Newsletter - #222 12/04 Monthly Meeting; PNAS Opinion; Upcoming Activities; ACP Conference and Retreat + #222 12/04 Monthly Meeting; PNAS Opinion; Upcoming Activities; ACP Conference and Retreat + In This Issue #222 · 2023/12/04 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · PNAS Opinion: The High Price of Overzealously Defending The US Research Enterprise Against Theft by China · Upcoming Activities: The Role of Chinese Students and The Repeal of The Chinese Exclusion Act · ACP Conference and Community Leadership Retreat in Dallas · News and Activities for the Communities 2023/12/04 APA Justice Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, December 4, 2023, starting at 1:55 pm ET. In addition to updates by Nisha Ramachandran , Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC); Joanna Derman , Director, Advancing Justice | AAJC; Gisela Perez Kusakawa , Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), confirmed speakers include: · Matt Jones , Partner, WilmerHale LLP. Matt represents Dr. Yanping Chen 陈燕平 , a naturalized U.S, citizen and founder of the University of Management and Technology in Arlington, Virginia. She was a cardiologist and medical researcher with the astronaut program in China prior to coming to the U.S. to study in 1987. In 2010, Dr. Chen became the focus of an FBI investigation. After 6 years of investigation, Dr. Chen was told that no charges will be filed against her in 2016. However, confidential information from the investigation was leaked to Fox News in or around 2017. On December 21, 2018, Dr. Chen filed a privacy lawsuit against the federal government. After several years of motion and discovery, the leaked reports are traced back to former Fox News reporter and now CBS News reporter Catherine Herridge . For months, Fox News and Herridge argued that they are protected under the First Amendment and free press. In August 2023, the presiding judge ruled "... Chen’s need for the requested evidence overcomes Herridge’s qualified First Amendment privilege in this case." Matt spoke about Dr. Chen's case at the November 2022 APA Justice monthly meeting . He will give us an update on the latest development. · Michael Bloch , Partner, Bloch and White LLP. Michael represents Baimadajie Angwang 昂旺 , an ethnic Tibetan from China who served in Afghanistan as a U.S. marine and later joined the New York Police Department (NYPD) as an officer. He is a naturalized U.S. citizen. Angwang was arrested in September 2020, charged with acting as an illegal agent of the Chinese government under the now-defunct "China Initiative." He was jailed pre-trial for six months in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. All the charges against Angwang were dropped in January 2023. U.S. prosecutors said they uncovered new information that warranted the dismissal. Angwang was reportedly surveilled under Section 702 of FISA. Despite the dismissal of all charges, Angwang faced an administrative trial conducted by NYPD in September 2023 for failing to attend a 5-day, 1,700-questions investigative hearing. The trial may result in the termination of Angwang's employment with NYPD. Michael will give us an update on Angwang's case. A Q&A and discussion session will follow the reports by Matt Jones and Michael Bloch. Discussants include: · Bethany Li , (confirmed) Legal Director, Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) · Paula Madison 罗笑娜 (confirmed), Retired, NBCUniversal Executive; Entrepreneur; Journalist · Brian Sun 孙自华 (confirmed), Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP · Helen Zia 谢汉兰 (confirmed), Activist, Author, and Former Journalist · Patrick Toomey/Ashley Gorski (invited), National Security Project, ACLU Brian Sun was part of the legal team representing Dr. Wen Ho Lee 李文和 in the criminal trial in 2000. Brian later represented Dr. Lee and won a settlement in a civil lawsuit when Dr. Lee sued the government under the Privacy Act in 2006. Helen Zia co-authored with Dr. Lee and published a book titled " My Country Versus Me " in 2002.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 PNAS Opinion: The High Price of Overzealously Defending The US Research Enterprise Against Theft by China On November 22, 2023, The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS) published an opinion by Stanford University physics professors Steven A, Kivelson and Peter F. Michelson . According to the opinion, the US government—reflecting rare bipartisan consensus—has, of late, undertaken increasingly expansive and intrusive actions to stem the illicit flow of proprietary secrets and intellectual property to China. These actions also aim to reduce the benefits that accrue to China from expertise acquired by Chinese scholars and students during visits or extended stays in the United States. Underlying this consensus is evidence that China is stealing valuable proprietary information from the United States, characterized by FBI Director Christopher Wray as “a whole of society effort to steal from the United States” Although these government actions are well-intentioned, significant harm has resulted. The benefits to the United States from the influx of talented Chinese students, immigrant scientists, and visiting scholars to our universities have largely been ignored or poorly understood by policymakers. Numerous examples highlight the importance for the United States of welcoming talent from around the world, but most particularly from China. Understanding the implications of these examples underscores just how much we lose by enacting Draconian measures to stop Chinese scientists from coming to the United States.Many of the concerns focused on intellectual property theft, economic competitiveness, and advancing military capabilities—extensively discussed in numerous articles and policy papers —are well founded. However, as professors of physics pursuing basic research, we argue that government must take into account the serious costs of restrictive US policies—adopted or proposed—that are seen as responses to these threats, particularly as they relate to fundamental scientific research at US universities.Read the PNAS opinion: https://bit.ly/3sOrq3s Upcoming Activities: The Role of Chinese Students and The Repeal of The Chinese Exclusion Act 1. Webinar: The Role of Chinese Students in America: A Conversation with Former Students from China On December 5, 2023, The US-China Education Trust, the Carter Center, and the US Heartland China Association will host a webinar on "The Role of Chinese Students in America: A Conversation with Former Students from China." WHAT: Webinar "The Role of Chinese Students in America: A Conversation with Former Students from China"WHEN: December 5, 2023, 6:30 - 9:00 pm ETDESCRIPTION: As Chinese international students have become a focal point of rising U.S.-China tensions, some Americans contend that the risks of educating students from China outweigh the benefits. The voices of those who have lived the Chinese student experience in America are essential to this debate, yet often overlooked. To add this personal perspective, USCET has assembled a panel of former Chinese students, all now successful Americans making significant contributions in their chosen fields.MODERATOR: Madelyn Ross , President, US-China Education Trust PANELISTS: · Min Fan, Executive Director, United States Heartland China Association · Dawn Li, educator, entrepreneur, and writer · Yawei Liu, senior advisor for China at The Carter Center and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations · Yi Zheng, tenured professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering and Director of the Nano Energy Laboratory at Northeastern University in Boston, and founder of the cleantech start-up, Planck Energies. REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/47sjeow 2. In-Person Event: We Are Americans On December 6, 2023, a coalition of organizations led by the 1882 Foundation will host an in-person event "We are Americans" to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act and the 125th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision on birthright citizenship. WHAT: In-person Reception and Lecture on "We are Americans" WHEN: December 6, 2023, 2:30 - 5:00 pm ET LOCATION: Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First Street SE, Washington DC, 20003 DESCRIPTION: A reception and a lecture to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act and the 125th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision on birthright citizenship. SPECIAL REMARKS: Judy Chu , Member, U.S, House of Representatives LECTURER: Martin Gold, Counsel to The 1882 Project HOSTS: The 1882 Foundation, CACA, UCA, OCA, and JACL REGISTRATION : https://bit.ly/3Gibn10 ACP Conference and Community Leadership Retreat in Dallas On November 11, 2023, the Association of Chinese Professionals Foundation (ACP) celebrated its 30th anniversary at its annual MetroCon conference and gala in Dallas, Texas. The conference included a session on "Critical Issues Facing Chinese Americans Today." The panelists were Gene Wu , Texas State Representative; Haipei Shue , President of United Chinese Americans (UCA); Echo King , President of Florida Asian American Justice Alliance (FAAJA); and Steven Pei , Professor of University of Houston. Cindy Tsai , Interim President and Executive Director of the Committee of 100, was keynote speaker at the gala.A community leadership retreat was held the next day on November 12, 2023. News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2023/12/03 Rep. Gene Wu 's Weekly town hall meeting2023/12/04 APA Justice monthly meeting 2023/12/05 The Role of Chinese Students in America2023/12/06 1882 Foundation Lecture and Reception: We are Americans 2023/12/10 Rep. Gene Wu 's Weekly town hall meeting2023/12/12 Community Briefing on Section 7022023/12/17 Rep. Gene Wu 's Weekly town hall meetingVisit https://bit.ly/45KGyga for event details. 2. NPR Report on GOP Plan to Revive Citizenship Question According to NPR , a coalition of conservative groups is preparing for a chance to shape the country's next set of census results in case a Republican president returns to the White House in 2025. Their playbook includes reviving a failed push for a citizenship question and other Trump-era moves that threaten the accuracy of the 2030 national head count. The plan also calls for aligning the mission of the government agency in charge of the next tally of the country's residents with "conservative principles." Many census watchers, including a former top Trump administration official, tell NPR they find this position particularly alarming. The policy proposals — led by The Heritage Foundation, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank — are part of a broader "Project 2025" plan for dismantling aspects of the U.S. government. Back View PDF November 27, 2023 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #196: Florida Hearing Today; TikTok Ban Lawsuit; Chinese Scientists; NASEM Roundtable; More #196: Florida Hearing Today; TikTok Ban Lawsuit; Chinese Scientists; NASEM Roundtable; More In This Issue #196 TODAY, July 18: Federal Court Argument Over Florida’s New Discriminatory Housing Law Texas’ TikTok Ban Hit With First Amendment Lawsuit Who Needs Chinese Scientists? America Does National Academies Roundtable Proceedings News and Activities for the Communities TODAY, July 18: Federal Court Argument Over Florida’s New Discriminatory Housing Law WHAT: The U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Florida will hear arguments in Shen v. Simpson . A press conference with the legal team and community leaders will follow. CONTACT : Dr. Jim Moyer, Press Secretary jimmoyer1956@gmail.com Attorney Echo King, President echokinglaw@yahoo.com Allegra Harpootlian, 303-748-4051, aharpootlian@aclu.org WHEN: Tuesday, July 18, 1:30 p.m. ET WHERE: Joseph Woodrow Hatchett U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building, 111 N. Adams St., Tallahassee, Florida Court information: https://www.flnd.uscourts.gov/tallahassee On July 18, 2023, the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Florida will hear arguments in Shen v. Simpson, a lawsuit challenging Senate Bill 264, a new Florida law banning many Chinese immigrants, including people here lawfully as professors, students, employees, and scientists, from buying a home in large swaths of the state. This law also unfairly discriminates against immigrants from Cuba, Venezuela, Syria, Iran, Russia, and North Korea, but it singles out people from China for especially draconian restrictions and harsher criminal penalties. The lawsuit Shen v. Simpson was filed on May 22, 2023, by four Chinese immigrants who live, work, study, and raise families in Florida, but are now prohibited from purchasing real estate there, as well as a local real estate firm whose business will be affected. The plaintiffs are asking the judge for a preliminary injunction to immediately block the law and declare it unconstitutional.The Chinese immigrants and real estate firm are represented by the DeHeng Law Offices PC, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the ACLU of Florida, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), and the law firm Quinn Emanuel in conjunction with the Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance (CALDA). On June 27, the United States Department of Justice filed an amicus brief in support of plaintiff's motion for a preliminary injunction challenging this prejudicial new law. Nineteen other groups have also express their support for the injunction. Ashley Gorski from ACLU and Clay Zhu from DeHeng Law Office will be in court arguing that this law violates the plaintiffs’ constitutional right to equal protection under the law and codifies and expands housing discrimination against people of Asian descent — something expressly forbidden by the Fair Housing Act. Florida Asian American Justice Alliance (FAAJA) and the Yick Wo Institution will hold a protest rally on July 18, denouncing the discriminatory SB 264 “Interests of Foreign Countries” Act. This demonstration will consist of a multiracial, multi-state coalition of concerned citizens, some of whom will be traveling in “freedom buses” to Tallahassee the morning of the hearing to support the civil rights of all US citizens and residents.Reminiscent of the “freedom rides” of the 1960s civil rights movement, these protestors have embraced the color YELLOW to symbolize the fight for the rights of the AAPI community.Those attending the rally in front of the courthouse will be wearing yellow.FAAJA was created after many Chinese Floridians, Chinese American groups, and countless other supporters protested in Tallahassee on April 19, 2023, against the passage of this bill,which violates Floridians’ civil rights and liberties. Despite FAAJA’s efforts, this unjust bill was signed into law on May 8, 2023, and took effect on July 1, 2023.This Tallahassee rally is supported by many major organizations with diverse backgrounds including APA Justice Task Force, Committee of 100 (C100), Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA), Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), Greater Houston League of United Latin American Citizens (GH LULAC), National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Stop AAPI Hate, United Chinese Americans (UCA) and more.The time and location of the press conference will be announced later.FAAJA hereby urges the court to rule in favor of the plaintiffs’ request for a temporary injunction and against this unfair treatment of certain targeted groups of people based on their race and country of origin.Read more coverage of the hearing by APA Justice: https://www.apajustice.org/ 2023/07/11 Shen v. Simpson Document 65: Plaintiffs' Report in Support of Their motion for a Preliminary Injunction . Update on Alien Land Bills On June 27, 2023, Louisiana Governor signed House Bill 537 into state law. It becomes effective on August 1, 2023.Follow the tracking map and state-by-state list of alien land bills at https://bit.ly/43oJ0YI . Read APA Justice's full coverage of Alien Land Bills: https://bit.ly/43epBcl Texas’ TikTok Ban Hit With First Amendment Lawsuit According to a press statement on July 13, 2023, researchers and the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University have filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Coalition for Independent Technology Research, asserting that Texas’s TikTok ban, initially imposed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott last year, violates the First Amendment. The ban requires all state agencies, including public universities, to bar employees from downloading or using TikTok on state-owned or -issued devices or networks, as well as on personal devices used to conduct state business. The lawsuit challenges the ban’s application to public university faculty, asserting that it compromises academic freedom and impedes vital research. The Coalition for Independent Technology Research is a group of academics, journalists, civil society researchers, and community scientists that works to advance, defend, and sustain the right to study the impact of technology on society. The coalition’s members include professors at public universities in Texas whose research and teaching have been compromised by the ban. Texas is not the only state to have enacted a TikTok ban of one kind or another. At least 35 states have banned TikTok on state devices and networks. State university systems or universities in 20 states have banned TikTok on university devices, university networks, or both. Montana passed a ban in May 2023; two lawsuits have been filed challenging that law, one by TikTok and another by TikTok users. Coalition for Independent Technology Research v. Abbott (1:23-cv-00783) was filed with the Western District of Texas Austin Division.Read the press statement by the Knight First Amendment Institute : https://bit.ly/43r7W0Q Who Needs Chinese Scientists? America Does According to an opinion published by LA Progressive on July 11, 2023, outside the halls of Congress, where alarm bells constantly go off about the Chinese threat, scientists, research laboratory directors, and university officials recognize what a resource the Chinese scientists are. Xie Xiaoliang is one of Harvard’s premier scientists, a biophysical chemist known for his work on DNA. He’s leaving Harvard to take an academic position in his home country, China, one of about 1400 top Chinese scientists who in recent years have given up their US positions and returned to China.The reason is not so much China’s “Thousand Talents” program, which seeks to entice scientists to return home with promises of lucrative academic and research positions. It’s the lingering effects of the Trump and Biden justice department’s China Initiative.That program sought—with outstanding failure—to weed out Chinese scientists, including Chinese Americans, who were supposedly committing economic espionage. The University of Michigan’s president was among many major university leaders who wrote to the US attorney general to complain about the unfairness of the China Initiative, pointing out its racial profiling, lack of evidence of wrongdoing, and pressure on the university to “investigate researchers who are singled out only because of their personal or professional connections with China.” The open letter was signed by the overwhelming majority of Michigan faculty.The China Initiative has ended, but the careers of a number of prominent scientists of Chinese descent in the US were ruined or set back. Fear stalks Chinese visitors and citizens alike. Put simply, the scientific research of Chinese scientists is crucial to international scientific collaboration ( Karin Fischer , The Chronicle of Higher Education, Latitudes, June 14, 2023).There is, to be sure, reason for caution on national security grounds. Concern about research findings here being conveyed to the Chinese military is real. U.S. universities are well aware of the problem and have developed guidelines for collaborative research with security implications. But overwhelmingly, the view at universities and research facilities is that our society and economy would pay a high price if Chinese scientists were suddenly barred from entry. That means US “visa processes should be streamlined, backlogs cleared and talented individuals given expanded opportunities to obtain green cards,” says one writer long involved in promoting US-China ties.Congress isn’t listening, however; right-wing members, with some support from liberals, believe any contact with Chinese scientists is a national security danger. Recently, 10 Republicans on Rep. Mike Gallagher ’s special committee on China wrote Secretary of State Antony Blinken to urge that the U.S. scrap the 1979 US-China Science and Technology Agreement, which is up for renewal. That agreement supports cooperation on many scientific projects in agriculture, physics, and the atmosphere, among other areas. Let’s remember that no one appreciates academic freedom more than visitors from China and other countries under authoritarian rule. When that freedom is violated by harassment and suspicion, word gets back to China very quickly, and the rewards for returning to China, in money and prestige, become tantalizing. Academic freedom is under assault in the U.S. for other reasons these days. It is in our self-interest to protect it from those who really don’t have the national interest at heart. Mel Gurtov , author of the opinion, is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Portland State University (Oregon) and (from 1994 to 2017) Editor-in-Chief of Asian Perspective, an international affairs quarterly. Read the LA Progressive opinion: https://bit.ly/3XPJBAO Science : New Chinese journal gains impact. According to Science on July 13, 2023, just 3 years after launch, The Innovation , a China-based, English language journal, has made a splash. Last month, it notched a citation impact factor of 32.1—behind only Nature ’s 64.8 and Science ’s 56.9 among multidisciplinary journals—in the annual Journal Citation Reports released by the Clarivate analytics company. A group of young Chinese scientists pooled their savings to get the open-access journal up and running, according to the South China Morning Post , which first reported the story. Despite producing nearly 30% of the world’s reviewed scientific papers, China has produced few highly ranked journals. At least two-thirds of The Innovation ’s published papers come from China-based corresponding authors. It accepts only about 13% of submissions; acceptance rates at Science and Nature are below 10%. Read the Science report: https://bit.ly/44vIyss National Academies Roundtable Proceedings On November 14 and 15, 2022, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) convened a two-day workshop under the auspices of the National Science, Technology, and Security Roundtable to assess the state of the U.S. research enterprise in a time of increasing global competition. The workshop also featured discussion of the challenges confronting researchers as they seek to ensure the vitality of research and innovation in America, foster increased international scientific research cooperation, and simultaneously counter illicit foreign interference that threatens national security interests. This publication summarizes the presentation and discussion of the workshop.Read the proceedings of the NASEM workshop: https://bit.ly/3K4zWR4 News and Activities for the Communities 1. Asian American Tech Worker Filed Suit According to NBC News on July 12, 2023, A former Asian American employee is suing the Silicon Valley tech company Lumentum, alleging that a yearslong pattern of racism ended with his termination when he tried to speak out. Andre Wong , 52, filed the complaint in the Santa Clara Superior Court on June 30, seeking $20 million in damages. His suit comes amid others by tech workers who say they’re pushing against the “bamboo ceiling,” barriers that have kept Asians from advancing to high-level leadership positions. Read the NBC News report: https://nbcnews.to/44JXId0 . 2. First Asian American Miss Texas speaks out against Gov. Abbott’s attack on diversity programs According to AsAmNews on July 8, 2023, Miss Texas is asking Governor Greg Abbott and other conservative lawmakers to stop their assault on DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programs in the state. Last year, Averie Bishop became the first Asian American to win Miss Texas and went on to compete in the Miss America competition. Since then, she has been using her platform to promote the idea that “Y’all means All.” MSNBC published an Op-Ed written by Bishop that addressed attacks on DEI policies from conservative Texas state lawmakers. The Texas Senate recently passed S.B. 17, in April. The bill bans diversity equity inclusion departments in public universities. The Op-Ed also comes after a recent U.S. Supreme Court deemed affirmative action programs in university admissions unlawful. Bishop wrote that she worried that the state’s “most vulnerable populations” would be ostracized without DEI policies. She believes the policies are essential to building a better Texas. Bishop herself is a first-generation law school graduate. Her mother was a Filipino immigrant. Growing up, she was one of just two visibly Asian students at her school. Now, she sees a different Texas.Bishop said she’s disappointed that many lawmakers do not want to celebrate that diversity. “Gov. Greg Abbott and state leadership must cease its assault on DEI policy and focus on improving the economic and social livelihood of all of us,” Bishop wrote.Read the AsAmNews report: https://bit.ly/3PZxSxB . Read the MSNBC op-ed: https://on.msnbc.com/43rMVn1 Back View PDF July 18, 2023 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #313 Amb. Gary Locke; 3/4 Webinar; FL SB 846 Injunction; NIH Turmoil/Fed Data Integrity; + #313 Amb. Gary Locke; 3/4 Webinar; FL SB 846 Injunction; NIH Turmoil/Fed Data Integrity; + In This Issue #313 · Remarks by Ambassador/Secretary/Governor Gary Locke · NFHA Updates; 03/04 Webinar on Alien Land Laws Opens · Temporary Injunction Against Florida Discriminatory Law SB846 · NIH in Turmoil; Federal Data Integrity Threatened · News and Activities for the Communities Remarks by Ambassador/Secretary/Governor Gary Locke Gary Locke 骆家辉 is Chair of the Committee of 100, former U/S. Ambassador to China, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce, and former Governor of the state of Washington. During the APA Justice monthly meeting on February 3, 2025, Ambassador/Secretary/Governor Locke expresses deep concern over the increasing challenges faced by the Asian American community, particularly Chinese Americans, under the current political climate. The worsening U.S.-China relationship has fueled harmful rhetoric, reminiscent of the first Trump administration, with terms like "Wuhan virus" and "Kung flu" leading to a surge in anti-Asian violence. While the U.S. may have legitimate policy disputes with China, Gary emphasizes that such conflicts should not extend to Chinese Americans, who have made significant contributions to the nation for centuries. From building the transcontinental railroad to serving in the military, Chinese Americans have long played an integral role in shaping the country.Despite these contributions, Chinese Americans continue to be treated as perpetual foreigners and unfairly associated with the Chinese government. The Trump administration’s “China Initiative,” which targeted Chinese American scientists under the guise of national security concerns, reinforced harmful stereotypes and subjected many to wrongful prosecution. Although the Biden administration sought to focus on restricting high-tech exports to China for security reasons, Trump’s recent policies suggest a return to broad anti-China rhetoric that unfairly affects Chinese Americans. This includes policies such as banning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, suspending foreign aid, and halting humanitarian relief efforts.Economic policies under Trump are also raising concerns, particularly the reintroduction of tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China. While Trump claims these tariffs will hold foreign governments accountable, in reality, they function as a tax on American businesses and consumers. Companies like Costco, Target, and Macy’s are forced to absorb these costs, which are then passed on to everyday Americans. Gary highlights that nearly 60% of all shoes sold in the U.S. are imported from China, meaning the financial burden of tariffs disproportionately affects consumers and small businesses. The uncertainty surrounding these economic policies only adds to the challenges faced by Asian American communities. In addition to economic pressures, there is a troubling resurgence of discriminatory policies at the state level. Many states are now passing laws restricting land ownership by Chinese nationals, a clear throwback to the alien land laws of the early 20th century, which were designed to prevent Asian immigrants from owning property. Coupled with new restrictions on immigration, these policies evoke the era of the Chinese Exclusion Act, reinforcing systemic barriers against Chinese Americans. Gary warns that such actions represent a dangerous regression in civil rights, undermining decades of progress toward equality and inclusion.Given these mounting challenges, Gary calls for stronger, more explicit support from government leaders. Elected officials, from governors to members of Congress, must send a clear message that policy disagreements with China do not justify discrimination against Chinese Americans. The community should not have to bear the consequences of geopolitical conflicts between the U.S. and China. Gary stresses that public figures must actively reject xenophobic narratives and affirm the invaluable contributions of Asian Americans across all sectors of society.To combat these growing threats, Gary urges increased vigilance, organization, and collaboration among advocacy groups. Despite past achievements, the fight for equality is far from over, and Asian Americans cannot afford complacency. Gary commends APA Justice for its efforts in documenting and addressing these injustices, emphasizing the need for a unified, strategic approach to advocacy. Without coordination and collective action, the Asian American community risks being marginalized and targeted once again. By working together, organizations can strengthen their influence and ensure that the rights and dignity of Asian Americans are protected. A summary of the February 2025 APA Justice monthly meeting is being prepared at this time. For past monthly meeting summaries, visit https://bit.ly/4hyOV4i NFHA Updates; 03/04 Webinar on Alien Land Laws Opens During the APA Justice monthly meeting on February 3, 2025, Scott Chang , Senior Counsel of National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA), provided an update on the lawsuit National Fair Housing Alliance, Inc. v. Secretary of Commerce (1:24-cv-21749) , which challenges Florida’s SB 264, a law restricting property ownership by individuals from China and six other countries. Filed in May 2024, the lawsuit alleges that SB 264 violates the Fair Housing Act by discriminating on the basis of national origin. Unlike Shen v. Simpson, which focuses on constitutional arguments, this lawsuit emphasizes how SB 264 disproportionately affects individuals from targeted countries and was enacted with discriminatory intent, as evidenced by Governor DeSantis’s statements.NFHA filed the lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida. It was joined by the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA), two Florida-based fair housing organizations, and an Asian American-owned real estate company. The plaintiffs are represented by civil rights law firms and advocacy groups, including the Asian American Justice Center. Florida officials initially sought to transfer the case to the Northern District, where Shen v. Simpson is being heard, but the judge denied the request. However, the case has been stayed pending the Eleventh Circuit’s decision in Shen v. Simpson.Scott highlighted the broader implications of SB 264, emphasizing that such restrictive land ownership laws reflect a troubling trend of targeting immigrant communities, particularly those of Asian descent. The lawsuit aims to set a legal precedent to prevent similar discriminatory policies from undermining fair housing protections across the United States.Civil rights groups are closely monitoring similar legislative efforts in other states, assessing potential legal challenges. Scott reiterated the importance of holding lawmakers accountable for policies that perpetuate discrimination and reaffirmed the commitment of advocacy organizations to ensuring housing equity and protecting the rights of immigrant communities.On March 4, 2025, Scott will continue the discussion as a speaker at a webinar co-hosted by the Committee of 100 and APA Justice: WHAT: Fair Housing Rights & Alien Land Laws: Challenges and Advocacy for the Asian American Community WHEN: March 4, 2025, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm ET WHERE: Webinar HOST: Committee of 100 and APA Justice Opening Remarks: Cindy Tsai, Interim President, Committee of 100 Moderator: John D. Trasviña, Former Assistant Secretary of the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Panelists: · Hope Atuel , CEO/Executive Director, Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) · Scott Chang , Senior Counsel, The National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) Closing Remarks: Jeremy Wu, Founder and Co-Organizer, APA Justice DESCRIPTION: With new laws limiting property ownership based on nationality, real estate professionals and advocates are stepping up to challenge these discriminatory policies. This webinar will provide critical insights into how these restrictions are reshaping the housing landscape and what we can do to fight back. What you will learn: · Your Rights Under the Fair Housing Act – Understand the legal protections in place to combat discrimination. · How These Laws Affect Asian Homebuyers & Real Estate Professionals – Hear real-world impacts from industry experts. · Community & Legal Advocacy in Action – Learn how grassroots efforts and legal challenges are pushing back and how you can get involved. Stay ahead of these evolving legal challenges by exploring Committee of 100’s interactive map , which tracks ongoing land ownership exclusion laws, and APA Justice’s Alien Land Bills webpage , where you will find the latest updates on lawsuits and policy developments. REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3EOqGke Temporary Injunction Against Florida Discriminatory Law SB846 On February 11, 2025, the Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance (CALDA) 华美维权同盟 announced that a federal magistrate judge in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida has issued a recommendation stating that SB 846 likely violates the U.S. Constitution and should be temporarily blocked. Florida SB 846 is a state law that restricts public universities and colleges from employing Chinese students, scholars, and researchers, citing national security concerns. SB846 fosters discrimination against Asian American communities, undermines academic freedom, and hampers scientific progress. This is a significant step forward in the lawsuit Yin v. Diaz (1:24-cv-21129) filed by CALDA, the ACLU, and Perkins Coie on behalf of Chinese students and a professor. The district judge will make the final decision in the coming weeks, and in most cases, such recommendations are upheld. The enforcement of SB 846 has already harmed Chinese students, some of whom lost research and teaching positions, had their projects canceled, or were forced to leave their programs. Asian Pacific American (APA) organizations led by the Asian American Scholar Forum, United Chinese Americans (UCA), Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, and APA Justice have been actively opposing Florida's SB 846 by making public statements and advocacy, supporting the lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of SB846, organizing protests and rallies, and providing resources and explainers to inform the public and mobilizing community action and support. Local organizations such as the Florida Chinese Faculty Association, Graduate Assistants United, The United Faculty of Florida, and University of Florida's Student Senate are among many local groups that have been active and engaged. These concerted efforts strive to combat SB 846, protect the rights of Asian American communities, and promote equitable academic and professional environments.Read the CALDA announcement in Chinese: https://bit.ly/40UZ0l9 . Read the recommendation Order: https://bit.ly/42UDArg. Attorney Clay Zhu 朱可亮律师 , Co-Founder of CALDA, will give an update at the APA Justice monthly meeting on March 3, 2025. NIH in Turmoil; Federal Data Integrity Threatened As of February 16, 2025, the number of lawsuits against President Donald Trump's executive actions reported by the Just Security Litigation Tracker has grown to 74. Dr. Lawrence A. Tabak , the number 2 official as the Principal Deputy Director at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), abruptly resigned and retired on February 11, 2025. Dr. Michael Lauer , deputy director of the National Institutes of Health’s extramural research, announced his departure the next day,On February 10, 2025, twenty-two (22) state attorneys general filed a lawsuit, Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. National Institutes of Health (1:25-cv-10338) , against the Trump administration plan to limit how it pays universities and research institutes for “indirect costs” to 15%. According to NBC News , “ This agency action will result in layoffs, suspension of clinical trials, disruption of ongoing research programs, and laboratory closures,” the lawsuit says. “NIH’s extraordinary attempt to disrupt all existing and future grants not only poses an immediate threat to the nation’s research infrastructure, but will also have a long-lasting impact on its research capabilities and its ability to provide life-saving breakthroughs in scientific research.” On February 14, 2025, U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley , a U.S. district judge, granted the attorneys generals' request for a temporary restraining order, ordering the agencies not to take any steps to implement, apply or enforce the new policy. Judge Kelley set an in-person hearing for February 21.Two additional lawsuits have been filed at the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts against the NIH plan - Association of American Universities v. Department of Health & Human Services (1:25-cv-10346) and Association of American Medical Colleges v. National Institutes of Health (1:25-cv-10340) On January 30, 2025, U.S. Census Bureau Director Dr. Robert Santos announced his resignation mid-way through his five-year term. He was sworn in as the bureau’s 26th director, and its first Hispanic leader, in 2022. His last day was February 14, 2025. According to NPR on February 12, 2025, the Census Bureau removed access to key data following President Trump's executive order targeting gender identity, raising concerns over political interference and data censorship. The order, issued on January 20, led to a temporary shutdown of the bureau’s website and the removal of webpages related to research on gender identity and sexual orientation. Federal agencies, including the Census Bureau, were directed to eliminate materials promoting “gender ideology,” a term often used by opponents of transgender rights. This abrupt action disrupted public access to critical demographic data, hindered internal operations, and left employees unable to access essential platforms. Despite public outcry, the bureau has yet to provide an official explanation, fueling concerns about the integrity and independence of federal data collection.In response, over 230 organizations, led by the Council of Professional Associations on Federal Statistics (COPAFS), the American Statistical Association, and the Population Association of America, issued a letter urging Congress to "demand the complete restoration of any federal data that have been removed" and work with the administration to "prevent any future purge or removal of data from federal agency websites and portals." Read the COPAFS letter on Protecting Public Access to Federal Data: https://bit.ly/41h0BTJ Advocates warn that suppressing data on gender identity effectively erases LGBTQ+ populations and undermines civil rights protections, including efforts to combat hate crimes. Experts argue that decades of research into measuring gender identity could be lost, reversing progress made in ensuring accurate representation in federal statistics. Lawmakers, including Democratic Representatives Mark Takano , Jamie Raskin , and Gerry Connolly , have called for an immediate halt to the executive order’s implementation, emphasizing the importance of recognizing transgender individuals in government data. Researchers and librarians have begun independent efforts to preserve the missing data, but concerns remain that the government’s actions set a dangerous precedent for political interference in public information. Experts also warn that the outright deletion of government records could have legal ramifications, as the destruction of certain federal data may constitute a criminal offense. News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/02/18 Protecting Our Organizations: 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Compliance Virtual Training2025/02/23 World Premier of "Quixotic Professor Qiu" with Xiaoxing Xi2025/03/02 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/03/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/03/04 Fair Housing Rights & Alien Land Laws: Challenges and Advocacy for the Asian American Community2025/03/12 MSU Webinar on China Initiative2025/03/16 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/03/30 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/04/07 APA Justice Monthly MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Lunar New Year Celebrations in San Francisco San Francisco’s Chinese New Year parade drew massive crowds on February 15, 2025, reinforcing its status as a premier celebration in the Bay Area Asian community, according to AsAmNews , KTVU-2 , San Francisco Standard , and multiple media reports. Acclaimed Chinese American actress and longtime San Francisco resident Joan Chen served as grand marshal, kicking off the festivities at sunset by lighting firecrackers at Union Square. The parade featured nearly 100 floats and performance groups, including an enormous dragon carried by approximately 110 people, not including side support.Newly elected Mayor Daniel Lurie participated as honorary grand marshal, and the parade stretched roughly one mile. "Welcome to the best Lunar New Year parade outside of Asia," declared San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu . "The oldest, most historic, and most amazing Chinatown in the United States is right here in San Francisco!" # # # 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 February 17, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Legislative Alert Victims Federal Agencies Congress Media Watch Legislative Alert H.R. 3038 Securing American Science and Technology Act of 2019 was introduced by Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) on May 30, 2019. It has 33 bipartisan co-sponsors (17 D and 16 R). According to Science , this bill has been folded into H.R. 2500 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (NDAA), which passed the House with a 220 - 197 margin on July 12. The Senate version of the NDAA, S. 1790 passed earlier on June 27, 2019 with a margin 86-8 . Its difference with the House will be resolved in conference. S. 2133 Secure American Research Act of 2019 was introduced by Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) on July 16, 2019. It has 7 co-sponsors (4 R and 3 D). H.R. 2133 and H.R. 2500 are listed as related bills. Section 2.(3).F of S. 2133 reads as follows: "(F) develop and ensure the implementation of a means for Federal agencies listed in paragraph (2)(A) to aggregate and share Federal agency information regarding completed investigations of researchers that were determined to be knowingly fraudulent in disclosure of foreign interests, investments, or involvement relating to Federal research, which shall-- (i) be shared among agencies listed in paragraph (2)(A); (ii) not be made available to the public; and (iii) not be subject to the requirements of section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the “Freedom of Information Act”);" "Malign Foriegn Government Talent Recruitment Program" The Bipartisan Innovation Act is the bill merging the House's America COMPETES Act and the Senate's USICA. On April 6, 2022, the White House announced a bipartisan and bicameral Congressional briefing to discuss the urgent need to invest in made-in-America semiconductors as well as research and development that will protect our economic and national security: https://bit.ly/3rhJtea . The America COMPETES bill was passed by the House on February 4, 2022. It has 3,610 pages: https://bit.ly/3vlzeXL . Pages 670-674 covers Subtitle E—Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program Prohibition and SEC. 10651. Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program Prohibition. The Senate passed its revised USICA on March 28, 2022. That bill has 2,326 pages: https://bit.ly/3M32KIh . Pages 263-267 covers Section 2303. Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Program Prohibition. Where APA Justice keeps an eye on individual and group victims, selected legislative bills and actions, federal policies and practices, and media reports and bias that may enable racial profiling and adversely impact the Asian American community Explore Watchlist WATCHLIST

June 7, 2019 A fallout from racial profiling Chinese American scientists is the loss of talent by the U.S. in an increasingly competitive world for talents. A June 7, 2019 Asian Times article provides ample current and past examples and a succinct summary of how " US will regret persecuting Chinese scientists . " Racial profiling harms the long-term interests of America by forcing talented and renowned scientists, many of them naturalized U.S. citizens, out of the country into the welcoming arms of China. Ironically, profiling those in China's talent recruitment programs actually facilitates China’s recruitment. Stigmatizing all students from China, which exceeded 350,000 at US universities in 2017, as potential spies for China will not enhance but harm the pipeline of American research and innovation. This May 29 essay titled " My Science Has No Nationality " by a young Chinese American female physicist describes the plight of many of today's Chinese American scientists. 2019/07/15 Inside Higher Ed: Attacking Chinese on Our Campuses Only Hurts America Examples of America's Lost Talents Dr. Xin Zhao , a prize-winning applied physicist from the College of William and Mary in Virginia, had to relocate his startup venture to commercialize some of the school’s patented nanotechnology from the U.S. to China after a federal investigation that included a failed sting, airport stops and an unfounded child-porn search. Dr. Chunzai Wang , a U.S. citizen and one of the foremost experts on ocean-atmosphere interaction, climate change, and hurricanes in the world, is now a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in China. He was a research oceanographer in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). He received the NOAA Research Scientist of the Year award in 2012 and 2013. Dr. Xifeng Wu , a U.S. citizen, is now Dean of School of Public Health, Vice President for the Second Affiliated Hospital and the Director for National Institute of Health Big Data, Zhejiang University in China. She was Director, Center for Public Health and Translational Genomics and Professor, Department of Epidemiology at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in January 2019. Dr. Xiaorong Wang is now a Distinguished Professor of School of Chemical Science and Engineering and of Institute for Advanced Study at Tongji University at Shanghai, China. He was a project and group leader at Bridgestone Americas Center for Research and Technology and received the Bridgestone/Firestone CEO Award for distinguished research. Dr. Xuesen Qian (1911-2009) is known as the founder of engineering cybernetics and father of the space program for China. He was a co-founder of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the U.S. During the Second Red Scare in the 1950s, the U.S. government accused him of communist sympathies. After spending five years under house arrest, he was released in 1955 and deported to China. The head of the US Navy at the time was quoted as saying that Qian’s deportation was "the stupidest thing this country ever did. He was no more a communist than I was and we forced him to go.” Latest from BBC: Qian Xuesen: The scientist deported from the US who helped China into space Previous Next America Loses Talent by Racial Profiling

4. Legal Resources and Policy Advocacy - How to Combat Racial Profiling Under the “China Initiative” 2020-2022 China Initiative Wednesday, April 28, 2021 The recent acts of violence and the rise in Anti-Asian hate, along with the government’s heightened scrutiny and racial profiling of scientists and researchers of Asian and Chinese descent, particularly through the Department of Justice’s “China Initiative,” have caused immeasurable harm to the Asian American community, leaving lives in shambles and eroding the health of our democracy. This comprehensive webinar takes a deeper dive into how we can empower impacted persons and the broader Asian American and immigrant community to take action to protect their civil rights and advocate for policy reform. Policy makers, civil rights organizations, and the academic community will share their insights on topics including policy and advocacy engagement, access to available legal resources, and building narratives to lift up the voices of impacted people and combat xenophobia. 20210428 Webinar4ChinaInitative1.png 20210428 Webinar4ChinaInitative2.png Previous Item Next Item

Xiaoxing Xi 郗小星 Docket ID: 2:17-cv-02132 District Court, E.D. Pennsylvania Date filed: May 10, 2017 Date ended: Professor Xi Files Appeal to Reinstate Damage Claims Against FBI 2023/06/08 TechDirt: Appeals Court Awards Half A Win To Professor Wrongfully Arrested For Sharing ‘Secret’ Tech With Chinese Entities 2023/05/26 星島日報: 任職天普被誣指中國間諜 華裔教授郗小星獲准告FBI 2023/05/25 NBC News: After being wrongfully accused of spying for China, professor wins appeal to sue the government 2023/05/24 ACLU: ACLU Applauds Court For Allowing Case Challenging FBI’s Wrongful Prosecution of Chinese American Physics Professor To Move Forward Bloomberg Law: Temple Professor’s Claims Revived Over Wrongful Spying Arrest 2022/09/21 Inside Higher Ed: After the China Initiative: Seeking Accountability 2022/09/20 NBC News: A professor falsely accused of spying for China describes the toll it's taken on his family 2022/09/16 Temple News: Temple physics professor defends lawsuit against FBI agent 2022/09/15 Courthouse News Service: Appeals court weighs case over China-born physicist’s wrongful espionage charges 2022/09/14 Oral arguments: https://bit.ly/3dbBD29 (audio 57:09) WHYY: Temple professor continues long legal journey to sue FBI for wrongful prosecution Philadelphia Inquirer: Temple professor falsely accused of spying for China urges court to revive his suit against the FBI Advancing Justice | AAJC: Professor Xiaoxing Xi, Civil Rights Advocates Argue for Freedom from Government Discrimination and Surveillance in Third Circuit Court Asian American Scholar Forum: Asian American Scholar Forum Calls for Justice for Dr. Xiaoxing Xi Ahead of Third Circuit Oral Arguments AsAmNews: Professor accused of spying for China asks court to revisit suit against FBI 2022/02/20 The Daily Campus: SMU AAPASA Denounces FBI’s Racial Targeting of Asian Academics 2022/02/17 AAUP: The AAUP Joins Movement Seeking Justice For Professor Xiaoxing Xi 2022/02/15 Defending Rights & Dissent: DRAD joins amicus brief in Xi v. Haugen; calls on US government to stop discriminating against Asian Americans & immigrants 2022/02/14 American Physical Society: Brief of Amici Curiae American Physical Society, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Statistical Association, American Geophysical Union, and Gerontological Society of America in Support of Appellants Advancing Justice | AAJC: Advancing Justice - AAJC and Advancing Justice - ALC Amicus Brief in Support of Professor Xiaoxing Xi 2022/02/11 Institute for Justice: Institute for Justice Amicus Brief in support of Professor Xiaoxing Xi 2022/02/10 The Davis Vanguard: Naturalized U.S. Citizen Files Appeal Following Dismissal of Claims Against U.S. Gov’t 2022/02/09 The Daily Pennsylvanian: Temple University Professor Xiaoxing Xi seeks reinstatement of lawsuit against FBI Temple News: Temple professor asks court to reinstate lawsuit against U.S. government 2022/02/07 AP: Temple prof seeks reinstatement of damage claims against FBI 2021/09/24 ACLU: Xi v. Haugen - Plaintiffs' Notice of Appeal 2021/04/02 ACLU: A Chinese American Scientist and His Family Are Battling the FBI’s Profiling in Court ACLU: Federal Court Dismisses Claims in Chinese American Professor’s Lawsuit Challenging FBI’s Baseless Arrest and Prosecution 2018/04/09 ACLU: Xi V. Haugen – Challenge to Warrentless Surveillance Previous Item Next Item

Newsletter - #243 Florida Rally Today; AAJC Updates; History in California; Corky Lee; Mexico Brief; + #243 Florida Rally Today; AAJC Updates; History in California; Corky Lee; Mexico Brief; + In This Issue #243 · Rally Today: Florida Professors and Advocates Demand Board of Governors Address SB 846 · Advancing Justice | AAJC Updates from March APA Justice Monthly Meeting · Humanity in Confronting History in California · Fifty Years of Photographic Justice: Corky Lee’s Asian America · Mexico Files Amicus Brief; Chinese Crossing Southern Border · News and Activities for the Communities Rally Today: Florida Professors and Advocates Demand Board of Governors Address SB 846 On March 26, 2024, professors, students, and advocates will host a rally before the Florida Board of Governors meeting at the University of Florida. Asian American scholars and local and national community members will gather to demand that the Florida Board of Governors address their concerns with SB 846, which restricts Florida’s public colleges and universities from hiring graduate students and researchers from certain “countries of concern,” including China and Iran. The legislation, which took effect on July 1, 2023, further restricts Florida’s public colleges and universities from participating in partnerships or agreements with individuals or entities from these countries. It has raised concerns on academic freedom and impacts on the Asian American community not just in Florida but nationwide. The law has created confusion and a chilling effect on researchers, and could lead to broader harms on scientific innovation and the pipeline of scientific leadership in Florida and the U.S. At this rally, students and professors will share personal stories about the negative impact of the legislation on themselves, peers, and their local community, as well as the fearful environment that it has fostered especially at a time of increased anti-Asian hate and violence. National representatives are flying in from across the country to support local community members and to voice that what is happening in Florida could have a rippling effect across the country. Vincent Wang , Co-Organizer of APA Justice, will speak at the rally, which will be held at Reitz Union, North Lawn, University of Florida Gainesville Campus, on March 26, 2024, starting at 12 noon ET. The "We Belong" Yellow Whistles will be distributed during the rally. Please join.Read the media advisory: https://bit.ly/3PEyOq9 Breaking News: Academics challenge Florida law restricting research exchanges from prohibited countries like China According to AP on March 26, 2024, two graduate students from China whose studies were put on hold, and a professor who says he is unable to recruit research assistants, sued Florida education officials, trying to stop enforcement of a new state law which limits research exchanges between state universities and academics from seven prohibited countries.The law is discriminatory, unconstitutional and reminiscent of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which instituted a 10-year ban on Chinese laborers immigrating to the United States, according to the lawsuit filed in federal court in Miami. The new law also usurps the power of the federal government, which has exclusive authority over immigration, national security and foreign affairs, the lawsuit said.Read the AP report: https://bit.ly/3PEfkCd Advancing Justice | AAJC Updates from March APA Justice Monthly Meeting During the APA Justice monthly meeting on March 4, 2024, Joanna YangQing Derman , Director, Anti-Profiling, Civil Rights & National Security Program, Advancing Justice | AAJC, reported that the House cancelled a much anticipated vote on Section 702, the circumstances around which are highly problematic. The key takeaways include: 1. The House Intelligence Committee, led by Chairman Mike Turner , reneged on a pre-negotiated deal to move FISA reauthorization and reform to the House floor; 2. The House Judiciary Committee, which has primary jurisdiction over Section 702, submitted amendments to the base bill and testified in favor of their amendments while the House Intelligence Committee failed to even appear. Chair Turner and other House Intelligence Committee members also cryptically hinted at a so-called destabilizing foreign military capability that they heavily implied was related to Section 702, but it was later identified to be completely unrelated. Chair Turner undermined national security and wrongfully created national panic. It was clearly designed to scare members ahead of the plan to vote on Section 702, which was ultimately taken down. The White House and members of Congress and Civil Society have all been appalled at this behavior and issued statements to that effect. But in terms of next steps, Advancing Justice | AAJC will, in coalition with other AAPI organizations, prepare to defend against any efforts to jam Section 702 reauthorization into any imminent must-pass legislation. To that end, Joanna learned that 702 reauthorization is not in the first minibus and will continue to stay vigilant and monitor. Joanna deferred to Thông Phan to report on the state alien land laws. Advancing Justice | AAJC is tracking land-law-related language in the national security supplemental. It appears that a narrowly tailored version of the Rounds amendment was ultimately dropped, and the national security supplemental at the time of reporting looks to be less harmful.A summary for the meeting is being prepared at this time. The virtual monthly meeting is by invitation only. It is closed to the press. If you wish to join, either one time or for future meetings, please contact one of the co-organizers of APA Justice - Steven Pei 白先慎 , Vincent Wang 王文奎 , and Jeremy Wu 胡善庆 - or send a message to contact@apajustice.org . Humanity in Confronting History in California According to AP , in May 2021, Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe had issued a formal apology for Antioch’s mistreatment of early Chinese immigrants, including the torching of Chinatown and driving out its residents, which has been documented by local newspapers and historians. Thorpe’s actions led to major cities like San Jose, Los Angeles and San Francisco passing similar resolutions.The 2021 apology has also led to local residents and historians delving deeper into the past and working to establish a Chinatown Historic District, complete with murals and museum exhibits highlighting the history and accomplishments of the community in Antioch.Before getting involved with the Antioch Historical Society and becoming committee chair for its Chinese History Project, Hans Ho said he had no idea a Chinatown once existed there. Chinese people were undoubtedly treated as second-class citizens, said Ho, who emigrated from Hong Kong in the 1960s. He was also one of the representatives from the Chinese American community to receive Thorpe’s apology, an act that moved him to tears.Chinese laborers were among the early population in Antioch, which was named in 1851. They likely numbered just under 100, said Lucy Meinhardt , an Antioch Historical Society Museum board member. They worked in farms, canneries and mines. They helped build river levees and established a Chinatown where the city’s downtown now stands. Today, the city of more than 111,000 is 25% white while Asians make up 12%. Hispanic and Black residents are 35% and 20% of the population, respectively. Even creating a space for some materials related to Chinese residents at the Antioch Historical Society Museum has gotten pushback. “(One board member) said that they wanted this to be an ‘American’ museum,” said Dwayne Eubanks , a past president of the historical society, who is African American. “I took umbrage to that.” He held up a picture of his father in his Army uniform and told the man: “This is an American.”On March 16, 2024, Eubanks, Meinhardt and Ho all attended the May We Gather event in Antioch, which organizers described as the first national memorial service and pilgrimage in response to anti-Asian violence. Attendees, including the three local residents, walked meditatively with Buddhist monks, nuns and lay leaders, around the city block where Antioch’s Chinatown stood 150 years ago.Read the AP report: https://bit.ly/49elUGm According to NBC News on March 6, 2024, In 1939, the Dongs, a Chinese American family in Coronado, California, found themselves unable to rent a house amid racially restrictive housing laws that favored white buyers and renters. Emma and Gus Thompson , a Black entrepreneurial couple in town, allowed the family to rent and eventually buy their Coronado property when nobody else would. Now, to thank the Thompsons for helping them get a toehold in American society, the Dongs are donating $5 million to Black college students using proceeds from the sale of the house. “It may enable some kids to go and flourish in college that might not have been able to otherwise,” Janice Dong , 86, said about the plan to sell the family home they later purchased, as well as an adjacent property. The Dong family will also work to have San Diego State University’s Black Resource Center named after Emma and Gus, who was born into slavery in Kentucky. Lloyd Dong Jr. , 81, said the Thompsons gave their family a start with the land, and it is time for them to do the same for others. “Without them, we would not have the education and everything else,” Lloyd Dong Jr. said. The Dong family’s roots in California date back to the late 19th century. Lloyd Dong Sr. was a farmer in the Central Valley before he moved to Coronado to become a gardener. In 1939, Gus and Emma Thompson gave the Dong family a place to stay, a promise to sell them the land and a chance to build a better life. It was a time in Coronado, a resort city known for its opulent hotel and white sand beaches on the San Diego Bay peninsula, when people living on the margins of society found it difficult to live within city limits. Racially restrictive housing covenants prohibited immigrants and people of color from renting and buying in Coronado.The Dong and Thompson families were on the same side of history. They were people trying to make it in a land that didn’t see them as full citizens. It wasn’t abnormal then to have marginalized individuals living together and supporting one another.Read the NBC News report: https://nbcnews.to/3vAdCL7 Fifty Years of Photographic Justice: Corky Lee’s Asian America Corky Lee 李扬国 (1947-2021), known also as "Asian American Photographer Laureate," was a Chinese American activist, community organizer, and photojournalist. He called himself an "ABC from NYC ... wielding a camera to slay injustices against APAs." Corky documented Asian American and Pacific Islander communities for fifty years, breaking the stereotype of Asian Americans as docile, passive, and, above all, foreign to this country. A selection of the best photographs from his vast collection will be officially released on April 9, 2024. It covers his start in New York’s Chinatown in the 1970s to his coverage of diverse Asian American communities across the country until his untimely passing in 2021. Read about the book: https://www.corkylee.org/about-1 . The link also provides information about a national book tour starting at the Chinese American Museum in Washington DC on April 11, and including New York events at the Asia Society on April 18 and Chinatown on May 4, as well as stops at Boston, Los Angeles, Oakland, Pasadena, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle. For more information, contact Tina Wang , National Book Tour Coordinator, at wangxintian0928@gmail.com . Mexico Files Amicus Brief; Chinese Crossing Southern Border According to CNN on March 21, 2024, Mexico is warning a federal US court in a friend-of-the-court brief that if its judges permit a controversial Texas immigration law known as SB 4 to take effect, the two nations would experience “substantial tension” that would have far-reaching consequences for US-Mexico relations.“Enforcement of SB 4 would inappropriately burden the uniform and predictable sovereign-to-sovereign relations between Mexico and the United States, by criminalizing the unauthorized entry of noncitizens into Texas from outside the county and creating diverging removal requirements between and among individual states and the national government,” they wrote in the brief. “Enforcement of SB 4 would also interfere with Mexico’s right to determine its own policies regarding entry into its territory, undermine U.S.-Mexico collaboration on a legal migration framework and border management, and hinder U.S.-Mexico trade,” the attorneys told the court.Mexico said it was backing the law’s challengers, which include the Biden administration. Its attorneys argued in the brief that the law – if allowed to take effect – “will be applied in a discriminatory manner.”Mexico’s 11 consulates in Texas have been ordered to provide protection and guidance and have made legal support available for any Mexican nationals across the state who “starts to have a problem,” under the new law, Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena said.Read the CNN report: https://cnn.it/497YaDR . According to a 60 Minutes report on February 4, 2024, about 37,000 Chinese nationals trying to escape repressive politics and a bleak economy, headed to the U.S. via the southern border in 2023. This is about 1.5% of the total of 2.5 million. It is an increase from 323 in 2021.According to the South China Morning Post on February 15, 2024, from a high of 2.2 million temporary visas granted to Chinese nationals in 2016, only about 160,000 were granted in 2022, a fall of more than 90%. This has led some Chinese citizens to take desperate measures to enter the US for a better life. News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2024/03/26 Rally: Florida Professors and Advocates Demand Board of Governors Address SB 8462024/03/28 CSIS: U,S,-China Scholarly Recoupling: The Path Forward2024/04/02 AA and NHPI Higher Education Leadership Summit2024/04/07 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/04/08 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2024/04/17 Racially Profiled for Being A Scientist: A Discussion of the US DOJ's China Initiative2024/04/18 Corky Lee's Asian America: Fifty Years of Photographic JusticeVisit https://bit.ly/45KGyga for event details. 2. AA & NHPI Higher Education Leadership Summit WHAT: AA & NHPI Higher Education Leadership Development Summit WHEN: APRIL 2, 2024, 8:30 - 5:15 pm Pacific Time WHERE: UC Berkeley - Martin Luther King, Jr. Building, 2495 Bancroft Way Berkeley, CA 94704 HOSTS: White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders; U.S. Office of Personnel Management DESCRIPTION: The White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) is dedicated to advancing educational equity and opportunity for all Americans. In 2024, we are continuing to bring together students, faculty, and administrators from across the country to highlight the critical role that Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs) and Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions (ANNHSIs) play in increasing access to higher education and promoting workforce development. REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3Vncrco Back View PDF March 26, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #144 9/12 Meeting; State Dept Event; NSF on NSPM-33; Support Prof Xi; Updates on Nomination #144 9/12 Meeting; State Dept Event; NSF on NSPM-33; Support Prof Xi; Updates on Nomination Back View PDF September 9, 2022 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

James Patrick Lewis Previous Item Next Item

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

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