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Newsletter - #395 Rep. Dave Min; Researching While Chinese; Attack on MD Delegate Chao Wu; McCarthyism + #395 Rep. Dave Min; Researching While Chinese; Attack on MD Delegate Chao Wu; McCarthyism + In This Issue #395 · Rep. Dave Min Remarks on Issues, Identity, and Political Power · Researching While Chinese - Return of The China Initiative · Racist Attack on Maryland Delegate Chao Wu · Politico: McCarthyism Is Back · News and Activities for the Communities Rep. Dave Min Remarks on Issues, Identity, and Political Power Congressman Dave Min was elected in 2024 to represent California’s 47th Congressional District in the heart of Orange County. He is the child of Korean immigrants and a product of California public schools. He previously served as a California State Senator from 2020-2024. Before becoming an elected official, Congressman Min was a law professor at UC Irvine. During the APA Justice monthly meeting on May 4, 2026, Congressman Min shared his insights and remarks on issues, identity, and political power as we start the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Rep. Min opened by introducing his district centered on Irvine and encompassing Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, and Huntington Beach as a region once defined by its conservative roots but now thriving on diversity, immigration, trade, and science. Reflecting on the breadth of the AANHPI diaspora, Rep. Min noted that the communities represented on the call span home countries accounting for roughly 60% of the global population, with immigration histories ranging from the early 1900s to the present day. While acknowledging that experiences vary widely — from Chinese and Taiwanese immigrants of decades past, to Vietnamese refugees of the war era, to more recent arrivals from Central Asia — he emphasized that these communities share important common ground: a family member who made the choice to come to America, and a deep, personal stake in the values that made that choice meaningful. Rep. Min spoke with urgency about the current political moment, noting that many Asian Americans feel the threats to democracy, immigration, and the American Dream not as abstractions, but as lived realities — particularly those whose parents and grandparents witnessed countries fall to authoritarian regimes. He observed that this heightened awareness may help explain why Asian American voters who supported Trump in the last election appear to be shifting sharply in the other direction. He also flagged concrete concerns including ICE enforcement actions, steep cuts to university and education funding, and a renewed rise in anti-Asian hate closely tied to escalating anti-China sentiment. On a hopeful note, Rep. Min celebrated the remarkable cultural ascent of Asian America. He contrasted today's landscape — where Asian food, music, television, and fashion enjoy widespread popularity — with his own experience growing up in 1980s California, when Asian Americans were largely invisible or mocked in mainstream culture, and where few Americans could distinguish between the diverse nations and peoples of Asia. Rep. Min closed with a strategic call to action. He argued that the Asian American caucus must build its political identity around issues — not just individual personalities — if it hopes to leave a lasting legacy. He pointed out that in Washington and in state capitals, other caucuses are the go-to voices on their signature issues: Latinos on immigration, Black caucuses on criminal justice, the Women's Caucus on gender equity. Asian Americans, by contrast, are rarely consulted as a bloc on any major issue. Potential areas of ownership he suggested include immigration, education, small business, and mental health. He concluded with a pointed warning: "When you're not at the table, you're on the menu" — and called on the community to change that. Watch Rep. Min’s remarks at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWW1NwGExf8 (6:59) Researching While Chinese - Return of The China Initiative In a report on May 12, 2026, Science examines a series of U.S. prosecutions of Chinese postdoctoral researchers accused of improperly shipping or transporting biological materials into the United States. The article argues that these cases have revived fears of a new version of the Trump-era China Initiative, this time focused on Chinese scientists on temporary visas rather than senior Chinese American faculty. The report centers on several cases at the University of Michigan and Indiana University. The first involved Chinese postdoc Yunqing Jian , who was arrested in June 2025 and later pleaded guilty to smuggling biological materials and making false statements. Authorities accused her and her former boyfriend, Zunyong Liu , of improperly bringing a wheat fungus into the U.S. Prosecutors described the fungus as a potential “agroterrorism weapon,” although scientists cited in the article noted the strain already exists widely in the United States and is commonly studied by plant researchers. The report also details cases involving Chengxuan Han and Youhuang Xiang , who were prosecuted for mislabeled shipments involving common laboratory materials such as plasmid DNA and the model organism C. elegans. All four convicted postdocs were deported, effectively ending their ability to continue research careers in the United States. Science emphasizes that the materials involved were not highly dangerous pathogens, but rather commonly used research tools. Critics quoted in the article argue that the government escalated relatively routine labeling and customs violations into national security cases. Former FBI agent Michael German said such prosecutions traditionally occur only when truly dangerous pathogens are involved. The article portrays FBI Special Agent Edward Nieh as a central figure connecting the investigations. The prosecutions reportedly expanded through seized phones, customs inspections, and scrutiny of Chinese-linked biological shipments. The report also highlights the broader consequences for universities and faculty advisers. Prominent plant biologists Libo Shan and Ping He , both U.S. citizens, were investigated after employing Jian, though they were ultimately cleared. Neurobiologist X.Z. Shawn Xu relocated his laboratory to China after the arrests of researchers in his lab. Indiana University scientist Roger Innes faced laboratory searches, restrictions on research exchanges, and the suspension of collaborations with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Many scientists interviewed by Science described a chilling effect across research campuses. Chinese faculty and students reportedly fear heightened scrutiny, deportation risks, and racial profiling. Some researchers told the magazine that talented Chinese scientists are increasingly declining U.S. positions in favor of opportunities in Europe, the United Kingdom, or Singapore. The report argues that although the Biden administration formally ended the China Initiative in 2022 after criticism that it unfairly targeted scientists of Chinese descent, the newer prosecutions suggest a continuation of similar concerns under a different framework. The focus has shifted from disclosure violations and alleged economic espionage to shipping and customs violations involving biological materials. At the same time, the article acknowledges that the government has legitimate authority to enforce rules governing the transport and labeling of biological samples. Prosecutors and federal officials defended the investigations as necessary to protect U.S. agricultural and national security interests. Overall, the Science report presents the cases as emblematic of growing tensions between U.S. national security priorities and the openness of the American scientific research system, particularly regarding collaborations involving Chinese scientists. Read the Science report on Researching While Chinese: https://bit.ly/4ubTFDD ***** In a report on May 11, 2026, The Chronicle of Higher Education describes the escalating federal scrutiny surrounding Roger W. Innes , an Indiana University biology professor who publicly defended Chinese postdocs prosecuted and deported by the U.S. government. The article focuses on the sudden closure and lockdown of Innes’s laboratory and adjacent research facilities at Indiana University. University police closed multiple labs, offices, and storage areas, affecting roughly 40 to 50 researchers, many with no connection to Innes’s work. The shutdown disrupted federally funded experiments, restricted access to equipment, and jeopardized ongoing biological research projects. Neither the university nor federal authorities provided a clear explanation for the closure. University administrators initially said the action was directed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), but the USDA later denied ordering the shutdown, while confirming an ongoing investigation. This contradiction intensified confusion and concern among faculty members. The Chronicle connects the investigation to Innes’s public defense of Yunqing Jian and Youhuang Xiang , Chinese researchers accused of improperly importing biological materials. Innes had written an expert letter disputing government claims that the fungal samples involved posed a national-security threat, arguing they were common research materials already present in the United States. Soon afterward, Xiang — a postdoc in Innes’s own lab — was arrested and later deported after pleading guilty to smuggling plasmid DNA. Innes told The Chronicle he believes the investigation into Xiang, and the subsequent scrutiny of his own laboratory, were retaliatory responses to his advocacy on behalf of Chinese scientists. He said the government’s message appeared to be: “Do not speak out on behalf of Chinese postdocs.” The article details how FBI agents searched Innes’s lab in December 2025, followed by a USDA inspection. Initially, USDA informed him that his lab was compliant with regulations, but later rescinded that statement, saying it had been issued “in error.” Weeks later, after Innes publicly criticized Xiang’s treatment as “100 percent politically motivated,” the lab shutdown occurred. Faculty members described the closures as abrupt and opaque. According to Innes, unidentified men in dark suits entered the lab and informed researchers they were “securing” the space. Locks were changed overnight, and even neighboring labs unrelated to Innes became inaccessible because of the building’s shared layout. Department chair Armin P. Moczek criticized the lack of transparency and said the shutdown had severely disrupted research operations. He described abandoned experiments, dying plants, inaccessible data and equipment, and growing anxiety among faculty and students. Other researchers in the department reported that major portions of their laboratories had effectively ceased functioning. The Chronicle portrays the episode as part of a broader climate of fear and uncertainty surrounding Chinese scientists and their collaborators in the United States. Faculty members interviewed expressed concern that federal investigations, national-security rhetoric, and institutional secrecy are discouraging international scientific collaboration and creating a chilling effect across university campuses. Read the Chronicle report: https://bit.ly/4fq97Hs . Read the Science report on May 9, 2026 about the lockout of Professor Roger Innes’s laboratory: https://bit.ly/3Pdf1Bj . Racist Attack on Maryland Delegate Chao Wu According to ABC7 News , AsAmNews , CBS Baltimore , Daily Record , Maryland Matters , Moco Show (2026/05/12), MoCoShow (2026/05/14), NBC4 Washington , and WBAL-TV , during the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, a deeply troubling incident unfolded in the Maryland House of Delegates. On April 30, 2026, Republican Delegates Mark Fisher and Brian Chisholm posted a 13-minute video podcast, tilted "ChiCom of the Year Award," accusing Democratic Delegate Chao Wu — a Chinese-born data scientist representing parts of Howard and Montgomery counties — of being a spy for the Chinese Communist Party, repeatedly using a derogatory slur, and mocking the way he speaks. Wu, who holds a doctorate in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Maryland, served on the Howard County Board of Education before being elected to the House of Delegates in 2022. He responded with dignity: "I am a proud new American and a public servant. Unfounded accusations and extremist conspiracy theories will not distract me from the work that matters. Xenophobia, racism, and McCarthyism have no place in our state." The backlash was swift and bipartisan. House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk escalated the matter to the Ethics Committee to investigate. AAPI Caucus Chair Delegate Lily Qi said plainly: "Xenophobia and bigotry have no place in the Maryland legislature. One can debate the merit of a bill without resorting to racist name-calling and unfounded accusations." House Minority Leader Del. Jason Buckel (R-Allegany) said he had "no reason to believe" that Wu was "somehow affiliated with the Chinese government as an American citizen and elected official," adding: "There is no place for discrimination or prejudicial treatment toward Asian-Americans based on their ethnicity in our party and that's not something our Caucus engages in or promotes in any way." Despite calls to apologize and remove the video, Fisher and Chisholm have refused to back down. Official bodies, legislative caucuses, elected leaders, and community organizations have strongly condemned the racially offensive video, including · Legislative Caucuses: The Legislative Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus , the Legislative Black Caucus , and the Legislative LGBTQ+ Caucus. · Federal Elected Officials: The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) and U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin . · State Leadership: House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk and the leader of the House Republican Caucus. · Local Governments & Councils: The Montgomery County Council and Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich . · Community Organizations : Committee of 100 , Montgomery County Progressive Asian American Network (MoCoPAAN), OCA-DC . Politico : McCarthyism Is Back According to Politico . the resurgence of McCarthyist tactics under the Trump administration — the targeting of academics, journalists, immigrants, and federal employees for perceived disloyalty — is not simply a historical echo, but the direct result of a deliberate decades-long effort by one largely overlooked figure: Jean McCarthy , wife of Senator Joe McCarthy . The report reframes Jean McCarthy as far more than a supportive spouse. She was an active intellectual and strategic partner who worked around the clock — seven days a week, often until the early morning hours — reviewing documents from Richard Nixon and J. Edgar Hoover , strengthening her husband's charges, and ghostwriting key speeches and Senate statements, including the 1951 attack on Defense Secretary George Marshall . When Senator Millard Tydings led a committee that exposed McCarthy's allegations as "a fraud and a hoax," Jean took charge of the retaliatory campaign. She moved to Baltimore, helped craft a tabloid branding Tydings a communist, and enthusiastically approved a doctored photograph falsely depicting him with Communist Party leader Earl Browder — seeing no ethical problem with the fabrication. Tydings lost his re-election bid, and a subsequent Senate investigation condemned the outside interference in the race. When Joe McCarthy died in 1957 — physically and politically broken, censured by the Senate in 1954 after Edward R. Murrow exposed him as a bully and a fraud on national television — Jean pivoted to preserving and rehabilitating his legacy. She worked closely with William F. Buckley Jr. and the editors of National Review , supplying condolence-note mailing lists that dramatically boosted the magazine's circulation, and became a featured speaker at anti-communist rallies. She fiercely guarded her husband's reputation, blocking any portrayal that failed to treat him as a hero. The article concludes that Jean McCarthy's tireless rehabilitation of McCarthyism transformed what might have been a discredited historical footnote into a durable political ideology — one that the authors trace through Barry Goldwater 's militant conservatism, Nixon's culture wars, Newt Gingrich 's scorched-earth partisanship, and ultimately Donald Trump 's authoritarian style. In the article's framing, Jean — not Joe — was McCarthyism's most enduring architect. “Democrats and Republicans remain miles apart on nearly everything these days, but there is one point on which both parties are in complete agreement: McCarthyism is back,” the report said. Read the Politico report: https://politi.co/4ueSP8X News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2026/05/20 Trump v. Barbara: Birthright Citizenship at the Supreme Court 2026/05/27 AAPI Representation on Capitol Hill: Navigating Careers and Sharing Advice 2026/06/01 APA Justice Monthly Meeting 2026/06/10 Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes - Calvin Tsao 2026/06/27-28 From Crisis to Coalition: Lessons from the Front Lines in Minneapolis/St. PaulVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Cato: Trump v. Barbara: Birthright Citizenship at the Supreme Court WHAT : Trump v. Barbara: Birthright Citizenship at the Supreme Court WHEN : May 20, 2026, 2:00-3:00 pm ET WHERE : Webinar HOST : Cato Institute Speakers: · Paul Finkelman , President William McKinley Distinguished Professor of Law and Public Policy, Emeritus, Albany Law School and Visiting Professor of Law, University of Toledo College of Law · Dan Greenberg , Senior Legal Fellow, Cato Institute · Ilya Somin , Professor of Law, George Mason University, and B. Kenneth Simon Chair in Constitutional Studies, Cato Institute · Jack Chin , Edward L. Barrett Jr. Distinguished Professor of Law and Director of Clinical Legal Education, UC Davis School of Law. DESCRIPTION: Does the Fourteenth Amendment guarantee birthright citizenship to persons born in the United States to parents without permanent immigration status? This is an insightful discussion with a group of scholars who will break down Trump v. Barbara, consider the recent Supreme Court oral argument, and explore the approaches the Court might take as it reaches a decision. REGISTRATION : https://bit.ly/4dg8Kwt 3. AAPI Representation on Capitol Hill: Navigating Careers and Sharing Advice WHAT : AAPI Representation on Capitol Hill: Navigating Careers and Sharing Advice WHEN : May 27, 2026, 6:00-7:30 pm ET WHERE : In Person: 232 East Capitol Street NE, Washington DC HOSTS : US-China Education Trust; U.S. Asia Institute Moderator: Nicholas Wu , congressional reporter at Semafor Speakers: · Allison Dong , senior communications advisor for the House Budget Committee · Tiffany Ge Elzey , staff director to Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) · Jason Li , professional staff member for the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party · Catalina Tam , nominations director to Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) DESCRIPTION: The panel will offer first-hand insight into how policy is made and what AAPI representation looks like in the legislative branch. The discussion will also examine the challenges and opportunities that have shaped panelists' careers, along with practical advice for anyone looking to forge their own path in legislative politics and policymaking. REGISTRATION : https://bit.ly/3Pg4bdP # # # 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 APA Justice website at www.apajusticetaskforce.org . We value your feedback. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org . Back View PDF May 18, 2026 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #341 Dr. Jane Wu; Class Action Injunction; Farmland Ownership; AI Summit; Affirming DEIA; + #341 Dr. Jane Wu; Class Action Injunction; Farmland Ownership; AI Summit; Affirming DEIA; + In This Issue #341 · Dr. Jane Wu's Estate Sues Northwestern University · New Nationwide Injunction Blocking Birthright Citizenship Executive Order · Agriculture Department on Chinese Ownership of American Farmland · ACLU AI Summit: Civil Rights in a Digital Age · Congressional Caucus Leaders Affirming DEIA as American Values · News and Activities for the Communities Dr. Jane Wu's Estate Sues Northwestern University Madeleine Gable, APA Justice Communications Associate, contributed to this report.According to the Daily Northwestern , NBC , South China Morning Post , and multiple media reports, Dr. Jane Ying Wu 吴瑛 's family, acting through her estate, filed a civil lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court alleging that the Northwestern University discriminated against her and contributed to her suicide. She was a tenured professor at Northwestern's Foenberg School of Medicine.As a Chinese-born neuroscientist, Dr. Wu, a naturalized U.S. citizen, conducted influential research on neurodegenerative diseases. Her work was derailed following investigations by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) tied to her Chinese background, part of the defunct "China Initiative." During this period, her lab space, funding, and team were stripped, even after NIH formally cleared her after investigations from 2019 to 2023.Following the NIH’s investigation and Northwestern’s subsequent efforts to block her work, Dr. Wu suffered from a loss of vision as a result of a stroke she had under the stress of the investigation. She also experienced depression and obsessive behavior, but she was still able to work. In May 2024, Northwestern University handcuffed and removed Dr. Wu from her office, using her emotional disability as a “pretext” to evict her. The school then partially shut down her laboratory, dismantled her research team, reassigned her grants to white male colleagues, and committed her involuntarily to psychiatric care—actions taken without family consultation. Tragically, Dr. Wu passed away by suicide on July 10, 2024, two weeks after her release from the hospital.The lawsuit claims institutional discrimination based on her national origin, sex, and disability, citing violations of the Illinois Human Rights Act and seeking both compensatory and punitive damages.In an email, Northwestern University said that its heart goes out to the family, but it “vehemently denies” the allegations in the suit. The school “plans to file a motion to dismiss it before our next pleading is due in early September” and declined to provide further details on specific allegations.Following the one-year anniversary of her mother’s passing, Dr. Wu’s daughter, Elizabeth Rao 饶婕 , opened up for the first time in an exclusive interview on the devastating impact of her mother’s treatment on their family and her own life.Rao describes her mother as a melophile, enjoying a wide variety of music from Tanya Tucker to Taiwanese pop musician Teresa Teng , and Dr. Wu ardently enjoyed spending time with her two children.Rao’s fondest memories of Dr. Wu are of her as a parent. She describes Dr. Wu as the opposite of strict and demanding, through their various moves from St. Louis to Nashville, and finally to Chicago. In each of those cities, Dr. Wu “turned simple houses into warm homes.” Rao fondly recalls holding hands with her mother while watching movies or singing along to music during long drives. “She made sure that my brother and I had got not only a great education but also got to do all the stuff of a quintessential American childhood. Sports, road trips, dance classes, choir, you name it,” Rao said.Finally, Rao articulates the lesson her mother left with their family: “her upstanding morals and conviction to fight against injustice.”Dr. Wu's case highlights broader consequences of the “China Initiative” era, as it fostered bias and mistrust toward Chinese American academics. Her tragic death and the lawsuit by her estate bring attention to serious concerns about discrimination tied to national origin and gender, university responses to federal racial profiling, and the potentially catastrophic impact of institutional mistreatment on individuals' well-being. Gisela Perez Kusakawa , executive director of the Asian American Scholar Forum, said that universities must be places of “community, support and fairness, not fear and coercion”. “We urge institutions of higher education to adopt meaningful safeguards, to prioritise mental health, and to reaffirm their commitments to non-discrimination, justice, and fairness,” she said. “Dr. Wu’s story shows us how the effect of unjust investigations into Chinese American scholars does not just end careers, it can end lives. We stand with Dr. Wu’s family and all those demanding justice and systemic change.”Read the Jane Ying Wu story at this APA Justice web page: https://bit.ly/JaneYingWu New Nationwide Injunction Blocking Birthright Citizenship Executive Order Author: Madeleine Gable, APA Justice Communications Associate According to CNN , LAist , NBC , and multiple media reports, U.S. District Judge Joseph Laplante of the District of New Hampshire issued a new injunction blocking President Trump’s executive order (EO) seeking to end birthright citizenship for the children of foreign visitors and undocumented immigrants. The lawsuit Barbara v. Trump (1:25-cv-00244) was brought on behalf of a pregnant immigrant, immigrant parents, and their infants and had sought class action status for all babies and their parents who would be affected by the EO nationwide. Petitioner “Barbara” is a citizen of Honduras living in New Hampshire. Petitioner “Sarah” is the daughter of petitioner “Susan,” a citizen of Taiwan. They live in Utah. Petitioner “Matthew” is the first child of petitioner “Mark,” a citizen of Brazil. Mark resides in Florida and is in the process of applying for lawful permanent status. Matthew was born in Florida in March 2025, and has received a U.S. passport. Mark’s wife does not have lawful status in the United States.The plaintiffs’ lead attorney is Cody Wofsy , the deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s Immigrants’ Rights Project.“We're asking the court to protect the constitutional rights of our specific class members who happen to be babies located all over the country,” said Aarti Kohli , executive director of the Asian Law Caucus, part of the coalition of civil rights groups filing the lawsuit.Laplante’s decision is significant, given the Supreme Court’s recent decision. Just two weeks ago on June 27, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled to narrow the use of nationwide injunctions, limiting the ability of lower courts to block federal policies for the entire country while litigation is pending. Effectively, this made the Supreme Court the only court in the country with the authority to block presidential policies nationwide. While the Supreme Court did not rule on the constitutionality of President Trump’s executive order seeking to limit birthright citizenship, they did pause the order for 30 days, clearing the way for the order to go into effect in the 28 states that have not challenged it. This would create a patchwork system in which each state has different rules regarding citizenship. However, the Supreme Court’s ruling kept intact the ability of plaintiffs to seek a widespread block of orders through class action lawsuits. As Laplante granted class action status to the lawsuit, he was able to issue a preliminary injunction blocking the EO from being enforced against any child born after February 20. Laplante only granted class action status to the children who would be affected by the restrictions, not the parents.During the hearing, Laplante insisted that “the deprivation of U.S. citizenship and an abrupt change of policy that was longstanding … that’s irreparable harm.” He added that birthright citizenship is “the greatest privilege that exists in the world.”Laplante paused the order for several days, granting the Trump administration ample time to appeal his decision. Agriculture Department on Chinese Ownership of American Farmland Author: Madeleine Gable, APA Justice Communications AssociateAccording to the New York Times and the Washington Post , the Department of Agriculture released a seven-point national security plan on July 9, 2025, enhancing public disclosures of foreign ownership of farmland, enacting steeper penalties for false filings, and working with Congress and states to ban purchases of farmland by foreign adversaries. Agriculture secretary Brooke Rollins claimed that American agriculture is “under threat from criminals, from political adversaries and from hostile regimes that understand our way of life as a profound and existential threat to themselves.” Rollins points specifically to the ownership of American farmland by Chinese nationals, and she advocates for the use of presidential authority to reclaim farmland currently owned by foreign entities. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke highly of the plan, insisting “no longer can foreign adversaries assume we’re not watching and we’re not paying attention and we’re not doing something about it — because we are.” Hegseth called the defensive aspects of the plan “common sense.” This follows a recent trend of growing concern over foreign ownership of American farmland. In 2023, the Senate voted to block businesses based in China from acquiring American farmland. According to a recently released report by the Committee of 100 , U.S. Congress is currently considering 15 such bills and 25 states have passed bills restricting foreign property ownership. Of the bills that have been passed in the 25 states into law, 2 bills single out Chinese citizens and prohibit non-permanent residents from owning any form of property in the state: Florida’s SB 264 (2023), and West Virginia’s HB 2961 (2025). At least two lawsuits have been filed against Florida’s SB 264: · SHEN v. SIMPSON (4:23-cv-00208) . A group of individual Chinese plaintiffs argue that SB 264 is discriminatory under the Fair Housing Act and the 14th Amendment, vague, and conflicts with federal law. The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals has temporarily halted the enforcement of SB 264 against the Chinese plaintiffs while the case proceeds. · National Fair Housing Alliance, Inc. v. Secretary of Commerce (1:24-cv-21749) . The National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA), the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA), and others, allege fair housing discrimination. In 2023, foreigners owned nearly 45 million acres of farmland in the U.S., accounting for about 3.5% of all agricultural land in the country but a 70% increase from a decade earlier. Canadians owned about a third while China held 270,000 acres or about 0.6%. The Agriculture Department’s plan also includes a myriad of measures aimed to increase agricultural productivity and safety; only some are not concerned with foreign ownership. National Agricultural Law Center provides extensive information and resources on foreign ownership of agricultural land in the United States, offering resources like FAQs, legislative roadmaps, and webinars to help understand the complexities of this issue. ACLU AI Summit: Civil Rights in a Digital Age On July 10, 2025, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) hosted its “AI Summit: Civil Rights in a Digital Age,” convening civil rights leaders, legal scholars, technologists, and philanthropists to examine how artificial intelligence is reshaping civil liberties—and how society must respond. Opening the event, ACLU General Counsel Terrence Dougherty traced today’s challenges back to the organization’s founding during the Palmer Raids of 1920, when the U.S. government targeted immigrants in mass warrantless arrests and deportations. Just as the ACLU then stood against unchecked state power, Dougherty warned that AI now presents similarly urgent threats—enabling new forms of surveillance, bias, and systemic inequality if left unregulated. Rather than embracing the Silicon Valley mantra to “move fast and break things,” the ACLU has built an in-house technology team to pursue a different path: ethical, transparent, and justice-centered AI. Dougherty emphasized that this summit aimed to bring together partners from across sectors to shape an AI future rooted in constitutional values and civil rights. In a fireside chat moderated by ACLU Chief Technology Officer Ijeoma Mbamalu , ACLU President Deborah Archer and Patrick J. McGovern Foundation President Vilas Dhar explored four central themes. It was followed by an afternoon session moderated by Marissa Gerchick , Data Science Manager at ACLU, with a team of specialists at ACLU. The four major themes were: 1. Balancing Innovation with Values : Innovation must serve justice, not just profit. Speakers urged civil society to actively shape AI, not merely react to it. That means centering community voices in system design and development, and reframing innovation to prioritize equity, agency, and dignity—especially for marginalized groups historically excluded from technological influence. 2. The Government’s Approach—Speed Over Safety : Panelists expressed concern that federal AI policy prioritizes rapid deployment over civil rights safeguards. While traditional laws like Title VII and the Fair Housing Act apply to algorithmic systems, their limitations reveal the urgent need for updated regulations. The shift away from federal oversight toward industry-led initiatives leaves a gap civil society must fill. 3. Bias, Inequality, and Civil Society’s Role : AI often magnifies entrenched discrimination—in hiring, housing, criminal justice, and beyond. The root issue is not only faulty technology but the systemic bias embedded in data and institutions. Civil rights organizations must fight for equitable access to AI infrastructure, tools, and education to prevent a deepening digital divide. 4. Building a Just and Hopeful AI Future : Looking forward, speakers called for community empowerment. Civil society must be not just watchdogs, but builders—co-creating technology that serves the public good. This includes public investment in ethical AI, grassroots innovation, and sustained legal and policy advocacy. Calls to Action The summit concluded with a series of actionable priorities for both internal ACLU efforts and broader societal engagement: · Community-Centered AI Development : Involve marginalized communities from the start—as co-designers, not passive recipients. Fund local expertise and create advisory structures that ensure ongoing input. · Philanthropy and Civil Society Responsibility : Fund not just oversight, but community-led AI solutions. Civil rights groups must lead in articulating a vision of technology that supports justice. · Stronger Legal and Regulatory Frameworks : While existing laws apply, new rules are needed to mandate algorithmic audits, transparency, and accountability. · Public AI Infrastructure : Invest in open-source tools, public data trusts, and academic partnerships to shift power away from monopolistic tech firms and toward the common good. · Ethical Innovation Culture : Shift from speed to intentionality. Evaluate AI through risk-based, mission-aligned frameworks that prioritize long-term equity over short-term gain. Watch the ACLU AI Summit video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul73KZfy5P0 (2:14:15) Congressional Caucus Leaders Affirming DEIA as American Values On July 10, 2025, six major Congressional Caucuses—the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), Congressional Equality Caucus (CEC), Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), the Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC), and the Congressional Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Caucus (DEIC) introduced a joint resolution affirming that diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are fundamental to the American Dream and to our national prosperity, safety, and democracy. The resolution comes in response to growing attacks on DEIA programs and policies across the country. It calls on all levels of government, educational institutions, workplaces, and other organizations to uphold and promote inclusivity, remove barriers to opportunity, and ensure equal access to services and resources. "Every American deserves to have a fair shot at success, but for far too many in our country, this is simply not the reality. Millions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, along with other historically marginalized communities, continue to face discrimination in housing, healthcare, education, and employment," said Rep. Grace Meng, Chair of CAPAC. "Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility is about building a future where everyone can succeed and thrive. We will not let this administration sow division and roll back the progress we have made to ensure equal opportunity for all." On May 21, 2025, Senator Mazie Hirono led 11 of her Senate colleagues, including every Democratic member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, in introducing Senate Resolution 240 reaffirming the importance of DEIA as fundamental values in the United States. “Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility are fundamental to our country’s history and culture,” said Senator Hirono. “Our diversity is one of our nation’s greatest strengths, as Americans from different backgrounds come together to move their communities and our country forward. As Donald Trump and Republicans attack marginalized communities across the country and attempt to erase their contributions from our shared history, I’m proud to lead this resolution reaffirming the importance of these values that truly make our nation great.” News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/07/25-27 Asian American Pioneer Medal Symposium and Ceremony 2025/07/27 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/07/29 C100 Conversations – “Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes” with Linda Chao Yang2025/07/29 From Heartland to Mainland: 2025 Future Ag Leaders Delegation2025/08/02-07 2025 Joint Statistical Meetings2025/08/04 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/08/10 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. From Heartland to Mainland: 2025 Future Ag Leaders Delegation WHAT: From Heartland to Mainland: 2025 Future Ag Leaders Delegation WHEN: July 29, 2025, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm CT WHERE: Webinar HOST: US Heartland China Association Speakers: · Morgan Barba , Kansas State University · Imani Murphy , Tuskegee University · Parker Havard , Michigan State University · Samuel Martin , Iowa State University · Lauren Thornhill , Ohio State University · Nathan Unruh , Dickerson State University DESCRIPTION: As participants of the recent trip organized by USHCA, these delegates had a front-row-seat opportunity to observe and explore the impact of U.S.-China collaboration around agriculture as they visited Beijing and Zhengzhou, capital city of Henan Province. Hear the firsthand experiences of students as they delve into the complexities and opportunities in U.S.-China agricultural collaboration and the realities of on the ground engagement. REGISTRATION : https://bit.ly/46GqqzN # # # 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 July 14, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #36 Sign-Ons Extended; Event For Zach; "New Red Scare" Wins Award; 01/04 Meeting; More #36 Sign-Ons Extended; Event For Zach; "New Red Scare" Wins Award; 01/04 Meeting; More Back View PDF December 22, 2020 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #257 6/3 Monthly Meeting; Clear & Fair Law Enforcement; FBI Forum; China Initiative 2.0; + #257 6/3 Monthly Meeting; Clear & Fair Law Enforcement; FBI Forum; China Initiative 2.0; + In This Issue #257 · 2024/06/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · An Urgent Call for Clear and Fair Law Enforcement Guidelines and Procedures for Research Security · A Dialogue Between Academic/APA Communities and The FBI · Condemning Yet Another Attempt to Reinstate The China Initiative · News and Activities for the Communities 2024/06/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, June 3, 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: · Tam Dao , Assistant Vice President for Research Security, Office of Innovation, Rice University, will report on the future of the National Science Foundation (NSF)’s Research on Research Security program · Haipei Shue , President, United Chinese Americans, will report on the 2024 Chinese American Convention · Jeremy Wu , Co-Organizer, APA Justice, will preview an alpha version of a web page on exonerated Professor Anming Hu · Anming Hu , Professor, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, will give an update of his situation and his family since the end of his ordeal under the China Initiative. 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 . An Urgent Call for Clear and Fair Law Enforcement Guidelines and Procedures for Research Security On May 27, 2024, Neal Lane* , Steven Pei* , and Jeremy Wu* posted a public commentary, urgently calling for the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and other federal law enforcement agencies to coordinate their policies using comparable principles with the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) and set clear, fair guidelines and procedures. The U.S. science and technology enterprise is unparalleled, and its contribution to the security and well-being of the American people is indisputable. In recent years, however, federal initiatives intended to protect American science and technology have strayed from their purpose and are rendering our nation increasingly unable to attract and retain science and technology talent – putting our competitive edge at risk during an era of techno-competition with key competitors.Our scientific success is rooted in core values, including collaboration, honesty, transparency, integrity, the fair competition of ideas, and the protection of intellectual capital. Some foreign entities do not share these values and are working to illicitly acquire our research and innovation. This necessitates laws – and law enforcement.But it is vital that law enforcement guidelines and procedures be clear and fair for maintaining public trust, upholding individual rights, and promoting accountability and consistency within the justice system. Otherwise, we can expect our competitive edge in science and technology to wane, as well as our standing as a leading democracy.The authors address the China Initiative which subjected hundreds of researchers to investigations, with none convicted of espionage, but instilling fear and confusion within academic and research institutions. Since the end of the China Initiative, foreign researchers, students, green card holders, and American citizens have continued to face difficulties at U.S. ports of entry. These incidents raise concerns about the criteria for secondary inspections and highlight a communication gap between policymakers and law enforcement. The U.S., long a leader in science and technology due to attracting global talent, risks losing this advantage if law enforcement does not follow clear, fair policies. This is exemplified by the declining U.S. share of top AI talent and a significant drop in Chinese students studying in the U.S., with China now educating more scientists and engineers domestically than the U.S.Protecting intellectual property and national security is critical. But these initiatives must be balanced with protecting individual rights, welcoming foreign talent, and encouraging international basic research collaboration. Otherwise, we risk repeating past mistakes. There is a way forward.With its sharp focus on research security, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) has set a balanced path to guide policies of federal agencies that support research. There is a similar need for the FBI, HSI, and other federal law enforcement agencies to coordinate their policies using comparable principles and set clear, fair guidelines and procedures.Given OSTP’s unique role and capability within NSTC, it should also coordinate with all key law enforcement agencies to close the apparent gap in communication between national science and technology policy set by NSTC and agents at the forefront of law enforcement. In doing so, it can protect America’s security and economic competitiveness while minimizing the unintended negative impact and associated chilling effects on the science and technology community. * Dr. Neal Lane is Senior Fellow in Science and Technology Policy, Baker Institute, Rice University, and Former Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy at the White House. Dr. Steven Pei is Co-Organizer of APA Justice; Founding Chair of United Chinese Americans; and Professor at the University of Houston. Dr. Jeremy Wu is Co-Organizer of APA Justice; Member of Committee of 100; and Retired from the Federal Government. Read the full commentary: https://bit.ly/4bVdN38 A Dialogue Between Academic/APA Communities and The FBI On June 6, 2024, the Baker Institute and the Office of Innovation at Rice University, the Texas Multicultural Advocacy Coalition, and APA Justice will co-host a hybrid forum titled "A Dialogue Between Academic & APA Communities and The FBI."In 2022, the Department of Justice ended its China Initiative — a strategy to counter Chinese espionage and threats to U.S. research security — after academic and civil rights groups raised concerns about bias and damage to the United States' scientific enterprise. Since then, however, reports of border entry issues have increased for Chinese academic researchers and graduate students.This event brings together Jill Murphy, deputy assistant director of counterintelligence at the FBI, and the leadership of the FBI’s Houston field office for a dialogue with members of the academic and Asian American communities. It will examine gaps between federal science and technology policy and its implementation — particularly in the context of law enforcement at the U.S. border. It will also explore the possibility of establishing a regular communication channel between the academic and Asian American communities with FBI field offices.Read and register to attend the open and free event in person by visiting this Rice University web page: https://bit.ly/4awKUsZ Register to attend the forum via Zoom: https://bit.ly/3wjg759 . For more details about the forum, visit this APA Justice web page: https://bit.ly/3wNL2Xi Condemning Yet Another Attempt to Reinstate The China Initiative During the House Judiciary Committee Markup Meeting on May 22, 2024, Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) delivered the following opening statement in strong opposition to H.R. 1398, the “Protect America’s Innovation and Economic Security from CCP Act,” which is another attempt to reinstate the China Initiative. "Mr. Chairman, in 2018 the Trump Justice Department launched what it called the “China Initiative”. While it was ostensibly designed to counter efforts by the Chinese government to steal American intellectual property, the program ultimately had few successes. For nearly four years, the National Security Division brought a series of unsupportable cases against Chinese academics at the height of their careers. The government was forced to drop many of these prosecutions. Others failed in court. Even more were overturned on appeal. The China Initiative was born out of the understanding that a strategic priority of the United States is countering national security threats from China. Had the DOJ gone in a different direction from this starting point, we might be here lauding the successes of the “defend U.S. trade secrets program.” Instead, the Trump DOJ invested significant resources into targeting individuals of Chinese descent working in the United States, diverting crucial funding and personnel that could have been used to combat economic espionage and trade secret theft across the board. But the China Initiative did not just waste valuable resources. Rather than keeping Americans safe, the China Initiative divided workplaces, ruined careers, and contributed to anti-Asian hate. If you were a person of Chinese descent working in American higher education, you were a suspect. Rather than keeping America safe, the China Initiative divided workplaces, ruined careers, and contributed to Anti-Asian hate at the height of the pandemic, when tensions were already high. Many of my colleagues who served on this Committee during the pandemic remember the vitriol, the carless word choice, and the characterization of “otherness” directed at Asian Americans during that time. Programs like the China Initiative, with its explicit targeting of Chinese citizens working in the United States, only served to amplify these tensions. For many of us, the clear drawbacks and minimal successes of the program were obvious in real time, and I am proud to say that I opposed the China Initiative throughout its short existence. And I was glad to see the program ended in early 2022 by the Biden Administration. Unfortunately, this legislation, which would establish a “CCP Initiative” at the National Security Division, would simply reestablish the China Initiative by another name. My colleagues across the aisle have repeatedly suggested that without the China Initiative, we as a country are not being “tough on China.” But what the majority fails—or refuses—to realize is that programs like these are wholly ineffective at protecting our intellectual property. In fact, they do the opposite. During its four-year tenure, the China Initiative stifled innovation by discouraging foreign talent from moving to American companies and prevented Chinese researchers from accepting positions at our institutions of higher learning. We cannot quantify those missed opportunities. There is no way to know what inventions never came to be, but we can realize when we made a mistake, and move on. This bill would prevent us from doing so. I appreciate that my colleagues have been circumspect when talking about the national security threat posed by China. But it is imperative that we differentiate the many people who live and work in the United States from the threat posed by the government of China, not just in our words but in our actions. It is also concerning that this bill would reestablish a pillar of a program that was repeatedly used to target Chinese professors working at American research institutions.Countries around the world send their best and brightest to the United States for education and to perform valuable research in our academic institutions. But instead of welcoming their contributions to our economy and to our society, programs like the China Initiative encourage them to take their training and their talents elsewhere. In a September 2022 report by the Asian American Scholar’s Forum, researchers found that between December 2021 and March 2022, 42 percent of the over 1,300 faculty members surveyed nationwide reported being fearful of conducting research in the U.S. A further 61 percent felt pressure to leave the U.S., and 45 percent intended to avoid federal grant applications. It is foolhardy to punish China by harming American innovation, but by discouraging researchers from working here, that is exactly what we did. The IP Subcommittee has conducted several bipartisan hearings on the threat posed by the Chinese government’s theft of trade secrets. Democrats and Republicans agreed that there is a real, significant threat to our national security. But this Committee has more important things to do than revisit failed Trump-era programs. If anything, we should expend our oversight resources ensuring that the DOJ is not simply following the practices of the China Initiative in all but name today. This legislation would take us in the opposite direction. I oppose the bill, I encourage my colleagues to do the same, and I yield back the balance of my time." Watch Rep. Nadler's opening remarks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVlXiH1m5uM (5:05). Read the press release: https://bit.ly/3Kf1hjj ***** On May 22, 2024, the Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) issued a statement to condemn the House Judiciary Committee mark-up vote of HR 1398 “Protect America’s Innovation and Economic Security from CCP Act,” and all efforts to reinstate the discriminatory "China Initiative" program. HR 1398 would reestablish the "China Initiative"—a program that raised serious concerns of racial profiling and targeting of Asian Americans and immigrants, particularly of Chinese descent. The reinstatement of the “China Initiative” would have devastating consequences especially for Asian American scholars, many of whom had their lives upended as a result of the harmful Initiative. Gisela Perez Kusakawa , AASF Executive Director, said, "with this most recent attempt to reinstate the China Initiative, we are reminded yet again of discriminatory investigations that create a ‘living hell’ for researchers and their families. There is absolutely no reason for us to take a step back and reinstate a policy that has deeply harmed so many and led to a widespread chilling effect for our communities, especially during Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. While AASF has worked diligently to build bridges and foster trust at the federal level, we also closely monitor the work of our legislators and stand firm in our opposition to any attempt at reinstating the ‘China Initiative,’ including HR 1398. We will continue to work toward healing, trust, and academic equality for all, but this will not be possible if this Initiative is reinstated. Our country is made stronger when Asian Americans and immigrants are able to contribute freely without fear of discrimination or harm—and any legislation from Congress should be a reflection of that.”Read the AASF statement: https://bit.ly/3UXmljr . 2024/05/24 Foreign Policy: When Knowledge Stops at the Water’s Edge 2024/05/24 Tech Policy: When National Security Concerns Become Unjust: Preventing a Second "Yellow Peril" News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2024/06/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2024/06/06 A Dialogue Between Academic/AAPI Communities with The FBI2024/06/20 U.S.-China Relations: Untangling Campaign Rhetoric & Understanding Policy – Teachers Workshop2024/06/20-22 Social Equity Leadership Conference 2024/06/27-30 2024 Chinese American ConventionVisit https://bit.ly/45KGyga for event details. 2. Kei Koizumi on the Science Budget Kei Koizumi is the principal deputy director for policy at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Ina recent podcast from Issues in Science and Technology , he talked about his role at the very heart of US science policy. He discusses what he does at OSTP, how he got there, and the exciting developments in science and technology policy that get him out of bed every morning.OSTP does not provide direct research funding, like the National Science Foundation does. It does not run national labs, like the Department of Energy does. Its annual budget of just under $8 million in the last fiscal year is barely a rounding error compared with, say, the National Institutes of Health’s $48 billion budget.But OSTP does set priorities for how the federal government spends more than $200 billion on research and development. “That is a lot of leverage and power,” says Kei Koizumi, “and shaping that research funding helps shape the direction of research throughout the United States—and indeed the world, because the world does look to ‘What does the US think is important?’ as a clue to ‘Maybe my nation should be thinking about that as an important topic as well.’”Read and listen to the podcast: https://bit.ly/3UXGPbK 3. U.S.-China Relations: Untangling Campaign Rhetoric & Understanding Policy – Teachers Workshop WHAT: U.S.-China Relations: Untangling Campaign Rhetoric & Understanding Policy – Teachers Workshop WHEN: June 20, 2024, 7:00 pm ET WHAT: Online Webinar HOST: 1990 Institute Moderator: Ha-Yu Sebastian Cherng, Vice Dean for Research and Equity, Office of Research and Office of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging; Associate Professor of International Education, New York University Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. Panelists: · Neysun Mahboubi, Director of the Penn Project on the Future of U.S.-China Relations, University of Pennsylvania · Susan Thornton, Senior Fellow and Visiting Lecturer in Law, Yale University Law School Paul Tsai China Center; Director of the Forum on Asia-Pacific Security, National Committee on American Foreign Policy; and Non-Resident Fellow, Brookings Institution. DESCRIPTION: T his workshop addresses the needs of the many middle and high school educators who are interested in deepening their understanding of U.S.-China relations, untangling political rhetoric from actual policies, and incorporating this knowledge into their teaching. This workshop will help attendees promote critical thinking, understand policy implications, augment current knowledge of U.S.-China relations, and build media literacy. REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/4bSemem Back View PDF May 27, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #126 Nikkei Asia Report; Yale Senate Resolution; New Chancellor/President; Norm Mineta; + #126 Nikkei Asia Report; Yale Senate Resolution; New Chancellor/President; Norm Mineta; + Back View PDF May 25, 2022 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

August 12, 2019 Science and South China Morning Post reported on a joint statement condemning ‘racial profiling’ of Chinese students and scholars over spying fears on August 12, 2019. The statement was co-signed by a broad coalition of over 20 higher education, free expression, and public advocacy organizations. About half of them are Asian American groups, including AAUC, APABA-PA, APAPA, CACA, CBA, CAA, OCA, OCAA, UCA and 80-20. The coalition warns that even with growing suspicion of Chinese espionage in higher education, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies threaten academic freedom and due process if they engage in surveillance of students and scholars based on their national origin. The joint statement “advise[s] universities to zealously safeguard their independence—to maintain their commitment to academic freedom, to uphold the principle of due process, and to respect the privacy rights of students and faculty, no matter their national origins.” Signatories write: “The pursuit of scientific knowledge should be advanced under conditions of intellectual freedom without political or ideological restrictions.” Previous Next Coalition Cautions FBI Against Unwarranted Monitoring of Chinese Scholars

Newsletter - #293 11/18 Meeting; Missing Rena D'Souza; Wary Scientists; SOCA/Lancet; CEIP on Coexistence #293 11/18 Meeting; Missing Rena D'Souza; Wary Scientists; SOCA/Lancet; CEIP on Coexistence In This Issue #293 · 2024/11/18 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · Science : "Why Has NIH's Dental Institute Director Been Missing for 6 Months?" · WP : Wary and Uncertain Scientists · 2024 State of Chinese Americans Survey and Letter to Lancet · CEIP: "U.S.-China Relations for the 2030s: Toward a Realistic Scenario for Coexistence" · News and Activities for the Communities 2024/11/18 APA Justice Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, November 18, 2024, starting at 1:55 pm ET. The meeting was moved to avoid conflicts with Election Day. In addition to updates by Nisha Ramachandran , Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Joanna YangQing Derman , Program Director, Advancing Justice | AAJC, and Dr. Kai Li , Vice President, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), confirmed speakers are: · Ambassador Julia Chang Bloch , Founder and Executive Chair, US-China Education Trust · Michael Wong , Board Member and Former National Vice President, Veterans for Peace · Peter Michelson , Luke Blossom Professor in the School of Humanities & Sciences and Professor of Physics, Stanford University; Steven Kivelson , Prabhu Goel Family Professor and Professor of Physics (invited) Senator-Elect Andy Kim is invited to give remarks.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 APAJustice - Steven Pei 白先慎 , Vincent Wang 王文奎 , and Jeremy Wu 胡善庆 - or send a message to contact@apajustice.org .***** Andy Kim made history as the first Asian American from New Jersey elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, and now he is set to break new ground once more as the first Korean American in the U.S. Senate. We warmly welcome and congratulate Senator-Elect Andy Kim as he embarks on this exciting and historic journey.As the first Asian American to serve at the rank of U.S. ambassador, Julia Chang Bloch is a trailblazing diplomat with a distinguished career in international relations, academia, and philanthropy. Ambassador Chang Bloch founded the U.S.-China Education Trust (USCET) to strengthen mutual understanding through conferences, exchanges, and seminars by partnering with Chinese higher education institutions that carry out research in American Studies and teach China’s next generation about the US. Ambassador Chang Bloch will introduce and describe the latest activities of USCET. Veterans for Peace (VFP) is a global organization of military veterans and allies committed to promoting peace and ending war. Founded in 1985, VFP advocates for peaceful solutions to conflicts, addressing issues like nuclear disarmament, veterans’ rights, and the costs of war on communities and the environment. Michael Wong will introduce and describe the latest activities of VFP, including concerns about McCarthyism in Washington and media witch hunt on Chinese Americans . Professors Peter Michelson and Steven Kivelson return to update us on their letter to Congressional leaders opposing the reinstatement of the "China Initiative" and the recent forum on Critical Issues In The US-China Science And Technology Relationship. Science : "Why Has NIH's Dental Institute Director Been Missing for 6 Months?" According to Science on November 4, 2024, Rena D'Souza , Director of the U.S. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), has been on paid administrative leave since April during an investigation into her conduct. This marks her third disciplinary action by the NIH, following two previous suspensions—for 2 days in December 2022 and 2 weeks in late July and early August 2023. On September 15, 2023, D’Souza filed a lawsuit alleging discrimination based on her sex, race, and national origin, asserting that NIH leaders have unfairly targeted her, possibly to force her resignation. D’Souza, 69, was born in India and is the first woman of color to direct an NIH institute.D’Souza’s lawsuit also claims that NIH’s investigations stem from complaints regarding her treatment of subordinates, some involving statements about racial diversity, which she contends were misinterpreted. She disputes additional claims, including one alleging intimidation of a subordinate. Meanwhile, a former trainee has defended D’Souza as supportive and kind, though an anonymous ex-employee cited staff dissatisfaction during her tenure.The lawsuit points to NIH’s alleged double standards, noting that a senior NIH official, Robert Eisinger , faced less severe consequences for confirmed discriminatory actions. D’Souza’s leave has been extended through November, but NIH is legally required to report her ongoing status to Congress. The lawsuit also describes Tabak allegedly berating D’Souza at a large August 17, 2023, meeting of NIH institute and center directors. It says that, during a presentation on diversity, D’Souza volunteered that researchers of Chinese descent in and outside of NIH were feeling stigmatized and targeted by systematic NIH efforts to have scientists investigated for suspected use of NIH grant money on undisclosed work in China. She said NIH should address their concerns. Tabak, the lawsuit states, “showed his discriminatory animus toward Plaintiff by yelling and banging his fist on the table screaming that NIH does not target anyone.” (Tabak later that day sent an email addressed to D’Souza and copied to the other NIH directors. Under the subject line “Mea culpa,” it began: “I am sorry for being so emphatic this morning,” before defending NIH’s approach as colorblind.)This is the statement alleged in the lawsuit: "On August 17, 2023, Dr. Tabak inappropriately and in a demeaning manner, berated Plaintiff at a meeting which was attended by approximately 60 persons, 30 of whom were present in the room and 30 of whom were virtual. The meeting was attended by all NIH institute and center Directors. At around 9:30 a.m. on that date, during a presentation on diversity , Plaintiff engaged in protected EEO activity by pointing out that researchers of Chinese descent within and outside of NIH were feeling stigmatized and targeted and that NIH should address their concerns. Tabak showed his discriminatory animus toward Plaintiff by yelling and banging his fist on the table screaming that NIH does not target anyone. This was embarrassing and humiliating for Plaintiff and many of those in the room were shocked. Tabak later sent Plaintiff and the other Directors a disingenuous apology, in which he continued to dispute that Chinese researchers were being targeted and stigmatized." By law, NIH cannot extend employees’ administrative leave indefinitely without informing Congress. The agency was obligated to submit a report to the relevant congressional committees notifying them that D’Souza is on investigative leave, and explaining why. A spokesperson for the House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce, which authorizes NIH, said it had not received a report as of November 4, 2024.Read the Science report: https://bit.ly/3YEErsb . Read the legal docket for Dsouza v. Becerra (8:23-cv-02517): https://bit.ly/3UJfmeF WP : Wary and Uncertain Scientists According to the Washington Post on November 9, 2024, the return of Donald Trump to the presidency has renewed concerns among scientists who remember his administration’s antagonistic approach to science. His first term was marked by proposed budget cuts for research, climate change denial, and political interference in scientific agencies, leading to protests like the 2017 “March for Science.” Many fear that Trump’s agenda could again threaten funding, research integrity, and environmental policies, especially given the more conservative-leaning Supreme Court and possible full Republican control of Congress. Several scientific organizations are preparing to defend science’s role in government decision-making, with groups like the Union of Concerned Scientists vowing to challenge unqualified appointments to key scientific agencies. Others, like the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), adopt a cautious “wait-and-see” approach, hoping to work with officials to maintain science-backed policies. This has become critical as Trump has promised roles to figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. , whose views on vaccines and public health spark concerns among health professionals.In addition, Elon Musk , one of Trump’s allies, may influence his agenda significantly, especially in areas like space exploration and energy technology. Musk has advocated for budget cuts, pushing for fewer government regulations, and promoting human spaceflight goals such as a mission to Mars by 2028, which could shift NASA’s current plans focused on the moon. His influence may shape Trump’s approach to science funding and policy direction, affecting how resources are allocated in key technological sectors. While scientific funding remained largely intact during Trump’s first term, the broader science community fears a decline in public trust and a polarized view of science itself, exacerbated by Trump’s pandemic responses. Leaders like Holden Thorp , editor-in-chief of Science , highlight declining public trust in scientific institutions as COVID-19 became highly politicized. Many scientists are now cautious but hopeful that bipartisan support for science will sustain critical research and prevent a major rollback of scientific advancements. Read the Washington Post report: https://wapo.st/3UN6hRM 2024 State of Chinese Americans Survey and Letter to Lancet On October 31, 2024, Committee of 100 and NORC at the University of Chicago unveiled the Full Report for its 2024 State of Chinese Americans (SOCA) study, a survey focused on areas of mental health, political preferences, discrimination, and diversity of the Chinese American population.Titled "Surge of mental health issues of Chinese Americans under both popular and policy-driven racism." a letter authored by Professor Xiang Qi was published in the January 2025 issue of the Lancet. The letter cited the SOCA survey and highlights the ongoing discrimination faced by Chinese Americans, with 68% reporting regular exposure to prejudice, including verbal insults (27%) and physical threats (21%). This constant discrimination has severely impacted mental health, with high rates of hopelessness, depression, and worthlessness reported by respondents. Additionally, Chinese Americans face discriminatory policies, including the China Initiative and restrictions on property ownership in several states, exacerbating concerns about anti-Chinese rhetoric.Despite efforts to address these issues, 82% of Chinese Americans believe discrimination remains prevalent. The survey calls for better data collection on hate crimes, culturally competent mental health services, and greater awareness among policymakers and media about the detrimental effects of anti-Chinese sentiment on the community’s mental health. Addressing this persistent discrimination is crucial to alleviating the psychological toll on Chinese Americans."The mental health of Chinese Americans is at stake, and the repercussions of inaction could be severe. It is imperative that healthcare providers, policymakers, and society recognize and address the impact of both popular and policy-driven racism. We can alleviate the psychological burden borne by Chinese Americans through concerted efforts to combat discrimination and provide adequate mental health support," the letter to Lancet concluded.Read the letter to the Lancet : https://bit.ly/4hJktoI Read the 2024 SOCA Survey: https://bit.ly/3YlMTgT According to the Washington Post on November 10, 2024, Montgomery County Police in Maryland have charged Tiffany Zhang , a 29-year-old with a master’s degree in statistics and specializing in biostatistics, with first-degree murder of her 63-year-old mother, Guichun Hu . The opening moments of the case signaled the role mental illness may have played in what happened that day — and in the months leading to it. Tiffany Zhang has been the subject of at least 15 police calls in recent years to check on her welfare. Read the Washington Post report: https://wapo.st/4exxgYU CEIP: "U.S.-China Relations for the 2030s: Toward a Realistic Scenario for Coexistence" The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP) released a report titled " U.S.-China Relations for the 2030s: Toward a Realistic Scenario for Coexistence ," as well as a companion short video, in October 2024.According to the report, the escalating tensions between the U.S. and China have created a pessimistic outlook for their future relationship, with some experts suggesting that war could become a possibility within the next decade. To foster a more constructive dialogue, policymakers need a realistic vision of how U.S.-China relations could stabilize. The report presents a more optimistic scenario in which both nations manage their competition predictably and avoid open conflict, similar to the détente between the U.S. and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.The chapters within the report explore various pathways to de-escalation, acknowledging that the future is uncertain but not predetermined. They emphasize the importance of understanding potential futures to develop effective strategies. Contributions from various authors highlight the need for improved communication, recognition of shared interests, and mutual acceptance of norms to foster a more stable relationship.In addition, the chapters discuss the prospects for economic interdependence, the complexities of military dynamics, and the significance of narratives and public perceptions in shaping future interactions. The authors agree that while conflict may intensify, a cooperative and less confrontational approach is feasible. Ultimately, both countries must seek common ground to ensure peace and stability, supported by their allies globally. Recognizing what a more positive future could look like is crucial for steering their relationship in that direction. Watch the CEIP video: https://bit.ly/3BWbUH2 (3:01). News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events:2024/11/12 Not Going Back: Civil Rights, Immigration, and Representation in the Next Administration2024/11/12 Threats to International Engagement and Academic Freedom2024/11/12 Beyond the Ballot: A Conversation with Dan Quayle2024/11/13 China's Economic Transformation: Policy, Challenges, & Domestic Impact2024/11/14 The U.S. Elections: What Happened? What's Next?2024/11/14 America's Trust in Science: What's Changed, What's Next?2024/11/14 From Tokyo Rose to The China Initiative2024/11/14 An Advice and Networking Event (Financial Services, Investing and Consulting)2024/11/15 Yangtze-Mississippi Regional Dialogue2024/11/15-17 AAASE Inaugural Summit2024/11/18 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2024/11/24 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting Visit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Beyond the Ballot: A Conversation With Dan Quayle WHAT : Beyond the Ballot: A Conversation With Dan Quayle WHEN : November 12, 2024, 4:00 pm ET WHERE : Hybrid in-person and Zoom event HOST : Baker Institute of Public Policy at Rice University Speaker : Dan Quayle, 44th U.S. Vice President DESCRIPTION : In the aftermath of the pivotal 2024 U.S. presidential election, the nation faces a defining moment that will significantly influence its political trajectory. While reflecting the deep divisions within the electorate, the outcome will also raise critical questions about the future of governance, party dynamics, and national unity. As the U.S. navigates this pivotal moment, informed analysis and discussion are essential.To provide such insight, Rice's Baker Institute is honored to host the 44th U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle. In conversation with Andrew Card, former secretary of transportation and White House chief of staff, they will analyze the aftermath of the presidential election, discuss critical challenges awaiting the incoming administration, and reflect on the state of American politics. REGISTRATION : https://bit.ly/4hFzwzU FOR MORE INFORMATION : https://bit.ly/48MkZOH 3. 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 November 12, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #360 11/3 Meeting; 10/16 Webinar Videos; Advocacy 101; PBS: Builders of the Silicon Dream;+ #360 11/3 Meeting; 10/16 Webinar Videos; Advocacy 101; PBS: Builders of the Silicon Dream;+ In This Issue #360 · 2025/11/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · Video of 10/16 Webinar on Bridging Nations Posted · Advocacy 101 for Scholars, Scientists and Researchers · PBS Documentary: Builders of the Silicon Dream · News and Activities for the Communities 2025/11/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting left to right: Andy Phillips, Jane Shim, Paula Madison, Brian Sun The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held on Monday, November 3, 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: · Andy Phillips , Managing & Founding Partner, Meier Watkins Phillips Pusch LLP · Jane Shim , Director, Stop Asian Hate Project, Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund · Paula Williams Madison , Chairman and CEO of Madison Media Management LLC and 88 Madison Media Works Inc.; Retired Executive, NBCUniversal · Brian Sun , Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP 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 . *****Attorney Andy Phillips represents Dr. Yanping Chen 陈燕平 . On September 30, 2025, the D.C. Circuit unanimously affirmed the district court’s decision in Yanping Chen v. Federal Bureau of Investigation , concluding that the reporter’s qualified First Amendment privilege did not shield Catherine Herridge from being compelled to identify her source after Dr. Chen showed the information was central to her Privacy Act claim and had exhausted other channels. Andy will update us on the ruling by the Appeals Court on Dr. Chen's case.The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) filed an amicus brief in Dr. Chen’s case against the Federal Bureau of Investigation, highlighting the racial profiling and law-enforcement overreach experienced by Asian Americans and supporting her claim that her Privacy Act rights were violated. Jane Shim will discuss the role of AALDEF and the importance of community advocacy.Drawing from her distinguished career in journalism and media/community leadership, Paula Madison will share her observations and insights on the case of Dr. Chen. Brian Sun 孫自華 , renowned trial attorney who represented Dr. Wen Ho Lee 李文和 in his landmark civil lawsuit against the U.S. government and major news organizations two decades ago, will offer his reflections on the Wen Ho Lee and Yanping Chen cases, highlighting their legal and civil rights implications for the Asian American community. Video of 10/16 Webinar on Bridging Nations Posted On October 16, 2025, the Committee of 100, the U.S.-China Education Trust (USCET), and APA Justice, co-hosted a webinar titled "Bridging Nations: People-to-People Exchange in U.S.–China Relations," featuring Ambassador Julia Chang Bloch and Governor Gary Locke as speakers with Professor Jessica Chen Weiss moderating the discussion. Dr. Jeremy Wu , Co-Organizer of APA Justice, and Rosie Levine , Executive Director of USCET, gave opening and closing remarks respectively. This webinar was the first in the "Global Tensions, Local Dimensions: Navigating the U.S.-China Relationship" series. The series focuses on the intersectionality between U.S.-China relations and Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) civil rights concerns. The first installment delved in the importance of people-to-people connections—academic exchange, business collaboration, and community relationships—that has historically stabilized bilateral relations, as well as the downstream effect of the relationship on AAPI communities and U.S. policies. Julia and Gary reflected on their personal experience through cycles of tension and engagement between the United States and China in recent decades. They noted that while competition and disagreement are not new, the current environment is distinguished by a deep sense of strategic rivalry, pervasive mistrust, and the breakdown of traditional channels for cooperation. They underscored the need for balanced leadership that protects national interests while upholding America’s values of inclusion and fairness. USCET has posted its post-program summary at https://bit.ly/4hyaUJW , highlight three quotes from the webinar: · “[Asian Americans] should not have to prove our loyalty than anyone else [should]… and we should not be forced to choose between heritage and country.“ · “We are losing something essential: our ability to see each other as people first.“ · “[Racial profiling and discrimination] are not just some moral failures. They are strategic disasters.“ C100 has posted its summary and video at https://bit.ly/494JtoT . APA Justice posted the webinar video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3I_G37uUY4 (59:33)The next webinar is being planned for mid-January of 2026. Advocacy 101 for Scholars, Scientists and Researchers On November 3, 2025, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) and Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC will co-host a webinar titled " Advocacy 101 for Scholars, Scientists and Researchers ." The training session will equip participants with the knowledge and advocacy tools needed to advocate on issues that directly impact them, such as the China Initiative, research security, fundamental rights and academic freedom in our country.Dr. Xiaodong Zhang 张晓东 , Robert M. Critchfield Professor in Engineering at Ohio State University, will serve as moderators. Speakers are: · Edgar Chen 陳春品 , Special Advisor, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association · Gisela Perez Kusakawa, Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum · Kelvin Lum , Director of Federal Policy, Stop AAPI Hate · Joanna YangQing Derman, Director, Anti-Profiling, Civil Rights and National Security, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC Register to attend the webinar by scanning the QR code above or visit: https://bit.ly/43zA4lk . PBS Documentary: Builders of the Silicon Dream Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) has premiered Builders of the Silicon Dream , a landmark documentary celebrating the often-overlooked and pivotal contributions of Asian immigrants and Asian American innovators to the creation and growth of Silicon Valley. The 51-minute film debuted nationally on October 4, 2025. It is available on https://www.pbs.org/video/builders-of-the-silicon-dream-b60su7/ and https://siliconaapi.com/ . The film traces how U.S.-educated Asian scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs from the 1960s and 70s helped propel Silicon Valley's rise.The film situates this transformation within a broader historical context. The 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act, which abolished racially restrictive quotas, opened U.S. doors to skilled Asian professionals and triggered the first great wave of immigrant talent that would shape the Valley’s emergence. Many of these pioneers came from modest beginnings, facing barriers of language, culture, and discrimination, yet their perseverance and technical brilliance became a driving force of American innovation. Builders of the Silicon Dream features trailblazers whose work and vision redefined industries and communities: · Kenneth Fong 方瑞賢 , a pioneering biotech entrepreneur (Clontech Laboratories) and philanthropist who mentored the next generation · Ta-Lin Hsu 徐大麟 , founder of MediaTek and a cross-Pacific venture capital pioneer who helped establish Taiwan as a semiconductor powerhouse · David Tsang 臧大化, who built multiple storage and semiconductor companies and co-founding Alexander’s Steakhouse with his wife Cathy · Hsing Kung 龔行憲 , an expert in optics, which forms the backbone of internet infrastructure, and a technology executive, civic leader, and advocate for Asian American participation in public life The documentary also covered · 1957 Nobel laureates Chen Ning Yang 杨振宁 and Tsung-Dao Lee 李政道, as well as Chien-Shiung Wu 吳健雄 , a pioneering experimental physicist whose collaboration with Yang and Lee helped reshape modern physics and inspired generations of young scientists from Asia to pursue their dreams in the United States · The "bamboo ceiling" faced by Morris Chang 張忠謀, who returned to Taiwan and founded Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world's largest independent manufacturer of advanced semiconductor chips, after he was passed over for CEO at Texas Instrumen · Chenming Hu 胡正明 , inventor of the FinFET transistor that revolutionized microchip design · Annalee Saxenian , Dean Emerita of UC Berkeley’s School of Information and daughter from Armenian immigrant parents, whose scholarship illuminated how immigrant networks and transnational collaboration fueled Silicon Valley’s success Beyond professional success, the film humanizes the immigrant experience—revealing the sacrifices, family separations, and perseverance behind the pursuit of the American dream. It does not shy away from the darker realities of exclusion, from the Chinese Exclusion Act and the murder of Vincent Chin to the resurgence of anti-Asian hate during the COVID-19 pandemic, reminding viewers that progress and prejudice have always intertwined in the Asian American story.More than a historical account, the documentary celebrates how diversity and shared purpose—rather than competition alone—built the foundation for the Silicon Dream that continues to inspire the world today.Featuring voices such as Congresswoman Judy Chu 赵美心 and Hsing Kung, the documentary calls for greater Asian American civic participation and political engagement to ensure that their stories and contributions are represented in policymaking. It concludes with a timeless message: that technology must enhance humanity, and that true success is not measured by wealth or fame, but by how much one contributes to the greater good.The documentary was directed and produced by Tony Shyu 徐國興 (Himalaya Entertainment) and co-produced by Diana Ding 丁維平 and the Silicon Valley Community Media . News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/11/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/11/03 Advocacy 101 for Scholars, Scientists, and Researchers2025/11/14 Film Screening and Discussion: Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story2025/11/20 Cook County Circuit Court Hearing2025/11/25 Committee of 100 Conversations – “Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes” with Elaine Chao Visit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story WHAT: Film Screening and Discussion: 'Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story' WHEN: November 14, 2025, 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm CT WHERE: In person event: 1370 Southmore Blvd, Houston, TX 77004 HOSTS: Asia Society Texas; Friends of the National Asian Pacific American Museum Moderator : Donna Fujimoto Cole , Founder, Cole Chemical Speakers : · Jennifer Takaki, Director, The Corky Lee Story · Raj R. Vaswani , Producer, The Corky Lee Story DESCRIPTION: For over five decades, Corky Lee 李扬国 used his camera as a tool for activism, capturing the vibrant, complex, and often overlooked stories of Asian American communities across the United States. From Chinatown protests to landmark civil rights moments, Lee's work challenged stereotypes, reclaimed histories, and demanded visibility for the marginalized. The film not only chronicles Lee's remarkable career but also explores the intersection of art, identity, and social justice — a reminder of the enduring power of photography to make change.Following the screening, director Takaki and producer Vaswani will be joined by Cole Chemical President and CEO Donna Cole for a conversation reflecting on Corky Lee's impact and the role of visual storytelling in shaping cultural and historical narratives. The event is free, but registration is required. To learn more, please visit photographicjustice.com/screenings REGISTRATION : https://bit.ly/4qx0EWk # # # 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 27, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #267 AASF/Stanford Symposium; AAAS Travels to China; NY Post Condemned; UCA Convention; + #267 AASF/Stanford Symposium; AAAS Travels to China; NY Post Condemned; UCA Convention; + In This Issue #267 · New York Post Retracted and Apologized · AASF: Asian American Pioneer Medal Symposium & Ceremony · Connecting Scientific Communities: AAAS Travels to China · 2024 United Chinese Americans Conference · News and Activities for the Communities New York Post Retracted and Apologized Community organizations across the nation and elected officials were outraged and demanded that the New York Post apologize for incorrectly reporting the man who shot former President Donald Trump and killed an innocent bystander was Chinese. The New York Post has issued the following retraction and apology:On July 15, 2024, the Committee of 100 (C100) released a public letter from its Chair Gary Locke to the New York Post executive editor Keith Poole . The letter criticizes the publication for inaccurately reporting that a Chinese man was responsible for an attempted assassination of former President Trump. The letter highlights the harm caused to the Chinese American community by such false claims, especially in the context of rising anti-Asian sentiment. C100 urges the New York Post to issue an apology, correct the error, and implement stricter editorial guidelines to prevent future misinformation. Read the C100 letter: https://bit.ly/4f6O22g According to Documented , several Chinese community representatives held a press conference at the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association in New York City's Chinatown to request a formal apology from the New York Post . “The story caused the Chinese American community additional harm,” said Lester Chang , the first and only Chinese Republican assemblyman representing Brooklyn’s 49th district, at the conference. He noted that political rhetoric has blamed Chinese Americans for the pandemic, adding, “In this current era of heightened anti-Asian hate, Chinese Americans and the Asian American community are already looking over their shoulders daily.” Cindy Tsai , Interim President and Executive Director of the Committee of 100, emphasized at the press conference that anti-Asian hate is not just a relic of the past during the pandemic, “We will also be asking our government officials to take anti-Asian hate seriously, as it is still very real today.”Chinese community activist Queenie Ho was one of the first to contact the New York Post after finding the error. She said that she felt scared when she first saw the news. “On Saturday, our community and country were shocked by an act of political violence that went against the values of all Americans. That’s why I was incredibly disappointed and disturbed during this highly emotional time,” said Councilmember Sandra Ung in a statement. “I believe the Post owes the Chinese and entire Asian American community an apology.”State Senator John Liu stated, “Falsely identifying the shooter as Chinese in the heat of an assassination investigation is dangerous to Asian Americans. The New York Post must own up to its mistakes and apologize for this disturbing lack of journalistic integrity.”“Accurate and responsible reporting is crucial, especially in sensitive cases that can have profound impacts on individuals and communities,” said Senator Iwen Chu , urging the publication to take measures to prevent such errors in the future. Councilwoman Susan Zhuang criticized the New York Post for not doing its due diligence and called the misinformation “reckless and dangerous.” She urged the publication to formally issue a retraction and apologize for the mistake. The Chinatown East Neighborhood Council is mobilizing its members to send letters to pressure the New York Post. The letter also condemns any act of political violence.“This reckless reporting, especially in today’s inflamed political climate, is dangerous to our communities,” tweeted Stop AAPI Hate, a national coalition aimed at addressing racism and discrimination affecting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.“Dangerously irresponsible of @NYPost to wrongly claim the Trump shooter was a ‘Chinese man’ and then update the story without a correction notice,” tweeted the Asian American Journalists Association on X. Reuters did not include the New York Post report as part of its fact checks on July 16, 2024. Media Reports and Statements: 2024/07/17 NBC News: Trump assassination attempt live updates: U.S. learned of Iranian plot to kill Trump weeks before shooting 2024/07/16 Resonate: ‘Chinese Man’: Trump Shooter Misidentified by New York Post, Asian Americans Demand Apology 2024/07/16 South China Morning Post: Asian-American community angered by erroneous report that Donald Trump shooter was Chinese 2024/07/16 Reuters: We fact-checked some of the rumors spreading online about the Trump assassination attempt 2024/07/16 Documented: New York Post Falsely Claims “Chinese Man” Shot Trump, Chinese Communities Outraged 2024/07/15 星島日報: 多位參選人下一步具體行動未有共識 2024/07/15 United Chinese Americans: UCA Condemns the Attempted Assassination of Former President Trump and Calls on NY Post to Issue Public Apology to Chinese Americans 2024/07/15 NextShark Editorial: New York Post criticized for misreporting Trump shooter as 'Chinese man' 2024/07/15 Northwest Asian Weekly: Locke slams newspaper for incorrectly blaming Chinese man in Trump assassination attempt 2024/07/15 AsAmNews: Apology demanded from NY Post to Chinese Americans 2024/07/15 Committee of 100: Letter to the Editor, New York Post 2024/07/13 New York Post: Gunman behind attempted assassination on Trump had head blown off by Secret Service, sources say; rally-goer killed AASF: Asian American Pioneer Medal Symposium & Ceremony On July 27-28, 2024, the Inaugural Asian American Pioneer Medal Symposium and Ceremony, an event dedicated to celebrating and honoring the remarkable contributions of Asian American scholar pioneers, will be held at Stanford University. It is hosted by the Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF).The award ceremony on July 27 will feature prominent Asian American innovators that AASF featured in Project Pioneer with the National Science Foundation. These pioneers made fundamental contributions to our country from enabling WiFi everywhere to video calls with our loved ones. AASF hopes this work can change the narrative and stereotypes of Asian American scientists as perpetual foreigners and threats. This special occasion will bring together some of the most distinguished minds in the fields of energy, artificial intelligence, life sciences, and leadership. Nobel Prize laureates and Turing Award laureates will deliver keynote speeches and distinguished leaders will engage in fireside chats, providing a unique platform for intellectual exchange and inspiration. The event will also have Asian American pioneers such as Congresswoman Judy Chu , as well as representatives from the White House and multiple federal agencies. This year’s symposium furthers AASF’s efforts to lift up the Asian American scholar community on a national platform and bridge the different sectors of our society for the betterment of our country. AASF has shown that a community can self-organize to ensure that the door is open for Asian American scholars to be empowered and have a voice and representation.For more information and to register to attend, visit https://bit.ly/3XLApPN Connecting Scientific Communities: AAAS Travels to China In late May, a delegation from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) led by Dr. Sudip Parikh , AAAS CEO and executive publisher of the Science family of journals traveled to Beijing, China to visit one of its international partners, the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST). The delegation included Bill Moran , publisher of the Science family of journals, Andrew Black , AAAS chief of staff and chief public affairs officer, and Dr. Kim Montgomery , AAAS director of international affairs and science diplomacy. Along with meetings with CAST, the AAAS delegation had the opportunity to meet with the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and Tsinghua University. It was an action-packed trip to the world’s second largest R&D spender that included discussions on the continued need for connections between the U.S. and Chinese scientific communities, especially at the basic research level.Read the AAAS report: https://bit.ly/463JoOs 2024 United Chinese Americans Conference United Chinese Americans (UCA) held its fourth United Chinese Americans (UCA) Conference in Washington D.C. on June 27-30, 2024.This year’s conference, themed “Embracing the New Civil Rights Movement,” attracted nearly 700 participants from across the United States. The event showcased the strength and voice of the Chinese American community and united their hopes and confidence for the future.The first day featured the “AANHPI Congressional Advocacy Day,” co-hosted by UCA and APAPA. Hundreds of participants, divided into over 50 groups, visited 283 congressional offices, representing more than half of the 425 House representatives. Each group detailed the issues facing the Chinese American community, focusing on real estate purchase restrictions for Chinese nationals, anti-Asian sentiments, and the inclusion of Asian American history in U.S. high school curricula.During the Capitol Hill reception, Congresswoman Grace Meng thanked UCA and APAPA members for their participation and highlighted the importance of incorporating Asian American history into U.S. high school curricula. Texas State Representative Gene Wu emphasized the negative impacts of real estate purchase restrictions on Chinese Americans and called for the Asian American community to unite and engage in politics actively. California Congresswoman Judy Chu noted that current visa restrictions on Chinese students and scholars severely hinder academic and technological exchanges between China and the United States. New Jersey Congressman Andy Kim urged everyone to vote and participate in public affairs to secure more rights for the Asian American community. The second and third days of the conference featured over 20 forums and more than 50 guests, providing attendees with engaging discussions and sharing sessions. At the opening ceremony, Erika L. Moritsugu , Deputy Assistant to the President & AANHPI Senior Liaison, Congressmen Ted Lieu , Gene Wu, and Maryland State Delegate Lily Qi were present to offer their congratulations. In his opening remarks, UCA President Haipei Shue addressed three unique challenges facing the Chinese American community: deteriorating US-China relations, worsening domestic political climate, and the new immigrant community’s lack of engagement in political and social life. He called for the community to unite, launch a new chapter in the Chinese American civil rights movement, and establish a nationwide coalition to tackle future challenges. The conference included five themed sub-conferences focused on youth, mental health, AAPI political action, community building and civic engagement, and entrepreneurship and career development.The highlight of the conference was the Awards Ceremony and Gala. Individuals and organizations with outstanding performance in community service and leadership were honored. The final day featured a large-scale “Walk for Civil Rights, Walk for Our Rights” event on the National Mall to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Read the summary of the 2024 UCA Conference: https://bit.ly/4f5UTt2 News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2024/07/16-17 National Science, Technology, and Security Roundtable - Capstone2024/07/17 C100 Career Ceiling Summit: Creating a Level Playing Field2024/07/25-28 Leadership Convention by NAAAP (National Association of Asian American Professionals) 2024/07/27-28 Asian American Pioneer Medal Symposium and Ceremony2024/08/04 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/08/05 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2024/08/19 DNC Convention, AAPI Briefing & Reception, Chicago, IL2024/09/01 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall MeetingThe Community Calendar has moved. Visit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Book Chapter: "Asian Americans as 'the Perpetual Foreigner' under Scrutiny" A chapter titled "Asian Americans as 'the Perpetual Foreigner' under Scrutiny," authored by Frank Wu, was in a book "Race and Surveillance" published by the Cambridge University Press in 2023. Frank Wu is President of Queen's College, The City University of New York.Asian Americans play a prominent role in the state surveillance story, because Asian Americans play an ambiguous role in both international relations and domestic race relations.4 Although people of Asian descent have been arriving in the Americas since before the Civil War – Asian soldiers fighting on both sides of the internecine conflict – Asian immigrants and their American-born descendants, whatever their formal status and however assimilated, have been portrayed as “sojourners” only temporarily resident in the United States and likely to return to a homeland to which they have remained stealthily loyal. The persistent theme has been that Asians are inassimilable into American society, whether by biology, culture, or their own collective choices. The assumption that it is contradictory to be both Asian and American has been used, explicitly and implicitly, to justify discrimination against Asian Americans.For more information and to order the book, visit: https://bit.ly/3XWMD8t 3. Delaware SB 297 Passed Both State House and Senate According to LegiScan , Delaware Senate Bill (SB) 297 passed the State Senate on a vote of 21-0 on May 21, 2024, and the State House on a vote of 40-0 with one abstention on June 26, 2024. According to AsAmNews , Delaware will become the seventh state to require Asian American history if the bill is signed by the Delaware Governor John Carney . Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend , Senator Laura Sturgeon , Representative Sophie Philips , and Representative Bill Bush sponsored SB 297.Delaware joins Illinois, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Florida, and Wisconsin in passing legislation regarding Asian American history in classrooms.Read the LegiScan summary: https://bit.ly/4d13vPz . Read the AsAmNews report: https://bit.ly/3W3nxSL Back View PDF July 17, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #136 New Legislations; Update and Town Hall on Anti-Asian Hate Crimes; NIH Dialogue; More #136 New Legislations; Update and Town Hall on Anti-Asian Hate Crimes; NIH Dialogue; More Back View PDF August 11, 2022 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

United Chinese Americans (UCA) Raises Concerns For Chinese American Scientists as Collateral Damage in the Crossfire Between the United States and China Due to Deteriorating Relations April 25, 2019 On April 25, 2019, the United Chinese Americans (UCA) , a nationwide nonprofit and nonpartisan federation and a community civic movement, released a statement to raise concerns for Chinese American scientists as collateral damage in the crossfire between the United States and China due to deteriorating relations, including five appeals to address the current situartion. It was in response to the first wave of an aniticpated crack down targeting primarily Chinese American scientists at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. See links and reports about the MD Anderson story here. Link to full statement in English We call on the U.S. higher education and scientific communities to continue to uphold and strengthen scientific collaborations around the world so they may continue to benefit all mankind. We salute the University of California at Berkeley, Stanford University, the University of Michigan and the University of California at Davis for their efforts to uphold these principles and ideals as well as for their civil rights concerns for their faculty members and students, and call on more institutions to follow their example. We call on Chinese American scientists to continue to carry on the indispensable role they have played in maintaining America’s lead position in scientific research and global competitiveness. To this end, we fully endorse the strengthening of compliance efforts and ethical standards guiding scientific research and collaboration. We call on Chinese American scientists—indeed all scientists—to adhere strictly to all applicable laws, regulations and practices, and to cooperate in reporting any breaches to appropriate authorities. We call on Chinese American scientists – indeed, all Chinese Americans – to continue to strengthen U.S.-China people-to-people relations through scientific exchanges and educational efforts rather than retreating. An adversarial U.S.-China relationship is harmful to Chinese Americans, to the United States and China, and to the future of the world. Chinese Americans have a unique role to play as communicators, bridge builders and messengers of peace between the two peoples. We call on the Chinese government to earnestly protect U.S. intellectual property rights, as American scientists participate in its talent programs and other exchanges, and vigorously strengthen the standardization and transparency of those programs. The Chinese government should also improve its supervision and management of such programs, including sub-national ones, toughen two-way compliance requirements and enhance training to reduce or eliminate doubts and concerns other countries may have about such programs. Finally, we call on U.S. law enforcement agencies to strengthen internal training and safeguards to reduce implicit bias and discrimination, to enhance communication with Chinese American communities and to ensure that the freedom and civil rights of all Chinese Americans are rigorously protected. United Chinese Americans (UCA) Raises Concerns For Chinese American Scientists as Collateral Damage in the Crossfire Between the United States and China Due to Deteriorating Relations Previous Next UCA Raises Concerns For Chinese American Scientists

Newsletter - #323 4/7 Meeting; Texas Rallies; US Science; Profiling Scholars/Students; Litigations; More #323 4/7 Meeting; Texas Rallies; US Science; Profiling Scholars/Students; Litigations; More In This Issue #323 · 2025/04/07 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · First Report on Texas Tri-City Rallies Against Alien Land Bills · The Decline of Science in the U.S. under Trump 2.0 · Chinese Scholars/Students Face Heightened Scrutiny and Profiling · Latest on Litigations Against Trump's Executive Actions · News and Activities for the Communities 2025/04/07 APA Justice Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, April 7, 2025, starting at 1:55 pm ET.In addition to updates by Judith Teruya , Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Joanna YangQing Derman , Program Director, Advancing Justice | AAJC, and Gisela Perez Kusakawa , Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), invited and confirmed speakers are: · Mark Takano , First Vice Chair, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC); Member, U.S. House of Representatives · Erwin Chemerinsky , Dean, Jesse H. Choper Distinguished Professor of Law, University of California, Berkeley · Cindy Tsai , Interim President, Committee of 100 · X. Edward Guo 郭向东 , President, Asian American Academy of Science and Engineering (AAASE) 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 . Congressman Mark Takano will make his remarks via recorded video on unprecedented challenges to our communities.In a recent opinion published by the New York Times , Dean Erwin Chemerinsky raised an alarming question: if Trump defies the Courts, then what? He also commented on President Trump's unprecedented demands on Columbia University. He will share his thoughts on these recent developments and more.The Committee of 100 (C100) is a nonprofit leadership organization of prominent Chinese Americans dedicated to advancing U.S.-China relations and promoting the full participation of Chinese Americans in American society. On April 25-26, 2025, it will host its annual conference and gala in Los Angeles to share insights on the state of Chinese Americans and the current and future condition of the U.S.-China relationship. Interim President Cindy Tsai returns to update us on recent developments with C100 and the annual event. Professor X. Edward Guo, Stanley Dicker Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Professor of Medical Sciences at Columbia University, is current President of Asian American Academy of Science and Engineering (AAASE). Professor Guo will introduce AAASE and comment on recent developments in higher education and research communities. First Report on Texas Tri-City Rallies Against Alien Land Bills On March 28, 2025, United Chinese Americans (UCA) issued a press release announcing protest rallies to be held in Austin, Dallas, and Houston, Texas. Asian Pacific American communities, alongside other ethnic groups, are mobilizing against Texas Senate Bill 17 (SB 17) and House Bill 17 (HB 17)—legislations that seeks to ban or restrict real estate ownership by certain foreign nationals under the guise of national security. A letter co-signed by Texas and national AAPI organizations reminds state legislators that the 59th Texas Legislature abolished the previous version of alien land laws in 1965 in a bipartisan effort. The letter states. "These bills are unconstitutional and discriminatory, as they target individuals based on their nation of origin. In other words, individuals are being denied their rights not for anything they have done, but simply because of where they come from." The letter urges lawmakers not to repeat past mistakes that echo historical injustices. Representative Gene Wu 吴元之 , chair of Texas House Democratic Caucus, points out that "The Texas Senate listened to our community's repeated pleas for fairness and respect, and instead they gave us more discrimination by passing SB 17 that puts us even closer to repeating the forced internment of Asian Americans 80 years ago. Our community must respond and mobilize, otherwise we will be welcoming this hate and suffer no less." Meanwhile, organizers of the Houston rally—Texas Multicultural Advocacy Coalition (TMAC) and United Chinese Americans (UCA)—are placing ads in the Houston Chronicle to amplify this call to action. UCA Action is also running print and digital ads in the Austin American-Statesman, San Antonio Express-News and Dallas Morning News to highlight the protest letter and mobilize public support. The tri-city rallies started in Austin at the Texas Capitol Grounds East Steps on March 29, 2025. According to CBS-19 , elected officials, including Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin), State Rep. Vikki Goodwin (D-Austin) and Austin City Council Member Mike Siegel of District 7, spoke against HB 17 and SB 17 at the rally.“Ultimately this fight, in my eyes, is about who gets to be American,” said Daniel Wang . “I think America is great and has been great and was made great by its promise that, you know, we welcome everyone who wants to come here and contribute.”SB 17 passed the Texas Senate on March 19. A public hearing for HB 17 will be held on April 3 in the Texas House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans Affairs Committee. The meeting starts at 10:30 a.m. APA Justice will report on March 30 rallies in Dallas and Houston and continuing developments in the next newsletter. The Decline of Science in the U.S. under Trump 2.0 According to multiple media reports, the United States has experienced a notable decline in scientific research and development under Trump 2.0, marked by significant policy shifts and funding reductions. One of the administration's early actions was a freeze on federal grants, leading to widespread uncertainty within the scientific community. This freeze has disrupted ongoing research projects and hindered the initiation of new studies. The Trump administration has imposed substantial funding cuts to prominent universities, which are heavily reliant on federal research grants. These cuts have compelled institutions to make difficult decisions, including reducing graduate student admissions and implementing hiring freezes, thereby affecting the future landscape of American research and innovation.Environmental and climate science programs have faced particularly severe setbacks . The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has undergone significant budget reductions and staff layoffs, undermining its capacity to enforce environmental regulations and conduct critical research. Climate science initiatives at agencies like NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have experienced funding cuts, impeding efforts to monitor and address climate change. The administration has also appointed conspiracy theorists skeptical of established scientific consensus to key positions, such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appointment to head the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which has announced plans to cut 10,000 full-time employees across health agencies on top of 10,000 employees who have left voluntarily, shrinking the workforce from about 82,000 full-time employees to 62,000. On March 28, 2025, the Washington Post reported that the Trump administration pushed out Peter Marks , the nation’s top vaccine regulator and an architect of the U.S. program to rapidly develop coronavirus vaccines amid a worsening U.S. outbreak of measles. “It has become clear that truth and transparency are not desired by the Secretary, but rather he wishes subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies,” Marks wrote in his resignation. He was offered the choice to resign or be fired. He opted to resign, with an effective departure date of April 5.These collective actions have prompted widespread concern among scientists and researchers, leading to organized protests such as the " Stand Up for Science 2025 " rallies. These demonstrations reflect the scientific community's alarm over policies as undermining scientific integrity and progress. These policies have prompted many scientists to consider relocating abroad. According to Nature on March 27, 2025, more than 1,200 scientists who responded to an online poll — three-quarters of the total respondents — are considering leaving the United States following the disruptions prompted by Trump. Europe and Canada were among the top choices for relocation. The trend was particularly pronounced among early-career researchers. Of the 690 postgraduate researchers who responded, 548 were considering leaving; 255 of 340 PhD students said the same. According to Science on March 17, 2025, Emma , an early-career chemist, withdrew from a faculty position at the University of Mississippi due to concerns over the Trump administration’s impact on higher education, including threats to federal funding and diversity initiatives. Her decision reflects a broader trend of U.S.-based researchers seeking opportunities abroad as uncertainty grows over academic stability. Countries like France and China are actively recruiting displaced scientists, with initiatives such as Aix Marseilles University’s “Safe Place for Science” and direct outreach from researchers like Yi Rao at Peking University.However, while some nations welcome this talent shift, financial constraints in countries like Canada, the UK, and the Netherlands may limit their ability to absorb U.S. researchers. Experts warn that Trump’s policies could trigger a broader exodus from global science, as universities face funding cuts and instability. Although legal challenges may delay the full impact, the trend suggests a potential loss of scientific talent, with no clear destination for displaced researchers. Chinese Scholars/Students Face Heightened Scrutiny and Profiling Under Trump 2.0, Chinese and Asian scholars and students have faced heightened scrutiny and profiling. Visa Restrictions and Deportations Republican members of Congress and the Trump administration have intensified visa restrictions, notably through the Stop CCP VISAs Act, introduced by Representative Riley Moore (R-WV). This proposed legislation aims to halt the issuance of student visas to Chinese nationals, citing concerns over espionage and intellectual property theft. International students have also become targets of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), leading to detentions and deportations from college campuses. Notable cases include students from Columbia and Cornell universities, sparking protests and legal actions by organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). Scrutiny of Chinese Students and Scholars Republican members of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), chaired by Representative John Moolenaar (R-MI), has targeted Chinese students in U.S. universities under the pretense of national security. In March 2025, the committee sent letters to presidents of six universities, requesting detailed information about their Chinese student populations and research activities. Without substantive facts and evidence, the committee alleges that the CCP has established a systematic pipeline to embed researchers in leading U.S. institutions, providing them direct exposure to sensitive technologies with dual-use military applications. Impact on Higher Education Institutions Universities with significant Asian and Asian American populations have faced increased scrutiny over international collaborations, especially those involving Chinese researchers. For example, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in Pittsburgh has highlighted potential impacts due to proposed federal funding cuts and restrictions on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. These measures threaten the region's economy and its identity as an innovation hub. Challenges to Diversity Initiatives By diverting resources to investigate and potentially sue universities implementing diversity programs, the Trump administration threatens to reverse progress toward educational equity. This move has been criticized as an attempt to exploit divisions among communities of color and disrupt policies that help marginalized groups gain access to higher education. Rise in Anti-Asian Sentiment Following President Trump's 2024 election, there has been a marked increase in anti-Asian hate, particularly in online spaces. Between November 2024 and January 2025, anti-Asian slurs and threats of violence surged, with South Asian communities being disproportionately targeted. This rise in xenophobic rhetoric has created a hostile environment for Asian American students and scholars, affecting their sense of safety and belonging within academic institutions. Latest on Litigations Against Trump's Executive Actions As of March 30, 2025, the number of lawsuits against President Donald Trump 's executive actions reported by the Just Security Litigation Tracker has grown to 152 (3 closed cases). These are some of the latest developments: · Block on Alien Enemies Act Deportations Extended . On March 27, 2025, the legal team led by ACLU, Democracy Forward, and the ACLU of the District of Columbia filed a motion to extend the Temporary Restraining Orders (TROs) set to expire on March 29 for 14 days, claiming that good cause exists to extend the TROs. On March 28, the Court ordered the extension of the TROs until April 12, 2025. · Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility . In the case of State of California v. U.S Department of Education (1:25-cv-10548) , eight states challenge the Department of Education’s decision to terminate approximately $250 million in federal grants under the Teacher Quality Partnership and Supporting Effective Educator Development programs. On March 24, Judge Myong J. Joun granted Plaintiffs’ request to extend the TRO until April 7. On March 26, the government appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court to vacate the order by the district court and issue an administrative stay. In the case of Chicago Women in Trades v. Trump (1:25-cv-02005) , U.S. Judge Matthew Kennelly for the Northern District of Illinois granted a Temporary Restraining Order to block the implementation of two of Trump's DEI Executive Orders. · Actions Against Law Firms Blocked. On March 28, 2025, the law firm WilmerHale sued the Executive Office of the President and several government agencies over Trump’s March 27 executive order (EO) terminating government contracts, denying members of the firm access to federal employees, and suspending employees’ security clearances. U.S. Judge Richard Leon of the District of Columbia granted the law firm’s request to temporarily block several sections of the EO. In a separate lawsuit Jenner & Block LLP v. U.S. Department of Justice (1:25-cv-00916) , U.S. Judge John Bates of the District of Columbia also granted the Temporary Restraining Order to temporarily block several sections of the EO. News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar 2025/04/07 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/04/13 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/04/15 China Connections: A Conversation with Emily Feng2025/04/24-26 Committee of 100 Annual Conference and Gala2025/04/27 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/05/05 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/05/12-14 APAICS Annual Summit and GalaVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Temporary Injunction on Florida State Law (SB846) On March 28, 2025, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction against a Florida law known as SB846 that essentially bans international students from China and six other countries. This is a milestone victory for racial equity and academic freedom as other red states and the Congress are considering similar discriminatory laws. The lawsuit Yin v. Diaz (1:24-cv-21129) is led by Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance 华美维权同盟 (CALDA), ACLU Florida, and Perkins Coie. Clay Zhu 朱可亮 , Co-Founder of CALDA, gave an update at the APA Justice monthly meeting on March 3, 2025: https://bit.ly/4iOexLD 3. CAPAC Chair Meng Statement on the Anniversary of United States v. Wong Kim Ark Decision On March 28, 2025, Rep. Grace Meng 孟昭文 , Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, released a statement marking the 127th anniversary of the United States v. Wong Kim Ark decision upholding birthright citizenship as a constitutionally protected right:“Today marks 127 years since the landmark United States v. Wong Kim Ark decision that affirmed birthright citizenship to anyone born in our country, including those born to immigrant parents. This was established by the Supreme Court, even as the Chinese Exclusion Act and anti-Asian sentiment was in full force in the 1800s, because the Constitution made clear that ‘all persons’ born in the United States means ‘all persons.’“Despite this century-old legal precedent, President Trump issued an unlawful executive order to revoke birthright citizenship and eliminate the core principle that has allowed millions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to become U.S. citizens. It is a flagrant violation of the Fourteenth Amendment and the President’s oath to protect and defend the Constitution. “This is nothing more than a desperate attempt to sow division and stoke xenophobic sentiment for political gain. We will not allow this administration to trample over the Constitution and redefine who is American. I vow to fight tooth and nail against this unlawful action and to protect the principles that have made our country into what it is today.” # # # APA Justice Task Force is a non-partisan platform to build a sustainable ecosystem that addresses racial profiling concerns and to facilitate, inform, and advocate on selected issues related to justice and fairness for the Asian Pacific American community. For more information, please refer to the new APA Justice website under development at www.apajusticetaskforce.org . We value your feedback. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org . Back View PDF March 31, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter