Newsletter - #33 Call For House Hearing; S. 386/H.R. 1044; Anti-Hate Crime Hero; And Much More #33 Call For House Hearing; S. 386/H.R. 1044; Anti-Hate Crime Hero; And Much More Back View PDF December 10, 2020 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #303 Gene Wu on Being American; CALDA/Franklin Tao; Judy Chu; Bracing for Threats in SF; + #303 Gene Wu on Being American; CALDA/Franklin Tao; Judy Chu; Bracing for Threats in SF; + In This Issue #303 · Gene Wu: Being American and Shaping America · CALDA and Professor Franklin Tao's Lawsuit · Rep. Judy Chu's Remarks at 01/06 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · Bracing for Threats in San Francisco · News and Activities for the Communities From Governor Gavin Newsom's Office - Get Help Today on LA Fires Californians can go to CA.gov/LAfires – a hub for information and resources from state, local and federal government. Individuals and business owners who sustained losses from wildfires in Los Angeles County can apply for disaster assistance: · Online at DisasterAssistance.gov · Calling 800-621-3362 · By using the FEMA smart phone application · Assistance is available in over 40 languages · If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Please share with your families, friends, and colleagues in the Los Angeles area. Gene Wu: Being American and Shaping America Gene Wu 吳元之 came from China to the U.S. when he was four. Today he is the Chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus. His district covers part of Houston, a blue city in a red state.On December 31, 2024, Gene Wu was interviewed in a podcast by Define American with Jose Antonio Vargas , Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, filmmaker, and immigration rights activist. Gene Wu addressed a range of issues on being American, how immigrants continue to shape America, and systemic issues faced by the Chinese American and all immigrant communities today. Highlights of his talk: 1. Immigration Policy · Gene Wu frames immigration as a cornerstone of America’s success, advocating for education-based green cards and policies to attract global talent. · Criticizes restrictive immigration laws for contributing to labor shortages and economic challenges. 2. Systemic Challenges for Immigrants · Highlights issues like racial prejudice, hate crimes, and lack of trust in law enforcement among immigrant communities. · Warns against policies that undermine community safety by damaging relationships between immigrants and law enforcement. 3. Media Narratives on Immigration · Criticizes the media for oversimplifying immigration issues and failing to accurately portray the struggles and contributions of immigrant communities. 4. Political Leadership and Advocacy · Calls out policymakers for lacking nuanced understanding of immigrant issues. · Advocates for proactive community engagement to push for political change and counter discriminatory policies. 5. Coalition Building · As Chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, plans to unite diverse racial and cultural groups to fight discrimination and build alliances for shared goals. 6. Personal Leadership and Vision · Draws on his immigrant background to champion equitable policies. · Emphasizes the importance of collective action and public advocacy to influence political and societal outcomes. Watch the podcast and get to know Gene Wu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de-RCgAMm8Y (37:31). According to AsAmNews and the Houston Chronicle , Gene Wu has sparked widespread discussion with his viral comments emphasizing the interconnected struggles of Asian and Black communities in the fight for civil rights from the podcast. Gene Wu argued that the privileges many Asian Americans enjoy today would not exist without the sacrifices made by Black Americans during the civil rights movement. He said, “The day the Latino, African American, Asian, and other communities realize that they share the same oppressor is the day we start winning because we are the majority now.” Wu highlighted how stereotypes, such as the “model minority” myth imposed on Asian Americans, have been used to pit minority groups against each other. His comments have resonated widely, going viral on social media platforms focused on Black and Asian audiences. They have also reignited discussions about the shared struggles of minority groups in the United States and the importance of unity in addressing systemic racism. Godfrey C. Danchimah Jr. , or simply Godfrey, is a Nigerian American comedian, impressionist and actor. He posted an Instagram response , in which he said, "I’m so happy that they’re having this conversation because black people and Asians are actually very similar. Here’s a fun fact, Bruce Lee 李小龙 , when he was in San Francisco, his first student was an African American." CALDA and Professor Franklin Tao's Lawsuit AsAmNews , Inside Higher Ed , NBC News , South China Morning Post , The Topeka Capital-Journal , and multiple other media have reported on the lawsuit filed by Professor Feng "Franklin" Tao (陶丰) against the University of Kansas (KU). APA Justice is tracking the case of Tao v. University of Kansas (2:25-cv-02005) with CourtListener.As the first academic indicted under the China Initiative in August 2019, Professor Tao endured a grueling five-year legal battle before being fully acquitted of all charges in July 2024. Despite his exoneration, KU has refused to reinstate Professor Tao to his tenured position.On January 8, 2025, the Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance (CALDA) 华美维权同盟 posted a Chinese-language report titled " 陶丰教授起诉堪萨斯大学歧视不公，CALDA全力以赴支持打响维权之战 " ("Professor Franklin Tao is suing the University of Kansas for discrimination and unfair treatment. CALDA is fully committed to supporting the fight for his rights").According to the report, CALDA has been actively working within the legal community to find attorneys who can seek justice for Professor Tao. After extensive discussions and careful negotiations with numerous experienced lawyers, they successfully helped Professor Tao secure legal representation from Karen R. King , a partner at Morvillo Abramowitz Grand Iason & Anello PC, a prestigious New York law firm with a 50-year history of excellence, along with her team. Karen R. King and her colleagues have agreed to represent Professor Tao pro bono, offering their services without compensation. Since the case will be heard in federal court in Kansas, a local Kansas attorney is required to participate. To further reduce Professor Tao’s litigation burden, CALDA will also cover part of the fees and case-related expenses for the local attorney in Kansas, fully supporting Professor Tao in his pursuit of justice.Attorney Karen R. King has extensive experience in complex litigation, U.S. economic sanctions compliance, regulatory enforcement, internal investigations, securities litigation, and strategic legal consulting. She has represented global financial institutions, international corporations, and individuals in numerous cases before federal and state courts, as well as in investigations by U.S. regulatory and enforcement agencies.Karen is also dedicated to public service, assisting the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) in addressing anti-Asian hate and violence issues and achieving notable successes in related Supreme Court advocacy. She was named an "Outstanding Leader" by the New York Law Journal in September 2022 and recognized as one of the "Outstanding Women in Law" by New York Business in June 2023.Read the CALDA report: https://bit.ly/3C26avy Rep. Judy Chu's Remarks at 01/06 APA Justice Monthly Meeting On January 6, 2025, Congresswoman Judy Chu , Chair Emeritus of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) delivered a heartfelt New Year welcome, addressing the challenges faced by Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities and highlighting the progress achieved through collective advocacy. As she has done in recent years during APA Justice’s January Monthly Meetings, Congresswoman Chu reaffirmed her commitment to advancing civil rights and combating discrimination. Congresswoman Chu recounted the inception of the APA Justice Task Force in 2015, emphasizing its formation to address racial profiling against Asian Americans, particularly scientists such as Sherry Chen 陈霞芬 and Dr. Xiaoxing Xi 郗小星 . She stated, “I put out a call to mobilize and organize, and I’m so proud that you took action and created the APA Justice Task Force.”She expressed pride in the community’s advocacy, noting how their voices have become more influential in addressing issues such as racial profiling and defending civil rights. She condemned the China Initiative, a program initiated under President Donald Trump that disproportionately targeted Chinese American scientists. Despite its termination, she acknowledged the lasting damage it inflicted: “We saw time and time again how baseless accusations... resulted in protracted legal battles that upended lives and careers.” She credited collective efforts for ending the initiative but cautioned, “Our job is far from done.” Congresswoman Chu also condemned recent discriminatory land ownership laws at both state and local levels that specifically target Chinese and immigrant communities. She drew parallels between these laws and past racist legislation, sharing, “We’ve heard stories like... Mr. Zhiming Xu ... who was forced to cancel his contract to simply purchase a new home, losing both his property and a $30,000 deposit.” She highlighted legislative efforts to address this injustice, adding, “And it’s why Congressman Al Green and I introduced the Preemption of Real Property Discrimination Act to block state laws that would discriminate against individuals based on their citizenship.”Celebrating increased AAPI representation in Congress, she noted a record 25 AAPI members in the 119th Congress and 80 members of CAPAC, the largest in history. She reiterated her commitment to opposing discriminatory agendas and supporting the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities.Congresswoman Chu emphasized the critical role of organizations like APA Justice in mobilizing communities, advocating for civil rights, and resisting discriminatory policies. She urged continued vigilance and activism to defend against harmful policies targeting AAPI and immigrant communities while fostering collaboration to protect civil liberties. She concluded with a pledge of ongoing support, stating, “I look forward to continuing our work together this year and beyond.”Watch Congresswoman Chu's remarks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MNT61PApwQ (8:17). A summary of the January 6 APA Justice monthly meeting is being reviewed before its release. Bracing for Threats in San Francisco According to the San Francisco Examiner on January 7, 2025, Chinese American immigrant-rights groups and political leaders in San Francisco are bracing for potential anti-immigrant policies under President-elect Donald Trump 's second term, set to begin on January 20, 2025. Trump's campaign promises of mass deportations, including targeting Chinese nationals, have sparked widespread fear and uncertainty in immigrant communities. San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu , himself the son of immigrants, voiced concerns about the harmful consequences of anti-Asian rhetoric, citing the spike in anti-Asian hate crimes during Trump’s first term. He emphasized the city’s responsibility to protect its diverse immigrant population, including the estimated 40,000 undocumented Chinese residents and their families. Local advocacy groups, such as Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA), are working to address the fears gripping the community. Since Election Day, CAA has seen an increase in inquiries from Chinese immigrants, particularly about naturalization and legal protections. Jose Ng , CAA’s immigrants-rights program manager, emphasized the importance of spreading accurate information to counter rumors and prevent panic. The organization has launched initiatives to educate the community on their legal rights, including protections under the Fourth and Fifth Amendments, and has conducted outreach through Chinese-language media to provide reassurance. San Francisco’s sanctuary city status remains a cornerstone of its immigrant protections, ensuring that local law enforcement cannot assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) without a warrant or court order. Jorge Rivas , executive director of the San Francisco Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs, highlighted the city’s collaboration with nonprofits to prepare for potential federal policies. These efforts include analyzing Trump's proposed measures and ensuring a coordinated response. Officials have also encouraged immigrants to complete citizenship applications and other documentation while President Joe Biden remains in office.Despite the uncertainty, organizations like CAA are expanding their resources, including multilingual legal staff, to better serve immigrant communities. Ng stressed the importance of empowering residents through rights training and legal assistance to withstand potential challenges. “Don’t panic, because that’s what the administration wants,” he urged, while reaffirming San Francisco’s commitment to protecting its immigrant population. Advocacy groups and city officials remain united in their mission to support vulnerable communities and uphold the city’s long-standing values of inclusivity and justice.Read the San Francisco Examiner report: https://bit.ly/4jdpqHa News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/01/15 Master Class: Maintaining the Effectiveness of Organizational Equity Initiatives in the Current Environment2024/01/16 Master Classes: Asian American Career Lessons2025/01/19 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/02/02 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/02/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/02/13-15 2025 AAAS Annual Meeting2025/02/16 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting 2025/03/02 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/03/05 APA Justice Monthly Meeting Visit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. White House Initiative Releases Final Report On January 7, 2025, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) released Rising Together, its final report to President Joe Biden.The report highlights the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts to advance equity, justice, and opportunity for the communities, featuring updates from 29 federal agencies and 86 recommendations from the President’s Advisory Commission on AA and NHPIs. Key focus areas include combating anti-Asian hate, promoting belonging, advancing data disaggregation, improving language access, addressing COVID-19 recovery, expanding outreach and engagement, and diversifying the federal workforce.Read the final report: https://bit.ly/4fLQw5m 3. Celebration of the Life of George Koo George Ping Shan Koo 顧屏山 , a distinguished advocate for U.S.-China relations and a prominent figure in the Chinese American community, passed away on September 24, 2024, at the age of 86. His death resulted from a head injury sustained during a fall on the pickleball court. Born in Hong Kong in 1938, George immigrated to the United States as a child. He earned degrees in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and an MBA from Santa Clara University. Throughout his career, George was instrumental in fostering American-Chinese business partnerships and was a respected voice in the Chinese American community. He was a long-time member of the Committee of 100. A celebration of George's life will be held in Mountain View, CA, on February 2, 2025. # # # APA Justice Task Force is a non-partisan platform to build a sustainable ecosystem that addresses racial profiling concerns and to facilitate, inform, and advocate on selected issues related to justice and fairness for the Asian Pacific American community. For more information, please refer to the new APA Justice website under development at www.apajusticetaskforce.org . We value your feedback. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org . Back View PDF January 13, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #248 FISA Renewal Goes Down; C100 Conference; SB 264 Rally in Miami; Kurt Campbell; AAASE #248 FISA Renewal Goes Down; C100 Conference; SB 264 Rally in Miami; Kurt Campbell; AAASE In This Issue #248 • House Strikes Down FISA Renewal Measure • Update on Committee of 100 Conference • China Town Hall with Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell • Justice in Property Rights Rally in Miami • Asian American Academy of Science and Engineering • News and Activities for the Communities House Strikes Down FISA Renewal Measure According to multiple media reports, by a vote of 193 to 228, the House of Representatives voted against a procedural measure that would have begun debate to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). The bill, titled the Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act (RISAA), would reauthorize Section 702 of FISA for five years and aims to impose a series of reforms. The law as it stands allows the US intelligence community to collect the communications records of foreign persons based overseas, but it also allows the FBI to search the data it collects for Americans’ information in what critics have called a “backdoor” search. The current FISA tool allows the government to conduct targeted surveillance of foreign nationals, without needing to obtain a warrant, with a higher bar for targeted American citizens. The new House Republican bill calls for a number of reforms but does not go far enough in the eyes of privacy and civil liberties advocates, on both the right and left. The searches of US persons’ information are governed by a set of internal rules and procedures designed to protect Americans’ privacy and civil liberties, but critics say that loopholes allow the FBI to search the data it collects for Americans’ information — as opposed to from foreign adversaries — without proper justification. The complicated politics surrounding the law have united strange bedfellows: Some conservative Republicans have joined forces with progressive Democrats to push for reforms to the authority, while security-focused Democrats and Republicans have opposed major new restrictions. One major sticking point is whether the FBI should be required to obtain a warrant before querying the database for information on US citizens. Latest development may involve a shorter reauthorization period of 2 years instead of 5 years. Current authorization of Section 702 will expire on April 19, 2024. Read these media reports: AP News: https://bit.ly/3UeNFuh ; CNN: https://cnn.it/3JfQzc0 ; Voice of America: https://bit.ly/3TXNTV6 ; CBS News: https://cbsn.ws/4avJzDD ; Fox News: https://fxn.ws/4cQWAJF ; ABC News: https://bit.ly/3Udp4G9 ; NBC News: https://nbcnews.to/3Q1Bmil During the APA Justice monthly meeting on April 8, 2024, Nisha Ramachandran, Executive Director of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, reported a flurry of activities related to the reauthorization of Section 702 of FISA. Multiple bills and amendments were floated. There was not a lot of clarity. It has already happened twice that a bill to reform warrantless surveillance was pulled before it could pass the Rules Committee. Without knowing the specifics, CAPAC has not taken a position on RISAA at that time. A summary for the April 8 meeting is being prepared at this time. The virtual monthly meeting is by invitation only. It is closed to the press. If you wish to join, either one time or for future meetings, please contact one of the co-organizers of APA Justice - Steven Pei 白先慎, Vincent Wang 王文奎, and Jeremy Wu 胡善庆 - or send a message to contact@apajustice.org . According to ACLU, in May 2015, FBI agents came into Temple University Professor Xiaoxing Xi’s house with guns drawn and led him away in handcuffs in front of his wife and daughters. The government accused Xi of sharing information about a superconductor device known as a “pocket heater,” relying on email exchanges between Xi and scientific colleagues in China that the FBI had obtained. Professor Xi is a naturalized U.S. citizen born in China. The intercepted emails, however, were not about the pocket heater, but concerned a different kind of superconductor technology that has been public for years. In September 2015, prosecutors were forced to drop the charges. But the damage to Xi and his family was already significant. As a result of the charges, Xi was placed on administrative leave, suspended from his position as the interim chair of the Temple Physics Department, denied access to his lab and the graduate students working under his supervision, and had to pay substantial legal fees to defend himself. The government spied on Xi using orders issued under FISA, which is intended for spying on foreign agents. As the complaint alleges, he was also spied on without any court order under Section 702 of FISA and Executive Order 12333, both of which are used by the government to conduct warrantless surveillance of international communications, including those of Americans. The government has reportedly engaged in extensive warrantless surveillance of Chinese universities and scientific research centers. It has siphoned communications off servers, computers, and major internet networks that connect many of China’s most prestigious academic institutions. The ACLU represents Professor Xi, who is suing the government over its dismissed prosecution. The lawsuit, filed in 2017, challenges the FBI’s baseless arrest of Xi and its surveillance methods as well as its discriminatory targeting of Chinese American scientists. Read the ACLU summary of Professor Xi's case: https://bit.ly/3GlCCqS Update on Committee of 100 Conference During the APA Justice monthly meeting on April 8, 2024, Cindy Tsai, Interim President of the Committee of 100 reported on the upcoming C100 annual conference to be held at Marriot Marquis in New York City on April 19. There will be a double track with over a dozen sessions on AAPI domestic issues and US-China relations. Cindy highlighted four sessions of the conference: 1. Bringing AAPI history and stories such as the alien land laws into K-12 education and classrooms, 2. Community response to rising anti-Asian hostility as a group and direct services since it is difficult to predict when to stand up for your rights, 3. U.S. national defense policies have impacted researchers and academics as well as technology such as AI. What does foreign influence really mean? What is appropriate response without discriminating certain groups? 4. Impact of US-China tension on Asian Americans in government. While we encourage Asian Americans to have representation, become politically engaged, and work for the government, there are glass ceiling, security clearance, lack of assignment, and similar deterrents. Visit the conference website at: https://bit.ly/4ccKQkj . Contact Cindy at ctsai@committee100.org if you have interest about the C100 conference, including any questions and topics that should be brought to these sessions. China Town Hall with Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell On April 9, 2024, the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations hosted the 18th annual China Town Hall from over 70 venues including Shanghai, China. The first part of this year's China Town Hall featured a live interview by NCUSCR President Stephen A. Orlins with U.S. Deputy Secretary of States Kurt Campbell, who was confirmed and sworn into office in February 2024. During the town hall, Dr. Hua Wang, Co-Chair of the New England Chinese American Alliance, raised a question, "as a community organization, we are concerned about increasing suspicion of the loyalty and integrity of Chinese Americans such as the China initiative. Such suspicions not only hurt the racial minority, we all know about the Japanese American internment, but also tear apart the fabric of American society such as during the McCarthy era. So how to protect the equal rights of the Chinese Americans and avoid stereotyping Chinese culture and people while managing the complex US-China relations?" Watch Deputy Secretary Campbell's response and the rest of the interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ypg6X4bC8MQ (1:10:05) Justice in Property Rights Rally in Miami WHAT: Justice in Property Rights Rally WHEN: April 19, 2024, 12:00 noon - 2:00 pm Eastern Time WHERE: In-person event, 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, 99 NE 4th ST, Miami, FL 33132 HOSTS: FAAJA, UCA, ACLU, AALDEF, Stop Asian Hate DESCRIPTION: April 19 will be a decisive day as we face a crucial appellate hearing aimed at challenging SB 264, which targets the Chinese community. This bill has sparked widespread concern and opposition as it unfairly targets the Chinese, threatening the rights and freedoms of our community members. This is a call for all who care about justice and equality to stand up and collectively oppose this discriminatory legislation. LINK: https://bit.ly/3VW6SlO Asian American Academy of Science and Engineering (AAASE) During the APA Justice monthly meeting on March 4, 2024, Columbia University Professor X. Edward Guo, introduced the Asian American Academy of Science and Engineering (AAASE) and described its mission and activities. AAASE is a relatively new organization. It is 2 years old. Princeton University Professor Yiguang Ju was the Founding President. Professor Guo is the second President. The mission of AAASE is to focus on the next generation of leaders in the STEM field, promote Asian American team leadership in STEM, and also work with the broad Asian American community. Professor Guo announced that AAASE will host two summer academies for high school students interested in science and engineering in 2024. One will be a day camp at Princeton University, and the other a resident camp at Stanford University. The summer camps are one-week long. The students will also promote Asian American leadership contributions in science and technology. The AAASE also plans to honor 100 top leaders as Academy Fellows. AAASE has selected 23 fellows in 2024. They are going to be inducted at the National Academy Science Conference in Irvine, California, on November 15-17. The AAASE has also engaged with the Committee of 100 on its upcoming conference on April 19 and will hold its annual Board of Directors retreat at Columbia University on April 21. Professor Guo is pleased and proud to work with this community. Contact AAASE at aaase.org@gmail.com for additional information. Visit the AAASE website at https://www.aaase.org/ . News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2024/04/17 Racially Profiled for Being A Scientist: A Discussion of the US DOJ's China Initiative 2024/04/18 Corky Lee's Asian America: Fifty Years of Photographic Justice 2024/04/19 Committee of 100 Annual Conference and Gala 2024/04/19 Appeals Court Hearing on Florida SB 264 2024/04/19 Justice in Property Rights Rally 2024/05/02 AAGEN 2024 Executive Leadership Workshop 2024/05/04 Corky Lee's Asian America: Fifty Years of Photographic Justice 2024/05/05 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting Visit https://bit.ly/45KGyga for event details. 2. White House Celebration of AANHPI: Lasting Legacies WHAT: White House Celebration of AANHPI: Lasting Legacies WHEN: May 13, 2024, 1:00 - 5:00 pm Eastern Time WHERE: In-person event, The Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, 1301 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. HOST: White House and the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) DESCRIPTION: This landmark event in the heart of our nation’s capital will commemorate 25 years since the creation of the White House Initiative and the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. For the first time, current and former leaders spanning five presidential administrations will gather to honor this historic milestone and reflect on the progress AA and NHPI communities have achieved over the past 25 years. This event is open to the public. Individual registration is required to attend in-person. Please share this invitation with your networks. REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3TX1IDg Back View PDF April 12, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #12 More On The Tao Case; Wen Ho Lee Revisited; Far Right And Police; Upcoming Activities #12 More On The Tao Case; Wen Ho Lee Revisited; Far Right And Police; Upcoming Activities Back View PDF August 31, 2020 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #63 Rallies With Yellow Whistle Continue; Racial Profiling At DOC; Congrats To Krystal! #63 Rallies With Yellow Whistle Continue; Racial Profiling At DOC; Congrats To Krystal! Back View PDF May 30, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #318 Webinar Recap and More; Funding Freeze Blocked; Supreme Court Order; NYT Editorials; + #318 Webinar Recap and More; Funding Freeze Blocked; Supreme Court Order; NYT Editorials; + In This Issue #318 · Recap of Webinar on Fair Housing Rights & Alien Land Laws · Upcoming Webinars on China Initiative and Racial Profiling · Judge Blocks Trump's Funding Freeze · Supreme Court Rules Against Trump Order on USAID · NYT Editorials on Elon Musk and Rule of Law · News and Activities for the Communities Recap of Webinar on Fair Housing Rights & Alien Land Laws The Committee of 100 and APA Justice co-hosted the second webinar of a series on Fair Housing Rights & Alien Land Laws on March 4, 2025. Video of the event is posted at https://bit.ly/3EOqGke (54:13).The webinar examined the impact of nationality-based homeownership restrictions on real estate professionals and homebuyers, particularly within the Chinese American community. Real estate professionals and advocates are actively pushing back against these discriminatory policies. This webinar offered valuable insights into how these restrictions are reshaping the housing market and what actions can be taken to challenge them. John Trasviña , Former HUD Assistant Secretary for the Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity moderated a conversation with Scott Chang , Senior Counsel for The National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) and Hope Atuel , Executive Director at Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA). The panel introduced the Fair Housing Act and held an engaging Q&A session with the audience. The Committee of 100 released an update of its interactive tracker on land ownership restriction laws, highlighting that 28 states are currently considering 82 bills that would restrict foreign property ownership. In 2024 alone, 17 land ownership restriction bills was passed into state law. APA Justice maintains a web page on the history and continuing developments on Alien Land Bills .Read the Northwest Asian Weekly report on the webinar: https://bit.ly/41ymVHn . Watch the first webinar on The Impact of Land Ownership Exclusion Laws on Diverse Communities: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfjrVAZrjj8 (1:00:56). Upcoming Webinars on China Initiative and Racial Profiling 1. 03/12 MSU Webinar: The China Initiative On March 12, 2025, please join the webinar hosted by Michigan State University's Asian Pacific American Studies Program for an insightful discussion of the past and present of the China Initiative, a Trump administration program that targeted Asian American scholars and researchers for investigation and prosecution. Dr. Lok Siu of UC Berkeley and Dr. Jeremy Wu of APA Justice will speak at the event moderated by Dr. Kent Weber of Michigan State University. Register to attend: https://bit.ly/4hVaITO 2. 03/21 SFU Webinar: Fighting Racial Profiling and the Criminalization of Academia in North America WHAT : Fighting Racial Profiling and the Criminalization of Academia in North America WHEN : March 21, 2025, 4:00 pm-6:30 pm PT/7:00 pm-9:30 pm ET WHERE : Hybrid event · In Person: Room 7000, SFU Vancouver Harbor Centre Campus, 515 West Hastings Street Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3 Canada · Webinar via Zoom HOST : Simon Fraser University, Labor Studies Program Moderator : Dr. Xinying Hu , Simon Fraser University Speaker : Dr. Anming Hu , University of Tennessee, Knoxville Discussants: · Dr. Jane Wang , University of British Columbia · Dr. Jie Yang , Simon Fraser University DESCRIPTION: Join us for an important discussion on the case of Dr. Anming Hu, a respected scientist who was wrongfully targeted under the previous Trump administration’s China Initiative. Dr. Hu’s case highlights critical issues of racial profiling, academic freedom, and the growing surveillance of scholars in North America. This event will feature insights into Dr. Anming Hu’s case and experience, the broader implications for researchers of Chinese origin, and the fight for justice in academia in North America. We will also discuss what universities, scholars, and policymakers can do to protect academic integrity and prevent future injustices. REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3Fd11SD Judge Blocks Trump's Funding Freeze According to AP News and multiple media reports, U.S. District Court Judge John McConnell for the District of Rhode Island has extended an injunction blocking the Trump administration from freezing grants and loans potentially amounting to trillions of dollars. The lawsuit, State of New York v. Trump (1:25-cv-00039) , brought by nearly two dozen Democratic states, challenges the Trump administration’s sweeping pause on federal spending, which has caused confusion and uncertainty nationwide.In his ruling, Judge McConnell found that the executive branch had placed itself above Congress by imposing a categorical spending freeze without legislative approval, stating that such an action “undermines the distinct constitutional roles of each branch of our government.” He asserted that the executive branch cannot impose a categorical funding freeze without explicit congressional authorization. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha condemned the administration’s actions, arguing that the president’s move sought to subvert the rule of law and override the separation of powers. The funding freeze has impacted a wide range of programs, including critical services such as disaster relief, clean water access, and law enforcement funding. Democratic attorneys general have argued that the freeze has put critical services at risk, including law enforcement funding, healthcare, and childcare. Although the Trump administration rescinded a memo outlining the freeze, states, universities, and nonprofits report that federal agencies continue to withhold funds.Despite earlier court orders, Judge McConnell noted that federal agencies still appeared to be defying his directives. As part of his ruling, he instructed FEMA to submit a status report by March 14 detailing its compliance with the order. The case also raises broader constitutional questions about presidential power over congressionally appropriated funds, with Trump advocating for the Supreme Court to strike down the Impoundment Control Act of 1974. Another federal judge, Loren AliKhan , has also extended an injunction against the freeze in a separate case brought by nonprofit groups and small businesses, National Council of Nonprofits v. Office of Management and Budget (1:25-cv-00239) . The rulings mark a significant judicial rebuke of the Trump administration’s efforts to exert control over congressionally appropriated funds. Supreme Court Rules Against Trump Order on USAID As of March 8, 2025, the number of lawsuits against President Donald Trump 's executive actions reported by the Just Security Litigation Tracker has grown to 113 with one closed case.The Trump administration issued an executive order on January 20, 2025, pausing foreign development aid for 90 days, leading to stop-work orders for USAID grants. Two nonprofits, AVAC and JDN, sued, arguing the order was unlawful and harmed their operations. They filed a lawsuit, AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition v. United States Department of State (1:25-cv-00400 ), and sought an injunction and restoration of funding.On February 13, 2025, U.S. District Judge Amir H. Ali granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) in this case and Global Health Council v. Donald J. Trump (1:25-cv-00402) , blocking the blanket suspension but not fully overturning the executive order. Plaintiffs later accused the government of noncompliance. The court partially enforced the TRO but did not hold the government in contempt.Further litigation led to a February 25 ruling requiring the administration to pay outstanding invoices and ensure future payments. The Trump administration appealed to the D.C. Circuit and later the Supreme Court, but both rejected its motions. According to the New York Times on March 5, the Supreme Court rejected President Trump’s emergency request to freeze nearly $2 billion in foreign aid. Though the ruling’s language was cautious, it effectively signaled skepticism toward Trump’s plans to reshape government. The court upheld a lower court’s order requiring payments for pre-approved foreign aid projects. The administration had tried to delay compliance, arguing for a case-by-case review. The Supreme Court’s ruling lifted a temporary stay, meaning the government must now follow through on the payments.According to a separate report by the New York Times on the same day, despite the Supreme Court ruling, uncertainty remains for humanitarian and development organizations. For weeks, the administration has sought to dismantle USAID, canceling over 90% of contracts and halting payments for completed work. Thousands of NGOs and companies remain in limbo. While the lawsuit’s plaintiffs argue the ruling should restore all foreign aid, the administration insists it has the authority to restructure or eliminate the agency. NYT Editorials on Elon Musk and Rule of Law 1. 2025/03/08 Musk Doesn’t Understand Why Government Matters Excerpts from the New York Times editorial :" Elon Musk ’s life is a great American success story. Time and again, he has anticipated where the world was headed, helping to create not just new products but new industries. "But Mr. Musk’s fortune rests on more than his individual talent. He built his business empire in a nation with a stable political system and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law, and he built it on a foundation of federal subsidies, loans and contracts. Mr. Musk’s companies have received at least $38 billion in government support, according to an analysis by The Washington Post . NASA has invested more than $15 billion in SpaceX; Tesla has collected $11 billion in subsidies to bolster the electric car industry."Now, as an influential adviser to President Trump, Mr. Musk is lawlessly tearing down parts of the very government that enabled his rise. "Mr. Musk claims that the government is a business in need of disruption and that his goal is to eliminate waste and improve efficiency."But DOGE is not building a better government. Instead, its haphazard demolition campaign is undermining the basic work of government and the safety and welfare of the American people. "Even worse is that Mr. Musk, with Mr. Trump’s support, has demonstrated a disregard for the limits that the Constitution places on the president’s power."But in their campaign to shrink the federal government, Mr. Musk and Mr. Trump have defied laws passed by Congress, and they have challenged the authority of the federal courts to adjudicate the legality of their actions. Mr. Trump recently referred to himself as a king and then insisted he had been joking, but there is no ambiguity in his assertion of the power to defy other branches of government. It is a rejection of the checks and balances that have safeguarded our nation for more than 200 years. Mr. Musk and Mr. Trump are not trying to change laws; they are upending the rule of law."Businesses can take risks in pursuit of profit because it’s OK if they fail. Americans can’t afford for the basic functions of government to fail. "The stability of the nation’s laws, and of the government’s role, has caused frustration throughout American history. It is also a kind of secret sauce, facilitating the private-sector investment and risk taking that are the wellspring of the nation’s prosperity."That stability is now under assault. "Mr. Musk has made clear that he holds caution in contempt. But the president, whose power Mr. Musk is wielding, should listen to those in his party who are raising concerns about Mr. Musk’s methods and priorities. There are already signs that the chaos is hurting the economy. Inflation expectations have risen; stock prices have tumbled."Americans like to take risks; to do so, they need a government that is steady and reliable." 2. 2025/03/08 The One Question That Really Matters: If Trump Defies the Courts, Then What? According to an Opinion published by the New York Times , the future of American constitutional democracy may hinge on whether President Donald Trump and his administration comply with court orders. Federal judges have issued numerous rulings against Trump’s policies, but the administration has already ignored some of them. With over 100 legal challenges pending, the Supreme Court recently upheld a lower court’s order to release frozen foreign aid, while another judge forced the release of billions in funds to states. However, the judiciary lacks enforcement power, and if the executive branch refuses to comply, the courts are left powerless. Trump and his allies, including Vice President JD Vance , have suggested that executive authority should not be constrained by judicial rulings, while some Republicans have called for the impeachment of judges who rule against the administration. The push to remove judges over policy disagreements is unprecedented and contradicts past conservative reliance on the courts to block Democratic policies. Historically, presidents have complied with court rulings, even when they strongly disagreed. Franklin Roosevelt accepted Supreme Court decisions striking down parts of the New Deal, Harry Truman obeyed a ruling against his steel mill seizure, and Richard Nixon turned over the White House tapes despite the consequences. However, the Trump administration has sent mixed signals on whether it will follow court mandates, with Trump stating he abides by the courts but also claiming that actions taken in the name of saving the country cannot be illegal. If Trump defies judicial authority, enforcement mechanisms are limited—officials could be held in contempt, but he could pardon them, and federal marshals enforcing civil contempt orders fall under his control. With Congress unlikely to impeach him, Trump could evade accountability, setting up a constitutional crisis that tests whether the United States will continue to function under the rule of law. "Perhaps public opinion will turn against the president and he will back down and comply. Or perhaps, after 238 years, we will see the end of government under the rule of law," the Opinion concludes. Author of the Opinion is Erwin Chemerinsky , dean of the Berkeley School of Law at the University of California and the author of the book “No Democracy Lasts Forever: How the Constitution Threatens the United States.” News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events:2025/03/12 MSU Webinar on China Initiative2025/03/16 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/03/21 Fighting Racial Profiling and the Criminalization of Academia in North America2025/03/30 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/04/07 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/04/13 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/04/24-26 Committee of 100 Annual Conference and Gala2025/04/27 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/05/05 APA Justice Monthly MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. # # # APA Justice Task Force is a non-partisan platform to build a sustainable ecosystem that addresses racial profiling concerns and to facilitate, inform, and advocate on selected issues related to justice and fairness for the Asian Pacific American community. For more information, please refer to the new APA Justice website under development at www.apajusticetaskforce.org . We value your feedback. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org . Back View PDF March 10, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #59 Stand Up, Speak Out, Take Action In 05/15 National "Unity Against Hate" Rallies #59 Stand Up, Speak Out, Take Action In 05/15 National "Unity Against Hate" Rallies Back View PDF May 13, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #83 "China Initiative;" Rep. Andy Kim, Anming + Spoke On 09/13; Stanford Faculty Letter #83 "China Initiative;" Rep. Andy Kim, Anming + Spoke On 09/13; Stanford Faculty Letter Back View PDF September 15, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #146 Seeking Accountability; Updates on Mingqing Xiao/Franklin Tao; Judge Parker; WH Event #146 Seeking Accountability; Updates on Mingqing Xiao/Franklin Tao; Judge Parker; WH Event Back View PDF September 22, 2022 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #268 Franklin Tao Speaks; Brain Drain; Research Collaboration Decline; Sheila Jackson Lee + #268 Franklin Tao Speaks; Brain Drain; Research Collaboration Decline; Sheila Jackson Lee + In This Issue #268 · The Injustice and Ordeal of Professor Feng "Franklin" Tao · Reverse Brain Drain? Exploring Trends among Chinese Scientists in the U.S. · Nature : China–US research collaborations are in decline · Remembering Sheila Jackson Lee · News and Activities for the Communities The Injustice and Ordeal of Professor Feng "Franklin" Tao On July 11, 2024, Professor Feng "Franklin" Tao was cleared of the final charge against him under the now-defunct China Initiative. He and his wife have accepted an invitation to speak at the next APA Justice monthly meeting on August 5, 2024.Professor Tao was the first academic scientist indicted under the China Initiative on August 21, 2019. As a tenured associate professor at the Kansas University (KU), he conducted research on fundamental studies of catalysis for chemical transformation, promotion of energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability. On June 24, 2020, the government charged him with a second superseding indictment, bringing the total to ten counts including wire fraud and false statements against Professor Tao. These charges were unrelated to espionage or the transfer of sensitive information to China.The case against Professor Tao started from fabricated allegations by a disgruntled visiting scholar. After failing to extort Professor Tao for $300,000, she later admitted to the FBI that she had hacked into his email account to fish for "evidence" and then used phony aliases to submit fabricated complaints to both KU and the FBI.Before the jury trial, the government voluntarily dropped two charges. The trial on the remaining eight counts began on March 21, 2022. The jury acquitted four counts and convicted him on the other four counts. On September 20, 2022, U.S. District Court Senior Judge Julie Robinson acquitted the three wire-fraud counts. Only a false statement count was left. On January 18, 2023, Judge Robinson sentenced Professor Tao to no jail time, no fine, and two years of probation for the remaining false statement conviction. The district court terminated the probation early in February 2024.Professor Tao appealed the conviction of the last count in February 2023. On July 11, 2024, the 10th Circuit Appeals Court ruled in a 2-1 vote that reversed the conviction of making a false statement, clearing all charges imposed on Professor Tao.The acquittal of the last of the 10 original charges marked the end of Professor Tao's five-year ordeal of criminal persecution, initiated by racial profiling under the China Initiative. Despite not being tried for espionage or the transfer of sensitive information to China, his faculty position was terminated in January 2023. He expects KU should reinstate him.While Professor Tao's innocence has now been confirmed, the process has had a tremendous impact on his finances, career, reputation, and family.APA Justice has closely tracked Professor Tao's case from the beginning. The Asian American communities were mobilized to fully support Professor Tao.The media was engaged. Amicus brief was submitted. Funds were raised for his legal defense. Turnout rallies were organized.APA Justice has compiled the details of Professor Tao's ordeal into a web page. It is still a work in progress, but it is available for public review here: https://bit.ly/3y8SBsm . If you wish to attend the August 5 APA Justice monthly meeting or provide feedback to the web page, please send a message to contact@apajustice.org . 2024/07/23 Press Conference on Professor Franklin Tao WHAT: Press Conference WHO: Professor Franklin Tao, his wife, his lawyer, Peter Zeidenberg, Members of Congress, representatives from Asian American civil rights and scientific organizations WHEN: July 23, 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm ET WHERE: Cannon House Office Building, Room 454, Capitol Hill, Washington DC Reverse Brain Drain? Exploring Trends among Chinese Scientists in the U.S. According to an update by the Stanford Center on China's Economy and Institutions (SCCEI) on July 15, 2024, along with native-born Chinese Americans, Chinese immigrants have become a large and visible demographic group in American science, technology, and engineering. However, the pressure of potential federal investigations since the 2018 launch of the "China Initiative" by the U.S. Department of Justice has provided scientists of Chinese descent in the U.S. with higher incentives to leave and lower incentives to apply for federal grants.While most China-born, U.S.-based scientists intend to stay in the U.S., the number leaving has steadily increased. After the Department of Justice implemented the "China Initiative" in 2018, departures increased by 75%, with two-thirds of the relocated scientists moving to China.Surveyed scientists of Chinese descent in the U.S. report anxiety and new difficulties in pursuing their research, with 61% considering leaving the U.S. and 45% avoiding federal grant applications.The update says U.S. science will likely suffer given the loss of scientific talent to China and other countries. Read the SCCEI update: https://stanford.io/3zQOf9P . Nature : China–US Research Collaborations are In Decline According to Nature on July 19, 2024, scientists have been warning that political tensions between China and the United States, combined with the pandemic, have affected research collaborations between the two countries. But it takes time for evidence of this sort of decline to accumulate in research databases. The latest evidence comes from an analysis conducted by Springer Nature ’s team in China. They found that in 2022, the total number papers co-authored by researchers from China and their international peers declined for the first time since 2013.The proportion of research papers with Chinese and international co-authors has been falling for even longer. At its peak, in 2018, 26.6% — roughly 110,000 articles — of China’s output in the InCites database was co-authored with international colleagues. By 2023, the proportion of the country’s articles with international peers had dropped by 7.2%, despite China’s overall number of articles almost doubling to 759,000 over the same period.The drop in internationally co-authored papers is mainly due to China’s declining share of papers published with US researchers, which fell by 6.4% between its peak in 2017 and 2023 — the largest decline of any country included in the analysis. The findings were presented at the Zhongguancun Forum in Beijing on April 25.The decline in US-China collaborations echoes findings from a 2022 analysis conducted for Nature, which found that the number of researchers with dual US and China affiliations on research articles in Elsevier’s Scopus database had fallen by more than 20% between 2019 and 2021. The crackdown under the China Initiative resulted in several scientists being arrested over their ties to collaborators or institutions in China, and has stoked fear among researchers of Chinese descent. Since then, the US government has adopted a range of policies focused on tightening research security. And in July 2023, the Chinese government implemented its revised counter-espionage law, which broadened the definition of what constitutes spying.The crackdown on perceived foreign interference in both the United States and China is making researchers more cautious about collaborating. Restrictive policies and the climate of fear could end up driving talent away from certain countries and fields, leading to a “brain drain and a loss of valuable human capital.” The faltering collaborative ties between the United States and China could also result in the countries pursuing the same types of research separately, increasingly prioritize domestic interests over international cooperation, which could make scientific research a more nationalistic endeavor.Read the Nature report: https://go.nature.com/4cP5h6O . Remembering Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Texas congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (pictured in red above) died in Houston on July 19, 2024, at the age of 74. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee was a force in American politics. Born in Queens, New York, she was appointed a municipal court judge in Houston in 1987. She won a place on Houston's City Council two years later. In 1994, she defeated incumbent Congressman Craig Washington in the primary for a solidly Democratic seat. She won the general election that November. She was only the fourth member to represent the district since it was redrawn to represent Houston, following Barbara Jordan , Mickey Leland , and Washington. She wound up holding it for nearly 30 years, longer than all three of her immediate predecessors combined.Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee was a local, national and international humanitarian, who fought for racial and criminal justice. She was a fierce champion of the peopleIn March 2020, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee expressed outrage at the uptick in violence against Chinese Americans and pleaded for the President to cease and desist from calling the Coronavirus the Chinese Virus. "Violence directed against individuals on the basis of their race, religion, national origin, gender, or sexual orientation is disturbingly prevalent -- and poses significant threats to the Chinese American community during this worldwide pandemic. Domestic terrorism is growing, and these words and attacks only create increasing fear in a time when our nation should be unified and stand together," she said in statement. On February 11, 2023, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee wore the "We Belong" Yellow Whistle and joined hundreds of protesters marching through Houston's Chinatown in opposition to SB 147 - a proposed law that would prohibit Chinese citizens from owning property in Texas. She carried the banner with Texas Representative Gene Wu , Congressman Al Green , and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner , insisting to complete the entire march. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee also spoke on the stage . "No to SB 147, because the Statue of Liberty has not fallen, and the American flag is still standing," she said. "Stop the Asian hate. Stand for the American flag."We mourn the passing of Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and the loss of a true friend of the Asian American community. News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2024/07/23 Press Conference on Professor Franklin Tao2024/07/25-28 Leadership Convention by NAAAP (National Association of Asian American Professionals) 2024/07/27-28 Asian American Pioneer Medal Symposium and Ceremony2024/08/04 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/08/05 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2024/08/19 DNC Convention, AAPI Briefing & Reception, Chicago, IL2024/09/01 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/09/19-20 AANHPI Unity SummitThe Community Calendar has moved. Visit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. Back View PDF July 23, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #275 C100 2024 Chinese American Survey; Asian American Voters; QI Progressive China Policy+ #275 C100 2024 Chinese American Survey; Asian American Voters; QI Progressive China Policy+ In This Issue #275 · C100: State of Chinese American Survey 2024 · Asian American Political Growth on Display at DNC · Quincy Institute: A Program for Progressive China Policy · News and Activities for the Communities C100: State of Chinese American Survey 2024 WHAT: Unveiling The Findings: State of Chinese Americans Survey 2024 WHEN: Wednesday, September 25, 2024 | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET WHERE: Online webinar WHO: Committee of 100 Speakers: · Dr. Nathan Kar Ming Chan , Assistant Professor of Political Science, Loyola Marymount University · Alex Chew , Director of Client Services and Business Development, Amplify AAPI Lead, NORC at the University of Chicago · Dr. Sam Collitt , Researcher and Data Scientist, Committee of 100 · Dr. Vivien Leung , Assistant Professor of Political Science, Santa Clara University · Cindy Tsai , Interim President, Committee of 100 DESCRIPTION: Chinese Americans constitute about 5.5 million people and are the largest share of the Asian American population. Despite this fast-growing electorate, Chinese Americans have faced a surge in racism in everyday life, been historically underrepresented in politics and policy, and the specific policy preferences and political behaviors of those same Chinese Americans are unknown. So what are the political and policy preferences of Chinese Americans? What are Chinese Americans' feelings toward the current relationship between the U.S. and China? And to what extent do Chinese Americans still experience racial discrimination? REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/46WXiT7 Asian American Political Growth on Display at DNC According to Evanston Now on August 21, 2024, the Chicago area’s Asian population is growing. And so is the political clout of Chinese Americans, Indian Americans, Vietnamese Americans and others with family or personal roots in Asia.That was the message during the Democratic Convention at an event in Chicago’s growing Chinatown, sponsored by Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita , the first Asian American woman on that governing body. Morita, whose district includes Evanston, is the founder of the Asian American Caucus for Illinois state and county elected officials. That group, Morita said, has gone from “low to grow.” Zero members eight years ago, now there are 17.Another 100-plus hold local offices (school board, city council) not covered by the caucus. The session was definitely a shout-out to people who are “firsts.” · First Asian American elected to the Illinois State Legislature, Rep. Theresa Mah (Chicago). · First Indian American elected to the State Senate, Ram Villivalam (parts of Chicago and Cook County including Skokie). · First Muslim American woman elected to the Legislature, Rep. Nabella Syed (Palatine, Schaumburg, and other nearby suburbs). · And, Tammy Duckworth , the first Asian American to represent Illinois in the U.S. House of Representatives, and now the U.S. Senate. And if this was a day of firsts, it was also a day of a “second” who brought about a “first.”Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz , (D-Glenview), whose district incorporates part of Evanston, was the lead sponsor of the TEAACH Act (Teaching Equitable Asian American History), which required instruction in Asian-American history in Illinois schools. It passed in 2021. Gong-Gershowitz was the second Asian-American elected to the State House, and the TEAACH Act made Illinois the first state in the nation to mandate Asian American history in the curriculum. Asian American candidates have to be ready to face stereotyping and negative campaigning. Example #1 was Donald Trump ’s saying he wasn’t sure whether Kamala Harris was presenting herself as Black, or as Indian. The fact is, of course, that Harris’ father was Black, her mother was from India, and so she’s both. After Joe Biden was elected, Senator Duckworth said, he at first failed to name anyone of Asian descent to his cabinet. Senator Duckworth added that she “had to boycott my president,” telling the White House “no more white guys” get her backing “until you name somebody” of Asian heritage to the cabinet.Read the Evanston Now report: https://bit.ly/3Xhxj5t Earlier on August 13, 2024, New York Times reported on "Asian American Voters Could Be Key Swing Voters of 2024." The diverse group is turning out in record numbers. Neither party can take its support for granted. Read the New York Times report: https://nyti.ms/3T3sVVh Quincy Institute: A Program for Progressive China Policy On July 30, 2024, the Quincy Institute, in partnership with the Institute for Policy Studies and Justice is Global, published a brief on "A Program for Progressive China Policy." According to the brief, the United States is on a path toward conflict with China, creating a dilemma for progressives. While there are reasons to oppose China's autocratic government and human rights abuses, a confrontational approach could undermine progressive goals globally and domestically.The alternative — fostering cooperation between the two powers — would not only prevent great power violence but also enhance human rights, workers’ power, global development, and a just climate transition in both countries and around the world.It is crucial that progressives gain clarity on the key tensions in U.S.–China relations, bolster their understanding of what a progressive response would be, and increase their urgency on moving the U.S. and China off the current trajectory toward serious conflict. The research brief provides an overview of key facets in the relationship and recommendations for how progressives can orient on each: · Jobs and the economy · Trade, technology, industrial policy · Military and security · Human rights and democracy · Climate change and public health Tori Bateman , Director of Advocacy at Quincy Institute, and Sandy Shan , Director at Justice Is Global, have accepted our invitation to speak at the APA Justice monthly meeting to discuss the brief on September 9, 2024. Read the brief: https://bit.ly/3T2XJVY News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2024/08/28 1882 Foundation Talk Story: Our Voices in Literature and Song2024/09/01 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/09/09 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2024/09/10-12 Chronicle Festival: The Road Ahead to 20352024/09/12 AA4D: Nobel Laureates and Scientists for Democracy 2024/09/19 1990 Teachers Workshop: Asian American Identity2024/09/19-20 AANHPI Unity Summit2024/09/25 C100: State of Chinese American Survey 20242024/10/02 C100: Asian American Career Ceiling InitiativeThe Community Calendar has moved. Visit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Chronicle Festival: The Road Ahead to 2035 WHAT : Chronicle Festival: The Road Ahead to 2035 WHEN: September 10-12, 2024 WHERE: A Virtual Ideas Summit HOST: The Chronicle of Higher Education DESCRIPTION: 1. Day 1. The Students of 2035. A declining traditional-age student population. Rising mental-health concerns. A challenging classroom environment. Colleges face a variety of issues that will shape how they enroll, educate, and support students during the next decade. The first day of Chronicle Festival will explore ways to adapt, hearing from authors, professors, and college leaders. 2. Higher Ed of 2035. How should higher ed change to serve the America of 2035, to better help students support a fragile democracy and a society reshaped by emerging technologies? During Day 2 of the Festival, Chronicle journalists will talk with students, an interfaith leader, a former U.S. Secretary of Education, and others about these issues. 3. The Work Force of 2035. What does it take for colleges to produce graduates for the work force of tomorrow? And how does it operate in a landscape with a growing number of viable and valuable postsecondary opportunities? Day 3 of Chronicle Festival will include a variety of voices weighing in on these questions. REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3ZdNCSv 3. 1990 Institute Teachers Workshop on Asian American Identity WHAT: Teachers Workshop on Asian American Identity: Immigration History and Transgenerational Impact WHEN : Wednesday, September 18, 2024, 4:00-5:30 pm PT / 7:00- 8:30 pm ET WHERE: Online webinar HOST: 1990 Institute Speakers: · Hua-Yu Sebastian Cherng , Vice Dean for Research and Equity, New York University · Madeline Hsu, Professor of History, University of Maryland · Vivian Louie, Professor of Urban Policy and Planning at Hunter College DESCRIPTION: This workshop is designed to provide educators with valuable insights into Asian American identity, exploring the historical context of immigration and its lasting effects on culture and identity across generations. The goal is to equip teachers with the knowledge and resources they need to enrich their classrooms and foster a deeper understanding of Asian American experiences. REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3XeFn6V 4. Orientation to Legal Research Webinar Series The Law Library of Congress provides authoritative legal research, reference and instruction services, and access to an unrivaled collection of U.S., foreign, comparative, and international law. It has amassed the world's largest collection of law books and other legal resources from all countries, now comprising more than 2.9 million items. It also offers the Orientation to Legal Research Series of webinars designed to give a basic introduction to legal sources and research techniques. These orientations are taught by legal reference librarians and typically offered once a month on a rotating basis. On September 5, 2024, a webinar will provide an overview of U.S. statutory and legislative research, including information about how to find and use the U.S. Code, the U.S. Statutes at Large, and U.S. federal bills and resolutions. Register for the webinar: https://bit.ly/3MhLelN . Learn more about the Law Library of Congress: https://bit.ly/3SZEhtk 4. AAASE Inaugural Annual Summit WHAT : Inaugural Annual Summit WHEN: November 15-17, 2024 WHERE: Beckman Center, National Academy of Sciences, Irvine, CA HOST: Asian American Academy of Science and Technology DESCRIPTION: The AAASE Inaugural Annual Summit will foster collaboration, innovation, and leadership within the Asian American scientific and engineering communities. Attendees can engage with leading experts, participate in thought-provoking discussions, and explore cutting-edge research and developments. This summit represents a unique convergence of academia, industry, and policy, addressing today's most pressing challenges and opportunities in science and technology. REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3XfsFVu Back View PDF August 27, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #338 7/7 Meeting; AAU Wins Ruling; Role of Research Universities; Visa Interview to Restart #338 7/7 Meeting; AAU Wins Ruling; Role of Research Universities; Visa Interview to Restart In This Issue #338 · 2025/07/07 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · US Judge Rules for AAU and Universities · Tony Chan: The Role of Research Universities in a Changing World Order · State Department Restarts Student Visa Interviews with New Rules · News and Activities for the Communities 2025/07/07 APA Justice Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held on Monday, July 7, 2025, starting at 1:55 pm ET.In addition to updates from: · Judith Teruya , Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) · Joanna YangQing Derman , Program Director, Advancing Justice | AAJC · Gisela Perez Kusakawa , Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) We welcome and are honored by the following confirmed distinguished speakers: · Lynn Pasquerella , President, American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) · Toby Smith , Senior Vice President for Government Relations & Public Policy, Association of American Universities (AAU) · Clay Zhu 朱可亮 , Founder and President, Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance (CALDA) · Paul Cheung 鄭文耀 , President, Committee of 100 · Tony Chan 陳繁昌 , Former President of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (2018–2024) and Former President of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (2009–2018) The virtual monthly meeting is by invitation only. It is closed to the press. If you wish to join, either one time or for future meetings, please contact one of the co-organizers of APA Justice - Steven Pei 白先慎 , Vincent Wang 王文奎 , and Jeremy Wu 胡善庆 - or send a message to contact@apajustice.org . US Judge Rules for AAU and Universities (Madeleine Gable, APA Justice Communications Intern, contributed to this report)According to AP News , Reuters and other media reports, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani of Massachusetts issued a final judgment on June 20, 2025, in favor of Plaintiffs Association of American Universities (AAU), the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, the American Council on Education, and 13 universities, blocking the National Science Foundation's (NSF) policy change that would have capped indirect costs for research grants at 15%. The judge ruled that the NSF's policy change is "invalid, arbitrary and capricious, and contrary to law."The civil lawsuit Association of American Universities v. National Science Foundation (1:25-cv-11231) was filed on May 5, 2025. AAU and a coalition also brought these lawsuits against the Trump administration with recent rulings: · Association of American Universities v. Department of Health & Human Services (1:25-cv-10346) . On April 4, U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley entered a final judgment and permanent injunction in favor of the Plaintiffs. The Trump administration has filed an appeal. · Association of American Universities v. Department of Energy (1:25-cv-10912) . On May 15, U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs granted Plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction , finding that the DOE’s Rate Cap Policy likely violates the Administrative Procedure Act—by taking agency action that conflicts with existing regulation, is arbitrary and capricious, and is impermissibly retroactive—and poses a risk of irreparable harm to research institutions. AAU is an organization of leading research universities in the U.S. and Canada, founded in 1900 to promote academic excellence and influence national higher education and research policy. Its members conduct a significant share of the nation’s research and are central to advancing innovation, economic development, and scientific leadership. Toby Smith , Senior Vice President for Government Relations & Public Policy at AAU, will speak at the APA Justice monthly meeting on July 7, 2025.***** WP Opinion: Trump is Undermining U.S. Science On June 18, 2025, the Washington Post published an opinion authored by Neal Lane , physicist and former director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), and Michael Riordan , physicist and author, warning that the Trump administration’s reckless and erratic actions toward U.S. science are placing the nation at serious risk. The authors urge Congress to immediately reassert its statutory authority over National Science Foundation (NSF) funding, direction, and management in order to support and uphold the future of U.S. science, technology, economic well-being, and national security.Established in 1950, the NSF originally focused on basic research in the physical sciences, only experiencing a burst of political support and funding after the launch of the Soviet Union’s Sputnik I satellite in 1957. Throughout its tenure, the agency has contributed to the development of the internet and World Wide Web , by funding Mosaic and Stanford University’s Digital Library Initiative, in which Larry Page and Sergey Brin developed the Google search engine. NSF has also stimulated great advances in laser and quantum technologies, as well as microbiology.However, the NSF fired 168 employees in February, roughly 10% of its workforce, in compliance with Trump’s executive order aimed at reducing federal personnel to "boost efficiency." The NSF has been terminating grants at a record pace, particularly in areas such as climate science and educational diversity. In 2025, the NSF has awarded only $1 billion in new grants, just half the usual pace compared to previous years. The future seems even more bleak — Trump’s 2026 fiscal year budget calls for slashing $5 billion from the current $9 billion NSF budget. Neal Lane and Michael Riordan emphasize that wholesale firings, budget-slashing, and arbitrary elimination of grants particularly harm young, emerging scientists as they often depend on NSF fellowships and grants to launch their scientific careers. This discouragement directly harms the future of U.S. science. Tony Chan: The Role of Research Universities in a Changing World Order Tony Chan 陳繁昌 is a distinguished computational mathematician who served as the President of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology from 2009–2018, and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia from 2018 to 2024 .Educated at the California Institute of Technology (B.S., M.S.) and Stanford (Ph.D.), Dr. Chan held leadership roles at Yale and UCLA before becoming assistant director of the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate at the U.S. National Science Foundation. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and a fellow of IEEE, AAAS, and SIAM. In March 2025, Dr. Chan published an essay titled " The Role of Research Universities in a Changing World Order. " He opined that as global power centers realign, research universities are more than academic institutions—they are key players in shaping global values, talent flows, and geopolitical influence. As tensions rise between East and West across sectors like trade, technology, and security, particularly STEM-focused institutions, now face pressure to engage with broader global rivalries. In particular, 1. Geopolitics and the rise of the East Geopolitical shifts, especially China’s rise, are reshaping the role of research universities. While U.S. and European institutions have long led in innovation and academic freedom, China’s targeted investments in top universities align education with national goals for technological and economic strength. This rivalry now reflects a deeper contest over global norms and influence. As Chinese universities expand international engagement, U.S. institutions grow more insular under political pressure, national security concerns, and revived efforts like the China Initiative—leading to a steady unraveling of U.S.–China academic partnerships. 2. Student and faculty mobility: a double-edged sword The global mobility of students and faculty—once a hallmark of internationalization in higher education—is increasingly shaped by shifting geopolitics, particularly the U.S.–China rivalry. While Chinese and Indian students long sought Western education, rising visa restrictions, scrutiny over security concerns, and a perception of unwelcomeness have curbed that trend. Simultaneously, China is attracting top overseas talent back home and nurturing new generations domestically, as seen in the success of DeepSeek, an AI firm staffed by local graduates. This reverse flow challenges Western universities' ability to attract top talent and underscores the need to balance openness with national security. As global dynamics shift, talent and innovation are increasingly staying in—or returning to—China, reshaping the future of academia and global leadership in science and technology. 3. Research competition versus collaboration Tensions between competition and collaboration in research are growing, as nations race for dominance in fields like AI and biotech while needing global cooperation on issues like climate change and pandemics. Research universities are caught in the middle—fueling national innovation but reliant on international exchange. Western governments are increasingly restricting collaboration over national security concerns, often invoking vague “dual use” rules, which may backfire and hinder progress. Chinese universities remain eager to engage globally, but geopolitical pressures make partnerships difficult. Without creative ways to balance openness and security, research may fracture along national lines, slowing global progress. 4. The way forward: Navigating a complex landscape In a shifting world order, research universities face the challenge of balancing national interests with global collaboration while staying true to their mission of advancing knowledge and educating future leaders. To succeed, they must uphold core values, including long-term societal service, pragmatic engagement with national security concerns, a strong defense of academic freedom, and active leadership in shaping global discourse. Navigating this complex landscape requires resilience, vision, and courage, especially as universities play a vital role in bridging political divides and fostering shared understanding across borders. Dr. Chan will explore these issues at the APA Justice monthly meeting on July 7, 2025. State Department Restarts Student Visa Interviews with New Rules (author: Madeleine Gable, APA Justice Communications Intern)According to the Washington Post and multiple media reports, the State Department has begun student visa interviews after a three-week hiatus, implementing a strict social media vetting process set to take effect in the coming week.The thorough vetting process requires applicants’ social media accounts to be public in order to be scrutinized for perceived hostility towards the U.S. or risk extreme penalties in the application process. State Department staff members have been instructed to “identify applicants who bear hostile attitudes toward our citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles; who advocate for, aid or support designated foreign terrorists and other threats to U.S. national security; or who perpetrate unlawful antisemitic harassment or violence.” The vetting process applies to all foreign nationals who apply for F, M, and J visas, regardless of the institution of study. Affecting not only new candidates but also those whose applications are currently in progress, the new vetting process also includes applicants who have already been interviewed but have not been finally approved.In justification of the policy, the State Department pointed to two executive orders from President Donald Trump , one designed to block hostile foreign actors from entering the country and the other to address antisemitism. The Department reiterated it remains concerned with protecting American institutions of higher education from those who would “steal technical information, exploit U.S. research and development, and spread false information for political or other reasons.”Several critics of the policy have expressed concern over its vague nature, suggesting a broader interpretation could result in the government denying visas from those who deserve them. Several government-affiliated individuals raised concerns about the increased burden on consulates, noting that officials do not have the time to complete the thorough vetting process for every applicant. The agency issued 446,000 student visas in 2023.While education advocates have expressed relief that the three-week hiatus is over, concerns remain that the policy will discourage international students from seeking overseas educational opportunities in the U.S.***** In a separate development, on June 20, 2025, U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs of Massachusetts issued an order temporarily blocking the Trump administration’s attempt to prevent Harvard University from hosting international students, according to AP News and other outlets. The ruling marks a legal victory for Harvard as it continues to challenge multiple federal sanctions in an ongoing dispute with the White House. While the order preserves Harvard’s ability to enroll foreign students while the case proceeds, it does not resolve all legal questions. Judge Burroughs noted that the federal government retains the authority to evaluate Harvard’s eligibility to host international students through standard legal procedures. “We expect the judge to issue a more enduring decision in the coming days,” Harvard said in an email to international students. “Our Schools will continue to make contingency plans to ensure that our international students and scholars can pursue their academic work to the fullest extent possible, should there be any changes to visa eligibility or enrollment status.” News and Activities for the Communities APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/06/16-24 Discover China 2025: Summer Youth Exchange to the Greater Bay Area2025/06/25 Bridging Relationships with Policymakers2025/06/28-30 2025 ICSA China Conference2025/06/29 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/07/07 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/07/13 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/07/25-27 Asian American Pioneer Medal Symposium and Ceremony 2025/07/27 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Andrea Chen Appointed Executive Director of the Vincent Chin Institute The Vincent Chin Institute (VCI) has announced the appointment of Andrea Chen as its first Executive Director. VCI was founded in 2023 to continue the mission and work of the past 40 years of movement and building solidarity against anti-Asian violence and all forms of hate.Andrea Chen brings over 20 years of experience driving systemic change through racial justice and economic inclusion initiatives. She served for more than 15 years as CEO and Co-founder of Propeller, a nationally recognized social innovation incubator based in New Orleans, Louisiana. In her role as Executive Director, Andrea Chen will lead three core program areas: Community Organizing, Narrative Change, and Education.A commemoration of the death of Vincent Chin took place the Chinese American Museum in Los Angeles on June 23, 2025, the 43rd anniversary of his death. Vincent Chin was murdered in Detroit in an anti-Asian hate crime, sparking a national movement for Asian American civil rights. Speakers at the commemoration include Aki Maehara , professor of Asian American history at East Los Angeles College, who was the victim of an apparent hate crime earlier this year and a speaker at the June 2025 APA Justice monthly meeting. 3. Physics Today Interviews Dr. Xiaoxing Xi In a report by Physics Today on June 20, 2025, physicist Xiaoxing Xi 郗小星 recounts how the Cultural Revolution deeply affected his childhood, with his father imprisoned as a “counterrevolutionary” and his education interrupted. After Mao Zedong ’s death, China reopened its universities, and Dr. Xi seized the opportunity to study at Peking University—an experience that set him on the path to becoming a scientist and eventually immigrating to the U.S.These early experiences left Dr. Xi with a strong awareness of political injustice, which shaped his reaction to his own wrongful arrest in the U.S. in 2015. Some have described the United States is going through its own Cultural Revolution today.Read the Physics Today report: https://bit.ly/3HV6EGp # # # APA Justice Task Force is a non-partisan platform to build a sustainable ecosystem that addresses racial profiling concerns and to facilitate, inform, and advocate on selected issues related to justice and fairness for the Asian Pacific American community. For more information, please refer to the new APA Justice website under development at www.apajusticetaskforce.org . We value your feedback. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org . 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