Newsletter - #286 Research Security; Stanford Faculty Letter; McCarthyism Today; HUAC & CCP Committee; + #286 Research Security; Stanford Faculty Letter; McCarthyism Today; HUAC & CCP Committee; + In This Issue #286 · Ground Research Security in Science, Not Speculation · Stanford Faculty Letter to Congress Opposing Revival of China Initiative · McCarthyism: Tracing Roy Cohn to Today's Political Climate · House Un-American Activities Committee and Select Committee on CCP · News and Activities for the Communities Ground Research Security in Science, Not Speculation On September 27, 2024, the Baker Institute at Rice University published a policy brief titled "Ground Research Security in Science, Not Speculation."According to the policy brief, international collaboration is essential for advancing science, innovation, and tackling global challenges like climate change and public health. However, geopolitical tensions, particularly between the U.S. and China, have prompted new U.S. research security policies aimed at protecting intellectual property and federally-funded research from undue foreign influence. These policies, such as the 2021 National Security Presidential Memorandum 33 (NSPM-33) and the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, focus on preventing espionage and intellectual theft but have also raised concerns about over-securitization, stifling openness in scientific exchange, and discouraging global talent.It is argued that while research security is necessary, the current lack of data and empirical evidence behind these policies risks undermining American scientific leadership and economic competitiveness. The chilling effect on U.S.-China collaborations and the fears expressed by U.S. scientists of Chinese descent highlight the potential for a brain drain and harm to the U.S.’s reputation as a global leader in science.To maintain scientific leadership, experts recommend that U.S. research security policy be grounded in evidence, uphold democratic values such as academic freedom, and avoid discriminatory practices. Standardizing research security across federal agencies, fostering international cooperation, and promoting research on security risks are essential steps for ensuring the protection of U.S. research while maintaining its openness and global competitiveness. In particular, Federal lawmakers should continue building on recent actions by Congress, the White House, and federal agencies to: · Stop all attempts to reinstate the China Initiative . Research security policy should adhere to the statutory language in the CHIPS and Science Act specifying that implementation should “be carried out in a manner that does not target, stigmatize, or discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, ethnicity, or national origin.” · Standardize research security policy and implementation across federal agencies . OSTP, federal funding agencies, and intelligence and national security agencies all need to establish common, transparent, and publicly-accountable research security practices. These practices should incorporate a due process mechanism and ensure objective evaluation, an appeal process, and consistent application of any corrective measures. · Promote “research on research security” to provide an empirical basis for new and existing policy . Data and analysis addressing the nature, scope, and scale of research security threats should inform future decision-making. Research security activities should also be identified, traced, and evaluated for effectiveness. · Improve research training for administrators, academic scientists, and industry leaders . Outreach and education about research security, especially in the academic sector, will improve compliance with policy and responsible international collaborations. · Develop an international community of practice for research security . Broad international collaboration on research security activities will help establish best practices, effective policy, and the wide adoption of common values of openness, transparency, impartiality, respect, and fairness. Read the Baker Institute's brief: https://bit.ly/3TXf5Ed Stanford Faculty Letter to Congress Opposing Revival of China Initiative On October 8, 2024, a group of over 165 Stanford faculty members sent an open letter to U.S. Congressional leaders to strongly oppose legislation that would reinstate the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) China Initiative. They specifically oppose H.R. 1398, which would revive the initiative in all but name, and request the removal of language from the House report accompanying H.R. 9026, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025” that directs the DOJ to reinstate the initiative.On September 8, 2021, a group of 177 Stanford University faculty members sent an open letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland , requesting that he terminate the Department of Justice's "China Initiative." More than 3,100 faculty members of over 240 institutions from all 50 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico endorsed the Stanford letter or sent their own letters. In February 2022 when the DOJ terminated the China Initiative, there was acknowledgement “that this [China] initiative is not the right approach to meet the threat in the coming years." Assistant Attorney General for National Security Matthew Olson said, “Instead, the current threats demand a broader approach.” The China Initiative was not the right approach then and it is not the right approach now.The letter emphasizes that while espionage and intellectual property theft are serious concerns, the China Initiative has been harmful to U.S. science and technology, especially affecting Asian American scholars and international students. The faculty members argue that the initiative disproportionately targets academia and discourages the flow of valuable international talent, particularly from China. They cite a National Academy of Sciences report, International Talent Programs in the Changing Global Environment , showing that the U.S. has been losing scientific talent since 2018, a trend accelerated by the China Initiative.The letter calls for a new approach that fosters international collaboration and talent, rather than pushing talented individuals towards rival nations. It concludes by urging Congress to welcome brilliant minds from around the world and maintain the U.S. as a beacon for freedom and opportunity, rather than being driven by fear. "We should strive – consistent with our history and our beliefs – to be the 'shining city upon a hill' that welcomes the brightest, most ambitious and dedicated students, scientists, and engineers from around the world. We should not be driven by fear and inadvertently push these talented people towards our rivals. If there is to be a 'China Initiative', let it be one designed to make clear how much we appreciate the influx of STEM talent from China and our dedication to their success in the United States. And for all, we must insiston the responsible and ethical conduct of research," the letter concludes.On October 8, 2024, the Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) issued a strong statement in support of the Stanford faculty letter. Faculty members or senior staff at a US university are invited to endorse the letter to the leadership of the U.S. House and Senate at https://bit.ly/4eXkWBw . An update will be sent to Congress.Read the Stanford faculty letter: https://bit.ly/4dCVC2P McCarthyism: Tracing Roy Cohn to Today's Political Climate According to Wikipedia, Roy Cohn served as Chief Counsel for Senator Joseph McCarthy from 1953 to 1954. Roy Cohn played a major role in McCarthy's anti-Communist hearings. After Joseph Welch , an attorney for the Army, confronted McCarthy during the Army–McCarthy hearings of 1954 with the line, " Have you no sense of decency, sir? ", public opinion began to turn against McCarthy, leading to McCarthy's censure by the U.S. Senate, and the eventual end of the era.After resigning from McCarthy's staff, Roy Cohn had a 30-year career as an attorney in New York City. His clients included Donald Trump from 1973 to 1985.According to an audio book titled " Ruthless: How Donald Trump and Roy Cohn's Dark Symbiosis Changed America " read by investigative journalist Marie Brenner , Roy Cohn and Donald Trump first met in 1973 when Donald Trump was still trying to make a name for himself as a real estate developer while fighting federal discrimination charges against his family's business. After their chance meeting at a Manhattan disco, Roy Cohn went to work defending Trump, starting a business and personal association that endured in various forms until Roy Cohn's death in 1986.“You knew when you were in Cohn’s presence you were in the presence of pure evil,” said lawyer Victor A. Kovner , who had known him for years. Roy Cohn’s power derived largely from his ability to scare potential adversaries with hollow threats and spurious lawsuits. And the fee he demanded for his services? Ironclad loyalty. According to Marie Brenner, more than legal representation, Roy Cohn offered Donald Trump a way of seeing the world - and the opportunities for seeking advantage within it - that still inform Donald Trump's approach to politics and governing today.2018/08/21 Marie Brenner: Ruthless: How Donald Trump and Roy Cohn's Dark Symbiosis Changed America (audio book)2017/06/28 Vanity Fair : How Donald Trump and Roy Cohn’s Ruthless Symbiosis Changed America The Apprentice Movie On October 11, 2024, The Apprentice movie will premiere in theaters.According to BBC , ABC News (Australian) , Entertainment Weekly , New Yorker , and multiple media reports, The Apprentice is a shrewd and darkly amusing tragicomedy that dramatizes Donald Trump 's rise to fame and fortune in the 1970s and 80s. While the movie begins with a disclaimer that many of its events are fictionalized, the former president has threatened to take legal action.In the movie, Donald Trump is first seen as a young man in the early 1970s. He works for the New York real estate company run by his cold and condescending father Fred Trump , knocking on doors and collecting rent from his impoverished tenants, but he dreams of opening a luxury high-rise hotel near Central Station. The only snag is that the company is being sued over its racial profiling of potential renters. "How can I be racist when I've got a black driver?" splutters Fred Trump.Enter Roy Cohn in the movie, a notoriously vicious and unscrupulous lawyer who catches Donald Trump's eye in a swanky members club. Donald Trump is spellbound by Roy Cohn's rudeness, his contempt for his opponents, and his three rules for success: always attack , never admit to any wrongdoing , and never admit defeat . The fact that he is so open about using blackmail only adds to his lustre in Donald Trump's eyes. Roy Cohn could be the encouraging father figure that Donald Trump has always lacked. Media reports: 2024/10/05 ABC News (Australia) : Donald Trump didn't want The Apprentice released before the US election. It's coming to cinemas this week 2024/09/24 PBS : ‘All About the Fight’: How Donald Trump Developed His Political Playbook 2024/05/22 Yahoo News : Who Was Roy Cohn and What Was His Relationship With Donald Trump? 2023/06/17 NPR : Trump has had a lot of lawyers but still longs for his wartime consigliere 2020/06/18 Men's Health : You Can Blame Roy Cohn for Donald Trump’s Political Rise 2020/03/05 AllThatsInteresting : Roy Cohn, The Man Who Taught Donald Trump Everything He Knows 2019/09/19 Politico : The Final Lesson Donald Trump Never Learned From Roy Cohn 2019/03/12 History : Roy Cohn: From ‘Red Scare’ Prosecutor to Donald Trump’s Mentor House Un-American Activities Committee and Select Committee on CCP According to ChatGPT, both the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) and the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have operated in environments marked by national security fears, whether related to communism or China. Both are seen as necessary by some to protect U.S. interests, but they also raise concerns about overreach, civil liberties, and the potential targeting of specific groups. How the Select Committee on CCP operates in the long term will determine whether it follows in the controversial footsteps of HUAC or finds a more balanced approach to addressing national security.These are the key comparisons as identified by ChatGPT: 1. Mandate and Focus on Perceived Threats · HUAC (1938-1975): Established to investigate alleged disloyalty and subversion by citizens, public employees, and organizations suspected of communist ties. HUAC became a symbol of the broader anti-communist movement during the Cold War, heavily focusing on domestic threats and instilling fear of communist infiltration in American society. · Select Committee on CCP (formed 2023): Created to address national security risks posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), with a focus on China’s influence on U.S. politics, technology, economy, and its potential espionage activities. Its attention is on China’s global ambitions and their potential impact on U.S. national security. 2. Political and Ideological Motivation · HUAC : Driven by Cold War fears, HUAC’s activities were motivated by concerns over communism infiltrating American society. It fueled political battles, often targeting individuals based on suspicion rather than solid evidence of subversive activities. · Select Committee on CCP : While framed around national security, this committee reflects broader U.S. geopolitical concerns about China’s rise as a global power. It fits into a larger narrative portraying China as a primary economic and political adversary, raising questions about how much of its focus is based on security versus political rivalry. 3. Targeting of Specific Groups · HUAC : Its investigations led to scrutiny of specific groups like Hollywood, academia, labor unions, and government employees. Many individuals were blacklisted, losing their reputations and careers, even without formal charges. HUAC’s activities were widely criticized for fueling xenophobia and violating civil liberties. · Select Committee on CCP : While not yet reaching the level of persecution seen under HUAC, there are concerns that its focus on China could contribute to racial profiling and discrimination against Chinese Americans and other Asian communities. Critics warn that heightened political rhetoric could stoke anti-Asian sentiment, mirroring the fear and suspicion created by HUAC’s investigations. 4. Impact on Civil Liberties and Democratic Principles · HUAC : The committee was widely condemned for disregarding due process, leading to accusations of civil rights violations. Many individuals were subpoenaed, questioned, and blacklisted without sufficient evidence, creating a culture of fear and repression. · Select Committee on CCP : In its early activities, there are already concerns that its focus on Chinese influence could infringe upon civil liberties, particularly for Chinese Americans. The potential for increased surveillance, academic restrictions, and suspicion of people based on ethnic or national background echoes the repression seen during HUAC’s operations in the McCarthy era. 5. Public Sentiment and Scapegoating · HUAC : At its peak, HUAC capitalized on the public’s fear of communism, often scapegoating individuals as part of a larger anti-communist fervor. Many reputations and livelihoods were destroyed due to unfounded accusations. · Select Committee on CCP : The committee's formation comes at a time of increasing anti-China sentiment in the U.S., driven by economic competition, national security concerns, and technological rivalry. Critics argue that this environment risks scapegoating individuals and businesses with ties to China, reminiscent of the McCarthy era's unfounded accusations. 6. Legacy and Long-Term Consequences · HUAC : The long-term legacy of HUAC is one of overreach, fearmongering, and suppression of dissent. Its actions had lasting consequences for civil liberties in the U.S., contributing to a culture that discouraged free speech and mistrusted dissenting opinions. · Select Committee on CCP : The committee’s long-term impact remains to be seen, but if its actions prioritize security at the expense of openness and collaboration, it could similarly harm U.S. democratic values. There is also concern that its focus on China could strain relations with Chinese Americans and weaken international cooperation, just as HUAC left a divisive legacy in American politics. News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events:2024/10/10 Cato Surveillance Week2024/10/10 China in the Heartland: Building a Balanced Approach2024/10/11 China and the World Forum2024/10/11 Reverse Brain Drain: A Threat to U.S.Technological Leadership2024/10/13 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/10/16 Rebuilding Trust in Science2024/10/20 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/10/25-27 Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the American Studies Network2024/10/26 Common Ground and Banquet2024/10/27 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/11/03 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Dr. Mark Xu to Lead IRS Statistics of Income Division On October 7, 2024, U.S. Chief Statisitician Dr. Karin A. Orvis aanounced that Dr. Weihuan "Mark" Xu just joined the Internal Revenue Service, as the new Director of Statistics of Income (SOI). SOI operates with an annual budget of approximately $40 to $47 million. It is recognized as one of the 13 leading federal statistical organizations in the U.S., responsible for gathering, analyzing, and publishing data related to tax returns and financial activities. Dr. Mark Xu is a seasoned Senior Executive with experience leveraging data science, AI, and advanced analytics to drive strategic decision-making and policy formulation. His expertise in economics, statistics, and leadership has yielded transformative results in both federal statistical and program agencies. His experience includes managing large, diverse teams and fostering collaboration and innovation in complex environments. He is a champion of data-driven decision-making, spearheading initiatives using big data, machine learning, and AI to enhance program efficiency and inform policy.Prior to joining IRS, Mark served as Director of the Resource Inventory and Assessment Division at U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Mark holds a Ph.D. and MA in Economics from the University of Washington, with advanced training in data science, machine learning, and AI. Mark has received multiple awards, including a USDA Secretary’s Honor Award in 2024. 3. USHCA Event Today and Professor Franklin Tao At the APA Justice monthly meeting on October 7, 2024, Min Fan , Executive Director of the U.S. Heartland China Association (USHCA), reported that Professor Franklin Tao will return to the University of Kansas (KU) and recognized at "The Heartland - Building a Balanced Approach" Forum in Lawrence, Kansas, on October 10, 2024, starting at 7:00 pm CT.This event, presented by the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at KU in partnership with USHCA and KU’s Department of Political Science, is supported by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and local Chinese American scholars.Join the event in person or online to engage in discussions on building a balanced approach to U.S.-China relations and to show solidarity and support for Professor Tao’s reinstatement at KU: https://bit.ly/3zkTyhT .To learn more about Professor Tao’s story, visit: https://bit.ly/3y8SBsm . A summary of the October 7 APA Justice meeting is being prepared at this time. 4. Drs. Chen, Hu, Tao, and Xi Honored by 2024 American Courage Award According to the Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) on October 3, 2024, four distinguished Asian American scholars—Drs. Gang Chen , Anming Hu , Franklin Tao , and Xiaoxing Xi —received the prestigious 2024 American Courage Award from Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC. The award celebrates their resilience, leadership, and steadfast commitment to Asian American freedom and civil rights in the face of adversity. Past recipients have included the Honorable Julie A. Su , the Honorable Mazie K. Hirono , Vanita Gupta , Japanese American MIS Veterans , and other courageous Americans and immigrants. The first recipient of the American Courage Award was Dr. Chang-Lin Tien in 1997. Dr. Tien was the first Asian American to head a major research university in the U.S., serving as Chancellor of the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Tien was Dr. Chen's PhD advisor. Read the AASF announcement: https://bit.ly/4eSLwfa 5. APA Justice Newsletter Web Page Moved to New Website As part of its continuing migration to a new website under construction, we have moved the Newsletter webpage to https://www.apajusticetaskforce.org/newsletters . Content of the existing website will remain, but it will no longer be updated. We value your feedback about the new web page. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org . Back View PDF October 10, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

July 6, 2020 On July 6, 2020, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a directive on student visas that would compel international students to leave the United States if their coursework were entirely online. Since the U.S. has so far failed to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, many U.S. schools are planning to offer classes entirely online this fall. In effect, the ICE directive will negatively impact hundreds of thousands of international students directly and various segments of the U.S. society indirectly. Reactions against the proposed rule were broad, swift and strong. A week after the announcement, a federal judge in Boston announced on July 14, 2020 that the Trump administration has rescinded its policy. However, there were still reports that the White House may focus on applying the rule to new students instead of existing students. On July 24, ICE introduced the new rule to new students. Previous Next New ICE Directive on Student Visas

Newsletter - #366 12/1 Meeting; Giving Tuesday; Yanping Chen; Internatonal Students; CAIR Sues; US Data+ #366 12/1 Meeting; Giving Tuesday; Yanping Chen; Internatonal Students; CAIR Sues; US Data+ In This Issue #366 · 2025/12/01 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · Giving Tuesday - Consider APA Justice · Herridge Petition in Yanping Chen v FBI et al · International Students Drop | Serica Storytellers · CAIR Sues Texas Officials Over Terror Group Designation · The U.S. Needs Better Data · News and Activities for the Communities 2025/12/01 APA Justice Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held on Monday, December 1, 2025, starting at 1:55 pm ET.In addition to updates from: · Judith Teruya , Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) · Joanna YangQing Derman , Program Director, Advancing Justice | AAJC · Gisela Perez Kusakawa , Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) We are honored by and welcome the following distinguished speakers: · Kin Yan Hui , National President, Chinese American Citizens Alliance · Patrick Toomey , Deputy Director, National Security Project, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) · Edgar Chen , Special Advisor, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) The virtual monthly meeting is by invitation only. It is closed to the press. If you wish to join, either one time or for future meetings, please contact one of the Co-Organizers of APA Justice - Vincent Wang 王文奎 and Jeremy Wu 胡善庆 - or send a message to contact@apajustice.org . *****The American Civil Liberties Union is an American nonprofit civil rights organization founded in 1920. Patrick Toomey works on issues related to privacy and surveillance, racial and ethnic discrimination, and the use of novel technologies like artificial intelligence. His litigation and advocacy often focus on national security prosecutions or policies where these issues intersect. Patrick has litigated high-profile cases challenging sweeping surveillance programs operated by U.S. intelligence agencies, and has represented Asian American scientists who have been wrongly investigated and prosecuted by the U.S. government. Patrick returns to provide updates on recent ACLU activities.The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), "The Voice for 80,000 AANHPI Legal Professionals," held its annual convention on November 6-8, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. On November 25, 2025, NAPABA issued a joint statement with local affiliates in response to the Eleventh Circuit split decision upholding Florida’s discriminatory Alien Land Law SB264. As Senior Advisor for NAPABA, Edgar Chen returns to update us on the latest from NAPABA. Giving Tuesday - Consider APA Justice GivingTuesday is an annual global day of generosity that takes place on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. It serves as a counterpoint to the consumerism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday by encouraging people to donate to charities, volunteer their time, or perform acts of kindness. Created in 2012, the movement has grown into a large-scale effort that raises billions of dollars for nonprofits and fosters a spirit of giving back. APA Justice has been advancing fairness, equity, and belonging for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders for the past 10 years. We identify emerging issues through coalition work, community engagement, and data insights. We educate policymakers and allies through media collaboration, an online resource hub, and regular briefings. And we mobilize communities to advocate for practical solutions and stronger civic participation.Your support strengthens civil rights protections, elevates AAPI voices, and helps build a more inclusive America. Now, as a powered by the Committee of 100 initiative, APA Justice invites you to make a tax-deductible contribution to sustain this work at: https://bit.ly/Donate2APAJustice . Herridge Petition in Yanping Chen v FBI et al On November 14, 2025, former journalist Catherine Herridge filed a petition with the Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit in the case of Yanping Chen v FBI et al . Herridge was previously held in civil contempt for refusing to identify the confidential sources she used in Fox News reports about a counterintelligence investigation into Dr. Yanping Chen —an investigation that never resulted in any charges. Dr. Chen alleges that federal officials unlawfully leaked her private information to Herridge in violation of the Privacy Act. Herridge was held in civil contempt for refusing to disclose her confidential sources in a Privacy Act lawsuit filed by Dr. Yanping Chen against federal agencies, including the FBI. Dr. Chen alleged that federal officials leaked her private information to Herridge, which was used in Fox News reports about a counterespionage investigation into Dr. Chen, who was never charged for any wrongdoing. Herridge invoked the First Amendment reporter’s privilege to protect her sources, but the District Court ruled that Dr. Chen had met the criteria to overcome the privilege, citing the centrality of the information and exhaustion of alternative sources. Herridge appealed. The three-judge panel of the Appeals Court affirmed the District Court’s decision with a 3-0 ruling, stating that the reporter’s privilege can be overcome in Privacy Act cases when centrality and exhaustion are established.Herridge has now petitioned for a rehearing by the three-judge panel and rehearing en banc by the entire Appeals Court in the DC Circuit. To learn more about the case, read th e summary of the November 2025 APA Justice monthly meeting led by Dr. Chen's attorney Andrew Phillips and the APA Justice web page on Dr. Chen . International Students Drop | Serica Storytellers According to NBC News on November 17, 2025, U.S. colleges and universities experienced a steep 17% decline in new international enrollment for fall 2025 amid the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.New data from the Institute of International Education confirms this is the largest non-pandemic drop in more than a decade and follows a 7% decrease the previous academic year. More than half of the 825 surveyed institutions reported declines, with 96% citing visa application problems as a major obstacle. Fanta Aw , CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, said visa delays and denials have made the U.S. “less competitive” globally, noting that “the U.S. is no longer the central place that students aspire to come to.” She also pointed to the Trump administration’s pause of new student visa interviews in May, which created severe backlogs.The downturn carries significant economic consequences. NAFSA estimates a $1.1 billion loss to the U.S. economy this year due to fewer international students. Last year, international students contributed nearly $43 billion and supported more than 355,000 U.S. jobs by spending on tuition, housing, services, insurance, and local goods. On December 2, 2025, the Serica Initiative will co-host an in-person event with David Wu , President, Baruch College, CUNY, and Frank Wu , President, Queens College, CUNY. As federal visa policies evolve, international students at City University of New York (CUNY) campuses face growing uncertainty. This timely conversation explores how student visa revocations are reshaping New York’s educational landscape. The panel delves into how immigration policy shifts ripple across classrooms, immigrant communities, and the city’s public higher education system — and how institutions can better advocate for and support affected students. The event will be moderated by Joan Kaufman , Senior Director for Academic Programs, the Schwarzman Scholars Program, and held at Graduate School of Journalism, CUNY, 219 W 40th St 3rd floor, New York, NY 10018. For more information and registration, please visit: https://bit.ly/47RWYHn CAIR Sues Texas Officials Over Terror Group Designation On November 20, 2025, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Legal Fund of America filed a lawsuit, Council on American-Islamic Relations Texas Dallas Fort Worth v. Abbott (1:25-cv-01878) , in the U.S. District Court for West Texas against Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton over Abbott’s proclamation designating CAIR as a foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organization on November 18. The designation prevents CAIR from acquiring property in Texas and imposes civil and criminal penalties, which the plaintiffs argue harm their advocacy work, fundraising, and reputation. CAIR argues in the lawsuit that Abbott acted to defame the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization. CAIR contends that the proclamation violates constitutional rights, including protections for property and free speech, and strongly rejects Abbott’s characterization of CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as “foreign terrorist” and “transnational criminal” organizations. The lawsuit also notes that CAIR condemned Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, contradicting Abbott’s allegations that CAIR’s executive director “publicly praised and supported” the attack. According to The Guardian , only the U.S. Secretary of State can officially designate foreign terrorist organizations under federal law. Abbott’s proclamation is tied to his broader efforts in Texas related to “foreign adversaries” and land restrictions. It bars CAIR members from purchasing land in Texas and allows Paxton to sue entities linked to CAIR or the Muslim Brotherhood, but it does not carry federal immigration consequences, asset freezes, or criminal penalties. Abbott justified the designation by citing a 2007 case involving CAIR and the Holy Land Foundation; CAIR was never indicted and has denied the allegations.According to The Guardian , only the U.S. secretary of state can officially designate foreign terrorist organizations under federal law. Abbott’s proclamation is tied to his broader efforts in Texas related to “foreign adversaries” and land restrictions. It bars CAIR members from purchasing land in Texas and allows Paxton to sue entities linked to CAIR or the Muslim Brotherhood, but it does not carry federal immigration consequences, asset freezes, or criminal penalties. Lena Masri , CAIR’s Litigation Director, said the lawsuit is “our first step toward defeating Governor Abbott again so that our nation protects free speech and due process for all Americans.” She warned, “No civil rights organization is safe if a governor can baselessly and unilaterally declare any of them terrorist groups, ban them from buying land, and threaten them with closure.” Several Republican officials previously called for an investigation into CAIR’s funding. CAIR has won three prior cases challenging Abbott’s alleged First Amendment violations. · 2025/11/20 Politico: CAIR Sues Texas Officials over Terror Group Designation · 2025/11/20 Houston Chronicle: Muslim civil rights group CAIR sues Greg Abbott over 'unconstitutional' terrorist designation · 2025/11/18 The Guardian: Texas governor Abbott designates Cair and Muslim Brotherhood terrorist groups · 2025/11/18 New York Times: Texas Governor Declares Muslim Civil Rights Group a ‘Terrorist Organization’ · 2025/11/18 Washington Post: Texas governor declares Muslim civil rights group a terrorist organization The U.S. Needs Better Data According to Barron's on November 22, 2025, good data matter more than ever in a complicated world, and the U.S. is falling behind.The recent 43-day government shutdown exposed how essential—and fragile—America’s federal statistical system has become. When agencies like the Bureau of Labor Statistics stopped collecting and publishing key indicators, policymakers, businesses, and investors were left without reliable information on unemployment, inflation, retail sales, and more. Although critics have questioned data accuracy in recent years, the shutdown made clear that federal statistics remain the “gold standard.” Yet this gold standard is eroding due to shrinking budgets, declining survey participation, and significant staff losses, all of which lead to larger revisions and slower, less reliable reporting.Part of the challenge lies in structural limitations: much of U.S. economic data still relies on labor-intensive surveys of businesses and households, even as response rates fall and the economy evolves more rapidly. While private firms now generate high-frequency, real-time data—ranging from digital payments to satellite imagery—federal agencies have been slow to adopt these sources due to cost, technical barriers, and the difficulty of processing large, unstructured datasets. Still, promising efforts exist. The Chicago Fed, for example, has blended traditional government data with private-sector sources to provide more timely labor and retail indicators that closely track official statistics.Looking ahead, experts argue that the U.S. needs a more modern, collaborative, and better-funded statistical system. Solutions include expanding blended-data approaches, adopting standardized employer records like those piloted by the U.S. Chamber Foundation, and even consolidating major statistical units into a single national statistics agency—something every other G-7 country already has. Although America’s decentralized system offers some protections against data manipulation, the growing risks of outdated, incomplete, or delayed information are becoming too large to ignore. With the economy and population shifting quickly, safeguarding and enhancing the nation’s data infrastructure is essential for informed decisions by policymakers, businesses, and the public. News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/12/01 Cook County Circuit Court Hearing - Estate of Jane Wu v Northwestern University2025/12/01 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/12/02 Serica Storytellers: The Presidents | David Wu & Frank Wu2025/12/08 Conversations, Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes: Alice Young2026/01/05 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2026/01/13 Conversations, Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes: Leroy Chiao2026/01/29-30 The Jimmy Carter Forum on U.S.-China Relations Visit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. # # # APA Justice Task Force is a non-partisan platform to build a sustainable ecosystem that addresses racial profiling concerns and to facilitate, inform, and advocate on selected issues related to justice and fairness for the Asian Pacific American community. For more information, please refer to the new APA Justice website under development at www.apajusticetaskforce.org . We value your feedback. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org . Back View PDF November 28, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #184: Section 702 Violations; Paid Interns; Alien Land Bills; DeSantis; Community News #184: Section 702 Violations; Paid Interns; Alien Land Bills; DeSantis; Community News In This Issue #184 Warrantless Surveillance - More Violations of Section 702 Revealed APA Justice Seeks Up to Two Motivated Paid Interns Latest Developments on Discriminatory Alien Land Bills Florida Governor DeSantis Criticized for Mandating Asian American History While Banning Courses on "Systemic Racism" News and Events for the Communities Warrantless Surveillance - More Violations of Section 702 Revealed On May 19, 2023, multiple media including AP News , Washington Post , and New York Times , FBI analysts improperly and repeatedly used a warrantless surveillance program to search for information about hundreds of Americans who came under scrutiny in connection with two politically charged episodes of civil unrest: the protests after the 2020 police killing of George Floyd and the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. The violations occurred more than 278,000 times and were detailed in a secret court order issued last year by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, which has legal oversight of the U.S. government’s spy powers. The surveillance program, known as Section 702 under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), empowers the government to collect, without a warrant and from American companies like Google and AT&T, the communications of foreigners abroad who are targeted for intelligence purposes — even when they are talking with or about Americans.Intelligence and law enforcement officials can search the database of communications intercepted under Section 702 using the names or other identifiers of Americans, but only under certain circumstances. The FBI has repeatedly failed to comply with those limits.Section 702 expires at the end of the year unless it is renewed by Congress.Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), a longtime critic of what he says is dangerous overreach by U.S. intelligence officials, decried what he called the “shocking abuses of FISA Section 702.” He said that the abuses have been going on for years and that officials are still withholding key details from the public. “There is important, secret information about how the government has interpreted Section 702 that Congress and the American people need to see before the law is renewed,” Wyden said in a written statement.“You can tell your department, not a chance in hell we’re going to be reauthorizing that thing without some major, major reforms,” Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah told Attorney General Merrick B. Garland at a Justice Department oversight hearing earlier this year.“Today’s disclosures underscore the need for Congress to rein in the FBI’s egregious abuses of this law, including warrantless searches using the names of people who donated to a congressional candidate,” said Patrick Toomey , deputy director of the ACLU’s National Security Project. “These unlawful searches undermine our core constitutional rights and threaten the bedrock of our democracy. It’s clear the FBI can’t be left to police itself.”The ACLU represents Professor Xiaoxing Xi , who is suing the government over its dismissed prosecution of him for supposedly sharing sensitive technology with scientists in China. New York Police Department Officer Baimadajie Angwang reportedly also fell victim to Section 702 under the now-defunct "China Initiative."Privacy and civil rights advocates have revived a proposal to require the government to obtain a warrant from the surveillance court before it may search the Section 702 repository using an American’s identifiers. Elizabeth Goitein of the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law, who backs that idea, said the violations disclosed in the opinion, particularly for the political campaign donors and those arrested in connection with the racial justice protests, showed the necessity of that proposal. “The opinion provides frightening proof of the need for a warrant requirement before agencies conduct U.S. person queries,” she said. Elizabeth Goitein has accepted APA Justice's invitation to speak on this topic at the June 5 monthly meeting. Please send a request to contact@apajustice.org if you wish to join the by-invitation-only meeting. Read more about warrantless surveillance and Section 702 at https://bit.ly/3O6T43Q APA Justice Seeks Up to Two Motivated Paid Interns APA Justice is looking for up to two motivated paid website design and content management interns to join our team for the summer months. The successful candidates will assist in designing, developing, and maintaining the APA Justice website at https://www.apajustice.org/ . The interns will work closely with the co-organizers and other members of the organization to ensure that the website reflects our mission and values and provides a user-friendly experience for all visitors. These are paid internship positions that allow for working remotely and flexible hours, and option to extend to part time positions beyond the summer. Responsibilities include the innovative development of a virtual library and related content. The job description is here: https://bit.ly/438Oh6c . Interested candidates should send their resume and questions to contact@apajustice.org . Cornell University is Seeking A Research Associate & Program Coordinator for Its China U.S. Policy (CUSP) Initiative. This is a 2-year term appointment with benefits and the possibility of extension depending on funding. Professor Jessica Chen Weiss is Director. Review of applications will begin June 1. Interviews will take place early to mid-June. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2023 with an end date of June 30, 2025. Learn more about the job and apply at https://bit.ly/3MnFPJz Latest Developments on Discriminatory Alien Land Bills 1. 33 States are Now Known to Have Introduced Alien Land and Property Bills As of May 20, 2023, there are 33 states known to have introduced some form of alien land and property bills in the current or recent legislative session. A few have passed and signed into state law; some have died; others are still pending.State-by-state links to the legislations and a companion map are provided as community resources at https://bit.ly/402lG1w . They are collected from multiple sources including APA Justice, Committee of 100, National Agricultural Law Center, Project South, and crowdsourcing. Due to the dynamic nature of these developments, we plan to update the information periodically. We anticipate the continuation and introduction of alien land and property bills into future state legislative sessions. The map and a list of state legislations are posted at https://bit.ly/402lG1w 2. Alien Land Bill in Alabama - House Bill 379 According to WHNT-TV19 on May 19, 2023, a bill that would have initially prevented Chinese citizens from buying a home in Alabama underwent some major changes after a committee hearing this week. The “Alabama Property Protection Act” changed to ban just government entities from “countries of concern” from buying land near military bases. But some Chinese American Alabamians said they still have some concerns with the new version of the bill. Lily Moore is a realtor in Montgomery and a U.S. citizen living in Alabama for the last 25 years. She said the first version of this bill concerned her not only as someone from China but as a real estate agent who would have had to question homebuyers.“It could be like a Caucasian that looks like an Asian. I think of my job as not a realtor anymore,” Moore said. “It’s like an investigator for FBI.”After she and many others voiced concerns, the bill changed — no longer preventing people from China from buying land in Alabama but targeting instead government entities from countries on a federal sanctions list, including China, Iran, North Korea and Russia.Moore and Linyuan Guo-Brennan with the Central Alabama Association of Chinese Americans said they are glad to see the changes to the bill but are still concerned that the mere listing of the countries could lead to discrimination, even though the bill is now aimed at government actors.“This is one way, or most effective way, to enforce systemic discrimination,” Guo-Brennan said. “The members of the Chinese American community have already feel that we are the political pawns of the two parties playing politics.”The length of the regular Alabama legislative session is limited to 30 meeting days within a period of 105 calendar days. The bill will next be considered by the House to either concur with the substitute bill or make changes. Tuesday May 23 will begin day 24 out of 30 meeting days for the legislative session.Read the WHNT-TV19 report: https://bit.ly/3opbrq7 "Alabama not a sweet home for Asians." According to an opinion published by AL.com on May 18, 2023, at the onset of this Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) Heritage Month in May, the House of Representatives in the State of Alabama approved HB-379, also known as the Alabama Property Protection Act. This legislation specifically aims to prohibit Chinese citizens, Chinese companies, and the Chinese government from acquiring property. Such a measure flagrantly infringes upon the civil rights of Chinese individuals residing in the state and demonstrates a blatant disregard for the principles upheld by the Fair Housing Act.It is crucial to halt the ratification of this bill before law-abiding citizens are unjustly deprived of their ability to purchase homes or engage in economic activities. While one may assume that such xenophobic legislation belongs to a bygone era, it is essential to acknowledge that Alien Land Acts have persisted until modern times.During this AAPI Heritage Month, it is essential to celebrate the remarkable achievements and invaluable contributions of the AAPI community. We must resist the regression into xenophobic laws that mirror a bygone century. Our unwavering belief rests upon the establishment of a just and inclusive society that upholds the rights and dignity of all individuals, irrespective of their ethnicity. It is incumbent upon us to reject the existence of discriminatory legislation, as none of us would desire to witness the marginalization of foreign American nationals in their respective countries or the unjust exclusion of American corporations from foreign market investments.The author of the opinion, Dr. Ken Yang, holds an MD and PhD and lives in Birmingham where he has been a research scientist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham the past 19 years.Read Dr. Yang's opinion at AL.com : https://bit.ly/3IuxcMl 3. Alien Land Bills in Arizona - Senate Bills 1115, 1112 and House Bill 2376 According to LegiScan and Arizona Capitol Times on March 3, 2023, Arizona Senate passed Senate Bill 1115 by a margin of 16-14 that would prohibit land sales to the government, companies, and citizens of China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria or Venezuela. The bill was sent to the Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee of the Arizona House of Representatives and failed to advance on a 3-6 vote on March 30, 2023. Arizona SB1112 was introduced on January 19, 2023, to originally target China, but was expanded in the government committee to ban individuals from a list of countries from buying property in Arizona. It passed the committee on a 5-3 vote, but has seen no further action. Arizona House Bill 2376 was introduced on January 18, 2023. It passed the Arizona House on a 43-17 vote on February 22, 2023. The bill is currently pending at the Arizona Senate Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee. 4. Alien Land Bill in Louisiana - House Bill 537 On May 15, 2023, the Civil Law and Procedure Committee of the Louisiana House of Representatives held a hearing that included Louisiana House Bill 537 . High school graduate Abigail Hu 's testimony started at 3:12:45 and ended at 3:16:16. The Louisiana House has scheduled floor debate for May 23, 2023.Watch the Louisiana House of Representatives proceedings: https://bit.ly/3IuWFoG (video 3:34:11). Florida Governor DeSantis Criticized for Mandating Asian American History While Banning Courses on "Systemic Racism" According to a report by NBC News on May 18, 2023, a new law in Florida mandates the teaching of Asian American and Pacific Islander history in public schools. But many Asian Americans are not celebrating, pointing to how other marginalized communities are being affected by the state heavily limiting the instruction of systemic racism and gender identity in the classroom. Asian American academics and civil rights organizations are speaking out after Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill last week, requiring that Asian American and Pacific Islander history to be included in the K-12 curriculum. The measure coincides with another bill signed into law to no longer permit public colleges to spend money on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts. It also limits the way race and gender will be taught in the state’s higher education institutions. Gregg Orton , national director of National Council of Asian Pacific Americans, a coalition of dozens of AAPI organizations, said the history law is far from a “win” for the Asian American community, adding that “racial justice can’t be a zero-sum game for communities of color.”“When you advance a bill that uplifts AAPI communities, but don’t want to acknowledge the fact that in the same state, there are real intentional efforts to invisiblize or erase Black history, or [critical race theory], you are on the wrong side of history,” Orton said. “With Florida, it’s hard to draw any other conclusion than they are actively trying to use the Asian American Pacific Islander community as a wedge here.” Make Us Visible, the group that spearheaded the push, has been working on the legislation for more than two years, according to Mimi Chan , president of the Florida chapter. All students in the state, from grades K-12, will "benefit from this legislation because moving forward all histories will be taught together," she said in a statement provided to NBC News.The history mandate would require the teaching of Japanese American incarceration in World War II, immigration, citizenship and the “contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to American society.” Conversely, the anti-Diversity, Equity and Inclusion bill, effective July 1, will ban the teaching of courses that legislators say “distort significant historical events or include a curriculum that teaches identity politics.” It also bans “theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, and privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States and were created to maintain social, political, and economic inequities.” The bills come after state officials rejected an Advanced Placement African American studies course in January, leading the College Board to water down its framework for the curriculum. Pawan Dhingra , president of the Association for Asian American Studies, said that the effort from activists to implement Asian American studies in schools is admirable. However, the greater context around race education in the state can’t be ignored, he said. The language in the higher education bill, particularly its use of “identity politics,” Dhingra said, in part dismisses many groups’ real experiences and meaningful critiques. “What they’re saying is basically denying that there’s just real injustice going on,” he said. Moreover, Asian American history is intertwined and inextricably tied to others’ experiences, challenges and struggles, Russell Jeung , professor of Asian American studies at San Francisco State University, said. Omitting those aspects of education would create an untruthful representation, he said. Manjusha P. Kulkarni , co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate, similarly noted that Asian American experiences cannot be separated from that of Black, Indigenous and other groups, calling into question what “version” of history will be taught in schools. Kulkarni said: “We cannot address racism and hate in a silo. We know that our communities are interconnected.”She added that the history mandate also coincides with DeSantis’ signing of SB264, a law that in part prohibits Chinese nationals who do not have U.S. citizenship from buying property or land in the state. “DeSantis and the Florida officials are not truly interested in seeing our full humanity. And that raises further questions about what the bill signing of AAPI history means,” she said. For now, the experts say, progress is still distant.“I don’t want to discount the eagerness and the desire and hunger for our community to see advancements like this,” Orton said of the history mandate. “But it can’t be done at the expense of others.”Read the NBC News report: https://nbcnews.to/3WpTGnu According to multiple media reports including AP News , CBS News , CNN , and New York Times , the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), and Equality Florida have issued travel advisories for Florida, warning potential tourists that recent laws and policies championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida lawmakers are “openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals.”Florida is one of the most popular states in the U.S. for tourists, and tourism is one of its biggest industries. More than 137.5 million tourists visited Florida last year. Tourism supports 1.6 million full-time and part-time jobs, and visitors spent $98.8 billion in Florida in 2019. News for the Communities 1. For First Time, FBI San Diego’s Special Agent in Charge is Asian American According to Fox5-San Diego on May 18, 2023, for the first time at FBI San Diego, the bureau’s top cop or special agent in charge (SAC) is of Asian American descent. SAC Stacey Moy grew up in San Diego. Moy had humble beginnings as a kid from Solana Beach, a third generation Chinese American whose father worked for the Navy. He found his fit in the U.S. Navy, graduating from the Naval Academy in 1998. He was commissioned and served as an officer in the Surface Warfare and Naval Special Warfare communities. Moy joined the FBI as a special agent in 2004 and served on the SWAT team. He was promoted to top leadership positions in Washington, D.C. and San Francisco before becoming Special Agent in Charge in San Diego. Moy’s second in command is Assistant Special Agent in Charge John Kim , who is Korean American. Only a little over 3% of the FBI special agents are AAPI. The FBI has reportedly created Diversity Advisory Committees to help improve and increase diversity within its rank. Watch and read the Fox5-San Diego report: https://bit.ly/3pZKsSH 2. Asian American Fellows Elected to the National Academy of Sciences In addition to MIT Professor Gang Chen , other known Asian American fellows elected to the 2023 National Academy of Sciences include: Chao, Moses V. ; professor, Department of Cell Biology, Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Physiology, Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York City Lin, Xihong ; coordinating director, program in quantitative genomics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; and professor of statistics, Department of Biostatistics, Harvard University, Boston Pan, Duojia ; investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute; and professor and department chair of physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas Sundaresan, Venkatesan ; Distinguished Professor, College of Biological Sciences, University of California, Davis Ting, Alice ; professor of genetics, biology, and, by courtesy, chemistry, Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, Calif. Tye, Bik-Kwoon ; professor, molecular biology and genetics, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. Venkatesh, Akshay ; Robert and Luisa Fernholz Professor, School of Mathematics, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, N.J. Wang, Michelle D. ; investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute; and James Gilbert White Distinguished Professor of the Physical Sciences, Department of Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. Xiao, Shuhai ; professor of geobiology, Department of Geosciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg Zeng, Hongkui ; executive vice president and director, Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle Zhou, Min ; Walter and Shirley Wang Endowed Chair in US‐China Relations and Communications, Department of Sociology, University of California, Los Angeles Read the 2023 National Academy of Sciences announcement: https://bit.ly/3Oz32Lw Subscribe to The APA Justice Newsletter Complete this simple form at https://bit.ly/2FJunJM to subscribe. Please share it with those who wish to be informed and join the fight. View past newsletters here: https://bit.ly/APAJ_Newsletters . Back View PDF May 22, 2023 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology has protested the politicization and cancellation of an NIH research grant. April 6, 2020 The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) is an international nonprofit scientific and educational organization. With over 11,000 members, made up of students, researchers, educators and industry professionals, the ASBMB is one of the largest molecular life science societies in the world. Founded in 1906, the ASBMB’s mission is to advance the science of biochemistry and molecular biology and to promote the understanding of the molecular nature of life processes. On April 6, 2020, ASBMB issued a position statement on Foreign Influences to Research Integrity . "While ASBMB recognizes the substantial efforts undertaken by federal funding agencies, universities and research institutions to address the issue of foreign influence to research integrity, ... We must strike a balance between protecting research, while continuing to promote international collaboration. " the statement says. "Of particular concern regarding federal agency responses is the lack of guidance and transparency from the NIH. Since instances of foreign influence have come to light in 2018, the NIH has initiated thousands of investigations on scientists who they suspect of intellectual property theft, conflicts of interest, or peer review violations. While some incidents of research violation or intellectual property have been publicized, the NIH has not been transparent with the scientific community about internal changes to their review or oversight process. In addition to the lack of transparency, there have been numerous cases of scientists being wrongfully accused of espionage or intellectual property theft. Fear within the scientific community of being targeted as a result of race or identify has proliferated. The NIH must be transparent about their actions and processes and offer guidelines to the scientific community to appease these fears. " ASBMB has taken further actions to protest the politicization and cancellation of the NIH research grant to the EcoHealth Alliance. See more at NIH Grant Politicized . At the end of August 2020, several media reported a new grant was awarded although there were questions on the conditions possibly imposed in the new grant. The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology has protested the politicization and cancellation of an NIH research grant. Previous Next ASBMB Protests Racially Motivated Cancellation of Research Grant

Newsletter - Dcember 2025 Monthly Meeting Summaries Dcember 2025 Monthly Meeting Summaries 2025/12/01 APA Justice Monthly Meeting APA Justice Meeting – Monday, 2025/12/011:55 pm Eastern Time / 10:55 am Pacific Time 1. Updates from CAPAC Speaker: Judith Teruya, Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Judith.Teruya@mail.house.gov [not on record] 2. Update from Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC Speaker: Joanna YangQing Derman, Director, Anti-Profiling, Civil Rights & National Security Program, Advancing Justice | AAJC, jderman@advancingjustice-aajc.org · Advancing Justice | AAJC: Anti-Profiling, Civil Rights & National Security Program Joanna provided a policy update covering several key areas. She noted that AAJC continues to monitor developments related to the China Initiative and ongoing negotiations in the Commerce, Justice, and Science appropriations process, particularly with the extended January 30 deadline. On the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Joanna reported that both chambers have passed their versions of the bill and that AAJC has submitted its official letter to House and Senate Armed Services leadership. She highlighted the Rounds Amendment (No. 3810) as a major area of concern because it would broaden Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) reviews of foreign purchases of certain agricultural lands. She emphasized that AAJC is in active discussions with Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) and others on the Hill to ensure civil rights safeguards are reflected in the final bill. Joanna also addressed Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s recent proclamation labeling The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) a “foreign terrorist organization” and “transnational criminal organization.” She stressed that AAJC views this as “an attempt to weaponize state power against a religious minority” and is working with interfaith and civil rights partners to oppose discriminatory actions. She noted that CAIR has already filed a federal lawsuit in response. She closed by expressing AAJC’s appreciation for the APA Justice community and said the organization looks forward to sharing a full 2025 wrap-up in the new year. 3. Update from Asian American Scholar Forum Speaker: Gisela Perez Kusakawa, Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), gpkusakawa@aasforum.org [not able to attend] 4. Update from Chinese American Citizens Alliance Speaker: Kin Yan Hui, National President, Chinese American Citizens Alliance Kin Yan Hui was recently elected to be National President of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance (C.A.C.A.), He previously served as National Executive Vice President from 2023 to 2025 and as National Vice President for Membership from 2017 to 2023. He is also a Past President of the San Antonio Lodge. In his hometown of San Antonio, Kin serves as the Zoning Commissioner for the City of San Antonio’s District 6, representing 165,000 residents. He also sits on the Bexar County Civil Service Commission. A retired civil servant with over 35 years of service in the U.S. Department of the Air Force, Kin concluded his career in 2017 as Chief Engineer for four Air Force Cyber Weapon Systems. In that role, he led a team of more than 75 engineers and technical professionals developing and acquiring advanced cyber capabilities for the Air Force. Kin holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Houston, a Master of Arts in Management from Webster University, and was an Executive Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University. In his remarks, Kin offered a detailed overview of the organization’s 130-year history, its national footprint, and his vision for strengthening its role in the Chinese American community. Opening with characteristic humor—“As a good bureaucrat, I have to have PowerPoint slides, so please put up with that”—Kin set a collegial tone before walking the audience through C.A.C.A.’s mission: “to practice and defend Chinese American citizenship and to preserve our cultural and historical heritage, because without historical and cultural preservation, we are not a people.” Kin traced C.A.C.A.’s roots to 1895, when it was founded in San Francisco as the Native Sons of the Golden State. By 1915, it had reorganized under its current name and expanded nationally. He highlighted several moments of historic significance, including the organization’s advocacy for repealing the Chinese Exclusion Act, testimony before Congress in the 1940s, efforts that led to the War Brides Act and Chinese Alien Wives Act, and more recent achievements such as the 2012 Congressional Statement of Regret and the 2018 Congressional Gold Medal awarded to Chinese American World War II veterans. The medal project, Kin recalled, was a challenge—“It was during COVID, and we were having a very difficult time doing that”—but C.A.C.A. persisted and continues to locate families who were unaware of their eligibility. C.A.C.A. today includes 20 lodges and roughly 3,000 members, historically concentrated along the West Coast but growing rapidly in the South and Southwest. Kin emphasized that while the national board provides guidance and resources, “a lot of the work that’s being done is really at the lodge level.” His vision for the future focuses on restoring prominence, strengthening impact, and ensuring relevance nationwide. Conversations with community leaders, he noted, have helped sharpen that mission: “Not just for the C.A.C.A., but for the greater Chinese American community at large.” To support this vision, Kin outlined strategic goals: empowering lodges, improving messaging and partnerships, increasing membership, and defending birthright citizenship. Membership development will include a new pipeline, service recognition programs, and a youth advisory council—critical, he noted, because “we are all volunteers, with no paid staff, so we must appreciate every minute we get from volunteers.” On birthright citizenship, Kin recounted internal skepticism from some members who believed constitutional rights were secure. His response was grounded in risk management: “The risk may be low, but the severity is so high that we have to address it.” C.A.C.A. will establish a dedicated project team to prepare for and respond to potential policy threats. Kin concluded by reaffirming C.A.C.A.’s long-standing role and future direction: “I just want to introduce the organization…and give you a glimpse into what we are planning to do in the next two years.” He expressed gratitude for the chance to connect with allied organizations and strengthen shared commitments to civil rights, community empowerment, and cultural preservation. 5. Updates from American Civil Liberties Union · Speaker: Patrick Toomey , Deputy Director, National Security Project, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Patrick returned to provide an in-depth briefing on two major areas of ongoing ACLU litigation: the challenge to Florida’s discriminatory housing law (SB 264) in Shen v. Simpson, and the national-security–related litigation surrounding the federal government’s use of the Alien Enemies Act. Both issues, he noted, remain of high importance to Asian American communities and immigrant-rights advocates across the country. Patrick began by reminding the audience that the ACLU is engaged in a wide range of immigration and civil rights litigation, including work related to birthright citizenship, which had been referenced earlier in the meeting. For purposes of this briefing, however, he focused on the two cases in which he is personally involved. I. Shen v. Simpson – Florida’s SB 264 Housing Restrictions Patrick first summarized developments in Shen v. Simpson, a challenge to Florida’s SB 264, a law that restricts property ownership by immigrants from China and six other “countries of concern.” The law prohibits non-citizens and non-green-card-holders from these countries from buying property in large parts of Florida, with only narrow exceptions. The ACLU—together with AALDEF, CALDA, the DeHeng Law Firm, Quinn Emanuel, and the ACLU of Florida—represents four individual Chinese immigrant plaintiffs and a real estate company that serves primarily Chinese clients. On November 4, 2025, a divided panel of the Eleventh Circuit declined to issue a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of SB 264, which Patrick described as “disappointing.” Much of the decision turned on the court's ruling that the plaintiffs lacked "standing" to challenge the law's main restriction on property purchases. However, he highlighted an important clarification in the ruling: the court narrowed the law’s application and found that it does not apply to certain Chinese immigrants who live in Florida and intend to remain there indefinitely. That clarification, he explained, provides meaningful—but limited—relief to affected communities. He emphasized the broader context. SB 264 echoes a long history of “alien land laws” targeting Asians and other immigrant groups under the guise of national security. The ACLU views the law as part of a nationwide resurgence of discriminatory state-level property restrictions, which mirror policies from the early 20th century. Looking ahead, Patrick explained that next steps remain uncertain. The Eleventh Circuit must first issue a formal order returning the case to the district court. Once that occurs, the ACLU and the state defendants will submit a status update proposing a schedule for next steps in the case. He assured the audience that updates will be provided as the litigation team decides how to move forward in light of the Eleventh Circuit's decision. II. Alien Enemies Act Litigation Patrick then turned to the ACLU’s ongoing challenges to the federal government’s use of the Alien Enemies Act, a 1798 statute allowing deportation of nationals from countries with which the U.S. is at war. In March of this year, he explained, the government used the Act to deport hundreds of Venezuelan nationals. These individuals were transported first to El Salvador and detained in the notorious “Terrorism Confinement Center,” before later being transferred to Venezuela. These individuals had no opportunity to contest their designation or removal under the AEA. 1. The Fifth Circuit Case (for individuals still in the U.S.) The ACLU represents Venezuelan nationals who remain in the United States and continue to face potential deportation under the Act. In June, the ACLU argued the case before a three-judge panel of the Fifth Circuit, which issued a 2–1 decision ruling the government’s use of the Act unlawful. The government then requested an en banc hearing before the full Fifth Circuit, which was granted. Briefing is underway, and oral argument is scheduled for late January. Because the case raises significant questions about executive power and wartime authorities, Patrick noted that Supreme Court review is likely. Importantly, deportations under the AEA are currently paused while the litigation proceeds. 2. District Court Litigation in Washington, D.C. (for individuals already deported) A second challenge focuses on those who were removed in March with no due process. The ACLU is seeking a new preliminary injunction that would allow deported individuals the opportunity to bring habeas and due-process claims that they were unable to pursue before being transported out of the country. Toomey noted that this group was deported “under cover of darkness,” without notice, hearings, or the ability to consult counsel. These cases, he stressed, raise profound constitutional questions about due process, wartime authority, and the treatment of immigrant communities. Both remain active and will likely continue into 2026. Conclusion Patrick closed by encouraging attendees to stay engaged as litigation moves forward. He invited follow-up questions through the chat or by email and reaffirmed the ACLU’s commitment to defending the civil rights and liberties of immigrant communities targeted by discriminatory laws and emergency powers. The outcomes of these cases, he noted, will have significant implications for Asian American communities, Venezuelan immigrants, and the broader legal landscape governing immigration enforcement. 6. Update from National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Speaker: Edgar Chen , Special Advisor, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) Edgar Chen, Special Policy Advisor for the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), provided an overview of NAPABA’s recent annual convention and the organization’s broader civil-rights–focused work. He began by thanking APA Justice for the opportunity to share updates and participated in discussion of Florida’s SB 264 during the Q&A. Edgar explained that NAPABA represents more than 80,000 Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students across the United States, with additional Canadian affiliates. Each year, NAPABA convenes members in a different host city for its annual convention. The 2025 gathering took place in Denver, Colorado, and was NAPABA’s second-largest convention ever, with over 2,800 attendees. He noted that last year’s Seattle convention reached a record 3,400 attendees and featured Governor Gary Locke as an opening speaker. Edgar highlighted several elements of the Denver convention that intersect with current civil rights issues. Responding to earlier panel discussion about the federal Community Relations Service (CRS), he noted that CRS — often called “the nation’s peacemakers” — has historically had four directors of Asian American descent: Grand Lum, Rose Ochi, Justin Locke, and Julius Nam. Grand Lum participated in a Denver panel on alternative dispute resolution. Edgar also connected other speakers’ points to NAPABA’s recent work, noting, for example, that NAPABA included the Congressional Gold Medal for Chinese American WWII veterans as part of its 2018 lobby-day agenda. NAPABA’s continuing legal education offerings at the convention spanned more than 43 breakout sessions covering emerging and specialized practice areas, including artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, healthcare law, tariffs, and even Asian American leadership in the outdoor and skiing industries — a nod to the Colorado setting. From this broad program, Edgar emphasized several civil rights sessions that were most relevant to the APA Justice audience. These included programming on birthright citizenship, such as a reenactment of the landmark Wong Kim Ark case; discussions about discrimination against Pacific Islander women; sessions addressing sexual violence; and a program on language access in the wake of the recent rescission of the Clinton-era executive order guaranteeing federal language-access services. The convention also explored book bans and the erosion of intersectional identities in public education and discourse. Edgar personally moderated a panel on immigration enforcement featuring Greg Chen of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. He summarized the panel’s key conclusion: the central issue currently shaping immigration outcomes is “discretion,” particularly the growing use of negative discretion across U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and other parts of the federal immigration system. He stressed that, beyond ICE, these shifts have implications for refugees, asylum seekers, and vulnerable communities — especially in the context of the recent shooting in Washington, D.C., which has further intensified national debate over immigration policy and public safety. The convention also featured a major plenary session with Justice Goodwin Liu of the California Supreme Court and Ajay Mehrotra of the American Bar Foundation. They discussed the “Portrait Project,” a data-driven analysis of AANHPI representation in the legal profession and the barriers that impede career advancement. The research identifies three persistent barriers: lack of mentorship, limited networking infrastructure, and insufficient development of soft skills that are rarely taught in law school but crucial to professional success. Edgar emphasized that first-generation lawyers in particular face challenges in navigating these unwritten rules of the legal profession, and that part of NAPABA’s mission is helping to close these gaps. He also noted that NAPABA honored several Trailblazers this year, including Committee of 100 member Alan Tse and Rutgers Law Professor Rose Cuison-Villazor, both widely recognized for their leadership and contributions to civil rights and legal scholarship. The convention concluded with a gala featuring an in-depth conversation between actor Rich Ting and journalist Katie Fang — a session Edgar described as especially compelling. Looking ahead, Edgar announced that the next NAPABA convention will take place in Los Angeles, where attendance could reach 5,000 members. He invited APA Justice participants and interested community members to follow upcoming announcements about the 2026 program. 7. Q&A and Discussions 8. Next Meeting The next monthly meeting will be held on Monday, January 5, 2026, starting 1:55 pm ET/10:55 am PT Back View PDF December 1, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

All Webinars 2020-2022 China Initiative A Dialogue Between the Academic & Asian American Communities and the FBI Watch Read More 1. Bridging Nations: People-to-people Exchange in U.S.-China Relations Watch Read More China Initiative: Past and Present 中国行动的前世今生 Watch Read More 1. From Past Prejudice to Present Policy: The Impact of Land Ownership Exclusion Laws on Diverse Communities Watch Read More 2. Fair Housing Rights & Alien Land Laws: Challenges and Advocacy for the Asian American Community Watch Read More 1. A Call to Stop Senate Bill 147 and All Alien Land Laws Watch Read More 2. Historical Re-Hash - Alien Land Law and SB147 Watch Read More Perils of Warrantless Surveillance: The Case for Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Reform Watch Read More Reflecting on Prof. Gang Chen’s Case & Looking Ahead to the Future of the China Initiative Watch Read More 1. The Human and Scientific Costs of The "China Initiative" Watch Read More 2. Policy Needs for U.S. Science and Scientists Watch Read More 3. Building Coalition Against “China Initiative” Discrimination - Fighting racial targeting of Asian Americans and communities of color, past & present Watch Read More 4. Legal Resources and Policy Advocacy - How to Combat Racial Profiling Under the “China Initiative” Watch Read More 5. The Mistrial of Professor Anming Hu under the "China Initiative" Watch Read More Capstone Town Hall: The End of The "China Initiative" Watch Read More 1. The Human and Scientific Costs of The "China Initiative" Watch Read More 2. Policy Needs for U.S. Science and Scientists Watch Read More 3. Building Coalition Against “China Initiative” Discrimination - Fighting racial targeting of Asian Americans and communities of color, past & present Watch Read More 4. Legal Resources and Policy Advocacy - How to Combat Racial Profiling Under the “China Initiative” Watch Read More 5. The Mistrial of Professor Anming Hu under the "China Initiative" Watch Read More Capstone Town Hall: The End of The "China Initiative" Watch Read More Webinars

Read More 1. A Call to Stop Senate Bill 147 and All Alien Land Laws Friday, February 17, 2023 12:00 AM Read More 1. Bridging Nations: People-to-people Exchange in U.S.-China Relations Thursday, October 16, 2025 12:00 AM Read More 1. From Past Prejudice to Present Policy: The Impact of Land Ownership Exclusion Laws on Diverse Communities Wednesday, December 11, 2024 12:00 AM Read More 1. The Human and Scientific Costs of The "China Initiative" Wednesday, September 30, 2020 12:00 AM Read More 2. Fair Housing Rights & Alien Land Laws: Challenges and Advocacy for the Asian American Community Tuesday, March 4, 2025 12:00 AM Read More 2. Historical Re-Hash - Alien Land Law and SB147 Wednesday, March 1, 2023 12:00 AM Read More 2. Policy Needs for U.S. Science and Scientists Wednesday, December 2, 2020 12:00 AM Read More 3. Building Coalition Against “China Initiative” Discrimination - Fighting racial targeting of Asian Americans and communities of color, past & present Wednesday, February 24, 2021 12:00 AM Read More 4. Legal Resources and Policy Advocacy - How to Combat Racial Profiling Under the “China Initiative” Wednesday, April 28, 2021 12:00 AM Read More 5. The Mistrial of Professor Anming Hu under the "China Initiative" Wednesday, June 23, 2021 12:00 AM Read More A Dialogue Between the Academic & Asian American Communities and the FBI Thursday, June 6, 2024 12:00 AM Read More Capstone Town Hall: The End of The "China Initiative" Thursday, March 17, 2022 12:00 AM

Page not found. (Error 404) Double check the website address and retype it in the address bar—or return to homepage. Back to Homepage

Latest News This is a repository of News items that APA Justice collects as supporting facts and references. In addition to reports from the traditional media outlets including newspaper, television, and radio, it also includes but is not limited to digital news platforms, news agencies, specialized outlets and podcasts, journal and organizational reports, and blogs. The Search box in the menu line may help you to look for your specific topic of interest. Read More California Civil Rights Group Joins Fight Against Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Changes Jul 13, 2025 · LAist Read More After Northwestern Scientist Questioned for China Ties Died by Suicide, Family Sues and Speaks Out Jul 12, 2025 · NBC News Read More Tracking the Lawsuits Against Trump’s Agenda Jul 11, 2025 · New York Times Read More Federal Judge Issues New Nationwide Block Against Trump’s Order Seeking to End Birthright Citizenship Jul 10, 2025 · CNN Read More What’s Next for President Donald Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Order in the Courts Jul 10, 2025 · AP Read More Judge Blocks Trump’s Order restricting Birthright Citizenship Jul 10, 2025 · NBC Read More U.S. to Ban Chinese Purchases of Farmland, Citing National Security Jul 08, 2025 · Washington Post Read More New USDA Program Ties Food Security to National Defense Jul 08, 2025 · Department of Defense Read More Agriculture Dept. to Crack Down on Chinese Ownership of American Farmland Jul 08, 2025 · New York Times Read More Family of China-Born Neuroscientist Jane Wu Files Death-Related Civil Complaint in U.S Jul 01, 2025 · South China Morning Post Read More Want a Student Visa? The U.S. Government Needs Your Vine Account Jul 01, 2025 · The Intercept Read More We Asked 5 AI Models to Fact Check Trump. Here’s What We Learned Jul 01, 2025 · Washington Post < < 1 1 1

Latest Posts Court Hearing and A New Movement Emerges July 24, 2023 We published a Special Edition of our newsletter to cover the July 18 court hearing on Florida's new discriminatory housing law. Read More Lawsuit Against Florida Senate Bill 264 May 22, 2023 A group of Chinese citizens who live, work, study, and raise families in Florida filed a lawsuit to combat Florida’s discriminatory property law, SB 264. Read More Texas House Bill 1075 and Senate Bill 552 January 23, 2023 Texas state representatives are attempting to stop foreign governments from purchasing Texas agricultural land. Read More Rep. Judy Chu's New Year Greetings and 2022 Review January 9, 2023 During the first APA Justice monthly meeting of 2023, Rep. Judy Chu, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, reviewed the accomplishments of 2022, highlighted by the end of the "China Initiative" and Sherry Chen's historic settlement. Read More Campaign to Oppose The Nomination of Casey Arrowood July 29, 2022 Academics, elected officials, and civil rights groups across the country are raising concerns about the nomination of Casey Arrowood to be US Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee. Read More APA Justice Calls for Release of Report on Review of "China Initiative" March 8, 2022 On March 8, 2022, APA Justice sent a letter to Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen, calling for the release of a report on the Department of Justice's review of the “China Initiative.” Read More Texas man accused of attacking Asian family over racist coronavirus fears pleads guilty to hate-crime charges February 24, 2022 Nearly two years later, a 21-year-old Texas man who attempted to kill an Asian man and his young child has pleaded guilty to federal hate-crime charges. Read More 12. China Initiative Ends February 23, 2022 Assistant Attorney General Matt Olsen announced the end of the China Initiative. The 1,210 days of the Initiative were extremely damaging to individuals and their families, as well as the Asian American and scientific communities. The end of the China Initiative is a welcomed start to correct the harms it caused. APA Justice is committed to continue its work to address racial profiling and seek justice and fairness for the Asian Pacific American communities. Read More 11. MIT Technology Review Investigative Reports December 2, 2021 On December 2, 2021, MIT Technology Review published two investigative reports on the China Initiative as newly appointed Assistant Attorney General Matt Olsen was conducting a review of the initiative. Read More < < 1 1 1 What's the best flavor? Activists Including APA Justice Resist New "Red Scare" Chinese Americans are increasingly finding themselves targeted by the US in what has become the new "Red Scare."

Just a minute, we’re fixing something here. (Error 500) We hope to be back online very soon.