sciences, and leadership, including Nobel and Turing Award laureates, with participation from industry leaders and academic figures like Stanford University President John Levin. The symposium highlighted the contributions of Asian Americans, aligning with AASF's broader civil rights efforts. AASF's high school competition, which encouraged students to create videos about medal recipients, further promoted understanding of Asian American history. AASF remains committed to supporting Dr. Franklin Tao and continues to collaborate with civil rights partners to ensure Asian American perspectives are represented in federal policymaking. Membership is now open to all scholars who support AASF's mission. Anne S. Chao , Co-founder, Friends of the National Asian Pacific American Museum; Program Manager, Houston Asian American Archive (HAAA), Rice University. Anne S. Chao co-founded HAAA, recognizing the lack of records documenting Asian American lives in one of the most diverse cities in the U.S. Over the past 15 years, HAAA has grown to include around 500 interviews, various awards, performances, and exhibits, capturing the multifaceted lives of Asian Americans in the Greater Houston area. The archive includes interviews with notable figures such as Judge Theresa Chang, astronaut Leroy Chiao, and renowned physicist Paul Chu, among others. Anne shared the story of the Gee family's contributions to Houston, with plans for a book and curriculum on their legacy. On the national level, Anne highlighted the need for an Asian Pacific American Museum on the National Mall, noting the absence of such a museum despite existing museums for African Americans, Latinos, and women. Although Congress passed H.R. 3525 in 2021 to study the feasibility of creating an Asian Pacific American Museum, the commission cannot start work until all eight commissioner positions are filled. To advance this effort, Anne co-founded the Friends of the National Asian Pacific American Museum, aiming to mobilize support, fundraising, and coordination to fast-track the museum's establishment. The organization is engaging museum experts and academics nationwide to contribute to the museum's development. · Franklin Tao 陶丰 , former Professor of Kansas University, Victim of China Initiative; Hong Peng 彭鸿 , Wife of Professor Tao. Professor Tao shared an emotional account of his five-year ordeal, beginning with his arrest under the China Initiative in 2019, based on false accusations. Despite being acquitted of all charges by the 10th Circuit Court, the experience has devastated his life and career, costing him nearly everything, including his position at Kansas University (KU), which terminated him in breach of an agreement. Tao and his wife, Hong Peng, faced immense financial and emotional strain, borrowing heavily and nearly going bankrupt, while Hong worked multiple jobs to support their family. Their children also suffered, with trauma from FBI surveillance and the overall impact of the situation. In the past few years while he was fighting his case, Professor Tao published 30 papers and retained the capability of working as a faculty member. Hong Peng echoed her husband’s account, detailing the intense hardship they endured, including the toll on their children's mental health. She worked tirelessly to keep the family afloat, all while watching Franklin struggle with depression. The family's suffering was compounded by the immense legal and financial burdens they carried. Despite the challenges, justice was ultimately served with Franklin's acquittal, and they remain hopeful that KU will reinstate him, allowing them to rebuild their lives. Both Franklin and Hong expressed deep gratitude for the support they received from their community, legal team, and various organizations, which played a crucial role in achieving this victory. · Ron Barrett-Gonzalez , Committee A Co-Chair, Kansas Conference of the American Association of University Professors (KCAAUP); and Rob Catlett , Committee A C-Chair, KCAAUP. The AAUP is a state-wide body representing over 400 faculty members from various higher education institutions across Kansas. The Conference, led by volunteer officers, addresses issues such as due process denial, governance, and tenure disputes. Recently, Kansas University (KU) Professor Ron Barrett-Gonzalez and Emporia State University Professor Rob Catlett met with a KU administrator to advocate for the reinstatement of Dr. Franklin Tao. Ron and Rob approached the meeting with a strategy focused on persuading the KU administration to reinstate Dr. Tao quietly but effectively, emphasizing the ethical and legal imperative to correct this wrong. They outlined a plan to reinstate Dr. Tao during a time when national attention would be elsewhere, offering KU an opportunity to rectify the situation without significant public backlash. The administrator seemed receptive, taking detailed notes and promising a response by August 19. If KU does not act, the newly formed KU Faculty Union, supported by 87% of voters, could escalate the issue, potentially turning it into a rallying cause, attracting media attention, and strengthening the union's influence. Ron and Rob remain hopeful, given their past successes with the same administrator, that justice will prevail, and Dr. Tao will be reinstated. Read the August APA Justice monthly meeting summary: https://bit.ly/3AHFSO1 . Read previous monthly meeting summaries: https://bit.ly/3kxkqxP FT : China-US Tensions Erode Co-operation on Science and Tech According to the Financial Times on August 19, 2024, rising tensions between the US and China threaten to sever a 45-year-old science and technology pact due for renewal later this month, hindering the superpowers’ collaboration in critical areas. The science and technology agreement between the U.S. and China, originally signed in 1979, has been a significant framework for bilateral cooperation in various fields like energy, agriculture, and disaster management. However, renewing this agreement has become increasingly difficult due to escalating geopolitical tensions, including U.S. concerns over China's access to sensitive technologies and issues related to intellectual property and espionage. Although researchers advocate for continued collaboration in areas like climate change and AI safety, the strained political climate, especially in the lead-up to the U.S. presidential election, complicates the prospects of a long-term extension. The potential cancellation of the accord could have a chilling effect on future joint research projects and academic collaborations, underscoring the importance of maintaining ties between researchers to address global challenges.The agreement expired in August 2023. It has been extended temporarily for six months twice. The current extension expires on August 27, 2024.Read the Financial Times report: https://on.ft.com/4dR8Tp4 . Two Unsettling Anti-Asian Hate Incidents in NYC Two unsettling incidents involving racially motivated attacks against Asian Americans occurred in New York City in recent months, highlighting concerns about racism, bigotry, and anti-Asian hate, as well as the work to fight against them still has a long way to go. Shiva Rajgopal , an Indian descent and Kester and Byrnes Professor at Columbia Business School, published a post on his LinkedIn account, sharing the disturbing attack that he suffered on August 19, 2024.“Completely unprovoked, a well toned white male with a red mountain bike slaps me on the face on 112th and Broadway. My glasses go flying. Then he goes on to hurl racial epithets:‘ you think I am afraid of you lot. You f..ing Indians.’ Another white person comes to my rescue. And I just ran like hell,” wrote Rajgopal.Rajgopal was rattled by what he had experienced. He said this was the first time that he had suffered explicit racial abuse in his 32 years in the United States. “No wonder so many of my colleagues are leaving the upper west side of New York City for the suburbs,” Rajgopal concluded.In a separate case, Ben Chang , a Columbia University spokesperson and vice president for communications, was assaulted near campus by a man who struck him with a metal water bottle and yelled xenophobic remarks. Despite attempting to avoid the confrontation, Chang was pursued by the attacker until he managed to alert a public safety officer. Chang, who was born and raised in the U.S., found the experience jarring and emphasized the importance of reporting such attacks to prevent them in the future. These incidents reflect continuing concerns about anti-Asian racial tensions and violence in New York City. Amid the pandemic and its aftermath, a number of high-profile, unsettled, anti-Asian hate crimes and incidents happened in New York City. It is unclear what motivated the attacker to assault Rajgopal. It is worthwhile to note that Indian Americans have risen quickly in the nation’s political arena. Democratic party's presidential nominee, Kamala Harris , has a mother of Indian descent. And Republican vice-presidential nominee JD Vance ’s wife Usha Vance is also an Indian American. Juan Zhang , editor at US-China Perception Monitor, contributed this report. News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2024/09/01 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/09/09 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2024/09/19 1990 Teachers Workshop: Asian American Identity2024/09/19-20 AANHPI Unity Summit2024/1002 C100: Asian American Career Ceiling Initiative2024/10/06 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/10/07 APA Justice Monthly MeetingThe Community Calendar has moved. Visit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. New Research Prize: Chen Institute and Science Prize for AI Accelerated Research The Chen Institute and Science launched the "Chen Institute and Science Prize for AI Accelerated Research" in August 2024. This initiative aims to drive advancements in artificial intelligence that can expand scientific research. Young scientists from around the world are invited to submit AI-driven projects that demonstrate significant potential to improve research and lives. The competition will award a Grand Prize of $30,000, with the winner's essay published in Science and an accompanying five-year AAAS membership. Additionally, up to two runners-up will receive $10,000 each, with their essays published on Science Online and the same membership benefits, promoting sustained engagement with scientific progress.Deadline for application is December 13, 2024. For more information and apply for the prize, visit https://bit.ly/3WRwDCB Back View PDF August 22, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #104 Lieber Verdict; Zaosong Zheng; Shaorong Liu; Upcoming Trials; 01/03 Meeting; Much More #104 Lieber Verdict; Zaosong Zheng; Shaorong Liu; Upcoming Trials; 01/03 Meeting; Much More Back View PDF December 27, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #237 NAPABA Report; Quincy Institute; Florida SB 864; Ex-FBI Spy Hunter; Section 702 Reform #237 NAPABA Report; Quincy Institute; Florida SB 864; Ex-FBI Spy Hunter; Section 702 Reform In This Issue #237 · Invited Report: Developments on Alien Land Laws in Missouri and Arkansas · The Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft · Florida law SB 864 Undercuts US Leadership in Science · Ex-FBI Spy Hunter Sentenced · House Delays Plans on Surveillance Program Reauthorization Vote · News and Activities for the Communities Invited Report: Developments on Alien Land Laws in Missouri and Arkansas The following is an invited report by Edgar Chen , Special Policy Advisor, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA)"With no signs that the resurgence of foreign ownership legislation introduced in at least 34 states last year is slowing down, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) has been following two recent developments in Missouri and Arkansas."In Missouri, Governor Michael Parson issued Executive Order 24-01 in January, which prohibits the acquisition of agricultural land by Chinese, Iranian, Russian, and other citizens from other designated adversarial countries within 10 miles of a military facility. While the text of the Executive Order itself does not mention China by name, the Governor's press release and remarks focused almost exclusively on China: "With heightened concerns regarding ownership of Missouri farm land by foreign adversaries, especially China, we are signing this order to safeguard our military and intelligence assets, prevent security threats to our state, and give Missourians greater peace of mind." The Governor's comments when announcing his Executive Order appeared to be partly in response to legislative proposals that could ban all foreign ownership - including by friendly countries. Governor Parson touted foreign investment by a list of countries including Israel, Sweden, Germany, the UK, and Japan as critical to the state's economy. "In terms of whether there has been evidence that Missouri farmland has been exploited for malign purposes, Governor Parson conceded that, 'While we have had no issues yet, we want to be proactive against any potential threats.' The Governor also remarked that if he had the authority, his ban would go a lot further: 'Believe me, if I had the authority, we wouldn’t just be talking about banning farm land but all commercial properties by foreign adversaries…regardless of rural or urban.' Responding to questions posed during the press conference, Governor Parson clarified that the Executive Order is not retroactive, but the plain language of the order reads, 'no Missouri agricultural land shall be acquired or owned' (emphasis added) by a citizen of a foreign adversary, which may raise some confusion about current owners. NAPABA is not aware of any other states where a governor had taken unilateral executive action to bar Chinese or other citizens from acquiring property without the passage of legislation. "Last fall, Arkansas became the first state (that NAPABA is aware of) to take an enforcement action against a Chinese (or any foreign) property holder under new alien land laws. Attorney General Tim Griffin ordered Northrop King Seed Company, a subsidiary of Swiss company Syngenta (which in 2017 was acquired by state-owned China National Chemical Corporation) to sell its property as it was in violation of state law that bars a 'prohibited foreign-party controlled business' from acquiring or holding land in Arkansas. China is considered a prohibited foreign party. Syngenta was also ordered to pay a $280,000 fine for failing to register with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture on time as a foreign owned entity. In a blistering response, Eric Boeck , President of Syngenta Seeds, United States and Canada called the order, 'a shortsighted public ultimatum that doesn’t have the American farmers, or independent seed companies we serve, best interests at heart,' and vociferously stated that 'the suggestion that China is using Syngenta to purchase land or conduct operations in the U.S. for any purpose other than supporting the company’s commercial business in North America is simply false.' According to both Boeck, and additional industry reporting , Northrop King Seed has owned the land in question, 160 acres in Craighead County, Arkansas since 1988, and the land is primarily used for seed research purposes that are specific to the soil type found in Arkansas, to accrue to the specific benefit of Arkansas farmers." The Committee of 100 tracks federal and state bills prohibiting property ownership by foreign individuals and entities in 2023 legislative sessions at https://bit.ly/3Hxta4B The Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft Lora Lumpe , Chief Executive Officer, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, introduces the Quincy Institute and its plans and activities during the APA Justice monthly meeting on February 5, 2024. Quincy Institute is a relatively new, standard think tank of about 4 years old. It has a global focus. One of its core areas is the US-China relationship. Its founding principle is that the US has come to rely too much on the use of military force. The Institute focuses on promoting an international relations theory called restraint, which calls for a use of force only when vital national interests are at stake. It prioritizes diplomatic solutions.Lora emphasizes the importance of finding positive areas of cooperation between the US and China. Quincy Institute has organized coalition calls and conferences to advocate for a more constructive US-China relationship. Quincy Institute is staffed with experts in US China security relations from a hard security perspective; another focus area for the Quincy Institute is trade, tech, and environment. It is pleased with the recent reinitiation of top-level dialogue, but crisis prevention mechanisms need to go a lot further. In this Congress, there have been about 600 bills initiated, cutting across almost every committee. Almost every one of them is hostile toward China and focuses on a threat or an alleged threat posed by China to US national interests. The Institute aims to foster a constructive relationship. In addition, · Quincy Institute has an online publication called Responsible Statecraft that publishes about a thousand pieces of journalism and analysis a year - some from the staff and some from outside scholars. · Prior to the meeting of Presidents Biden and Xi last November, Quincy Institute organized a coalition call to bring together people from different sectors including academic, national security, climate, farm and agriculture. The coalition called on the two presidents to engage in a more concerted effort to strengthen the bilateral relationship. · The Institute believes that broad sectors of American civil society want a decent workable relationship, and yet so much of what we see in the media, coming out of Congress, and often from the White House, is pointing to China as a threat. Quincy Institute held a half-day long conference with foreignpolicy.com – a main platform for Washington thinkers on US foreign policy to reframe or ask some different questions about the US China relationship, including panels on economy and national security. · On trade and technology, Quincy Institute tries to sharpen the contradiction between the alarmist view or zero sum take and its perspective on cooperation and diplomacy. · Quincy Institute also engages in investigative journalism, frequently looking at the sources of influence in the making of US foreign policy, such as foreign government funding of think tanks as well as corporate funding of think tanks and news outlets, trying to at least raise questions about whether those sources of financial support may in fact be impacting some of the analysis, commentary, and reporting that comes out. · Lora refers to the Quincy Institute website with several pieces of in-depth analyses on the US-Taiwan-China relationship and paths to preventing conflict, pointing to the fundamental need of education on the One-China policy that has played a role in maintaining peace and allowed for the growth and development of Taiwan for the past 45 years. Lora encourages others to view them as allies in promoting a more diplomatic approach to US-China relations and expresses her enthusiasm for collaboration and look forward to working closely with others in the future.Contact Tori Bateman , outreach coordinator, at Tori@quincyinst.org . Visit the Quincy Institute website at https://quincyinst.org/ . Read the partial summary of the February 2024 APA Justice monthly meeting at: https://bit.ly/49mmzXk Florida law SB 864 Undercuts US Leadership in Science According to Science report on " New Florida Law Blocks Chinese Students From Academic Labs ," Florida’s SB 846 hinders and potentially prohibits hiring applicants from China or six other “countries of concern” unless the university obtains a waiver from the state.According to a letter to Science on February 15, 2024, any state’s decision to shut out international scholars will push talented individuals elsewhere, cause delays in existing research efforts, threaten local job growth potential, and endanger US global leadership in research and development.Scientists born outside of the United States have contributed to global understanding and progress as well as to the US economy, society, health, and national security. About 58% of the 72,000 postdoctoral scholars (postdocs) working in the United States are internationals. Having obtained the highest level of education in their fields, many are in their late 20s and 30s and are poised to assume leadership positions across society.Welcoming postdocs from other nations drives innovation and builds stronger research institutions capable of greater accomplishments and economic development. There is no credible evidence of a surplus of domestic-born postdoc scientists and researchers whose career pathways are put at risk by international scholars. Moreover, by turning away the brightest minds from the seven targeted countries, Florida increases the chances that these individuals will instead find opportunities in other countries, including US competitors, a lost opportunity for innovation that could threaten the very national security that SB 846 purports to protect.More than 300 faculty members have signed the petition https://bit.ly/3I3kK5y at the University of Florida that questions the policy and advocates for the freedom to hire top talent regardless of national origin. The National Postdoctoral Association, which supports US postdocs of all nationalities, joins their call. Read the Science letter: https://bit.ly/49F85Sa . Read the Explainer on SB 864 by the Asian American Scholar Forum: https://bit.ly/3UJNdER Ex-FBI Spy Hunter Sentenced According to the Washington Post and AP News , the FBI’s former top spy hunter in New York was sentenced in Washington to 28 months in prison for concealing at least $225,000 in payments he received from a former Albanian intelligence official while working for the bureau.Charles McGonigal will serve his punishment on top of a 50-month prison term he received separately in New York last year for illegally conspiring with a Russian oligarch who wanted to be removed from a U.S. sanctions list.McGonigal, 55, is one of the highest-ranking FBI agents ever convicted of criminal charges. He was special agent in charge of the counterintelligence division of the FBI’s New York City office from 2016 to his retirement in September 2018.McGonigal now has been sentenced to a combined 6½ years behind bars for the two offenses.McGonigal expressed remorse and sorrow for what he called “mistakes,” saying he betrayed the confidence and trust of his loved ones.The judge told McGonigal that it appears he “lost his moral compass” at the end of a distinguished FBI career, when he held one of the highest national security positions in the federal government. She said his remorse seemed genuine.“Unfortunately, it doesn’t repair the damage,” she added.Read the Washington Post report: https://wapo.st/4bHuEHt . Read the AP News report: https://bit.ly/3woUEra House Delays Plans on Surveillance Program Reauthorization Vote According to Roll Call on February 14, 2024, the House shelved plans to hold floor votes this week on a bill to reauthorize a powerful surveillance authority, amid sharp divisions over how far Congress should go in providing privacy protections. The move came shortly after a House Rules Committee meeting on the bill to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which revealed there was no clear agreement on a rule to allow floor consideration of amendments.Sharp divisions over privacy protections in Section 702 of FISA remainSection 702 allows the U.S. government to collect digital communications of foreigners located outside the country. But the program has been the subject of lawmaker concern because it also brings in the communications of Americans and allows the FBI to search through the information without a warrant. The agency can search through the data based on a single field, such as an email address.The House Judiciary Committee has advanced one bill, and the House Intelligence Committee has advanced another. Republicans posted a new bill, which more closely resembles the Intelligence Committee bill, for consideration on the floor.Read the Roll Call report: https://bit.ly/4bJI0Dh News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2024/02/22 Census Bureau: Exploring the Diversity and Growth of the Asian American Population2024/02/27-28 President’s Advisory Commission on AA and NHPIs Meeting and Solicitation for Oral and Written Comments2024/02/28 WHI: Community Engagement Event2024/02/29 CAMDC Deadline for Essay Contest2024/03/03 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/03/04 APA Justice Monthly MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/45KGyga for event details. 2. Census Bureau: Exploring the Diversity and Growth of the Asian American Population WHAT: Exploring the Diversity and Growth of the Asian American Population WHEN: February 22, 2024, 2:00 - 3:00 pm Eastern Time WHERE: Webinar HOST: U.S. Census Bureau SPEAKERS: · Mariecris (Mac) Treece, US Census Bureau · Anh Nguyen, US Census Bureau DESCRIPTION: Did you know there are more than 24 million people who identified as Asian alone or in combination in the 2020 Census? And the largest Asian group, which grew by over 50 percent are Asian Indians. Join us to discover the diverse and growing Asian population. Build your knowledge to paint a local portrait of Asian Americans including where they live, which industry sector they work in, homeownership rates, business ownership, and more. Lastly, we will demonstrate how to access data.census.gov to create an Asian community profile in selected geographies. REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3wuJCjR 3. Norman Mineta Statue Unveiled at San Jose Airport According to NBC News on January 25, 2024, the city of San Jose unveiled a new statue at San Jose Mineta International Airport to honor of its namesake Norman Mineta . The statue stands 6 feet tall and is made of bronze. It was funded by Mineta's supporters and commissioned by nonprofit organizations. Mineta was the mayor of San Jose in the 1970s before serving in Congress for 20 years. He later became the U.S. commerce secretary under the Bill Clinton Administration and transportation secretary during the George W. Bush Administration. Mineta passed away in 2022 at the age of 91. Read the NBC News report: https://bit.ly/3wk6McU 4. Memorial Service for Dr. Hwa-Wei Lee On February 17, 2024, a memorial ceremony was held in Florida for Dr. Hwa-Wei Lee 李华伟 , former Chief of the Asian Division at the Library of Congress and Dean Emeritus of Ohio University Libraries. He was 92.During his five-year tenure (2003-2008) at the Library of Congress, Dr. Lee made a lasting impact through his initiatives, including international partnerships that led to the Japanese Rare Book Collection and the Chinese Rare Book Digital Collection. Dr Lee also established the Asian American Pacific Islander Collection with the support of Rep. Mike Honda , former Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.In 2005, Dr. Lee testified before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission for a hearing on the status of the Library’s Chinese collection. He was recognized internationally for his contributions to bridging cultures between the United States and many other countries. Dr. Lee was one of the founders and a past president of the Chinese American Librarians Association (CALA). He was honored by CALA in a video paying tribute to his life on June 25, 2013: https://bit.ly/42FiOcZ (17:10) Back View PDF February 19, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #93 Update On Campaign; Matt Olsen Confirmed; Week Of Action; Reports And Reminders #93 Update On Campaign; Matt Olsen Confirmed; Week Of Action; Reports And Reminders Back View PDF November 1, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #39 February 1 Meeting; Gang Chen; Franklin Tao; FBI Transformation; And More #39 February 1 Meeting; Gang Chen; Franklin Tao; FBI Transformation; And More Back View PDF January 25, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #82 Professor Anming Hu Acquitted!!! More On The DOC Internal Review Report #82 Professor Anming Hu Acquitted!!! More On The DOC Internal Review Report Back View PDF September 10, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #225 Section 702; Pushback Alien Land Bills; Carter Center; "China Initiative" Revival; + #225 Section 702; Pushback Alien Land Bills; Carter Center; "China Initiative" Revival; + In This Issue #225 · Reminder: Community Briefing on Section 702 of FISA · Asian American Groups Pushed Back Against 17 GOP Governors on Alien Land Bills · China Focus, the Carter Center and Conference for 45th Anniversary of U.S.-China Relations · Over 40 Organizations Oppose Appropriations Proposal to Reinstate the China Initiative · News and Activities for the Communities Reminder: 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: Do not miss the opportunity to attend the community briefing and learn how it may impact us individually and collectively for years to come. As early as Tuesday, Speaker Mike Johnson will bring a significant expansion of warrantless surveillance, known as the FISA Reform and Reauthorization Act ( H.R.6611 ), to the House floor. This bill, dubbed "PATRIOT Act 2.0," poses a significant threat to privacy. Among other things, it vastly widens the scope of businesses eligible to be compelled to give the government access to their systems without a warrant and grossly expands warrantless surveillance of all people seeking to travel to the U.S. Read more from the Brennan Center on this radical expansion of Section 702. Asian American Groups Pushed Back Against 17 GOP Governors on Alien Land Bills According to AsAmNews on December 7, 2023, several Asian American groups including APA Justice push back a letter from 17 Republican governors calling on President Joe Biden to crack down on Chinese ownership of private land in the U.S.The letter instigated by Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders called on Biden and congressional leaders to use “all available tools to prevent continued acquisition of American lands by adversarial foreign governments and entities.” “Committee of 100 believes that if such restrictions become law, they will make it difficult, if not impossible, for individuals in the U.S. on long-term visas to purchase a home and are likely to lead to direct discrimination against any individuals of Chinese American or AAPI descent,” said the Committee of 100. Florida has already enacted a law that bans ownership in the state by Chinese citizens. A lawsuit against the Florida state law is ongoing. The Congressional Research Service says 14 other states have enacted similar laws with more than 20 states considering their own bills. “As Americans, we are all concerned about national security but when elected officials whip up fear painting an entire group whether based on race, ethnicity and or national origin, you have to ask what is the real agenda and purpose,” Cynthia Choi , a founder of Stop AAPI Hate and co-executive director of Chinese for Affirmative Action said. APA Justice has been tracking various state alien land bills and local media reports across the nation, but have not found substantive factual evidence to support the rhetoric of security threats of foreign land ownership in the U.S. by China. Farm Progress reported that China has only 19 acres in Nebraska out of 800,000 acres of Nebraska land that are owned or controlled through leases by foreign entities. Canada is the largest foreign holder of land in the state and in the nation. Investigate Midwest reported that the only Oklahoma land owned by a Chinese company is a combined 2,571 acres held by Smithfield Foods, a large pork producer that moved into the state several years ago." says while foreign landownership in Nebraska has spiked in recent years, Chinese landowners have not contributed to that increase.A bill introduced by Rep Judy Chu (D-CA) and Rep Al Green (D-TX) would ban states from enacting such laws based on citizenship and race. The Preemption of Real Property Discrimination Act would move that authority to the federal government.Read the AsAmNews report: https://bit.ly/3t1A3YD China Focus, the Carter Center and Conference for 45th Anniversary of U.S.-China Relations China Focus, headed by long-time China expert Dr. Yawei Liu , is the primary team at the Carter Center working on issues related to China. Dr. Liu has been in charge of the Center’s China program for over two decades. While adapting to the demands of the 21st century, the Carter Center remains committed to preserving the legacy of President Jimmy Carter and Deng Xiaoping ’s historic decision to normalize diplomatic relations between the United States and China.The Carter Center’s China Focus fosters greater dialogue, exchange, and critical reflection on the past, present, and future of U.S.-China relations. The China Focus produces original scholarship that provides action-oriented insights for advancing U.S.-China engagement. The China Focus organizes a range of activities designed to enhance mutual understanding of American and Chinese interests.The China Focus engages the U.S. and China online. The Center publishes two websites focused on bilateral relations and U.S.-China public opinion. These are the English- and Chinese-language U.S.-China Perception Monitor websites. Content includes a wide variety of interviews with American and Chinese scholars, insightful analyses of U.S.-China relations, surveys of Chinese public opinion, profiles of key opinion leaders in the bilateral relationship, translations of influential commentaries into English or Chinese, and more. Conference for 45th Anniversary of U.S.-China Relations On January 9, 2024, the Carter Center, the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, and the U.S.-China Business Council will host a public in-person event to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the United States and the People’s Republic of China. Through keynote speeches and panel discussions, the event will bring together experts to discuss the legacy, controversies, and future of U.S.-China engagement. For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/46SW8pO Over 40 Organizations Oppose Appropriations Proposal to Reinstate the China Initiative According to a press release by the Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), 45 organizations led by AASF and a coalition of Asian American and allied partners who worked to end the Department of Justice’s “China Initiative” sent a letter to Congress on December 7, 2023, to oppose legislative language that would reinstate the “China Initiative” in the House version of the FY 2024 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations bill ( H.R. 5893 ) and any future iterations of the Initiative. The proposal would reverse the decision to end the “China Initiative”—a devastating program ended last year that raised serious concerns of racial profiling and targeting of Asian Americans and immigrants, particularly of Chinese descent.Read the coalition letter to Congress here: https://bit.ly/41dhn4C News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2023/12/10 Rep. Gene Wu 's Weekly town hall meeting2023/12/12 Community Briefing on Section 702 of FISA2023/12/13 APIAVote In-Person Event: Taste of Democracy2023/12/15 Webinar on Voices of AAPI Communities2023/12/17 Rep. Gene Wu 's Weekly town hall meetingVisit https://bit.ly/45KGyga for event details. 2. APAPA National Unity Awards Gala Among others, Rep. Grace Meng received the Community Champion Award and Professor Xiaoxing Xi was honored for his Unity & Resilience during the APAPA National Unity Awards Gala on December 9, 2023. 3. APIAVote In-person Event: Taste of Democracy WHAT: In-person Annual Event on Taste of Democracy WHEN: December 15, 2023, 1:00 pm ETWHERE: 700 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, 6th Floor, Washington DCDESCRIPTION: An annual year-end event to celebrate APIAVote accomplishments in getting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders out to vote. The evening will also include a presentation of the Beacon of Democracy award. HOST: APIAVoteREGISTRATION: https://apia.vote/ToD2023 4. APIAVote Webinar: Unveiling Insights from New AAPI Data/AP-NORC Survey WHAT: Webinar on Voices of AAPI Communities: Unveiling Insights from New AAPI Data/AP-NORC Survey WHEN: December 15, 2023, 1:00 pm ET/10:00 am PTDESCRIPTION: Learn about AAPI views on voting rights, threats to democracy, and trust in political institutions. This poll is conducted by AAPI Data and AP-NORC.HOSTS: APIAVote, AAPI Data, Asian American Journalists Association REGISTRATION: https://apia.vote/dec23poll 5. California Teenager Who Passed Bar Exam at 17 is Now Practicing Attorney According to the Guardian on December 8, 2023, Peter Park , now 18, enrolled in the Northwestern California University School of Law at age 13 and graduated earlier this year, has become the youngest person to ever pass California’s bar exam and is now working as a practicing attorney. The Tulare county district attorney’s office announced that Peter Park, a Korean America, learned last month at 17 that he had passed the rigorous exam on his first attempt in what officials described as a “legal history making moment”. In July 2023, 51.5% of the 7,555 people who took the exam passed. Park has been a law clerk with the office since August after completing law school. Read the Guardian report: https://bit.ly/47Re3yz . Read also the Washington Post : https://wapo.st/47R9hRQ 6. Conference on Social Progress Since Repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act 80 Years Ago (CRCEA80) The CRCEA80 Conference was held at the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC on December 5, 2023. More than 400 individuals attended the event. Speakers included US Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Reps Judy Chu and Ted Lieu . · Video summary of the event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ucBsUaVw9I (5:18) · Office of The U.S. Trade Representative: Remarks by Ambassador Katherine Tai at Event Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act · U. S. Department of State: 戴琪大使在《排华法案》废除 80 周年纪念活动上的讲话 Back View PDF December 11, 2023 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

A month after the launch of the China Initiative, a group of community leaders met with a senior FBI official and representatives at the FBI headquarters in Washington DC to convey concerns raised within the Chinese American community about the role of bias in its investigations, among other issues, in a futile attempt to establish a continuing dialogue to address the concerns. December 7, 2018 Table of Contents Overview FBI Headquarters Meeting FBI: “Non-Traditional Collectors” and “Whole-of-Society Response” 60 Minutes: “Collateral Damage” “Racial Profiling Harms Science” Links and References Overview On December 7, 2018, a group of community leaders met with a senior FBI official and representatives at the FBI headquarters to convey concerns raised within the Chinese American community about the concerns of bias in its investigations, among other issues. An attempt to establish a continuing dialogue with the FBI failed. Prior to the meeting, Asian American, civil rights, and scientific communities have already been expressing deep concerns about wrongful prosecutions of Chinese American scientists such as Sherry Chen and Xiaoxing Xi, as well as the broad brush rhetoric of “non-traditional collectors” against an entire group of students, professors, and scientists as a security threat to our country. FBI Headquarters Meeting The 90-minute meeting with a senior FBI official and representatives was held at the FBI headquarters. Attempts to establish a dialogue resulted in two monologues. On December 14, 2018, a public summary of the meeting was released: “The FBI stated that its mission is to protect all Americans, including Chinese Americans, while also highlighting national security threats and the political influence from foreign nations such as China. “The community leaders acknowledged the serious threat posed by trade secret theft within the U.S. where intellectual property has found its way to foreign nations, including China. They also expressed support for vigorous law enforcement action where wrongdoing occurs. At the same time, the community leaders spoke about the fear and suspicion created by certain actions by the FBI, particularly related to cases where apparent innocent parties were involved. “The 90-minute meeting at FBI headquarters was closed door, permitting for a frank and confidential conversation. Both sides expressed interest in a continuing dialogue. Community groups who want to dialogue with the agency can contact FBI field offices. Several already have held meetings or forums involving the FBI in Austin, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. According to the FBI, it has community outreach specialists in each of its field offices who regularly engage with the various communities they serve. “The community leaders attending the meeting were Robert Gee, Vice Chair, Washington DC Region, Committee of 100; Andrew Kim, Visiting Scholar, South Texas College of Law and Litigator, Greenberg Traurig; Aryani Ong, community advocate; Steven Pei, scientist and Honorary Chair of United Chinese Americans; and Jeremy Wu, retired government official." The community leaders brought these talking materials to the meeting: Robert Gee: Committee of 100 Letter to FBI Official Andrew Kim: Prosecuting Chinese “Spies:” An Empirical Analysis of The Economic Espionage Act Steven Pei: FBI Meeting Talking Points Jeremy Wu: FBI Meeting Talking Points After the China Initiative ended, the FBI San Francisco field office hosted a town hall meeting with community organizations in May 2022, beginning a process to restart a dialogue with the communities. FBI: “Non-Traditional Collectors” and “Whole-of-Society Response” According to Inside Higher Ed on February 14, 2018, FBI director Christopher Wray told the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence that American academia is naïve about the intelligence risks posed by Chinese professors, scientists, and students. His broad-brush testimony targets a whole group of students, professors, and scientists as a security threat due to their national origin and race. In addition, Wray said he and the FBI “view the China threat as not just a whole-of-government threat but a whole-of-society threat on their end, and I think it’s going to take a whole-of-society response by us. So it’s not just the intelligence community, but it’s raising awareness within our academic sector, within our private sector, as part of the defense.” “It is wrong to cast an entire group of students, professors, and scientists as a threat to our country based simply on where they come from,” said Patrick Toomey, a staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union, which has joined a lawsuit by a Chinese American professor, Xi Xiaoxing, who was wrongfully arrested for sharing secret technology with entities in China. “The United States has a proud tradition of international academic collaboration, which attracts the best and the brightest to our universities, fosters innovation and ultimately benefits all Americans,” Toomey said. “The FBI’s mind-set has already led to overzealous investigations of Chinese Americans, with disastrous consequences for those wrongly tarred with suspicion.” The term “non-traditional collector” is an updated version of “ thousand grains of sand ” which was used by FBI analyst Paul Moore during the wrongful prosecution of Dr. Wen Ho Lee more than two decades ago. In response to Wray’s remarks in the Senate Committee hearing, the Committee of 100 and a coalition of organizations wrote a joint letter to FBI Director Wray, requesting a meeting to “engage in positive dialogue to advance our nation’s ideals as well as its national security.” Wray never responded to the coalition letter. 60 Minutes: “Collateral Damage” On August 26, 2018, CBS 60 Minutes updated its nationwide broadcast of “ Collateral Damage .” It describes how innocent Chinese Americans are wrongly accused of espionage related crimes as the government steps up the fight against theft of U.S. trade secrets and intellectual property by China. The 60 Minutes program also has an online segment titled “ The Spy Who Wasn’t .” It describes the lasting impact on innocent Chinese Americans far beyond the heavy legal fees and dropped charges. Their finances, careers, reputations, emotions, and families are severely damaged if not totally ruined. “Racial Profiling Harms Science” On March 21, 2019, three major scientific organizations voiced their concerns about racial profiling by publishing an open letter titled " Racial Profiling Harms Science " in Science. The Society of Chinese Bioscientists in America (SCBA, 美洲华人生物科学学会), The Chinese American Hematologist and Oncologist Network (CAHON, 美国华裔血液及肿瘤专家学会), and The Chinese Biological Investigators Society (CBIS, 华人生物学者教授学会) represent the largest and a rapidly growing professional group for scientists, mostly of Chinese descent, in many biomedical disciplines. The letter expresses concerns about the recent political rhetoric and policies that single out students and scholars of Chinese descent working in the United States as threats to U.S. national interests. Jump to: Overview FBI Headquarters Meeting FBI: “Non-Traditional Collectors” and “Whole-of-Society Response” 60 Minutes: “Collateral Damage” “Racial Profiling Harms Science” A month after the launch of the China Initiative, a group of community leaders met with a senior FBI official and representatives at the FBI headquarters in Washington DC to convey concerns raised within the Chinese American community about the role of bias in its investigations, among other issues, in a futile attempt to establish a continuing dialogue to address the concerns. Previous Next 2. Attempted Dialogue with FBI Failed