Newsletter - #84 State Of Insecurity Report; 09/13 Meeting Summary/Video; "China Initiative" Unraveling #84 State Of Insecurity Report; 09/13 Meeting Summary/Video; "China Initiative" Unraveling Back View PDF September 17, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

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

Newsletter - #65 06/07 Meeting Summary; WH/Hill Meetings; Anming Hu Trial; Government Transparency; + #65 06/07 Meeting Summary; WH/Hill Meetings; Anming Hu Trial; Government Transparency; + Back View PDF June 10, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

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

Newsletter - #359 Andy Phillips to Speak on 11/3; Dr. Wen Ho Lee; 6/2 Meeting Summary Posted; C.N. Yang+ #359 Andy Phillips to Speak on 11/3; Dr. Wen Ho Lee; 6/2 Meeting Summary Posted; C.N. Yang+ In This Issue #359 · Attorney Andy Phillips to Speak at APA Justice Monthly Meeting · Recalling the Case of Dr. Wen Ho Lee · Summary of June 2025 APA Justice Monthly Meeting Posted · In Memoriam: Chan Ning Yang (1922-2025) · News and Activities for the Communities Attorney Andy Phillips to Speak at APA Justice Monthly Meeting Attorney Andy Phillips , Managing & Founding Partner of Meier Watkins Phillips Pusch LLP, will speak at the upcoming APA Justice monthly meeting on November 3, 2025. He represents Dr. Yanping Chen 陈燕平 in Yanping Chen v. FBI (24-5050) . Dr. Chen is a naturalized U.S. citizen from China and longtime educator who founded the University of Management and Technology in Arlington, Virginia. She filed a Privacy Act lawsuit against the U.S. Departments of Justice, Defense and Homeland Security, as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), after a 6-year investigation by the FBI into her past affiliations and immigration history concluded without charges in 2016. After the investigation closed, confidential information from the probe was leaked to media outlets, particularly Fox News reporter Catherine Herridge , which aired stories implying Dr. Chen was involved in espionage. Dr. Chen filed a lawsuit in December 2018 against the Departments of Justice, Defense and Homeland Security, as well as the FBI, asserting a coordinated violation of her privacy rights and focusing on the leak of protected investigation materials. In February 2024, a District Court held Herridge in civil contempt for refusing to disclose her source and imposed a fine of $800 per day—an order stayed pending appeal. The case has major implications for press freedom, racial equity, and privacy rights in national security investigations. APA Justice joined advocacy groups by filing an amicus brief led by Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), arguing that the treatment of Dr. Chen reflects broader issues of systemic bias against Chinese Americans. On September 30, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit affirmed the district court’s order holding Herridge in civil contempt for refusing to disclose her confidential source despite a valid subpoena. Andy Phillips’s practice focuses on counseling clients faced with unfavorable media coverage or other reputational attacks. He has years of experience representing clients in defamation lawsuits before state and federal courts across the country. He has litigated against many of the country’s most well-known media organizations, including Rolling Stone Magazine , The New York Times , CNN , and Fox News . Andy is one of only six attorneys in the United States to be ranked by Chambers for expertise in Plaintiff’s-side First Amendment litigation . 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 . Recalling the Case of Dr. Wen Ho Lee Dr. Wen Ho Lee 李文和 , a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Taiwan, was a senior nuclear scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), where he worked for more than 20 years developing computer codes used to simulate nuclear explosions. In the late 1990s, amid heightened concerns about Chinese nuclear espionage, the FBI and Department of Energy (DOE) began investigating possible leaks of nuclear-weapons data to China. Dr. Lee became a target largely due to his ethnicity.In 1999, the government indicted Dr. Lee on 59 felony counts for allegedly downloading and transferring classified files from secure to unclassified computers. During the investigation, government officials leaked information to the press portraying Dr. Lee as a potential spy. Major media outlets including New York Times , Washington Post , and Los Angeles Times widely published these allegations, effectively convicting him in the public eye before trial.By 2000, it became clear that the government lacked evidence of espionage or criminal intent. Dr. Lee spent nine months in solitary confinement before pleading guilty to a single count of mishandling restricted data; the remaining 58 charges were dropped. Federal Judge James A. Parker publicly criticized the government for its handling of the case, apologizing to Dr. Lee for his treatment and calling the investigation an embarrassment to the nation.Following his release, Dr. Lee filed a civil lawsuit under the Privacy Act against federal agencies and five major media organizations that had reported the leaked allegations. Brian Sun , now a partner at Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP, served as Lee’s lead attorney. Brian Sun framed the case as a crucial defense of civil liberties, privacy rights, and due process, arguing that government leaks had violated Lee’s rights and irreparably harmed his reputation. He successfully navigated complex issues involving media source protection and the disclosure of sensitive documents, ultimately securing a landmark settlement.In June 2006, the case was settled: the U.S. government paid $895,000, and the media organizations contributed $750,000 toward Dr. Lee’s legal fees, with no admission of wrongdoing. The settlement, guided by Brian Sun’s litigation strategy, reinforced the principle that government officials cannot use leaks to publicly convict individuals without evidence.On June 3, 2006, Brian Sun told the Los Angeles Times that the settlement provides “a measure of vindication and accountability.” “We believe the settlement will send a message to government officials that they should not engage in unlawful leaks about private citizens,” he said, “and journalists should be sensitive in reporting information that is divulged from officials who have an agenda.”As noted in the American Physical Society's “ Viewpoint: Wen Ho Lee’s Settlement ” on August 1, 2006, the case of Dr. Wen Ho Lee remains a landmark in the intersection of science, national security, civil liberties, and media responsibility. The APS analysis emphasized that while the settlement brought an end to the litigation, it left unresolved the deeper tensions between government secrecy, press freedom, and the protection of individual rights. It underscored how Dr. Lee's case became a cautionary tale—reminding both policymakers and the scientific community that the pursuit of security must never come at the cost of justice, due process, or human dignity. Summary of June 2025 APA Justice Monthly Meeting Posted Summary for the June 2025 APA Justice monthly meeting has been posted at https://bit.ly/48ABX4J . We thank these distinguished speakers for sharing their insightful remarks and updates: · Judy Chu , Chair Emeritus, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus; Member, U.S. House of Representatives · Judith Teruya , Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus · Jiny Kim , Vice President of Policy and Program, Advancing Justice | AAJC · Gisela Perez Kusakawa , Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) · Ya Liu , Member, North Carolina House of Representatives · Juanita Brent , Member, Ohio House of Representatives · Edgar Chen , Special Policy Advisor, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) · Aki Maehara , Professor, Historian, East Los Angeles College Past APA Justice monthly meeting summaries are available at https://www.apajusticetaskforce.org/library-newsletters-summaries *****On April 29, 2025, Professor Aki Maehara , age 71, was riding his electric bicycle home in Montebello when a car struck him from behind. The driver shouted anti-Asian slurs before and after the collision. Professor Maehara believes he was targeted due to his academic work and previous threats he had received.The attack left Professor Maehara with serious injuries, including a concussion, fractured cheekbone, neck pain, and a lacerated elbow. The dental damage was particularly severe, requiring extensive and costly dental implant surgery. Professor Maehara returned to teaching at East Los Angeles College shortly after the incident. A GoFundMe was updated in August 2025, describing his need for a home health aide and major dental surgery.The Montebello Police Department is investigating the incident as a possible hate crime and attempted vehicular homicide. Some have criticized the police investigation, claiming key information from Professor Maehara was initially omitted from the report. As of October 2025, the department has not publicly identified any suspects in the case despite being "No. 1 priority" since May. In Memoriam: Chan Ning Yang (1922-2025) Chen Ning Yang (杨振宁) , one of the world’s most renowned theoretical physicists and a Nobel prize winner, died on October 18, 2025, in Beijing at the age of 103 after an illness.Born in Hefei, Anhui Province, China, in 1922, Yang received his early education in China before earning his bachelor’s degree from the National Southwestern Associated University in Kunming during wartime. He later pursued graduate studies in the United States, earning his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1948 under the mentorship of Enrico Fermi .Yang’s groundbreaking contributions reshaped modern physics. He and his collaborator Tsung-Dao Lee (李政道) proposed in 1956 that parity — long assumed to be conserved — could be violated in weak nuclear interactions. The theory was soon confirmed experimentally, leading to their shared Nobel Prize in Physics in 1957. Beyond parity violation, Yang made profound advances in statistical mechanics, gauge theory, and the Yang–Mills theory — a cornerstone of the Standard Model of particle physics.After teaching at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton University, Yang joined Stony Brook University in 1966, where he founded the Institute for Theoretical Physics (now named the C.N. Yang Institute for Theoretical Physics) and mentored generations of scientists. In 2003, Yang returned to China, joining Tsinghua University as an honorary professor and continuing to promote international scientific exchange.Known for his intellectual rigor and lifelong curiosity, Yang’s career spanned the era from wartime China to the quantum age, symbolizing the global nature of scientific inquiry. He inspired several generations of young people in both the United States and China to pursue science with passion and integrity. His legacy endures not only through his discoveries but also through his commitment to fostering dialogue between China and the world in science and education. News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/10/23 C100 Asian American Career Ceilings Initiative: Asian American Women in the Law2025/11/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/11/03 Advocacy 101 for Scholars, Scientists, and Researchers2025/11/20 Cook County Circuit Court Hearing2025/11/25 Committee of 100 Conversations – “Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes” with Elaine ChaoVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. In Memoriam: Jerome Cohen (1930-2025) Jerome A. Cohen , a pioneering scholar of Chinese law and a leading voice for human rights, died on September 22, 2025, at his home in Manhattan. He was 95.Born in New York City in 1930, Cohen graduated from Yale Law School, clerked for Chief Justice Earl Warren and Justice Hugo Black , and began his academic career at the University of California, Berkeley. Fascinated by China, he studied Mandarin in the early 1960s and went on to found the East Asian Legal Studies Program at Harvard Law School in 1964, the first of its kind in the United States.After Mao Zedong ’s death, Cohen joined Paul & Weiss, advising companies entering China and helping Chinese officials understand modern commercial law. In 1990, he joined New York University School of Law, where he mentored lawyers, judges, and human rights advocates from across Asia and became an influential voice in U.S.–China legal dialogue.Renowned for his intellect and integrity, Cohen defended persecuted lawyers and dissidents and never wavered in his belief that law could be a bridge to justice. His legacy endures through the institutions he built and the generations he inspired. # # # 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 October 23, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Thank you for supporting APA Justice. To donate online, please visit https://donate.committee100.org/apa-justice/ to contribute to APA Justice through the Committee of 100. To donate by check, please address the check to: APA Justice 28 West 44th Street, Suite 1014, New York, NY 10036 Donate online

Newsletter - #115 "China Initiative" Dropped; CBS Interviews Gang Chen; Power Corrupts; Request to OSTP #115 "China Initiative" Dropped; CBS Interviews Gang Chen; Power Corrupts; Request to OSTP Back View PDF February 24, 2022 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #246 4/8 Monthly Meeting; JASON Report; Voting Gap; China Engagement; Delaware HB 322; More #246 4/8 Monthly Meeting; JASON Report; Voting Gap; China Engagement; Delaware HB 322; More In This Issue #246 · 2024/04/08 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · JASON Report on Safeguarding the Research Enterprise · Voter Registration Gap for Latinos and Asian Americans · Opinion: US Engagement Without Provocation of China · Delaware House Bill 322 Moves Forward · News and Activities for the Communities 2024/04/08 APA Justice Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, April 8, 2024, starting at 1:55 pm ET. In addition to updates by Nisha Ramachandran , Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC); Joanna YangQing Derman , Director, Advancing Justice | AAJC; and Gisela Perez Kusakawa , Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), confirmed speakers are: · Robert Underwood, Commissioner, President's Advisory Commission on AA and NHPI; Former Chair of CAPAC; Former President of University of Guam · Yvonne Lee, Commissioner, USDA Equity Commission; Former Commissioner, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights · Chenglong Li, Zhong-Ren Peng , and Jiangeng Xue , Officers of Florida Chinese Faculty Association and Professors of University of Florida · David Inoue, Executive Director, Japanese American Citizens League · Cindy Tsai, Interim President and Executive Director, Committee of 100 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 . JASON Report on Safeguarding the Research Enterprise On March 21, 2024, the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) released a new report by JASON, an independent science advisory group, titled " Safeguarding the Research Enterprise. " This report builds upon the 2019 Fundamental Research Security report. In this study, JASON was tasked to comment on specific steps NSF might take to identify sensitive areas of research and describe processes to address security in those areas. The report presents eight key findings and six recommendations for NSF's consideration. It emphasizes the importance of international collaboration in research while acknowledging various risks and the necessity to distinguish between sensitive and nonsensitive research.JASON recommendations highlight the importance of fostering a culture of research security awareness within the scientific community by providing substantive information to researchers about real risks, making resources available and encouraging continuous engagement with researchers and their institutions about the efficacy of research risk mitigation and control efforts. NSF is currently reviewing the findings and considering the implementation of recommendations as it develops new policy review processes for national security concerns. These policies are slated to be effective by the May 24, 2024, deadline set forth in the "CHIPS & Science Act of 2022."On March 31, 2024, Axios offered insights on the JASON report, suggesting caution in adding controls over fundamental science research. Many scientists emphasize the importance of an open research environment, essential for testing and exchanging results and hypotheses. Others argue that international collaborations offer insights into other countries' capabilities and help shape global science and tech standards. JASON highlights changes in fundamental research across physics, chemistry, biology, and materials science, with increasing scientific collaborations between countries. There is growing science and tech competition globally as nations invest in education and research infrastructure. The transition from basic science to practical technology is faster now, with advancements quickly commercialized. Many defense-related scientific breakthroughs are coming from civilian sectors and private companies, posing dual-use challenges. The rise of China in the science world order prompts re-evaluation of sensitive research handling.JASON advises NSF against broadly designating scientific fields as sensitive but recommends assessing project sensitivity case by case. It also cautions against expanding export controls to include fundamental research areas, warning of increased research costs, talent pipeline reduction, and hindrance to broader U.S. economic and national security interests.The project-by-project approach is "reasonable," says Tobin Smith , vice president for policy at the Association of American Universities, where the rubber hits the road for these policies.NSF is launching a Research on Research Security (RORS) program to delve into research security matters from an academic viewpoint. Currently, there is limited comprehensive data available on the issue, despite some information being published by the agency and others. NSF is working on a machine learning tool to scrutinize grants, papers, and related documents. This tool aims to uncover undisclosed affiliations, professional roles, or funding sources that could pose conflicts of commitment or interest. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) is currently developing its Research Security Program Standard Requirement . A 2021 national security memorandum directed OSTP to establish research security standards for universities and other research institutions.Read the NSF announcement: https://bit.ly/4ajpFvv . Read the JASON report: https://bit.ly/3TGukke . Read the Axios report: https://bit.ly/3VBlve2 Voter Registration Gap for Latinos and Asian Americans According to NPR on April 2, 2024, in a pivotal election year, U.S. democracy continues to face a persistent challenge among the country's electorate — gaps in voter registration rates between white eligible voters and eligible voters of color. "For years, the shares of Black, Asian and Latino citizens age 18 or older signed up to cast ballots have trailed behind that of white adult citizens, according to the Census Bureau's Current Population Survey."Based on national estimates from the last two federal election years, the disparity in registration rates between white and Asian eligible voters is around nine percentage points. Between white and Latino eligible voters, the gap is about 13 percentage points."Long-standing barriers to voter registration have made it difficult to close these gaps, and dedicated investment is needed to ensure fuller participation in elections and a healthier democracy, many researchers and advocates say," NPR said. The barriers and challenges include: · For some, economic needs overshadow political participation · Asian Americans and Latinos are less likely to be contacted by campaigns · Voting restrictions can disproportionately affect people of color · "...without our voice, nothing's going to be done" Read the NPR report: https://n.pr/49rvzcK Opinion: US Engagement Without Provocation of China According to the East Asia Forum on March 31, 2024, Johns Hopkins University Professor David Lampton and Stanford University Professor Thomas Fingar opined that the United States should seek engagement without provocation of China."China is in a phase of its foreign and domestic policy that emphasises an old bundle of policies attaching primacy to regime and national security at the cost of economic growth. At some point, China will move toward its other historical foreign policy bundle emphasising economic growth and more openness. The United States should hold open the door to the second policy package for the indefinite future, while deterring Beijing's most dangerous behaviour in its current policy incarnation. Washington needs to restore credibility to its One China Policy and lower the rhetorical temperature, a formidable challenge in the midst of a presidential election in the United States and when there is a high level of insecurity in Beijing," the professors said.Read the East Asia Forum essay: https://bit.ly/4cFddYG How Chinese Students Experience America In a comprehensive New Yorker report on April 1, 2024, Staff Writer Peter Hessler recounts his teaching experience at Sichuan University in China and tracks a class of students who have come to the United States through the Sichuan University–Pittsburgh Institute (SCUPI). All SCUPI classes were in English, and after two or three years at Sichuan University students could transfer to the University of Pittsburgh or another foreign institution. SCUPI was one of many programs and exchanges designed to direct more Chinese students to the U.S. In the 2019-20 academic year, Chinese enrollment at American institutions reached an all-time high of 372,532. A generation earlier, the vast majority of Chinese students at American universities had stayed in the country, but the pattern changed dramatically with China’s new prosperity. In 2022, the Chinese Ministry of Education reported that, in the past decade, more than eighty per cent of Chinese students returned after completing their studies abroad.In the span of a single generation, China’s enrollment rate of college-age citizens had risen from eight per cent to 51.6 per cent by 2019. Following a number of his students from China to the United States, Hessler tells a story of how COVID, guns, anti-Asian violence, and diplomatic relations have complicated the ambitions of the 300,000+ college students who come to the U.S. each year. Read the New Yorker article or listen to it at https://bit.ly/3vt00l3 (51:04). Delaware House Bill 322 Moves Forward According to Coastal-TV on April2, 2024, an act to amend title 29 of Delaware code in regard to a commission on Asian and Pacific Islander heritage and culture was recently voted on with one person in favor of the bill and four others agreeing to move it forward but with further consideration needed. House Bill 322 is sponsored by William Bush of District 29. It would bring representation of the AAPI community. The Delaware Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage and Culture would do the following: 1. Provide the Governor, members of the General Assembly, and policymakers with recommendations to promote the welfare and interests of all people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent who reside in this State 2. Establish, maintain and develop cultural ties between Asian and Pacific Islanders and Asian-Americans and Pacific Islander-Americans 3. Foster a special and compelling interest in the historical and cultural backgrounds of people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent, as well as in the economic, political, social and artistic life of the nations and territories involved 4. Help study, establish, or promote programs or events that will provide appropriate awareness of the culture, history, heritage, and language of people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent 5. Provide a platform for the promotion of the cultural and historical heritage of any people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent Asian American advocate and student at the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy, Devin Jiang , said, "We can’t have a democracy when certain groups don’t have seats at the decision-making table. And for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, we lack representation in all three branches of government in Delaware, other states across the country, and the federal government." said Jiang, "We don’t have seats in many rooms. This changes in Delaware: if passed and signed into law, HB 322 will bring about more political representation for AAPIs."Read the Coastal-TV report: https://bit.ly/3PLJXWi Blinken appoints chief diversity and inclusion officer According to NBC News on April 2, 2024, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has appointed a new chief diversity and inclusion officer at the State Department ten months after the role became vacant. The position does not require Senate confirmation. Zakiya Carr Johnson will be tasked with building a workforce that “reflects America,” Blinken said in a statement. Although most at the State Department supported Blinken’s efforts to elevate issues of diversity and inclusion, a number also said that they would have liked the opportunity to share their thoughts ahead of Carr Johnson’s appointment. Chief among the challenges facing Carr Johnson will be “a massive retention issue at the department,” said Merry Walker , president of the Asian American Foreign Affairs Association. “Especially at the mid-levels.” Representatives from other State Department employee organizations expressed similar concerns about keeping staff on board. Read the NBC News report: https://nbcnews.to/3U1kn1X News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2024/04/07 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/04/08 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2024/04/09 China Town Hall (2-part program)2024/04/17 Racially Profiled for Being A Scientist. A Discussion of the US DOJ's China Initiative2024/04/18 Corky Lee's Asian America: Fifty Years of Photographic Justice 2024/04/19 Appeals Court Hearing on Florida SB 2642024/04/19 Committee of 100 Annual Conference and GalaVisit https://bit.ly/45KGyga for event details. Back View PDF April 4, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #79 Letter To Judge; Letter To President; 2020 Census Results; 08/02 Meeting Summary #79 Letter To Judge; Letter To President; 2020 Census Results; 08/02 Meeting Summary Back View PDF August 25, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #252 5/6 Monthly Meeting; Impact of US-China Tensions; Beta Reviewers; Border Issues; CAPAC #252 5/6 Monthly Meeting; Impact of US-China Tensions; Beta Reviewers; Border Issues; CAPAC In This Issue #252 · 2024/05/06 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · AAPI Community Response to Rising Anti-Asian Hostility · Call For Beta Reviewers of China Initiative Web Page and Timecards · Chinese Students in US Tell of "Chilling" Interrogations and Deportations · Thirty Years of Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) · News and Activities for the Communities 2024/05/06 APA Justice Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, May 6, 2024, starting at 1:55 pm ET. In addition to updates by Nisha Ramachandran , Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC); Joanna YangQing Derman , Director, Advancing Justice | AAJC; and Gisela Perez Kusakawa , Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), two speakers will describe an upcoming forum with the Asian American and academic communities and the FBI in Houston, which will be co-hosted by TMAC and the Science and Technology Policy Program, Baker Institute for Public Policy, and Office of Innovation at Rice University. · Nabila Mansoor, President, Texas Multicultural Advocacy Coalition (TMAC); Executive Director, Rise AAPI · Kenneth M. Evans, Scholar in Science and Technology Policy, Baker Institute for Public Policy, Rice University We also welcome back · Rebecca Keiser , Chief of Research Security Strategy and Policy, National Science Foundation (NSF), returns to update us on the JASON report on Safeguarding the Research Enterprise , MacroPolo's Global AI Talent Tracker 2.0 , and related activities and development at NSF. 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 . AAPI Community Response to Rising Anti-Asian Hostility A panel of community leaders shared their experiences, discussed actionable steps that the AAPI community and its allies have taken, and explored future strategies to confront xenophobic challenges to the AAPI community in a morning session at the Committee 100 conference on April 19, 2024.Dr. Jeremy Wu , founder of APA Justice Task Force and a C100 member, delivered remarks to open the session, noting that Asian Americans have faced two deadly viruses in recent years - the coronavirus and the social injustice virus. Anti-Asian hostility is not new and racial profiling and xenophobia will not go away soon, he said. Community leaders and groups have been tirelessly combating discriminatory hostility and attacks on the AAPI community. We are a nation of immigrants. We value law and order, but we oppose encroachment on our civil rights and liberties under the guise of national security. We believe in U.S. democracy but stand against poor leadership, harmful policies, and rogue actors, he added. Our communities have responded with diverse strategies and actions, including advocacy, education, mobilization, coalition building, civic engagement, data collection, media collaboration, litigation, and a Yellow Whistle with the message of "We Belong." His presentation is posted here: https://bit.ly/3wbeWV7 Jennifer H. Wu , Founding Partner, Groombridge, Wu, Baughman, and Stone LLP, passionately advocated to help hate crime victims navigate both the criminal justice system and the broader parts of the recovery process where too often there is no script. She spoke about the impact of anti-Asian violence on victims and their families, including her personal experiences representing victims in NYC. In particular, she observed that she was a patent lawyer who became a civil rights lawyer because of the rising tide of anti-Asian violence. She was galvanized to action in working on the widely-publicized reports on anti-Asian violence by the Asian American Bar Association. She noted that prosecutors (District Attorneys) are elected positions but relatively few Asian Americans participate in the process of electing them and there are no Asian American District Attorneys in New York City. She concluded that individuals did not create these problems, but that we all need to come together to solve them. Edgar Chen, Special Policy Advisor, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, discussed meaningful involvement and participation in state and federal legislative advocacy efforts to combat alien land laws and other discriminatory bills. He observed that there were alternating historical cycles of physical violence against Asian Americans on the streets with codification of anti-Asian sentiment in Congress and state houses and that the community response must deploy a multi-prong approach which includes the elements of grassroots advocacy on the streets including rallies and protests, legislative engagement, and litigation in courts. In order to be effective, Chen argued, advocates must not only fight for the constitutional civil rights of Asian Americans, but must also muster strong economic arguments with empirical backing to demonstrate why discriminatory legislation is not only wrong, but damaging in other ways. Legislators who are blinded by bias will not be convinced by arguments about civil rights, but could be compelled to mitigate economic harms posed by these bills. Another strategy Chen discussed was cultivating strong working relationships with the media - first by being a trusted source of accurate information - which builds a rapport with journalists so that in addition to conveying timely factual background to assist them with their stories, your analysis and advocacy is more credible. Frank H. Wu, President, Queens College, offered candid comments on the importance of allyship and the difficulty of bridge building. He spoke about strategy and tactics. He pointed out that there is a consensus that discriminating against racial minorities is wrong, but distinguishing between citizens and aliens is normal (as in who can vote in elections), but the prejudice against Asian Americans includes the assumption they are perpetual foreigners, and, in any event, the bias toward Asian immigrants is about their racial background and not their citizenship. He discussed how coalitions succeed, such as in Texas, against alien land laws. Asian American itself brings together people whose ancestors fought wars amongst themselves. Finally, he discussed effective messaging, which needs to appeal to other Americans by invoking the ideals of democracy. Cindy Tsai , Interim President of C100, moderated the session, said "the session was an engaging blend of concepts and practical strategy. Anti-Asian sentiment is rising. It's important that the community understands the tools that are available to us to fight against discrimination and xenophobia. It was an honor to work with this panel of community leaders and activists." Call For Beta Reviewers of China Initiative Web Page and Timecards Although the Department of Justice formally ended the China Initiative in 2022, there have been repeated efforts to revive it and such attempts are anticipated to persist in 2024.As a US government national-security program created to address economic espionage, the China Initiative disproportionately targeted Asian Americans and academic communities for administrative errors and harmed academic freedom and open science.The legacy of the China Initiative is an integral part of American history, and its lessons and repercussions must not fade from memory. Failing to acknowledge its impact could pave the way for its recurrence, perpetuating injustices, racial profiling, stigmatization, harm to U.S. leadership in science and technology, and government overreach.As part of the efforts to revamp its website, APA Justice has developed a webpage and 12 timecards to cover the China Initiative from its launch in November 2018 to its announced end in February 2022. During the month of April, we went through an alpha review with key stakeholders and partners. Their feedback is being studied for implementation. We anticipate the completion of this process in the second half of May, at which point we plan to start a beta review. The goal of beta review is to gather feedback on the product's content, performance, usability, and overall user experience in real-world conditions.We are calling for up to 10 volunteers of diverse backgrounds to help us conduct the beta review. Our vision of the eventual web page and timecards on the China Initiative is an open and free resource available for advocacy, research, and education. If you are interested and ready to contribute to this important public and community service initiative, 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 . Chinese Students in US Tell of "Chilling" Interrogations and Deportations According to the Guardian on April 20, 2024, scientists at America’s leading universities complain of stalled research after crackdown at airports as tensions with China rise. The Chinese embassy in Washington said more than 70 students “with legal and valid materials” had been deported from the US since July 2021, with more than 10 cases since November 2023. The embassy said it had complained to the US authorities about each case.The exact number of incidents is difficult to verify, as the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency does not provide detailed statistics about refusals at airports. Testimonies have circulated on Chinese social media, and academics are becoming increasingly outspoken about what they say is the unfair treatment of their colleagues and students.“The impact is huge,” says Qin Yan , a professor of pathology at Yale School of Medicine in Connecticut, who says that he is aware of more than a dozen Chinese students from Yale and other universities who have been rejected by the US in recent months, despite holding valid visas. Experiments have stalled, and there is a “chilling effect” for the next generation of Chinese scientists.“It is very hard for a CBP officer to really evaluate the risk of espionage,” said Dan Berger , an immigration lawyer in Massachusetts, who represents a graduate student at Yale who, midway through her PhD, was sent back from Washington’s Dulles airport in December, and banned from re-entering the US for five years. “It is sudden,” Berger said. “She has an apartment in the US. Thankfully, she doesn’t have a cat. But there are experiments that were in progress.” Academics say that scrutiny has widened to different fields – particularly medical sciences – with the reasons for the refusals not made clear. X Edward Guo , a professor of biomedical engineering at Columbia University, said that part of the problem is that, unlike in the US, military research does sometimes take place on university campuses. “It’s not black and white … there are medical universities that also do military. But 99% of those professors are doing biomedical research and have nothing to do with the military.” But “if you want to come to the US to study AI, forget it,” Guo said.The increased scrutiny comes as Beijing and Washington are struggling to come to an agreement about the US-China Science and Technology Agreement, a landmark treaty signed in 1979 that governs scientific cooperation between the two countries. Normally renewed every five years, since August it has been sputtering through six-month extensions. Following years of scrutiny from the Department of Justice investigation into funding links to China, and a rise in anti-Asian sentiment during the pandemic, ethnically Chinese scientists say the atmosphere is becoming increasingly hostile.“Before 2016, I felt like I’m just an American,” said Guo, who became a naturalized US citizen in the late 1990s. “This is really the first time I’ve thought, OK, you’re an American but you’re not exactly an American.”On March 14, 2024, The Washington Post reported anecdotal stories on Chinese students and academics facing extra scrutiny entering the U.S.Read the Guardian report: https://bit.ly/3WmhlqT . Read the Washington Post report: https://wapo.st/43LZfju Thirty Years of Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) CAPAC was established on May 16, 1994. Congressman Norman Y. Mineta , one of the founders of CAPAC, became its first Chair (1994-1995). Since then, the Caucus has been led by four other prominent Asian American, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Members of Congress: Congresswoman Patsy Mink of Hawaii (1995-1997), Congressman Robert A. Underwood of Guam (1907-2001), Congressman David Wu of Oregon (2001-2004), and Congressman Mike Honda of California (2004-2011). The Caucus is currently led by Congresswoman Judy Chu , who became CAPAC Chair in February 2011. As AANHPI Heritage Month began on May 1, 2024, CAPAC held a press conference to mark the 30th anniversary of its founding and to highlight the vast contributions of the AANHPI community to the United States, summarized recent CAPAC achievements, and charted a path forward for AANHPIs across the country. Announced speakers included Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28), Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33), Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06), Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39), Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-36), Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Rep. Ami Bera , M.D. (CA-06), Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17), Del. Sablan (NMI-AL), Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-12), Rep. Al Green (TX-09). CAPAC is made up of 76 Members of Congress in both the House of Representatives and Senate who advance the interests of the AANHPI community. With over 70 racial and ethnic groups speaking over 100 languages, the AANHPI community includes over 23 million people and is the fastest-growing racial or ethnic group across this past decade.Read the CAPAC press statement: https://bit.ly/4dlsQEO . Visit the CAPAC website at https://capac-chu.house.gov/ White House Proclamation on AANHPI Month, 2024 On April 30, 2024, President Joe Biden issued "A Proclamation on Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month, 2024."The Proclamation said in part, "This month, we celebrate the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) communities, whose ingenuity, grit, and perseverance have pushed our great American experiment forward."Racism, harassment, and hate crimes against people of AA and NHPI heritage also persist — a tragic reminder that hate never goes away; it only hides. Hate must have no safe harbor in America — that is why I signed the bipartisan COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, which makes it easier for Americans to report hate crimes, and I also hosted the first-ever White House summit against hate-fueled violence. "Our Nation was founded on the idea that we are all created equal and deserve to be treated equally throughout our lives. We have never fully realized this promise, but we have never fully walked away from it either. As we celebrate the historic accomplishments of AA and NHPIs across our Nation, we promise we will never stop working to form a more perfect Union."Read the White House Proclamation: https://bit.ly/4djMAZC Read the AP News report about the history and evolution of the AANHPI Heritage Month: https://bit.ly/3UnZDjZ News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2024/05/02 AAGEN 2024 Executive Leadership Workshop2024/05/04 Corky Lee's Asian America: Fifty Years of Photographic Justice Book Tour2024/05/05 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting 2024/05/06 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2024/05/13-14 2024 APAICS Legislative Leadership Summit2024/05/14 2024 APAICS: 30th Annual Awards Gala2024/05/14 Serica Initiative: 7th Annual Women's Gala dinnerVisit https://bit.ly/45KGyga for event details. Back View PDF May 2, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #132 Repair Damage Done by DOJ; 2022/07/11 APA Justice Monthly Meeting; UCA Conventions #132 Repair Damage Done by DOJ; 2022/07/11 APA Justice Monthly Meeting; UCA Conventions Back View PDF July 5, 2022 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

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