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  • #333 Hate Crime Victim Speaks; Trump on Harvard/Funding Cuts/Litigations; Meng/Hirono Bill+

    Newsletter - #333 Hate Crime Victim Speaks; Trump on Harvard/Funding Cuts/Litigations; Meng/Hirono Bill+ #333 Hate Crime Victim Speaks; Trump on Harvard/Funding Cuts/Litigations; Meng/Hirono Bill+ In This Issue #333 · Hate Crime Victim to Speak at 2025/06/02 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · Trump Revokes Harvard’s Authority to Enroll International Students · U.S. Science Faces Crisis Amid Deep Federal Funding Cuts · Latest on Litigations Against Trump's Executive Actions · Meng, Hirono Introduce Legislation to Promote the Teaching of AANHPI History in Schools · News and Activities for the Communities Hate Crime Victim to Speak at 2025/06/02 APA Justice Monthly Meeting According to AsAmNews , BlackNews , KABC , LA Times , Washington Post , and multiple media reports, Aki Maehara , a 71-year-old Japanese American professor and Vietnam War veteran, was struck by a speeding vehicle on April 29, 2025, while riding his electric bicycle near his home in a suburb of Los Angeles. Moments before the crash, Maehara says he heard racial slurs directed at him. The case is now under investigation by the Montebello Police Department as a possible hate crime.Maehara, a longtime professor of Asian American history at East Los Angeles College (ELAC), sustained serious injuries in the attack. He suffered a concussion, fractured cheekbone, deep arm lacerations, and trauma to his hips, lower back, and neck. His electric bike was destroyed in the collision. But what shocked him even more than the physical pain were the words he heard before and after the attack.“I heard, ‘ f**** c***k,’ and I got hit,” Maehara told Eyewitness News. “My bike and I were thrown down. As soon as I hit that row of bricks, I heard the guy say, ‘Go back to f**** c***k land,’ and then he drove away.” “I wear a full-face helmet with a glare visor,” Maehara said. “There’s no way anybody could see my face. So how the hell did he know I’m Asian?”The motive behind the attack appears deeply personal. Maehara is no stranger to harassment. Over the course of his teaching career, which has included courses on the history of racism in the United States and the Vietnam War, he has faced intimidation and threats. He recounted multiple incidents, including classroom protests by Chicano Republicans and even a visit from Ku Klux Klan members during his tenure at Cal State Long Beach.Despite his injuries and the trauma of the attack, Maehara refused to retreat from the classroom. Just weeks after being hospitalized, he returned to teach his final classes of the semester. “It was important for me to show up because they’re trying to stop me,” he said.Friends, former students, and community members have rallied around him in the wake of the attack. Glorya Cabrera , a longtime friend, launched a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for his recovery expenses, including additional in-home care beyond what the VA hospital is currently providing. Community leaders have called for greater awareness and systemic change. “This isn’t just about one man on a bike,” said a spokesperson from the Stop AAPI Hate coalition. “It’s about decades of racism, invisibility, and a failure to protect our communities. Mr. Maehara’s story is one of courage, but also a wake-up call.”Maehara’s attack is yet another stark reminder that anti-Asian hate remains an ongoing battle and underscores the vulnerability that many AAPI individuals feel in their daily lives.Professor Aki Maehara, along with community leaders, has accepted the invitation to speak on the incicent at the APA Justice monthly meeting on June 2, 2025. 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 . Trump Revokes Harvard’s Authority to Enroll International Students According to CNN , New York Times , Reuters , The Hill , and multiple media reports, in a dramatic escalation of its ongoing confrontation with Harvard University, the Trump administration on May 22, 2025, revoked the school’s ability to enroll international students—striking a major blow to one of the university’s most important sources of funding and global prestige.The decision, conveyed in a letter from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem , is part of a broader federal investigation into Harvard’s compliance with immigration and education policies. The move follows tense exchanges between the university and the Department of Homeland Security over the legality of a sweeping request for records related to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).The revocation means that Harvard can no longer admit international students and that current international students must transfer or risk losing their legal status in the United States. The university, which has around 6,800 international students—roughly 27% of its student body—is expected to challenge the move in court. It would be the second legal confrontation between Harvard and the Trump administration in recent weeks. Last month, the university sued the federal government over what it described as unconstitutional attempts to alter its curriculum, admissions policies, and hiring practices.The financial impact of the decision is likely to be significant. With tuition alone approaching $60,000 a year—and total costs nearing $87,000—international students often pay a substantial share of their education expenses, making them a key revenue source.Harvard said the move by the Trump administration was illegal and amounted to retaliation. Harvard rejected the allegations and pledged to support foreign students. The government’s action is unlawful," the university said in a statement. "This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard’s academic and research mission.” The university said it was "fully committed" to educating foreign students and was working on producing guidance for affected students. U.S. Science Faces Crisis Amid Deep Federal Funding Cuts According to reports by the New York Times on May 21 and May 22 , 2025, respectively, a deepening funding crisis is shaking the foundation of U.S. scientific research, with the Trump administration imposing sweeping cuts across key institutions, including Harvard University and the National Science Foundation (NSF). The result is a dramatic slowdown in research activity, jeopardizing America’s innovation pipeline and scientific leadership.At the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the situation is especially severe. Following accusations from federal officials that the school promotes “amorphous equity objectives” and fosters antisemitism, the administration froze federal grants—cutting off a vital lifeline that constitutes nearly 60% of the school’s revenue. More than 130 researchers had their funding abruptly canceled, threatening major studies on ALS, tuberculosis, and multiple sclerosis. Faculty describe the emergency response—cutting programs, ending leases, and training staff in private fundraising—as “all-consuming.” With many scientists considering offers from institutions in Europe and China, administrators fear a permanent brain drain. Simultaneously, the NSF is issuing new grants at the slowest rate in at least 35 years. As of May 21, only $989 million in grants had been awarded for 2025—down 51% from the average of the past decade. The slowdown is hitting virtually every scientific field, including computer science, biology, climate research, and STEM education. Compounding the problem, more than 1,600 active NSF research projects have beenterminated, eliminating around $1.5 billion in previously approved funding.While the administration argues that elite universities like Harvard should rely on their own endowments and that NSF funds must align with conservative priorities, critics warn these ideologically driven cuts threaten the nation’s scientific infrastructure. Economists caution that reduced research investment could have long-term consequences on economic growth, innovation, and global competitiveness. Latest on Litigations Against Trump's Executive Actions As of April 29, 2025, the second Trump Administration has issued 142 executive orders, exceeding the record of 99 set during President Franklin D. Roosevelt 's first term, according to a May 16, 2025, Congressional Research Service (CRS) report . This surge in executive actions has sparked court challenges and injunctions. As of May 21, 2025, the number of lawsuits against President Donald Trum p's executive actions reported by the Just Security Litigation Tracker has grown to 246 (8 closed cases). As of May 21, 2025, the New York Times reported at least 165 of the court rulings have at least temporarily paused some of the Trump administration initiatives due to concerns over presidential authority, constitutional violations, or federal statute infringements. The CRS report identified 25 cases in which district courts had issued nationwide injunctions. Nationwide injunctions are court orders against the government that prevent the government from implementing a challenged law, regulation, or other policy against all relevant persons and entities, whether or not such persons or entities are parties participating in the litigation. Commentators, judges, lawmakers, and executive branch officials debate whether and when it is appropriate for a court to enjoin a government action in its entirety, with some arguing that nationwide injunctions are rarely or never appropriate, while others defend the practice.They 25 nationwide injunctions covered by CRS include: · 10 on federal funding · 3 on birthright citizenship · 2 each on federal agencies, federal employment, immigration, information disclosure, and military service · 1 each on DEI and elections. CRS categorized cases by subject matter manually. While some cases raised multiple legal and policy issues and could potentially be classified in multiple subject areas, CRS selected one primary issue area per case for ease of analysis. National Injunction from terminating the immigration status of foreign students According to the Washington Post on May 23, 2025, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White of the Northern District of California blocked the Trump administration from terminating the immigration status of foreign students, granting nationwide relief to thousands of students caught in the crosshairs of the administration’s crackdown on alleged antisemitism on college campuses. The Trump administration “likely exceeded their authority and acted arbitrarily and capriciously” when officials terminated the legal status of students in a database overseen by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Judge White wrote. “The relief the Court grants provides Plaintiffs with a measure of stability and certainty that they will be able to continue their studies or their employment without the threat of re-termination hanging over their heads.”While many courts have granted relief to individuals suing the administration, the judge’s order effectively bars the federal government from arresting, incarcerating or transferring students in these cases and all other individuals nationwide while similar cases are still pending. Injunction Against Dismantling Department of Education According to Reuters on May 23, 2025, U.S. District Judge Myong Joun in Boston issued an injunction blocking the department from moving forward with a mass termination announced in March of over 1,300 employees, which would cut its staff by half. "The record abundantly reveals that defendants' true intention is to effectively dismantle the department without an authorizing statute," wrote Joun. "This court cannot be asked to cover its eyes while the department's employees are continuously fired and units are transferred out until the department becomes a shell of itself," the judge wrote. He ordered the administration to not just reinstate the workers but also to halt implementation of Trump's March 21 directive to transfer student loans and special needs programs to other federal agencies.The Trump administration has appealed the decision. Meng, Hirono Introduce Legislation to Promote the Teaching of AANHPI History in Schools On May 22, 2025, U.S. Representative Grace Meng (D-NY), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), and U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) introduced the Teaching Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander History Act , bicameral legislation to promote the teaching of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) history in schools across the country. Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have made and continue to make immeasurable contributions to our nation, including in sports, arts, government, science, business, and military service. However, the K-12 education system and social studies textbooks have poorly represented how AANHPIs have played pivotal roles in shaping America for the better. In a recent survey , 42% of respondents were unable to name a famous Asian American, and 42% were unable to name a famous Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. The Teaching AANHPI History Act requires Presidential and Congressional Academies’ grant applicants and recipients to include Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian history as part of their American history and civics programs offered to students and teachers. Every year, hundreds of teachers and students attend these academies, which are funded by the U.S. Department of Education, for an in-depth study of American history and civics. The bill would also encourage the inclusion of AANHPI history within national and state tests administered through the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and promote collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution’s Asian Pacific American Center to develop innovative programming. APA Justice is among the many organizations that have endorsed the Meng-Hirono legislation.Read the CAPAC press release: https://bit.ly/43JYFEs . Read the full text of the legislation: https://bit.ly/4myhBxG . News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events:2025/05/22 Serica 2025 Trailblazers Conference & Gala2025/05/29 U.S. v. Wen Ho Lee - 25 Years Later2025/06/01 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/06/02 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/06/03 The Second Annual State of the Science Address2025/06/15 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/06/15-18 2025 Applied Statistics Symposium2025/06/16-24 Discover China 2025: Summer Youth Exchange to the Greater Bay AreaVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. # # # APA Justice Task Force is a non-partisan platform to build a sustainable ecosystem that addresses racial profiling concerns and to facilitate, inform, and advocate on selected issues related to justice and fairness for the Asian Pacific American community. For more information, please refer to the new APA Justice website under development at www.apajusticetaskforce.org . We value your feedback. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org . Back View PDF May 23, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

  • #10 Dr. Wei Su And Profiling Concerns; Professor Tao Motions To Dismiss; Vaccine Update

    Newsletter - #10 Dr. Wei Su And Profiling Concerns; Professor Tao Motions To Dismiss; Vaccine Update #10 Dr. Wei Su And Profiling Concerns; Professor Tao Motions To Dismiss; Vaccine Update Back View PDF August 17, 2020 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

  • #294 11/18 Meeting; Science Editorials and Report; Deportation? Stop AAPI Hate Town Hall; +

    Newsletter - #294 11/18 Meeting; Science Editorials and Report; Deportation? Stop AAPI Hate Town Hall; + #294 11/18 Meeting; Science Editorials and Report; Deportation? Stop AAPI Hate Town Hall; + In This Issue #294 · 2024/11/18 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · Science Editorials and Report on Politicization, Taking Stock, and Election Outcome · NBC News : Deportation of Undocumented Chinese First? · Stop AAPI Hate Town Hall · 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: · Rosie Levine , Executive Director, 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 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 . Science Editorials and Report on Politicization, Taking Stock, and Election Outcome In an editorial titled "Science is neither red nor blue" published in Science , Marcia McNutt , President of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS), addresses the increasing politicization of science in the United States and calls for renewed efforts to rebuild public trust. She highlights the apolitical nature of science and its role as a vital tool for predicting outcomes and informing policy, while urging scientists to better explain its norms, acknowledge its limitations, and avoid implying that science dictates policy. The NAS emphasizes the need for objective, evidence-based guidance informed by diverse perspectives and highlights the importance of combating misinformation. While science can project the consequences of policy decisions, it is ultimately up to elected officials and society to weigh values and priorities. The NAS reaffirms its commitment to objectivity, independence, and excellence, offering its expertise to help the new administration address pressing societal challenges."The public and policymakers can discuss and debate how to respond to the myriad challenges that confront society, but these deliberations need to be informed by the objective, dispassionate evidence that only science can provide," the editorial states.Read the Science editorial: https://bit.ly/4ftFNwZ In an editorial titled "Time to take stock" published in Science , Editor-in-Chief H. Holden Thorp examines the challenges facing the scientific community following Donald Trump ’s reelection. Thorp highlights the alienation of Americans who distrust institutions, including science and higher education, as a key issue. Trump’s success, driven in part by divisive rhetoric, reflects a deeper disaffection that science leaders must address by fostering inclusivity and rebuilding trust in science. Thorp critiques the scientific community’s previous efforts to counter political attacks, noting that confrontational responses on social media and cable news during Trump’s first term failed to build public confidence. The pandemic, in particular, highlighted the limitations of these approaches, as platforms amplifying division undermined trust in science. Further damage comes from institutions mishandling misconduct, resisting transparency, and prioritizing reputations over accountability.To rebuild trust, the editorial urges scientists to reject the opacity of traditional institutions. Instead, they should embrace openness to new data, accessibility, and a clear prioritization of public interest over institutional self-protection. With political attacks on science expected to escalate over the next four years, Thorp calls on the scientific community to adopt strategies that not only defend against these assaults but also strengthen public confidence in science."The reelection of Donald Trump for a second, nonconsecutive term as US president ... underscores a reality: Although his success stems partly from a willingness to tap into xenophobia, sexism, racism, transphobia, nationalism, and disregard for truth, his message resonates with a large portion of the American populace who feel alienated from America’s governmental, social, and economic institutions. These include science and higher education," the editorial states. "The attacks are going to keep coming and probably accelerate for the next 4 years. As painful as that will be, it’s up to the scientific community to respond in a way that makes those blows less successful."Read the Science editorial: https://bit.ly/4i3EFlE A report by Science warns that Donald Trump ’s reelection and Republican control of Congress pose significant challenges for U.S. science. Advocates fear reduced funding for basic research and restrictive immigration policies could stifle innovation. Former National Science Foundation Director Neal Lane cautioned, “There’s no good news for science in this election,” as Republicans may prioritize deficit reduction over long-term research investments. These policies could also undermine climate science and public health, with Trump likely to ignore scientific consensus on issues like global warming. Leadership changes in Congress add to these concerns. Senator Ted Cruz , expected to chair the Senate commerce and science committee, has criticized diversity initiatives and climate action, raising alarms about his potential impact on science policy. In the House, Republicans may weaken the CHIPS and Science Act, jeopardizing planned funding increases for the National Science Foundation. “It could be a very dark time for universities,” said one higher education lobbyist, reflecting widespread anxiety over the political climate.Climate and U.S.-China relations are emerging as key flashpoints. Trump’s potential withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and efforts to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act could hinder federal climate initiatives, though bipartisan support for clean energy projects offers some hope. Meanwhile, a revival of restrictive policies like the China Initiative risks damaging international scientific collaborations. “Our prosperity as a nation is built upon the federal investment in research,” emphasized MIT geophysicist Maria Zuber , highlighting the stakes for U.S. leadership in science. With Congress deadlocked over the 2025 budget, agency funding remains frozen, threatening deep cuts to civilian research programs. If unresolved by January, Trump’s administration could rewrite the spending plan, potentially deprioritizing science. Advocates stress the need for robust research investments to maintain U.S. competitiveness, warning that the next four years could mark a critical decline in national scientific leadership.Read the Science report: https://bit.ly/4fu2txn NBC News : Deportation of Undocumented Chinese First? According to NBC News on November 15, 2024, Asian American organizations are preparing for the potential impact of Donald Trump ’s campaign promise of mass deportations, particularly targeting undocumented Chinese nationals deemed to be of "military age." Sources suggest these actions, reportedly tied to national security concerns and anti-China sentiment, have prompted community groups to intensify efforts to educate immigrants on their rights, provide legal resources, and develop in-language materials. Anti-China sentiment has grown under successive administrations, increasingly framing Chinese nationals as security threats. Advocates argue these policies reflect racial profiling trends that harm Asian American communities. Bethany Li , executive director of the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, highlighted this targeting as a continuation of historical patterns, referencing anti-Chinese alien land laws and the Trump-era China Initiative. “We know that both the state and federal government have deemed China as a national security threat,” Li said. “We saw this in World War II with Japanese Americans and post-9/11 with Muslim and South Asian men.” Jo-Ann Yoo , executive director of the Asian American Federation that works with 70 member agencies, shared that her organization has been proactively scenario-planning for months to counteract Trump’s immigration promises. “We’re working to get ahead of these challenges,” she noted, emphasizing the importance of solidarity and preparation. Jo-Ann Yoo , executive director of the nonprofit Asian American Federation, a New York-based umbrella organization that works with 70 member agencies, said that for the past few months, her group has convened meetings and engaged in scenario planning in an effort to get ahead of Trump’s immigration promises. Yoo said that it is important for vulnerable communities to stand in solidarity. “There is no time for rest. We are seeing real danger,” she said. “We’re going to push and we’re going to have to be brave.”Read the NBC News report: https://bit.ly/3VjqAH5 Stop AAPI Hate Town Hall WHAT : Stop AAPI Virtual Town Hall WHEN : November 18, 2024, 8:00 pm ET WHERE : Online Event HOST : Stop AAPI Hate DESCRIPTION : The re-election of Donald Trump presents a monumental threat to our rights, our freedoms, and our safety. But we can and we will fight back together against his administration’s racist and hate-fueled agenda. Join this virtual town hall with Stop AAPI Hate and other movement leaders to learn more about the dangers our communities face under the next administration and how we can mobilize in opposition to Trumpism — far-right extremism, authoritarianism, xenophobia — and in support of a fairer, more equitable vision of America. REGISTRATION : https://bit.ly/3AGnMwt News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events:2024/11/18 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2024/11/18 Stop AAPI Virtual Town Hall2024/11/24 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting 2024/12/08-10 National Immigrant Inclusion Conference2024/12/08 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/12/11 Webinar on Alien Land Laws2025/01/06 APA Justice Monthly MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Air Force Honors Sabu Dastagir On November 12, 2024, the U.S. Air Force unveiled a portrait of Sgt. Sabu Dastagir , a Hollywood actor-turned-American Airman, in a ceremony at the Pentagon. The event, led by Under Secretary of the Air Force Melissa Dalton and Assistant Secretary Dr. Ravi Chaudhary , marked a historic addition to the Pentagon’s World War II hallway. Dastagir, an Indian American actor known for films like The Thief of Baghdad and The Jungle Book, enlisted in the Army Air Forces during WWII. Serving as a tail gunner with the 370th Bomb Squadron, he flew dozens of combat missions in the Pacific, earning five Air Medals and the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor. He passed away in 1963 at age 40. The portrait, donated by Houston artist June Xu , now joins the Air Force Historic Program.June Xu, a lifelong passionate painter and fine arts student at the University of Houston, is known in Texas for her activism, particularly during last year’s protests against SB147, an alien land bill that would ban land ownership by Chinese nationals. Her advocacy, including organizing protests and legislative meetings, deepened her commitment to amplifying Asian American experiences.In April, Xu joined the Committee of 100’s "Next Generation Leader" program, connecting with a project to spotlight Asian American military stories. She described contributing the portrait as a personal milestone and a broader triumph for representation. “This is a historic moment for our community,” Xu said. “If we don’t tell our own stories, mainstream society certainly won’t do it for us.” Read the U.S. Air Force announcement: https://bit.ly/3ZaMHl5 . Read the 休斯顿在线 report: https://bit.ly/48RVr2V 3. National Immigrant Inclusion Conference WHAT : National Immigrant Inclusion Conference WHEN : December 8-10, 2024 WHERE : In person, Houston, Texas HOST : National Partnership for New Americans FOR MORE INFORMATION/REGISTRATION : https://bit.ly/3YUq7vB 4. 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 18, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

  • Letter to The White House Calling for Response to Inquiries

    On June 17, 2021, APA Justice sent a letter urging the Biden-Harris Administration to respond to the standing FOIA requests and publicize the justification for the continuation of the "China Initiative." June 17, 2021 On June 17, 2021, APA Justice sent a letter to Erika Moritsugu, Deputy Assistant to the President and Asian American and Pacific Islander Senior Liaison at the White House, urging the Biden-Harris Administration to respond to the standing Congressional and Freedom of Information (FOIA) requests and provide full data and information publicly to justify the continuation of the "China Initiative" and related racial profiling policies and practices. In summary, without further delay, we respectfully request the Biden-Harris administration to: Release the data and information requested by Reps. Jamie Raskin and Judy Chu and Senator Roger Wicker for Congressional oversight and the public. Publish the 2017-2020 opinions of the Office of Legal Counsel at the Department of Justice as it has done annually since 1977. Release the data and information requested by Advancing Justice | AAJC, American Civil Liberties Union, and the Cato Institute under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). letter2moritsugu_20210618 .pdf Download PDF • 167KB On June 17, 2021, APA Justice sent a letter urging the Biden-Harris Administration to respond to the standing FOIA requests and publicize the justification for the continuation of the "China Initiative." Previous Next Letter to The White House Calling for Response to Inquiries

  • 3. Building Coalition Against “China Initiative” Discrimination - Fighting racial targeting of Asian Americans and communities of color, past & present | APA Justice

    3. Building Coalition Against “China Initiative” Discrimination - Fighting racial targeting of Asian Americans and communities of color, past & present 2020-2022 China Initiative Wednesday, February 24, 2021 The “China Initiative’s” racist targeting of Asian American and Asian immigrant scientists, researchers, and students - particularly those of Chinese descent - echoes past xenophobic national security initiatives that put immigrant communities and communities of color under unjust government scrutiny. This webinar, the third in this series, explores the civil society responses to Japanese incarceration and discrimination against Japanese Americans during World War II, and the targeting of Arab, Middle-Eastern, Muslim, and South Asian (AMEMSA) communities after 9/11, to inform how civil rights organizations and university leaders can more effectively challenge the new administration to end the “China Initiative” and the unfair scrutiny of Asian American and Asian immigrant scientists, researchers, and students. Connecting current discrimination against Asian Americans and immigrants of Chinese descent within the historical framework of the treatment of Asian Americans, other immigrant communities, and communities of color in the U.S. is essential for building a broad coalition to support the legal and policy reforms necessary to protect the civil rights of all communities. (See our coalition letter to the Biden transition team here ). Because academic and research institutions are the targets of “China Initiative” investigations, we must also understand the needs of university leaders and create a platform for allies and civil rights organizations to support the scientists, researchers, and students currently impacted by the latest wave of xenophobia. This webinar will focus on how to build these mechanisms for policy reform. 20210224 Webinar3ChinaInitiative2.png 20210224 Webinar3ChinaInitiative1.png Previous Item Next Item

  • #261 07/01 Monthly Meeting; Media Reports on Forum with FBI; Another NYPD Officer Fired; +

    Newsletter - #261 07/01 Monthly Meeting; Media Reports on Forum with FBI; Another NYPD Officer Fired; + #261 07/01 Monthly Meeting; Media Reports on Forum with FBI; Another NYPD Officer Fired; + In This Issue #261 • 2024/07/01 APA Justice Monthly Meeting • SCMP: FBI Official Admits Mistakes, Vows to Improve Relations with Asian American Communities • AsAmNews: FBI, Asian American Civic Groups Hold Forum on Building Trust Post-China Initiative • Another NYPD Officer Fired Without Evidence of Guilt • News and Activities for the Communities 2024/07/01 APA Justice Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, July 1, 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: • Neal Lane, Senior Fellow, Baker Institute for Public Policy, Rice University; Former Director of Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), The White House; Former Director, National Science Foundation • Kei Koizumi, Principal Deputy Director for Science, Society, and Policy, OSTP, The White House • Xiaoxing Xi, Laura H. Carnell Professor of Physics, Temple University, with invited comments by Kai Li, Paul M. Wythes and Marcia R. Wythes Professor in Computer Science, Princeton University; Vice Chair, Asian American Scholar Forum, and Gang Chen, Carl Richard Soderberg Professor of Power Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology • Karla Hagan, Senior Program Officer, Staff Director for National Science, Technology, and Security Roundtable, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) 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. National Academies Roundtable Capstone Workshop The National Science, Technology, and Security Roundtable Capstone Workshop on July 16-17, 2024, will present information the Roundtable has gathered since its inception in 2020 through 13 gatherings in Washington, DC and across the U.S. Dr. Karla Hagan will provide additional details about the workshop during the APA Justice monthly meeting on July 1, 2024. SCMP: FBI Official Admits Mistakes, Vows to Improve Relations with Asian American Communities According to the South China Morning Post on June 11, 2024, in an unusual public admission, a senior FBI official told an audience of Asian Americans that some of the bureau’s past actions have had a “negative impact” on the community but that “certainly was not the intent”. Jill Murphy, deputy assistant director of counter-intelligence at the FBI, took part in an open dialogue between agents of the top US law enforcement agency and the academic and Asian American communities when she spoke at Rice University in Houston on June 6. The event, sponsored by Rice’s Baker Institute and Office of Innovation, Texas Multicultural Advocacy Coalition, and Asian Pacific American Justice, marked a milestone as it brought together FBI officials, field agents, community leaders, activists and scientists for the first time in person and on a livestream. Amid criticism of the FBI’s role in the now-disbanded China Initiative and its lingering repercussions for individuals of Chinese ethnicity or with ties to China, the FBI is attempting an outreach effort with a clear message: we acknowledge past missteps and seek the community’s assistance in countering the Chinese Communist Party and its government. “We really need to spend time listening to you and your concerns, and we’re not always right, and we can always be better. We need open lines of communication,” said Murphy, who moved to Chinese counter-intelligence in 2010 and later served on the National Security Council. “I’m very cognizant of ensuring that we are opening our investigations on predicated facts or allegations of either things that threaten national security or federal criminal violations,” Murphy said. “It is very unusual that the FBI leadership is willing to attend a Zoom panel discussion that the whole country can watch anonymously,” said APA Justice, adding that the event was “a big step forward.” Gordon Quan, a former city council member in Houston and one of the community leader speakers at the event, said he hoped that Murphy’s “message comes through to the field staff.” “We believe in national security as well. But by the same token, don’t paint all Chinese with the same brush that you know China is a threat. And if you’re Chinese, you’re a possible threat,” Quan said. Neal Lane of the Baker Institute said in an email that there was “no quick fix” to the damage done by the China Initiative, which he said had hurt the careers of scientists and hurt families. “It will take an iterative process and dialogues like this recent one to make progress. Such events should be held all across the country,” said Lane, who participated in the June 6 event. Kelly Choi, a supervisory special agent at the FBI’s Houston field office, urged Asian Americans to collaborate with law enforcement agencies, whether reporting crimes to the FBI or local and state authorities. She recalled how after the US closed the Houston consulate within 72 hours in July 2020, some Asian Americans were not comfortable talking to the agents conducting routine interviews. Douglas Williams, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Houston field office, said the FBI wanted Asian Americans to trust the FBI “when something does happen in this community … that you feel comfortable calling us and that we can investigate it”. Read the South China Morning Post report: https://bit.ly/4cxC7Zx. Watch a video of the June 6 forum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csqLJo869ZY (1:55:23) left to right: Jill Murphy, Steven Pei, Neal Lane AsAmNews: FBI, Asian American Civic Groups Hold Forum on Building Trust Post-China Initiative On June 13, 2024, AsAmNews reported on a rare two-hour forum with the FBI in hopes of rebuilding trust from alleged discriminatory policies against Asian Americans. “We hope this forum will serve as a first step toward building a regular channel of communications between both of these groups,” said Sergio Lira, Vice President of Texas Multicultural Advocacy Coalition and a co-host of the forum. “And we hope the panel will provide clarity on the changing landscape of national research security policy, and its implementation.” Kelly Choi, Supervisory Special Agent for FBI Houston’s Field office, said bridging the gap between the Asian American community and the FBI is a major priority of the agency. “I know that some of the actions that have happened in the past have had a negative impact on this community. And that certainly was not the intent,” said Jill Murphy, the FBI’s Deputy Assistant Director for Counterintelligence. “The intent… was purely to stop the transfer of technology that’s incentivized by the government of China, and not to dampen the scientific work and the collaboration that makes the world a better place.” Advocates from the Asian American community and civic groups said they appreciated the agency’s openness to dialogue and feedback. Many stressed that Asian American scholars are still discriminated against even after the formal end of the China Initiative. “The China Initiative devastated the lives of numerous Asian American scholars engaging in everyday academic research and led to a measurable chilling effect on the community,” said Gisella Kusakawa, Executive Director of Asian American Scholar Forum. “We need protection and training to address racial bias, both implicit and explicit, as well as more scientific experts and thought leaders being included in the discussion with FBI, CBP and law enforcement,” she said. “And the last thing is, we need to keep in mind that we cannot have Asian American scholars be collateral damage while we take the time to try to get this right." David Donatti, a senior staff attorney at the ACLU, observes interrogations and deportations reflect how rights are at their “lowest point” on the border. He adds that the lack of clarity on policy from Customs and Border Protection (CBP), who controls the border, and how the FBI works with that agency can still create discriminatory situations today. “[Transparency is] not only sitting down at a table and having a dialogue, although it’s very important,” Donatti says. “It’s also having meaningful policies in place that are rigorous and clear, and easy to understand. And these policies should be subject to scrutiny.” FBI agents agreed that opening dialogue was essential for them to better protect the Asian American community. And ultimately, maintaining open lines of communication is critical to helping that process, said Murphy. “This partnership, this relationship is really important to the FBI. We need to strive to continue to learn and listen more,” she said. “To protect this community, we really need to spend time listening to you and your concerns. And we’re not always right. And we can always be better. We need open lines of communication.” Read the AsAmNews report: https://bit.ly/4b3jFGE Another NYPD Officer Fired Without Evidence of Guilt On May 21, 2024, Documented reported a veteran Chinese American police officer of 20 years was fired by the New York Police Department (NYPD) following an FBI spying investigation on February 16. According to the report, investigations by the FBI and the NYPD found that between the end of 2019 to the fall of 2021, Steven Li had helped a Chinese national named Sun Hoi Ying to connect with a person targeted by the Chinese government. Sun was alleged to have been paid by the Chinese government to come to the U.S. to conduct “Operation Fox Hunt,” a program pursued by China’s Ministry of Public Security to repatriate alleged Chinese fugitives, often by bypassing authorities in foreign countries where these people had settled. After he was introduced to Sun by an acquaintance, Li brokered meetings for Sun in New York with a person unnamed in the documents, who was accused of having embezzled money from a Chinese state-owned company before moving to the U.S. in 2001. NYPD’s internal investigation found Li was not guilty of the “foreign agent” related charges. There was no evidence to show that Li was aware that Sun was working for the Chinese government when the meetings took place, nor did it find that he took money from China or threatened the victim. Li was terminated less than a month after Angwang, an ethnic Tibetan NYPD police officer from China who was charged by the federal government under the China Initiative for working for China’s interests. Despite prosecutors dropping all charges against him, the NYPD continued its internal investigation against Angwang. He was fired for failing to show up at an internal interview, which his lawyers had told him was “unlawful” because the NYPD refused to share evidence with them in advance. At least 36 people have been charged for foreign-agent related violations benefiting China since 2020, topping any other country, while the number was five between 2009 to 2020, based on the DOJ’s announcements, an incomplete archive of federal court cases. This means for Chinese American cops, who often participate in community events, the risk of inadvertently stepping into a plot involving China and being accused of acting as a foreign agent is higher than ever. Michael Moy, a former NYPD detective, recommends Chinese American cops to not talk to anyone they don’t know at community banquets, and to not offer advice to any party of a dispute until the case is formally reported to the police. Read the full Documented article: https://bit.ly/44VTG2A. Juan Zhang, editor at US-China Perception Monitor, contributed to this report. News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2024/06/20 U.S.-China Relations: Untangling Campaign Rhetoric & Understanding Policy – Teachers Workshop 2024/06/21 Trends in Research Funding and Award Recognitions for Asian Scholars in the United States 2024/06/20-22 Social Equity Leadership Conference 2024/06/27-30 UCA: 2024 Chinese American Convention Visit https://bit.ly/45KGyga for event details. 2. National Academies Roundtable Capstone Workshop WHAT: National Science, Technology, and Security Roundtable - Capstone Workshop WHEN: • Day 1: July 16, 2024, 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. ET • Day 2: July 17, 2024, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. ET WHERE: Hybrid in-person and virtual event • In-person: National Academy of Sciences Building, 2101 Constitution Ave NW, Washington D.C. 20418 • Virtual: coming soon HOST: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine DESCRIPTION: The National Science, Technology, and Security Roundtable Capstone Event will provide an opportunity to present information the Roundtable has gathered since its inception in 2020 through 13 gatherings in Washington, DC and across the U.S. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3z0PnY7 REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3VirGle 3. C100/TAAF Anti-Asian Hate Tracker for New York City Launched On May 14, 2024, Committee of 100 (C100) and The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) jointly launched a database to report and track incidents of hate and bias against the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) New York City (NYC) community. The AAPI Hate Tracker is a collaborative project created by C100 and TAAF and supported by several NYC AAPI nonprofit partners, as part of the NYC Anti-Hate Collaborative. The database is funded by TAAF and C100, along with federal funding from a grant award from the U.S. Department of Justice. 4. Vincent Chin Legacy Guide On June 19, 1982, Vincent Chin was attacked in Highland Park, Michigan, by two white men who worked in the auto industry and were angry over what they perceived as the loss of American jobs to Japanese imports. He died four days later on June 23, 1982, at the age of 27. The killing was an egregious anti-Asian hate crime of the modern era. It galvanized Asian Americans across the entire country to fight for civil rights in a battle that continues today. Activist and author Helen Zia founded the Vincent Chin Institute two years ago and produced the Vincent Chin Legacy Guide as a reference and teaching tool in English and other languages. The Vincent Chin Legacy Guide is located here: https://bit.ly/3z88akk Back View PDF June 17, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

  • ​CAPAC Issues Messaging Guidance on Anti-Asian Hate

    The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus issued a Messaging Guidance on Rhetoric and Anti-Asian Hate to the U.S. House of Representatives. July 16, 2021 On July 16, 2021, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) issued a Messaging Guidance on Rhetoric and Anti-Asian Hate to all members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The letter states that "[t]ime and time again history has taught us the horrific impact xenophobic rhetoric can have on Asian Americans. This is reason enough to end the use of rhetoric that stokes hatred. But it is notable that this type of rhetoric isn’t only dangerous to Asian Americans, it’s harmful to the United States’ long-term interests. Our country faces global security challenges such as climate change, supply chain disruption, and nuclear proliferation that require collaborative bi-lateral and multi-lateral solutions. Our leaders’ use of xenophobic rhetoric undermines our ability to work with other countries to pursue those solutions." 2021/07/16 CAPAC: Messaging Guidance on Rhetoric and Anti-Asian Hate The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus issued a Messaging Guidance on Rhetoric and Anti-Asian Hate to the U.S. House of Representatives. Previous Next CAPAC Issues Messaging Guidance on Anti-Asian Hate

  • #361 11/3 Meeting; Chinese STEM Students; Brain Drain; Jane Wu v NWU; Birthright Citizens;+

    Newsletter - #361 11/3 Meeting; Chinese STEM Students; Brain Drain; Jane Wu v NWU; Birthright Citizens;+ #361 11/3 Meeting; Chinese STEM Students; Brain Drain; Jane Wu v NWU; Birthright Citizens;+ In This Issue #361 · 2025/11/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · Estate of Dr. Jane Wu v Northwestern University · Science : Chinese STEM graduate Students Boon to U.S. Students · U.S. Brain Drain · Update on Birthright Citizenship Lawsuits · 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 today, 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 . Estate of Dr. Jane Wu v Northwestern University In June 2025, 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. An open hearing is scheduled for December 1, 2025, starting at 9:00 am CT at Court Room 1906, Richard J Daley Center, 50 W Washington St, Chicago. Dr. Wu, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in China, was a prominent Chinese American researcher in neurology and genetics at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. She took her own life on July 10, 2024, after her lab was shut down and all records of her work were erased by Northwestern University. Her death drew attention to the negative impact of the "China Initiative" and "foreign interference" investigations by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which targeted scientists of Chinese descent. Dr. Wu was never charged. She was 60 years old. Dr. Wu's daughter, Elizabeth Rao 饶婕, told NBC News in July 2025 that “as painful as it is for us as her family to recount how Northwestern treated her, we are seeking justice to prevent this from happening again to others in the future.” Read the APA Justice Impacted Person web page on Dr. Jane Wu: https://bit.ly/JaneWu Science : Chinese STEM graduate Students Boon to U.S. Students According to Science on October 31, 2025, a new analysis by economists Ruixue Jia (University of California, San Diego), Hongbin Li (Stanford University), Gaurav Khanna (UC San Diego), and Yuli Xu (Stanford University) finds that China’s massive 1999 expansion of its higher education system unexpectedly transformed U.S. graduate education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Published as a working paper by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), the study shows that the policy triggered a surge of Chinese students pursuing U.S. STEM master’s degrees—benefiting not only American universities but also domestic students and local economies.According to the researchers, the influx of highly qualified and often self-funded Chinese students allowed U.S. universities—especially large public research institutions—to expand their graduate programs without reducing access for Americans. “For every four additional Chinese students, one more U.S. student gained a spot in a STEM master’s program,” the authors wrote, describing this as a “crowd-in effect.” The study found that from 2003 to 2015, the number of U.S. STEM master’s programs grew by 23%, and roughly 15% of that growth can be attributed to China’s education expansion. Kevin Shih , an economist at the University of California, Riverside, who was not involved in the study, called the findings groundbreaking: “What’s really cool about this study is that it documents, for the first time, how the Chinese government, in growing higher education at home, also contributed in a significant way to the growth of U.S. graduate education, especially at the master’s level in STEM.” Jia explained that the Chinese government’s centralized university admission quotas—based on the national gaokao 高考 exam and changing perceptions of strategic industries—directly influenced which majors grew and, consequently, which students went abroad. “At first, the government thought biotech was the future, so you saw a huge number of biology majors going to the U.S. after graduation. Then it switched to computer science, and now AI [artificial intelligence],” she said.Khanna noted that the influx of Chinese students benefited both universities and their surrounding communities: “They rent apartments, buy cars, and go to restaurants.” The added tuition revenue also helped subsidize other university activities and reduce pressure to raise tuition for domestic students. Moreover, the growth in Chinese graduate students expanded the pool of teaching assistants, allowing universities to offer more undergraduate STEM courses.However, the study’s authors warn that this positive trend has reversed in recent years. Jia said preliminary findings from follow-up research suggest “a significant decline since 2017 in the number of STEM master’s programs,” particularly at public universities in Republican-led states. The downturn coincides with the Trump administration’s visa restrictions and anti-China rhetoric, which discouraged many Chinese students from studying in the U.S.Khanna added that “other countries now recognize that they are an important source of revenue and talent,” pointing to destinations like Australia, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Hong Kong. China itself has also expanded its graduate programs, giving students more domestic options.Despite the clear economic and educational benefits documented, Jia remains cautious about the policy implications: “We’re providing some hard evidence for the positive spillover effect on universities and communities of the increased number of Chinese students,” she said, “but I’m always skeptical of being able to persuade anyone with data.” U.S. Brain Drain In the PBS NewsHour segment on October 29, 2025, “ The Mozart of Math Considers Leaving the U.S., ” Terence Tao 陶哲軒 , a UCLA mathematics professor and Fields Medal laureate, anchors a sobering look at the declining stability of American science. Known as one of the world’s greatest living mathematicians, Tao was a prodigy who entered college at age 9, earned his Ph.D. from Princeton by 21, and became celebrated for his elegant problem-solving across pure and applied mathematics. His research, for example, produced an algorithm that cut MRI scan times from several minutes to under a minute — a perfect example of how abstract theory can generate life-changing technology. Tao recalls being inspired as a child by “Sesame Street” and Carl Sagan ’s “Cosmos,” crediting the openness and vibrancy of U.S. science for shaping his career. America, he says, long maintained a “lively ecosystem” of hundreds of universities and conferences that drew talent from across the globe. But now, for the first time, he feels existential concern: federal budget cuts, political interference, and uncertainty in research funding threaten to hollow out that system.Under the Trump administration, the National Science Foundation (NSF) was forced to suspend about $1 billion in grants, directly affecting Tao’s UCLA Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics. Instead of doing mathematics, Tao says, he now spends his time fundraising, seeking alternative support, and deciding what to cut first. The situation has made him consider offers from Europe, Australia, and China — something he never imagined after three decades in the U.S. He warns that dismantling America’s research infrastructure “from the top down” could have irreversible consequences, saying, “For any complex system, one person who doesn’t understand it can wreck everything.” Other scientists in the report echo Tao’s alarm. Daniella Fodera , a biomedical engineer completing her Ph.D. at Columbia University, had her NIH-funded uterine fibroid study abruptly cut earlier this year — despite the condition affecting nearly 80% of women. Her funding was restored only after Columbia paid over $200 million to settle unrelated federal investigations, underscoring how erratic and politicized research support has become. Disillusioned, Fodera now plans to pursue work in Europe, where she believes stability and respect for science are stronger. Anna Darling , a neuroscience Ph.D. student at Ohio State University, shares a similar fear. She entered academia to follow her mother’s footsteps as a science teacher, only to discover her program’s funding was no longer guaranteed. “My outlook on being a scientist in this country has changed,” she says. “The freedom to do the research you value just isn’t as free as it used to be.” Stephen Jones , a biochemist who left the U.S. in 2020 for Vilnius University in Lithuania, provides a glimpse of what that brain drain looks like in practice. He says he grew weary of anti-science sentiment and wanted to work in a society that valued research. Now leading a lab abroad, he notes that colleagues who once questioned his decision are asking him how to follow suit, with many considering positions in Canada, Europe, or China. Finally, Vidya Saravanapandian , a UCLA neuroscientist from India, warns that the closure of labs and loss of students could devastate the U.S. economy and its global leadership. “When labs shut down, ideas are lost, experiments are ruined, and the younger generation loses hope,” she says, visibly distressed about the future of science in America. The report closes with Tao reflecting on the broader meaning of this moment. The administration’s decisions, he argues, seem detached from public interest, guided by politics rather than evidence. He stresses that scientific ecosystems thrive on diversity of thought and long-term investment, not short-term cuts. His latest problem to solve, Tao says, is not mathematical — it is how to protect America’s scientific infrastructure before it collapses. Watch the PBS report: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLvO070E_dI (9:26) On October 22, 2025, South China Morning Post reported that political purges, funding cuts, and growing hostility toward expertise under the Trump administration have unsettled the U.S. research community—reminding many Chinese American scientists of China’s Cultural Revolution. During Mao Zedong 毛泽东 ’s 1966 campaign, intellectuals were persecuted and science was paralyzed for a decade; today, some Chinese American scholars see echoes in the U.S. as researchers face suspicion, censorship, and abrupt funding losses. Several scientists, including a Midwest biologist targeted under the China Initiative, are now considering returning to China amid large-scale layoffs at NASA, CDC, and other agencies. Critics such as mathematician Shing-Tung Yau 丘成桐 and scholar Fang Shimin 方是民/方舟子 ; describe the situation as a “Trump-era Cultural Revolution,” where political loyalty outweighs expertise. Duke University’s Denis Simon warns that replacing merit with ideology risks crippling U.S. innovation and driving talent overseas, causing long-term damage to America’s scientific enterprise—even if the U.S. has not descended into the violence of Mao’s era. Read the South China Morning Post report: https://bit.ly/4qIpbYE Update on Birthright Citizenship Lawsuits On October 31, 2025, the total number of litigations challenging Trump Administration actions tracked by Just Security reached 500. At least 11 lawsuits have been filed against President Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship (E.O. 14160). The order remains blocked from taking effect nationwide due to several preliminary injunctions. The core legal challenge asserts that the order is unconstitutional and violates a federal statute, as the 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to all persons born in the U.S. and subject to its jurisdiction. The 11 known lawsuits (3 blocked pending appeal, 4 temporarily blocked, 4 awaiting court ruling) with their filing dates are: 1. 2025/01/20 Doe v. Trump (1:25-cv-10135) . Temporarily blocked 2. 2025/01/20 New Hampshire Indonesian Community Support (NHICS) v. Trump (1:25-cv-00038) . Temporarily blocked 3. 2025/01/20 Thien Le v. Donald J. Trump (8:25-cv-00104) . Awaiting court ruling 4. 2025/01/21 CASA v. Trump (8:25-cv-00201) (and consolidated cases). Temporarily blocked 5. 2025/01/21 State of Washington v. Trump (2:25-cv-00127) . Blocked pending appeal 6. 2025/01/21 State of New Jersey v. Trump (1:25-cv-10139) . Blocked pending appeal 7. 2025/01/24 Franco Aleman v. Trump (2:25-cv-00163) (a class-action lawsuit). Blocked pending appeal 8. 2025/01/30 OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates v. Rubio (1:25-cv-00287) . Awaiting court ruling 9. 2025/01/30 County of Santa Clara v. Trump (5:25-cv-00981) . Awaiting court ruling 10. 2025/02/13 New York Immigration Coalition v. Donald J. Trump (1:25-cv-01309) . Awaiting court ruling 11. 2025/06/27 Barbara v. Trump (1:25-cv-00244) (a class-action lawsuit). Temporarily blocked Just Security has also published four featured articles in the series of "Taking Stock of the Birthright Citizenship Cases:" 1. 2025/07/30 Part I: Unpacking Trump v. CASA, Inc. Author: Marty Lederman, Executive Editor at Just Security and Professor at the Georgetown University Law Center; former Deputy Assistant Attorney General at the Office of Legal Counsel; former Attorney Advisor at the Office of Legal Counsel 2. 2025/08/18 Part II: Making Sense of the Three Established Exceptions . Author: Marty Lederman 3. 2025/09/08 Part III: DOJ’s Arguments Regarding Domicile and Unauthorized Immigrants . Authors: Marty Lederman; John Mikhail, Carroll Professor of Jurisprudence, Georgetown University Law Center 4. 2025/09/29 Part IV: DOJ’s Ineffective Responses to Plaintiffs’ Statutory Argument . Author: Marty Lederman As part of the Collection of Just Security’s Coverage of the Trump Administration’s Executive Actions, on March 28, 2025, Edgar Chen 陳春品 , Senior Policy Advisor, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, and Chris M. Kwok 郭文 , Adjunct Assistant Professor in Asian American studies, Hunter College, published " The Trump Administration’s 14th Amendment Retcon: ‘Wong Kim Ark’ Does Not Limit Birthright Citizenship. " The authors argue that Trump’s Executive Order 14160 grossly misinterprets the 1898 Supreme Court decision in United States v. Wong Kim Ark and the intent of the 14th Amendment. The Court affirmed that all individuals born in the U.S.—regardless of their parents’ immigration status—are citizens, a principle rooted in post–Civil War Reconstruction. Trump’s order wrongly equates Wong’s Chinese immigrant parents, who faced legal exclusion and racial persecution, with today’s lawful permanent residents. If upheld, the order would disproportionately harm Asian Americans, particularly children of immigrants, students, and asylees, effectively reviving exclusionary policies reminiscent of the Chinese Exclusion era and undermining over a century of settled constitutional law. The article was translated into Chinese by Juan Zhang 张涓 , APA Justice, with title " 特朗普政府重塑《第十四修正案》 ——《黄金德案》并未限制出生公民权 . " 特朗普总统宣布通过行政命令第14160号终止出生公民权,意在推翻1898年美国最高法院《美国诉黄金德案》确立的原则,即凡在美国出生者(除外交官及敌对势力子女外)皆为公民。该命令错误地将“永久住所”解读为“合法永久居留”,试图将公民权限定于美国公民及绿卡持有者之子女。文章指出,这种解读既不符合法律,也无视历史现实。黄金德父母在排华时代受歧视、无归化权,生活在暴力与制度性迫害中,与今日移民地位完全不同。特朗普此举被批评为重演排华法案的历史,甚至开启“排华2.0”,其后果将严重打击亚裔群体,剥夺数十万移民后代的公民权,并违背第十四修正案的平等精神。最高法院在黄金德案中早已确立:美国的根本在于包容所有在其土地上出生的人,不论其血统与出身。 Recent news: 2025/10/03 ACLU: Federal Appeals Court Upholds Block on Trump Birthright Citizenship Executive Order 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 Story2025/11/25 Committee of 100 Conversations – “Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes” with Elaine Chao 2025/12/01 Cook County Circuit Court Hearing - Estate of Jane Wu v Northwestern University2025/12/01 APA Justice Monthly Meeting Visit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Understanding The AI Boom: Power, Politics, and The Future of U.S.-China Relations WHAT: Understanding the AI Boom: Power, Politics, & the Future of U.S. China Relations WHEN: November 19, 2025, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm ET/4:00 pm - 5:00 pm PT WHERE: webinar HOSTS: 1990 Institute Moderator : Clayton Dube, Former Director, USC U.S.-China Institute Speakers : · Graham Webster , Editor-in-Chief, DigitChina Project, Stanford University · Zeyi Yang , Senior Writer, WIRED DESCRIPTION: Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how nations compete, how economies grow, and how cultures evolve. At the heart of this global shift is the U.S.-China relationship, where the race for AI leadership is emerging as a modern Cold War — a watershed moment signaling that the AI revolution is no longer distant, but already here. And when it comes to the U.S. and China, many are seeing the future of tech as an existential race that needs to be won.For a generation raised in the era of smartphones, AI is not a futuristic idea—it is part of everyday life. This webinar invites educators, parents, students, and community members to look beyond the headlines and build a deeper understanding of the global forces shaping our digital and physical world today. The webinar will examine the societal, ethical, and geopolitical dimensions of technology. The aim is to lay the groundwork for modern digital literacy including empowering educators to teach it with clarity and confidence. The session is designed for everyone interested in becoming a more informed global citizen in this rapidly evolving digital age. This virtual webinar is open to all audiences, with a segment at the end devoted to high school educators teaching contemporary history, economics, technology and social studies. REGISTRATION : https://bit.ly/47i8wDw # # # APA Justice Task Force is a non-partisan platform to build a sustainable ecosystem that addresses racial profiling concerns and to facilitate, inform, and advocate on selected issues related to justice and fairness for the Asian Pacific American community. For more information, please refer to the new APA Justice website under development at www.apajusticetaskforce.org . We value your feedback. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org . Back View PDF November 3, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

  • #392 5/4 Meeting; Legacy of APAICS; Schwarzman Scholars; Trump's Tirade; FISA Section 702+

    Newsletter - #392 5/4 Meeting; Legacy of APAICS; Schwarzman Scholars; Trump's Tirade; FISA Section 702+ #392 5/4 Meeting; Legacy of APAICS; Schwarzman Scholars; Trump's Tirade; FISA Section 702+ In This Issue #392 · 2026/05/04 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · The Enduring Legacy of APAICS · Ten Years of Schwarzman Scholars · Trump’s Tirade Against Chinese and Indian Immigrants · More on FISA Section 702 · News and Activities for the Communities 2026/05/04 APA Justice Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held on Monday, May 4, 2026, 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 to welcome the following distinguished speakers: · Dave Min , Member, U.S. House of Representatives · Robert Underwood , former CAPAC Chair; President Emeritus, University of Guam; Co-Founder, Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) · Madalene Mielke , President and CEO, Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) · Martin B. Gold , Partner, Capitol Counsel, LLC The virtual monthly meeting is by invitation only. It is closed to the press. If you wish to join, either one time or for future meetings, please contact one of the co-organizers of APA Justice - Vincent Wang 王文奎 and Jeremy Wu 胡善庆 - or send a message to contact@apajustice.org . ***** We are honored that Congressman Dave Min will deliver the opening remarks to launch the 2026 Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Elected in 2024 to represent California’s 47th Congressional District in the heart of Orange County, Rep. Min is the son of Korean immigrants and a proud graduate of California public schools. He previously served in the California State Senate from 2020 to 2024. Prior to his public service, he was a law professor at the University of California, Irvine. The Enduring Legacy of APAICS The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) stands today as one of the most consequential institutions shaping Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) political leadership in the United States. Its story is inseparable from a broader movement to transform representation in American democracy—one that began in 1994 under the visionary leadership of Norman Mineta and Dr. Robert Underwood and continues today under President and CEO Madalene Mielke . APAICS was founded alongside the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) at a time when AAPI representation in government remained limited and fragmented. Mineta and Underwood recognized a structural gap: while advocacy existed, there was no sustained institutional pipeline to recruit, train, and elevate AAPI leaders into public service. Originally known as the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Institute (CAPACI), APAICS was conceived as a nonpartisan, educational organization dedicated to civic participation and leadership development. Its mission remains to promote AANHPI engagement at every level of the political process—from community service to elected office. For Mineta, whose life journey spanned wartime incarceration to Cabinet leadership, the stakes were deeply personal. For Underwood, the imperative was equally clear: to ensure that Pacific Islander voices—often overlooked even within broader AAPI narratives—would have a durable presence in national policymaking. Before and after his congressional service, Underwood built a distinguished career in education, including serving as president of the University of Guam. His scholarship on Chamorro identity, cultural preservation, and education reflects a lifelong commitment to empowerment through knowledge—principles that are deeply embedded in APAICS’ mission. Over the past three decades, APAICS has evolved into a comprehensive leadership pipeline. Its programs—including congressional fellowships, national and regional leadership academies, and mentorship initiatives—have trained and supported generations of AANHPI leaders now serving across government, nonprofit, and private sectors. The results are increasingly visible. AAPI representation in public office and policy leadership has grown meaningfully, and with it, the expectation that AANHPI voices will be present not as exceptions, but as integral participants in governance. Under the leadership of Madalene Mielke, APAICS has entered a new phase of strategic growth and national influence. With deep experience in political development and fundraising, Mielke has expanded the organization’s reach while reinforcing its core focus: preparing leaders not only to enter public service, but to lead effectively once there. As APAICS marks more than 30 years of impact, its founding vision remains highly relevant. From the pioneering leadership of Norman Mineta and Robert Underwood to today’s institutional strength, APAICS continues to translate access into opportunity—and opportunity into public leadership. We are especially honored that both Robert Underwood and Madalene Mielke will be featured speakers at the APA Justice monthly meeting on May 4, 2026. Their perspectives offer a timely opportunity to reflect on the progress of AANHPI political engagement and the work that lies ahead. For more information about APAICS, visit https://www.apaics.org/ Ten Years of Schwarzman Scholars At a time when geopolitical tensions and mutual misunderstanding increasingly shape U.S.–China relations, the Schwarzman Scholars (苏世民学者) program offers a different model—one grounded in education, dialogue, and long-term relationship building. Since its launch in 2016, the program has emerged as one of the most prominent global leadership initiatives of the 21st century. Founded by Stephen A. Schwarzman 苏世民 , the program is based at Tsinghua University in Beijing and is designed to prepare the next generation of leaders to navigate an increasingly complex and interconnected world. Each year, approximately 150 scholars from around the globe are selected for a fully funded, one-year master’s degree in Global Affairs, with a focus on leadership, public policy, economics, and international studies. Throughout the past decade Schwarzman Scholars has empowered over 1,300 young leaders from more than 100 countries with the skills to navigate the challenges of the 21st century. Often compared to the Rhodes Scholarship, Schwarzman Scholars was conceived as a modern counterpart. Its core premise is straightforward but ambitious: that future leaders must develop not only technical expertise, but also cultural fluency, geopolitical awareness, and the ability to engage across differences. The program brings together a highly diverse cohort and immerses them in a rigorous academic and leadership curriculum. Scholars live and study together, creating an environment where dialogue lives on a daily basis. A defining feature of the program is its emphasis on exposure. Scholars engage directly with senior policymakers, business leaders, and academics from China and around the world. Through lectures, mentorship, internships, and travel, participants gain firsthand insight into China’s political system, economic development, and societal changes. Equally important are the informal exchanges—conversations among peers that challenge assumptions and build mutual understanding. In an era where narratives about China and the United States are often shaped by distance and distrust, these interpersonal connections can have lasting impact. Whether one views the program as a bridge, a laboratory, or a strategic investment in global leadership, its significance is clear: it is an effort to shape how future leaders understand—and engage with—one of the most consequential bilateral relationships in the world. For more information about the program, visit https://www.schwarzmanscholars.org/ten-year-anniversary/ Trump’s Tirade Against Chinese and Indian Immigrants According to AsAmNews , The Guardian , and The New York Times , President Donald Trump sparked widespread backlash after posting a transcript and video from a podcast by Michael Savage that described China and India as “hellhole” countries and made negative claims about immigrants from those nations. Although Trump added no commentary, critics in the U.S. and abroad viewed the post as endorsing the remarks. The Indian government publicly criticized the comments as inappropriate, while U.S. lawmakers, including Grace Meng and Ami Bera , condemned the rhetoric as harmful and inflammatory, particularly amid rising anti-Asian sentiment. The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) issued a public statement expressing outrage by the racist and xenophobic post. The controversy comes as the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments over Trump’s effort to end birthright citizenship in early April, an issue central to his immigration agenda. The White House defended the post as part of a broader critique of current citizenship policies. “These are no longer dog whistles,” Jon Lewis , a research fellow at the Program on Extremism at George Washington University, said. “They’re bullhorns. It sends that emboldening message to neo-Nazis and White supremacists that the government is on your side.” More on FISA Section 702 After an extension of 10 days, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) will expire on April 30, 2026, unless it is renewed by Congress. According to NPR on April 24, 2026, Speaker Mike Johnson has introduced a new proposal to extend the surveillance authority for three years, but it is largely unchanged from two earlier attempts that failed in the House. Johnson’s latest bill does not include a warrant requirement, instead proposing increased reporting and penalties for misuse. "This is not a reform bill and it's not a compromise," Elizabeth Goitein , a privacy advocate and senior director of the Liberty and National Security Program at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University, wrote on X . "It's a straight reauthorization with eight pages of words that serve no serious purpose other than to try to convince members that it's NOT a straight reauthorization." On April 23, 2026, the Washington Post published an editorial titled “Want to read an American’s emails? Get a warrant. ” Congress can break its deadlock over Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act by adopting a simple compromise grounded in the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution: continue warrantless surveillance of foreigners abroad, but require a warrant before searching Americans’ communications collected under the program. It emphasizes that while foreign intelligence gathering is essential and lawful, the current system allows the government to search Americans’ emails and messages without judicial approval—effectively creating a “backdoor” around constitutional protections. Internal oversight reforms are insufficient, the editorial argues, because only a judge can provide independent review. The editorial rejects claims that a warrant requirement would harm national security, noting emergency exceptions are available and that similar protections already apply in domestic law enforcement. Ultimately, it frames the issue as a fundamental civil liberties question: whether Section 702 will remain a necessary intelligence tool or continue to function as a loophole that weakens Americans’ constitutional rights. Resources: · 2026/04/16 Brennan Center for Justice: Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA): 2026 Resource Page · 2026/03/24 APA Justice Webinar: Mass Surveillance and the ICE Crackdown: What the AAPI Community Needs to Know (1:04:32) · APA Justice timeline: Timeline Visualization of U.S. Mass Surveillance · APA Justice webpage: Warrantless Surveillance News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2026/05/04 APA Justice Monthly Meeting 2026/05/11 Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes - Steven Chu 2026/05/12-14 Celebrating 250 - Building America’s Future Together 2026/05/13 The Model Minority Trap: How ‘Positive’ Stereotypes Harm Asian Americans 2026/06/01 APA Justice Monthly MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Upcoming “Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes” Events WHAT : Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes - Steven Chu WHEN : May 11, 2026, 6:00-7:00 pm ET WHERE : Webinar HOST : Committee of 100 Moderator : Peter Young , Chair of the Conversations Initiative and Committee of 100 New York Regional Chair and Board Member Speaker: Steven Chu , Nobel Prize Recipient in Physics, former Secretary of Energy, and Stanford University professor REGISTRATION : https://c100-5-11-2026.eventbrite.com ***** WHAT : Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes - Calvin Tsao WHEN : June 10, 2026, 6:00-7:00 pm ET WHERE : Webinar HOST : Committee of 100 Moderator : Peter Young , Chair of the Conversations Initiative and Committee of 100 New York Regional Chair and Board Member Speaker: Calvin Tsao , leading architect, philanthropist, and educator REGISTRATION : https://c100-6-10-2026.eventbrite.com 3. The Model Minority Trap: How ‘Positive’ Stereotypes Harm Asian Americans WHAT : The Model Minority Trap: How ‘Positive’ Stereotypes Harm Asian Americans WHEN : May 13, 2026, 3:00-4:00 pm ET WHERE : Webinar HOST : Committee of 100 Speakers: · Derald Wing Sue , Professor of Psychology and Education, Teachers College, Columbia University · Emma Zang , Associate Professor of Sociology, Yale University DESCRIPTION: The model minority stereotype is often dismissed as a "compliment" but creates real harm for Chinese Americans and Asian Americans more broadly. New data from the 2025 State of Chinese Americans survey reveals Chinese Americans who regularly encounter these assumptions report significantly more psychological distress than those who face no discrimination at all. These seemingly positive assumptions mask significant disparities—and the harm compounds. This is the third installment of C100's 2025 State of Chinese Americans webinar series, featuring new survey data on how these “positive” stereotypes are associated with measurable psychological distress and mask significant mental health disparities within Asian American communities. Professors Derald Wing Sue and Emma Zang, will unpack why this stereotype persists, who it hurts most, and what practitioners and policymakers can do differently. REGISTRATION : https://committee100-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/2117768023399/WN_wonLo_NmSoSBL5DCldJvKQ#/registration 4. Asian American Pioneer Medal Symposium and Ceremony WHAT : Asian American Pioneer Medal Symposium and Ceremony WHEN : August 7-9 2026 WHERE : Memorial Auditorium, Stanford University HOST : Asian American Research Center at Stanford, Asian American Scholar Forum DESCRIPTION : The goal of the Pioneer Project is to educate the public on the history of Asian American pioneers and scholars who have made transformative contributions to our country and the world. FOR MORE INFORMATION : Visit https://www.aasforum.org/ # # # 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 April 27, 2026 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

  • #127 6/6 Meeting; ODNI Overdue Report; US-China Future/Past; Chinese Students; Census Data

    Newsletter - #127 6/6 Meeting; ODNI Overdue Report; US-China Future/Past; Chinese Students; Census Data #127 6/6 Meeting; ODNI Overdue Report; US-China Future/Past; Chinese Students; Census Data Back View PDF May 30, 2022 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

  • #241 C100 Activities; Florida SB 264 Hearing; AANHPI Education Summit; Officer Angwang; +

    Newsletter - #241 C100 Activities; Florida SB 264 Hearing; AANHPI Education Summit; Officer Angwang; + #241 C100 Activities; Florida SB 264 Hearing; AANHPI Education Summit; Officer Angwang; + In This Issue #241 · Committee of 100 Activities and Annual Conference/Gala · Appeals Court Hearing on Florida Alien Land Law SB264 · 2024 AA and NHPI Higher Education Leadership Development Summit · Update on NYPD Officer Angwang · News and Activities for the Communities Committee of 100 Activities and Annual Conference/Gala During the APA Justice monthly meeting on March 4, 2024, Cindy Tsai , Interim President and Executive Director, Committee of 100 (C100), reported on four primary C100 activities in addition to various ongoing collaborative activities with Asian American and other communities: · Interactive Map on Alien Land Bills. C100 has been tracking all the 2023 bills by state at https://bit.ly/3Hxta4B . It is currently in the process of creating another layer for the 2024 legislative session. With the basic structure in place, it is a matter of visualizing the data in an interactive map. Cindy emphasizes that while the national organizations are keeping an eye on these developments, it truly is those who are on the ground that will hear about it first. So as you hear about things that are coming out of your state, please share and verify with C100, which will in turn share it with the communities. C100 researcher Sam Collitt can be reached at scollitt@Committee100.org . · AAPI History and K-12 Curricula. C100 has in the last 2 years tracked and updated state-by-state analysis state bills that are available tools for the AAPI community to use as they advocate for AAPI education in schools. You do not need to have a stand-alone AAPI curriculum mandate to advocate to your school district for that type of education curriculum. Additionally, C100 converted its 2018 report on t he contributions of Chinese Americans into 5 middle school lesson plans. C100 is organizing teacher workshops over the summer. If you have interest in this area, please reach out to Cindy. C100 would love to provide these free materials to educators. · Next Generation Leaders Service Project. On March 6, C100 hosted a virtual webinar titled Breaking Career Ceilings and Feeling Comfortable in Your Own Skin. It was led by the C100 Next Generation Leaders Class of 2023. As a community, some of our parents taught us to keep our head down and assimilate. We are now seeing a new generation of people saying: I want to be the authentic me and still achieve and break the glass ceiling. · 2024 Annual Conference and Gala. The C100 annual conference and gala will be held in New York City on April 19, 2024. This year, C100 is doubling the number of curated sessions with three general sessions and two concurrent tracks — one on U.S.-China related topics and the other on key domestic AAPI issues —and will include more than 50 guest speakers, panelists and keynotes. The event will be topped off with a black-tie Gala celebrating the achievements and accomplishments from those in and around the AAPI community. For more information and registration, visit https://bit.ly/4ccKQkj Cindy can be reached at ctsai@committee100.org . A summary of the March 4 APA Justice monthly meeting is in progress. General Session · Debate: Will and Should Corporate DEI Activities Suffer the Same Fate as Affirmative Action? · The 2024 Elections and Their Impact on Asian Americans · Charting New Paths: Innovative Solutions to Asian American Issues Asian American Issue Track · Asian American Awareness Through Education · The Impact of U.S.-China Tensions on Asian Americans in Government · Asian American Career Ceilings – Findings and Solutions · AAPI Community Response to Rising Anti-Asian Hostility · U.S. National Defense Policies - Impact on Asian Americans and U.S. Competitiveness U.S.-China Issues Track · Perspectives on China by Former U.S. Ambassadors · Will the Chinese Economy Stagnate Like Japan's Did? · Foreign Direct Investment – Both Ways – What is Happening and Why? · U.S.-China Tech and Industrial Rivalry · Diplomacy Through Food and Culture Appeals Court Hearing on Florida Alien Land Law SB264 Following its ruling to temporarily halt the enforcement of the Florida alien land law known as SB 264 against two Chinese immigrants on February 1, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit will hold hearings in Miami, Florida, in the morning of April 19, 2024. It is one of three cases that will be heard by a three-judge panel. Location of the hearing is James Lawrence King Federal Justice Building, 13th Floor, 99 NE 4th St, Miami, FL 33132. The hearing is open to the public.Read the docket of the civil lawsuit of Shen vs Simpson: https://bit.ly/43idmvB . Read the ACLU statement on the February 1 Appeals Court decision: https://bit.ly/3Utx0Ub 2024 AA and NHPI Higher Education Leadership Development Summit WHAT : 2024 AA and NHPI Higher Education Leadership Development Summit WHEN: April 2, 2024, 8:30 am - 7:30 pm Pacific Time WHERE: In-person event, University of California, Berkeley - Martin Luther King Jr. Building, 2495 Bancroft Way Berkeley, CA 94704 HOSTS: White House Initiative on AA and NHPI; U.S. Office of Personnel Management DESCRIPTION: The one-day summit will focus on cultivating and transforming leaders in their careers within the higher education space. Together, we will engage in curated professional development topics that address challenges that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AA and NHPIs) face in the higher education workplace, and bring together a rich community of administrators, staff, and faculty who are leading by example – whether it be as part of an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institution (ANNHSI), or at other degree-granting institutions (including trade and technical schools). REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3Vncrco Update on NYPD Officer Angwang According to a report by Documented on March 13, 2024, Baijmadajie Angwang , a New York Police Department (NYPD) officer and ethnic Tibetan immigrant from China, was fired by NYPD on January 29, 2024.Angwang’s case is part of a wave of prosecutions of Chinese immigrants living in the U.S. under the umbrella of the now-defunct "China Initiative," the first country-specific enforcement program in the history of the Department of Justice (DOJ). It targeted mainly scholars and scientists and had gained a reputation for being racially biased and ineffective. An analysis by the MIT Technology Review at the end of 2021 found that only about a quarter of the defendants were charged for violations against the Economic Espionage Act, while many others faced integrity issues, such as failing to reveal their affiliations with research institutes in China in grant applications. On September 21, 2020, a handful of FBI agents pointed M4 rifles at Angwang's head and handcuffed him in front of his wife and 2-year-old daughter at his home on Long Island. He spent six months in solitary confinement at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where he was only allowed two individual one-hour meetings with his family and lawyer.In January 2023, after Angwang's lawyer John Carman reviewed classified evidence at the U.S. district court in Brooklyn, prosecutors abruptly dropped the charges against Angwang. The dismissal came with a vague note citing newly discovered evidence.Carman, expressing skepticism, believed Angwang's ethnicity played a role in his arrest, noting the weak evidence against him. As a defense lawyer for nearly 30 years, Carman has observed an increase in Chinese clients in federal criminal cases over the past five years. NYPD continued its internal investigation against Angwang based on the dropped federal charges, and, later, terminated his employment. “Most internal investigations based on court cases would be dropped after the court cases are dismissed,” said Angwang, who worked as a community affairs officer at the 111th precinct in Queens before he was arrested. “It’s hard to believe in the city most welcoming to immigrants, they’d treat a new immigrant cop like me in this way.” He had also served as a US Marine in Afghanistan. “The financial burden, the toll on your mental health. Even when your charges are dropped, the impact on your family and your career is far from over,” said Haipei Shue , president of United Chinese Americans, a civil rights organization that has supported Chinese scientists.The NYPD official file on Angwang's termination is posted here: https://bit.ly/3THjLOX .Angwang's termination by the NYPD has not been reported by mainstream media. Read the Documented report: https://bit.ly/3TkslSl . Read Anywang's story: https://bit.ly/3RIqXId . News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2024/03/24 Committee of Concerned Scientists Annual Meeting 2024/03/25 C100: Asian American Career Ceiling Challenges in Broadcast News2024/03/26 Rally Opposing Florida SB 8462024/03/28 CSIS: U.S.-China Scholarly Recoupling: The Path Forward2024/04/02 2024 AA and NHPI Higher Education Leadership Development Summit2024/04/07 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/04/08 APA Justice Monthly MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/45KGyga for event details. 2. CSIS: U.S.-China Scholarly Recoupling: The Path Forward WHAT: U.S.-China Scholarly Recoupling: The Path Forward WHEN: March 28, 2024, 9:00 - 10:00 am Eastern Time WHERE: WebcastHOST: Center for Strategic and International StudiesMODERATOR: Scott Kennedy, Senior Adviser and Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics, CSISPANELISTS: · Scott Rozelle, Co-Director, Stanford Center on China's Economy and Institutions · Deborah Seligsohn, Assistant Professor, Villanova University · Yu Tiejun, President, Institute of International and Strategic Studies, Peking University · Xie Tao, Dean and Professor, School of International Relations and Diplomacy, Beijing Foreign Studies University · Zhang Ran, Associate Professor, Peking University DESCRIPTION: Over the last two years, the Trustee Chair has led an initiative to avoid U.S.-China scholarly decoupling and restore ties amongst scholars, students and institutions. In 2023, CSIS and Peking University co-hosted a pair of conferences with participation from leading experts from both countries that examined the obstacles to scholarly ties and steps that could be taken to overcome these challenges and create a stronger foundation for renewed ties. This event centers around the release of a major report with contributions from over two dozen of the project participants. REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/4aaCKGV 3. Racially Profiled for Being A Scientist: A Discussion of the US DOJ's China Initiative WHAT: Racially Profiled for Being A Scientist: A Discussion of the US DOJ's China Initiative WHEN: April 17, 2024, 4:30 - 6:00 pm Eastern Time WHERE: In-person event; Press Hall, 1st floor lobby, New York University HOST: New York University Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human DevelopmentMODERATOR: Hua-Yu Sebastian Cherng, Vice Dean for Research and Equity, NYU SteinhardtPANELISTS: · Daniel Tam-Claiborne, Executive Director, Serica Initiative · Gisela Perez Kusakawa, Executive Director, the Asian American Scholar Forum · Frank Wu, President, Queens College DESCRIPTION: A discussion of the China Initiative, a Trump-era - but potentially revived - effort "inciting widespread fear of racial profiling for Asian Americans across the country." REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3THMOlt 4. Serica Initiative: AAPI Women's Gala 2024 WHAT: AAPI Women's Gala 2024 WHEN: May 14, 2024 WHERE: In-person event, Tribeca 360, New York City HOST: Serica Initiative DESCRIPTION: An event that celebrates the remarkable journeys of women who embody the essence of our theme, "Strength Unveiled: A Celebration of Women's Success Through Resilience and Perseverance." It honors the achievements of women with significant ties to Asia—be they from the AAPI community, other parts of Asia, or those who have significantly contributed to bridging cultures and fostering inclusion across continents. REGISTRATION : https://bit.ly/3PxI4fJ 5. Lunar New Year A Holiday In The State Of Washington According to Seattle Times , Governor Jay Inslee signed legislation on March 13, 2024, officially making Lunar New Year a recognized legislative holiday in the state of Washington. The bill’s sponsor, State Representative My-Linh Thai , D-Bellevue, proposed it as part of an effort to promote inclusion of Asian Americans earlier this year. The bill passed the House on January 31 with a vote of 96-1 and on February 28 it unanimously passed the Senate with a 96-0 vote. Washington now joins Colorado and California , which mark Lunar New Year as an official, but unpaid, holiday. In recent years, New York state and Philadelphia began recognizing it as a public school holiday, and U.S. Rep. Grace Meng , D-N.Y., reintroduced a proposal to make Lunar New Year a federal holiday . Lunar New Year celebrations include Tết in Vietnam, Seollal in Korea and Spring Festival in China. Because the holiday is based on the lunar calendar, it does not fall on a set day and floats between January and February. Lunar New Year is generally a 15-day celebration. More than 900,000 Washingtonians identify as Asian, about 12% of the state’s population and about 20% of King County’s population, according to 2020 census data. Read the Seattle Times report: https://bit.ly/3PtCY3Y Back View PDF March 20, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

  • Chinese Scientists Ousted from MD Anderson Cancer Center

    3 scientists were ousted by MD Anderson Cancer Center over concerns about Chinese conflicts of interest. April 19, 2019 On April 19, 2019, the Houston Chronicle and Science jointly reported that 3 scientists were ousted by MD Anderson Cancer Center over concerns about Chinese conflicts of interest, the first such publicly disclosed punishments since federal officials directed some institutions to investigate specific professors in violation of granting agency policies. MD Anderson took the actions after receiving e-mails last year from the National Institutes of Health, the nation’s largest public funder of biomedical research, describing conflicts of interest or unreported foreign income by five faculty members. The agency, which has been assisted by the FBI, gave the cancer center 30 days to respond. The departures follow an unprecedented Houston gathering last summer at which FBI officials warned Texas academic and medical institution leaders of the threat, particularly from insiders, and called on them to share with the agency any and all suspicious behavior and information. 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. This was reported by the Houston Chronicle on April 29, 2019, expressing "grave concern" that ethnically Chinese scientists have become "collateral damage in the crossfire" of deteriorating U.S.-China relations. 3 scientists were ousted by MD Anderson Cancer Center over concerns about Chinese conflicts of interest. Previous Next Chinese Scientists Ousted from MD Anderson Cancer Center

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