Newsletter - #326 Xiaofeng Wang; Dean Chemerinsky; F1 Students; TX HB17; NAPABA/AALDEF; Litigations; + #326 Xiaofeng Wang; Dean Chemerinsky; F1 Students; TX HB17; NAPABA/AALDEF; Litigations; + In This Issue #326 · Urgent : Professor Xiaofeng Wang's Wife to Speak at Town Hall/Sign-On Letter · Dean Erwin Chemerinsky Remarks at APA Justice Monthly Meeting · Lawsuits Filed for F1 Visa Students · Update on Texas Alien Land Bill HB17 · NAPABA and AADELF Filed Amicus Briefs on Birthright Citizenship · Latest on Litigations Against Trump's Executive Actions · News and Activities for the Communities Urgent : Professor Xiaofeng Wang's Wife to Speak at Town Hall/Sign-On Letter On April 11, 2025, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) announced that Nianli Ma , wife of Professor Xiaofeng Wang 王晓峰 , will join the virtual State of Play Town Hall to share the challenges that her family is facing. Register to attend the Town Hall: https://bit.ly/4jaA40N . Indiana University (IU) terminated Professor Wang's tenured position as Associate Dean for Research; James H. Rudy Professor of Computer Science, Engineering and Informatics; Director of Center for Security and Privacy in Informatics, Computing, and Engineering; and Director of Secure Computing on March 28. His wife's employement as IU Libraries analytst was also terminated on March 24.AASF has prepared a letter to Rahul Shrivastav , Provost of Indiana University: https://bit.ly/4jmKKJI . Concerned organizations and inidviduals are requested to sign on to the letter by 8 pm ET on Monday, April 14, 2025: https://bit.ly/3EqluTS .The AASF announcement states in part, "In this letter, we raise our concerns about whether this termination occurred without adherence to the University’s due process policies, including the requirement for notice and a hearing before the Faculty Board of Review, under University Policy ACA-52 . We request the reinstatement of Professor Wang and for IU to grant him his due process rights and the opportunity to defend himself."Moreover, we provide this letter to offer additional context from the Asian American and broader scholar, scientific, and research community. Professor Wang’s case has implications for the broader research community. There is a concern that scholars could receive backlash from their universities for activities that are not their own (i.e., getting in trouble for a grant that is not your own or a project you had no awareness of), and a question on whether scholars will be scapegoated and stripped of due process by universities for administrative errors and mistakes on paperwork as opposed to working together to fix any administrative errors. Oftentimes, scholars are not even making any intentional mistakes as those who are considered collaborators may not always be clearly defined. The criminalization of administrative matters and the scapegoating of individual academics will lead to a chilling environment for the research community and deter international collaborations that are so vital to our country’s competitiveness and prosperity."As concerns increase about the potential return of the DOJ’s China Initiative, we must make a stand as a community and ensure that the principles of due process and fairness are upheld."APA Justice is tracking Professor Wang's case at: https://bit.ly/42tbPVR Dean Erwin Chemerinsky Remarks at APA Justice Monthly Meeting Erwin Chemerinsky is Dean and Jesse H. Choper Distinguished Professor of Law at University of California Berkeley Law School. He is a renowned constitutional scholar and a leading expert on civil rights, free speech, and the judiciary. In the first months of the Trump administration, he has been a vocal advocate for the rule of law. Dean Chemerinsky spoke at the APA Justice monthly meeting on April 7, 2025. · 2025/04/05 CNN: Law school dean on Trump's executive orders: 'This is just about retribution' · 2025/04/03 Washington Post Opinion: Trump is targeting law firms and academia. Why don’t they speak up? · 2025/03/14 AP News: Trump demands unprecedented control at Columbia, alarming scholars and speech groups · 2025/03/07 New York Times Opinion: The One Question That Really Matters: If Trump Defies the Courts, Then What? Dean Chemerinsky expressed deep concern about the future of American democracy, stating that if the country were to slide into authoritarianism, this is what it would look like. He emphasizes that his fears are nonpartisan and not about specific policies like tariffs or foreign affairs, but rather about blatant violations of the Constitution and rule of law. He believes the current administration has shown unprecedented lawlessness within its first 75 days, more than any administration before, and signals the urgency of collective action in response. Dean Chemerinsky covered six major topics: 1. Putting people in prison without any due process . Dean Chemerinsky describes a troubling case in which the Trump administration transferred over 200 Venezuelans—and mistakenly, a lawful Salvadoran resident named Kilmar Garcia —to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador without due process. Judge Patricia Millett criticized the action as lacking even "a gossamer of due process." The administration argues that no U.S. court has authority to review or intervene when individuals are detained in foreign countries. Although a U.S. District Court ordered Garcia's return, the Justice Department contends that only a writ of habeas corpus applies—something U.S. courts cannot issue for those held abroad. Dean Chemerinsky warns this stance could allow the government to detain anyone, even critics, outside the U.S. with no legal recourse, raising serious constitutional concerns. The Supreme Court was going to rule on an emergency motion to return Garcia to the U.S. 2. Elimination of Federal agencies and cutoff of Federal funds . Dean Chemerinsky criticizes the Trump administration for unilaterally abolishing federal agencies like USAID, the Department of Education, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau without Congressional approval, which he says is illegal since only Congress can do so via statute. He also highlights that the administration is unlawfully refusing to spend funds appropriated by Congress, despite having no authority to do so. Dean Chemerinsky points out that courts during the Nixon era ruled such actions violated the separation of powers, and the 1974 Impoundment Control Act explicitly forbids presidents from withholding congressionally approved spending. 3. Firings of agency heads and civil service workers . Dean Chemerinsky highlights the firing of agency heads and civil service workers without just cause, despite federal laws protecting them. He notes that since 1935, the Supreme Court has upheld Congress's authority to limit the removal of officials in multi-member agencies. Despite this, Trump dismissed leaders from bodies like the Merit Systems Protection Board and the National Labor Relations Board. Just recently, the D.C. Circuit ruled in Harris v. Bessent (7–4) that these firings were unauthorized. 4. Effort to strip birthright citizenship . Dean Chemerinsky identifies a fourth legal violation: the Trump administration’s attempt to eliminate birthright citizenship. The first sentence of Section One of the 14th Amendment states that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.” The phrase “within the jurisdiction” excludes only limited cases, such as children born to foreign soldiers during an invasion. The Supreme Court affirmed this broad guarantee in United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898), holding that all individuals born on U.S. soil are citizens, regardless of their parents’ immigration status. Dean Chemerinsky emphasizes that no prior president had challenged this interpretation—until Trump issued an executive order declaring that only children born to U.S. citizens or green card holders would be considered citizens, directly contradicting over a century of settled constitutional law. 5. Targeting universities . The fifth legal violation identified by Dean Chemerinsky is the Trump administration’s targeting of universities by cutting federal funds—$400 million from Columbia and $150 million from the University of Pennsylvania—without following legal procedures. Federal law requires prior notice, a hearing, findings of fact, and a 30-day notice to Congress before cutting university funding, none of which occurred. Moreover, funds may only be cut if a university is deliberately indifferent to a hostile environment, and only the specific discriminatory program may be defunded—not the institution as a whole. Chemerinsky argues this effort is an unlawful attempt to intimidate universities. 6. Retribution against law firms . The Trump administration's targeting of law firms through punitive executive orders aimed at retribution. Firms like Covington & Burling and Perkins Coie were singled out due to their past associations—one had a lawyer who worked with Jack Smith , the other represented Hillary Clinton . The executive orders barred these firms and their lawyers from obtaining security clearances, entering federal buildings (including courts), or representing businesses contracting with the federal government—effectively crippling them. Three federal judges have ruled such orders illegal, affirming that lawyers should not be punished for their clients or lawful, zealous advocacy. Nonetheless, a number of law firms have capitulated and settled, trying to avoid being named in executive orders. Taken together, it is a pattern of violations of the Constitution and laws. Dean Chemerinsky outlines three key actions we all need to take: · Stay Informed – We must continue to follow the news and understand the actions of the Trump administration, despite it being upsetting. · Get Involved – Support organizations challenging lawlessness by volunteering and providing financial assistance. Everyone should find ways to contribute to upholding the rule of law. · Speak Out – Take action by contacting Congress, signing petitions, writing public op-ads, or simply discussing these issues with others to raise awareness and advocate for change. Dean Chemerinsky closed his remarks by quoting Reverend Martin Niemuller (1892-1984), who upon release from a concentration camp, wrote. “First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.“Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.“Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.“Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.” Following Dean Chemerinsky’s remarks, a discussion including Drs. Les Wong and Jeremy Wu explored the implications of his warnings. Dr. Wong reflected on historical patterns of scapegoating and the importance of civic education, while Dr. Wu linked Dean Chemerinsky’s points to current threats targeting Asian American communities, such as the revival of the China Initiative and the use of wartime powers against immigrants. The discussion emphasized the need for vigilance, coalition-building, and active civic engagement to defend constitutional protection and uphold the rule of law.A video of Dean Chemerinsky's remarks is posted at https://bit.ly/42tYv2n (17:10)A summary of the April 2025 APA Justice monthly meeting is being prepared at this time. Update on the Case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia According to AP News , New York Times , Washington Post , and multiple media reports, on April 10, 2025, the Supreme Court in a 9-0 ruling rejected the Trump administration's appeal and instructed it to take steps to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran migrant it had wrongly deported to a notorious prison in El Salvador.The Trump administration refused to meet District Court Judge Paula Xinis ’ deadline of April 10 to share steps officials are taking to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, saying in a court hearing that the government needs more time to comply with a Supreme Court order. The government’s attorney, Drew C. Ensign , said he could not answer the judge’s questions about Kilmar Abrego García’s whereabouts, including where the man is being held, what the government has done so far to secure his return and what it plans to do next.In a written order after the hearing on April 11, Judge Xinis said the Trump administration had “failed to comply” with the court’s instructions and would not answer “straightforward questions.” She ordered the Trump administration to file daily status updates with the court about the government’s progress getting Abrego García back to the United States by 5 p.m. each day and set a follow-up hearing for the afternoon of April 15.The Justice Department suspended Erez Reuveni , a veteran lawyer who acknowledged that Kilmar Abrego García was mistakenly deported and said he did not know the legal basis for the decision. Lawsuits Filed for F1 Visa Students On April 11, 2025, DeHeng Law Offices PC announced that it has filed a civil lawsuit with the District Court of the Northern District of California: Chen et al v. Noem et al (3:25-cv-03292) . According to the announcement 为留学生F1签证身份起诉美国政府的通知与捐款倡议书 , the US government is terminating hundreds if not thousands of international students' SEVIS registration without legitimate reasons. This has wreaked havoc on the students' study and life in the US. With the termination, the international students are supposed to leave the country right away. The only solution is to get a court order to restore their SEVIS status immediately. A website has been created to track the continuing development of the case: www.caseforf1students.com . A GoFundMe campaign has started at https://bit.ly/4js7lEB . Please share informaion with your colleagues, friends, and families in your network.On April 10, 2025, ACLU of Michigan announced that it had filed a federal lawsuit, Deore v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Secretary of (2:25-cv-11038) , on behalf of four international students attending Michigan schools whose student visa status was revoked. The lawsuit includes a request for an emergency injunction ; and asks the court to reinstate the legal status of the students so they can complete their studies in the United States. Update on Texas Alien Land Bill HB17 According to AsAmNews on April 10, 2025, the House Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs (Homeland Security Committee) in the Texas House of Representative has delayed a vote on one of the most stringent Alien Land Bills in the country as a coalition grows to oppose it. House Bill 17 (HB 17) would not only restrict the purchase of property by foreign nationals from China, North Korea, Russia and Iran, it would also put limits on where they could rent.Organizations like United Chinese Americans (UCA), APA Justice, the Association of American University Professors (AAUP), and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) are actively opposing the bill. Professor Steven Pei of APA Justice views the vote delay as a positive sign, indicating internal discussions and hesitations among lawmakers. HB 17 was removed from the Homeland Security Committee's agenda less than 24 hours before the scheduled vote on April 9. A substitute bill is anticipated, but details remain unclear. The Senate counterpart, SB 17, has already passed. Brian Evans , President of Texas AAUP-AFT, highlights that the bill could prevent students, faculty, and professionals from the targeted countries from residing near educational institutions and workplaces, effectively discriminating against these communities.Read the AsAmNews report: https://bit.ly/42rWDXY . 1. Statement by Rep. Ray Lopez Texas Representative Ray Lopez serves as Vice Chair of the Homeland Security Committee. According to his post on X on April 9, Rep. Lopez met with Asian Americans leaders from around the state to have a critical conversation about protecting civil rights in Texas. "We held an important virtual discussion on HB 17 and its dangerous implications. This bill doesn’t just raise national security concerns — it opens the door to racial discrimination, fear, and exclusion. From unchecked executive authority, criminal penalty without due process, and banning people from living in urban areas sets a troubling precedent. HB 17 sends a message that certain individuals are not welcome in Texas — and that’s unacceptable," 2. AAUP-ATF Calls for Action On April 8, 2025, Texas AAUP-AFT issued an urgent call to action in opposition to HB 17, which was recently heard by the Texas House Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs. The bill seeks to ban citizens from China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia from purchasing or leasing property within 10 miles of what the state defines as “critical infrastructure.” While supporters claim the bill is about national security, the AAUP-ATF and other critics argue that it is rooted in racial and ethnic profiling, echoing the discriminatory history of alien land laws that previously targeted Asian immigrants. HB 17, they warn, threatens the rights of individuals based solely on their national origin rather than any actual wrongdoing.The AAUP emphasizes that HB 17 poses a direct threat to the educational mission and values of Texas institutions, particularly by creating a hostile environment for international students, faculty, and researchers. These individuals contribute significantly to academic excellence, research innovation, and cultural diversity on campuses across the state. If passed, the bill could deter international talent from coming to Texas, damage collaborative academic relationships, and send a chilling message that people can be excluded from basic rights due to their nationality. The AAUP calls on Texans to contact their state representatives and speak out against HB 17, defending the rights of all members of the academic community and upholding the principles of equity and inclusion. 3. Local NAACP and LULAC Joined Rally During the March 30, 2025, Houston rally against HB 17, NAACP Houston President Bishop James Dixon delivered a powerful speech urging federal and state leaders to uphold America's promise of justice and equality for all Americans - including Chinese, Japanese, African, and Latino Americans. He condemned policies like HB 7 and SB 17 as betrayals of democratic principles, declaring “We’re not asking for pity—we’re asking for justice.” Bishop Dixon called for unified, sustained actions beyond press conferences to achieve read change. He ended with a rallying cry: “The people united can never be defeated” and led the crowd in singing of "We Shall Overcome."Houston LULAC Council President Dr. Sergio Lira and his wife Maria also joined the rally in solidarity. Speaking with passion and conviction, Dr. Lira declared, “When there is discrimination against one, there is discrimination against all. We must stand together.” He emphasized the importance of unity and collective action, vowing, “We are going to let folks in Austin and across the nation know that we are brothers and sisters, united in the spirit of ‘yes we can.’” 4. An Emerging Broad and Diverse Coalition More than 80 organizations signed an open letter to Texas legislators opposing HB 17. The effort was led by The Texas Multicultural Aadvocacy Coalition (TMAC) and UCA, which was also posted as ads in Texas media. They represent a broad, diverse coalition of Texas-based and national groups united against discriminatory legislation targeting immigrants and communities of color.The 49 Texas organizations include cultural, civic, business, legal, and advocacy groups rooted in Asian American, Latino, and African American communities across major cities such as Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. These groups range from long-established institutions like the NAACP Houston Branch, Greater Houston LULAC Council, and OCA Greater Houston, to professional networks like the Asian American Bar Associations of Houston, Dallas, and Austin, as well as local cultural organizations such as the DFW Chinese Alliance, Shaanxi Folks Group, and Fujian Association of South USA. Together, they reflect a rich diversity of Chinese, Asian, and multicultural constituencies across Texas, voicing collective opposition to HB 17's targeting of foreign land ownership based on national origin.The 32 national and other organizations include leading civil rights, legal, and policy groups such as Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, APA Justice Task Force, Asian Pacific American Public Affairs, Chinese American Citizens Alliance, Chinese for Affirmative Action, Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), and OCA–Asian Pacific American Advocates. They are joined by grassroots networks like Pivot to Peace, Stop AAPI Hate, and United Chinese Americans (UCA), as well as academic and professional associations such as the Federation of Asian Professor Associations. These groups bring national visibility, legal expertise, and historical context to the fight against policies like HB 17, drawing parallels to past discriminatory land laws and mobilizing communities across the country in defense of civil rights and equal treatment under the law.The Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) and its San Antonio Chapter were also a key voice in the real estate and property rights sector, advocating against discriminatory barriers that would impact their members and clients at the state and national level.2025/04/10 西雅图中文电台: 德州众议院推迟限制华人租房/购房法案的投票 2025/04/08 休斯顿在线: 限制中国人买房/买地/租房的德州HB17法案明日投票！留给我们的时间不多了 NAPABA and AADELF Filed Amicus Briefs on Birthright Citizenship On April 11, 2025, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF)—with the Korematsu Center for Law and Equality and the Center for Civil Rights and Critical Justice—filed an amicus brief in opposition to the Trump administration’s executive order terminating birthright citizenship for children born to parents who are not citizens or permanent residents. The brief was submitted on behalf of more than 80 Asian American organizations and law centers to the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. The brief connects the executive order to its historical roots in the Asian exclusion movement of the late 19th century, arguing that this attack on birthright citizenship has no place in a democracy founded on the notion that all people are created equal. The authors center the stories of mixed-status families and additional instances of individuals who had their citizenship taken away to illustrate the harm the executive order will have if allowed to stand. Read the AALDEF announcement: https://bit.ly/42biaVZ . Read the full amicus brief: https://bit.ly/42FSscd .On April 9, 2025, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) and 43 of its affiliates and national associates from across the country joined forces to defend the fundamental constitutional guarantee of citizenship. The coalition filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in State of Washington v. Donald J. Trump. The Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution promises every person equal treatment under the law. It also includes an equal claim of citizenship to all persons born in the United States, regardless of the stature or circumstances of their parents.Executive Order 14160 upends that promise. It refuses to recognize the birthright citizenship of any child born in the United States to a mother who is lawfully present on a temporary basis, like those on work or student visas, and a father who is neither a U.S. citizen nor a lawful permanent resident.Read the NAPABA announcement: https://bit.ly/3G6WotN . Read the full amicus brief: https://bit.ly/4csfFln Latest on Litigations Against Trump's Executive Actions As of April 11, 2025, the number of lawsuits against President Donald Trump 's executive actions reported by the Just Security Litigation Tracker has grown to 186 (4 closed cases). These are some of the latest developments: · J.A.V. v. Trump (1:25-cv-00072) @Southern District of Texas and G.F.F. v. Trump (1:25-cv-02886) @Southern District of New York. Plaintiffs are Venezuelan nationals (proceeding under pseudonym) in immigration custody in Texas and New York respectively. They have filed habeas petitions asking the court to stop the government from removing them from the United States based on the Alien Enemies Act Presidential Proclamation, and to declare the Proclamation unlawful. The case has been brought on behalf of themselves and a class of all other persons similarly situated, to include all noncitizens from Venezuela in immigration custody in the Southern District of Texas and the Southern District of New York, who were, are, or will be subject to the Proclamation. The courts have temporarily blocked the Defendants from removing the Plaintiffs and others similarly situated through April 23, 2025. · Samuels v. Trump (1:25-cv-01069) @District of Columbia. On January 27, 2025, President Donald Trump removed Plaintiff Jocelyn Samuels from her position as Commissioner of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Samuels brought suit arguing that the EEOC is an independent agency, and President Trump does not have authority to remove her prior to the end of her term in 2026. Samuels asked the court to declare her removal unlawful and for injunctive relief to allow her to perform her duties as Commissioner. News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar 2025/04/13 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/04/14 State of Play Virtual Town Hall2025/04/15 China Connections: A Conversation with Emily Feng2025/04/22 Scholars Not Spies: Fighting for International Academic Workers’ Rights in an Era of Rising US-China Conflict2025/04/24 CHINA Town Hall: The First 100 Days: President Trump's China Policy2025/04/24-26 Committee of 100 Annual Conference and Gala2025/04/27 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/05/05 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/05/06 Asian American Careers - How to Build Your Personal Network, including Through Strategic Allies2025/05/11 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall MeetingVisit 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 April 13, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

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

Frequently Asked Questions How can I donate to APA Justice? You can help support APA Justice through donation by check or online. Please see the Donation page for more details. Tell me about your newsletters. APA Justice began publishing a free periodic newsletter about 4-7 times a month in July 2020. As of January 2026, there have been over 370 issues .

Newsletter - #167 2/17 Webinar; CAPAC Statement; Community Call, Town Hall, Sign On; Media Reports #167 2/17 Webinar; CAPAC Statement; Community Call, Town Hall, Sign On; Media Reports ! Back View PDF February 16, 2023 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

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

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

Newsletter - #353 10/6 Meeting; Tariffs/AAPI; AASF Update; Detention Target Millions; Julia Chang Bloch+ #353 10/6 Meeting; Tariffs/AAPI; AASF Update; Detention Target Millions; Julia Chang Bloch+ In This Issue #353 · 2025/10/06 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · Asian American Businesses Hit Hard by Trump Tariffs · Update from Asian American Scholar Forum · Mass Detention and Deportation Target Millions · The Honorable Julia Chang Bloch 張之香 · News and Activities for the Communities 2025/10/06 APA Justice Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held on Monday, October 6, 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: · Mike German , Retired Fellow, Liberty & National Security, Brennan Center for Justice · Margaret Lewis , Professor, Seton Hall University School of Law · Pat Eddington , Senior Fellow, Homeland Security and Civil Liberties, Cato Institute 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 . Asian American Businesses Hit Hard by Trump Tariffs On September 19, 2025, AsAmNews and South China Morning Post reported that Asian American businesses nationwide are bearing disproportionate costs from President Trump’s newly imposed tariffs. Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) warned that many small businesses—already operating on thin margins—now face steep cost increases that force them to raise prices, cut staff, or risk closure. Asian Americans own about 11 percent of U.S. small businesses, according to Pew Research. Yet many rely on imported goods not produced domestically, leaving them little choice but to absorb tariff hikes. As of August 6, the Yale Budget Lab estimated average U.S. tariffs at 27.9 percent on Chinese goods and 15.6 percent on imports from the rest of the world (excluding Canada and Mexico). Real-World Impacts · Chinatown Restaurants : A New York establishment reported that spice and seasoning costs have doubled since tariffs began. · Family Importers : A small business importing medicinal oils saw shipping fees spike from US$500 to US$13,000 per shipment. “At this point, Asian American businesses and communities are being treated as collateral damage,” said Rep. Grace Meng (NY), CAPAC chair, at a Capitol Hill event. Rep. Judy Chu (CA), CAPAC chair emerita, called the tariffs a “cruel betrayal” that inflicted “needless pain and uncertainty” on her constituents. Legal and Political Battles CAPAC members are pressing the administration to reverse course, warning that the tariffs threaten cultural and economic lifelines in communities like Chinatown and beyond. Meanwhile, the courts are weighing the legality of Trump’s policies: on August 29, a federal appeals court ruled that most of the tariffs were illegal, yet allowed them to remain in place while appeals proceed. The Supreme Court has agreed to consider the case on an expedited timeline in early November. Until then, the uncertainty continues to weigh heavily on small businesses and consumers alike. Impact Nationwide Under the banner “We Pay the Tariffs”, more than 100 small-business owners held a concurrent rally on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court, joined by Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA). Speakers warned that ballooning import costs jeopardize long-standing family enterprises and force layoffs, deepening strain on vulnerable communities. Tiffany Williams , a third-generation owner of the Luggage Shop of Lubbock, Texas, questioned Trump’s promises of long-term benefits: “What exactly does that mean? And is it worth risking the survival of small local businesses like ours?” Travis McMaster of Cocoon USA, an outdoor goods retailer in Washington state, said he shifted production from China to India—only to face new 50 percent tariffs on Indian imports: “We need to put a stop to this whiplash. Our business isn’t run on a whim, and our country shouldn’t be either.” Update from Asian American Scholar Forum During the APA Justice Monthly Meeting on September 8, 2025, Gisela Perez Kusakawa , Executive Director of Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), commended the Civil Society Letter that AASF—alongside Advancing Justice | AAJC, Stop AAPI Hate, and Chinese for Affirmative Action—has been leading. She urged everyone, in their personal capacities, to contact their Congressional representatives to oppose the revival of the China Initiative. AASF fellows, led by Professors Peter Michelson and Steven Kivelson , circulated a faculty letter to over 1,400 colleagues, urging them to reach out to Congress and educate lawmakers on the harms of the China Initiative. Gisela noted that the scientific community is both directly impacted by its return and uniquely qualified to explain why it undermines U.S. competitiveness in science and technology. A template letter from an academic perspective has been shared, and more than 70 individuals have already confirmed they contacted their representatives. Legislative and Advocacy Work: AASF is reviewing legislation at the intersection of national security, immigration, and academic freedom, with a focus on how scientists, scholars, and researchers are being unfairly targeted. Annual Symposium : AASF recently hosted its annual symposium at Stanford University with over 2,000 registrants, including three former Secretaries of State, industry leaders such as Jensen Huang , multiple Nobel laureates, and pioneers in science and technology. The symposium highlighted not only the need to protect civil rights but also to celebrate the vast contributions of Asian Americans and immigrants—whose innovations span from cell phones to platforms like Zoom. Celebrating Contributions : Gisela emphasized that defending a community is not enough—we must also uplift and spotlight its members as pioneers of the nation. To that end, AASF announced a forthcoming documentary, produced in collaboration with NBC’s Richard Lui and Alex Lo , featuring Dr. David Ho , whose groundbreaking work has saved over 25 million lives. The film will also profile other AASF medalists across diverse fields. A private screening of the trailer was shared at the symposium, with public release to come. Looking Ahead : Gisela stressed the importance of telling these stories so future generations understand how Asian Americans and immigrants have shaped American life. Countering scapegoating, misinformation, and fear-mongering requires knowledge of our shared history and recognition of contributions that strengthen the nation.Summary of the September 8 meeting has been posted at https://bit.ly/42MYKGy . We sincerely thank the following speakers for sharing their updates and thoughts at the meeting: · Judith Teruya , Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) · Joanna YangQing Derman , Director, Anti-Profiling, Civil Rights & National Security Program, Advancing Justice | AAJC · Gisela Perez Kusakawa , Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) · Cindy Tsai , Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Committee of 100 (C100) · Rosie Levine , Executive Director, U.S.-China Education Trust (USCET) · Bob Sakaniwa , Director of Policy and Advocacy, APIAVote · Thu Nguyen , Executive Director, OCA National Center The coalition of AASF, Advancing Justice | AAJC, and Stop AAPI Hate continues to oppose the revival of the China Initiative and urges supporters to call their senators and track the responses. Mass Detention and Deportation Target Millions According to Politico (September 20, 2025), the Trump administration has launched a sweeping detention policy requiring nearly all undocumented immigrants—regardless of how long they have lived in the U.S. or their criminal history—to be held in custody during deportation proceedings. Since July 8, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has reclassified long-time residents as “applicants for admission,” eliminating their ability to seek bond. Judges nationwide have overwhelmingly struck down the policy as unlawful, arbitrary, and unconstitutional, ordering many detainees released.The administration defends the policy as central to Trump’s mass deportation strategy, framing detention as both a deterrent and a mechanism to encourage “self-deportation.” Federal courts, however, have described it as a radical misinterpretation of immigration law and a violation of due process. The administration has also relied heavily on “automatic stays” to block release orders—tactics sharply criticized by judges as an abuse of power.This approach has swept up long-settled immigrants with deep U.S. roots, including parents of American-born children and individuals with no criminal records. With lawsuits mounting, a pivotal ACLU case in California could determine whether the policy is blocked nationwide. The administration, however, is betting on a favorable Supreme Court ruling to preserve its strategy.On September 13, 2026, The Guardian drew a direct line between ICE’s militarized raids and earlier chapters of American xenophobia, showing how generations of immigrants have been subjected to systemic exclusion. It profiled four Californians— Christine Valenciana , Felicia Lowe , Satsuki Ina , and Eliseo Medina —whose lives and family histories span forced Mexican repatriation in the 1930s, the discriminatory interrogations of Chinese “paper sons” at Angel Island, Japanese American internment during World War II, and labor struggles in immigrant communities.Their stories illustrate how today’s raids echo the past: mass roundups, fear-based tactics, racial profiling, and detention without due process. Yet the interviewees also voice cautious optimism. In an era of digital media and public accountability, they believe visibility, memory, and activism can help communities resist repetition of these cycles—and push the nation toward a more just and inclusive path. NIAC Deportation Defense Training and Tracker On September 17, 2025, the National Iranian American Council (NIAC), along with Asian Law Caucus and the New York Civil Liberties Union, hosted a special training on building community power to equip the communities for successful defense against unjust detentions and deportations. Visit https://bit.ly/47Vdtmo to view the training video and presentation package. NIAC has also started a regularly updated tracker on Iranian nationals detained by ICE in 2025. The Honorable Julia Chang Bloch 張之香 The Honorable Julia Chang Bloch 張之香 is a featured speaker in the inaugural webinar titled "Bridging Nations: People-to-People Exchange in U.S. China Relations" on Thursday, October 16, 2025, starting at 8:00 PM ET. Register to attend the webinar by scanning the QR code above or clicking this link: https://bit.ly/20251016Webinar Ambassador Julia Chang Bloch was the first Asian American to serve as a U.S. Ambassador and the first Asian American Peace Corps Volunteer. She began her distinguished career in 1964 as a Volunteer in Malaysia and rose to become U.S. Ambassador to Nepal in 1989. Her public service included presidential appointments at the U.S. Agency for International Development, leadership roles in the U.S. Senate and U.S. Information Agency, and fellowships at Harvard University. She is recognized among 147 notable women in U.S. history in A to Z of American Women Leaders and Activists.After 25 years in government, Ambassador Bloch entered the private sector in 1993 as Group Executive Vice President at Bank of America, where she led Public Relations, Government Affairs, and Public Policy. She later served as President and CEO of the United States-Japan Foundation and, beginning in 1998, shifted her focus to China as a visiting professor and academic leader at institutions including Peking University, Fudan University, and the University of Maryland. She is the Founding President and Executive Chair of the US-China Education Trust (USCET) and co-founder of both the Organization of Chinese American Women and the Women’s Foreign Policy Group.A more personal story: Julia's family immigrated to the United States when she was nine, settling in San Francisco. Her father, Chang Fuyun 張福運 , a Boxer Indemnity Scholarship 庚子賠款獎學金 recipient, was the first Chinese national to graduate from Harvard Law School. News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/10/01 C100: Obstacles and Opportunities in Media and Entertainment2025/10/03 Covering China—Journalism, Scholarship, and the Global Conversation2025/10/06 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/10/07 Conversations, Recollections, Pioneers and Heros: David Henry Hwang2025/10/16 Bridging Nations: The Power of People-to-People Exchange in U.S.-China Relations2025/10/23 C100 Asian American Career Ceilings Initiative: Asian American Women in the LawVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. C100: Obstacles and Opportunities in Media and Entertainment WHAT : Asian American Career Ceilings Initiative: Obstacles and Opportunities in Media and Entertainment WHEN : October 1, 2025, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm ET WHERE : Webinar HOST : Committee of 100 Moderator: Peter Young , Chairman of the Asian American Career Ceilings Initiative and Committee of 100 member Speakers : · Albert Cheng , Vice President, Head of Prime Video · Richard Lui , NBC/MSNBC News Anchor · Nicole Dungca , Reporter, The Washington Post and President, Asian American Journalists Association DESCRIPTION : This is the 49th Committee of 100 Asian American Career Ceilings Initiative event on "Obstacles and Opportunities in Media and Entertainment". There will be a one hour virtual panel with Q&A, followed by a 30 minute virtual networking event. This event will feature insights from accomplished panelists who have expertise on this topic from their current professional responsibilities as well as their own personal careers. REGISTRATION : https://c100-10-1-2025.eventbrite.com # # # 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 September 26, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #190: Florida Lawsuit; Section 702 Webinar; AANHPI Commission; US-China Science Pact; More #190: Florida Lawsuit; Section 702 Webinar; AANHPI Commission; US-China Science Pact; More In This Issue #190 Update on Florida Alien Land Bill Lawsuit - Schedule and Amicus Brief Registration Open: June 26 Webinar on Perils of Warrantless Surveillance Register Now: July 6 President's Advisory Commission on AANHPI Public Meeting New Scrutiny on U.S.-China Landmark Science Deal News for the Communities Update on Florida Alien Land Bill Lawsuit - Schedule and Amicus Brief According to Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance (CALDA), Judge Allen C. Winsor has set the following schedule: 2023/07/03 Florida government submits its objection to the motion for preliminary injunction 2023/07/11 Plaintiffs submits its reply 2023/07/18 U.S. District Court holds hearing The July 18 hearing will be held at 111 N. Adams Street, Tallahassee, starting at 1:30 pm ET. It will be public, but no photography and audio or video recording will be allowed. The Florida state law becomes effective on July 1, 2023. The Court may make a ruling on the injunction by early August. An immediate appeal by either side is anticipated. On June 14, 2023, 19 racial justice centers, affinity bar and professional associations, and civil rights organizations submitted a 25-page amicus curiae ("friend-of-the-court") brief in support of the plaintiffs' motion for preliminary injunction. The lead counsels are: Madeleine K. Rodriguez , Partner, Foley Hoag LLP Robert S. Chang , Ronald A. Peterson Law Clinic; Counsel for Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality Rose Cuison-Villazor , Rutgers Law School; Counsel for Center for Immigration Law, Policy and Justice Gabriel J. Chin , UC Davis School of Law; Aoki Center for Critical Race and Nation Studies This is a list of the coalition of 19 racial justice centers, affinity bar and professional associations, and civil rights advocacy organizations: Racial Justice Centers: Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality at Seattle University School of Law Center for Immigration Law, Policy and Justice at Rutgers Law School Aoki Center for Critical Race and Nation Studies at UC Davis School of Law LLS Anti-Racism Center of LMU Loyola Law School Center on Race, Inequality, and the Law at New York University School of Law Boston University Center for Antiracist Research Center for Civil Rights and Racial Justice at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law Affinity Bar/Professional Associations: Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Tampa Bay Conference of Asian Pacific American Law Faculty Hispanic National Bar Association National Asian Pacific American Bar Association South Asian Bar Association of North America Civil Rights and Other Advocacy Organizations: Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Atlanta Asian American Women’s Political Initiative Asian Law Alliance Chinese for Affirmative Action Japanese American Citizens League LatinoJustice PRLDEF Read the CALDA announcement: https://bit.ly/3qU2Ah2 (in Chinese). Read the amicus brief: https://bit.ly/42DT9Q8 Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) Media Release. In response to FBI policy changes. AASF issued a media release urging the US Government to take more steps to put an end to warrantless and discriminatory investigations on June 14, 2023. AASF and other national advocacy groups have vocally agreed that the FBI announcement falls short of the level of vigilance needed to hold intelligence agencies accountable to the many human rights and privacy abuses they have perpetrated against countless numbers of people—including the nation’s top researchers and scholars that contribute greatly to the United States’ leadership in science and technology.While AASF welcomes any efforts from the federal government to create mechanisms for increased transparency and accountability of its agencies, they call on the federal government to take more serious steps to reform Section 702 and FISA, and to address the legal loopholes that allow warrantless surveillance of innocent people. Read the AASF media release: https://bit.ly/3CBhz2b Registration Open: June 26 Webinar on Perils of Warrantless Surveillance The Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), APA Justice, the Brennan Center for Justice, and the Committee of 100 will co-host a webinar on "Perils of Warrantless Surveillance: The Case for Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Reform." (note title of the webinar has been updated) WHEN: June 26, 2023, 4:00 pm ET/1:00 pm PT WHAT: The U.S. Constitution protects its people against unreasonable searches and seizures. However, under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), the U.S. government engages in mass, warrantless surveillance of phone calls, text messages, emails, and other electronic communications between Americans and foreigners. Information collected under this law without a warrant can be used to prosecute and imprison people, even for crimes that have nothing to do with national security. Asian Americans, especially Chinese Americans and the immigrant and scientific communities, have been targeted for warrantless surveillance that led to wrongful and unjust prosecutions. The current authorization of Section 702 will expire on December 31, 2023. What should the Asian American and immigrant communities know about Section 702? If it is not sunset, what reforms will be needed? What are the next steps for the communities? WHO: Keynote speaker. Rep. Pramila Jayapal , the first South Asian American woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives; a member of the House Judiciary Committee; Ranking Member of House Subcommittee on Immigration, Integrity, Security and Enforcement Moderator. Lillian Sing 郭丽莲 . Judge (retired), California Superior Court; first Asian American woman judge in Northern California Panelist. Gang Chen 陈刚 . Soderberg Professor of Power Engineering, MIT; Member, National Academy of Sciences; prosecuted under "China Initiative" with case dismissed; "We Are All Gang Chen" Panelist. Elizabeth Goitein. Senior Director, Liberty and National Security Program, Brennan Center for Justice Panelist. Ashley Gorski . Senior Staff Attorney, National Security Project, American Civil Liberties Union Panelist. Brian A. Sun 孙自华 . Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright; Board Member, Committee of 100 REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/42AbNIF Additional information about the webinar including bios of the speakers and references are posted at the Warrantless Surveillance webpage: https://bit.ly/3O6T43Q Register Now: July 6 President's Advisory Commission on AANHPI Public Meeting The President's Advisory Commission on Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) will hold its next meeting, the sixth of a series, on July 6, 2023 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The meeting serves to continue the development of recommendations to promote equity, justice, and opportunity for the AANHPI communities. It is open to the public and will be live streamed. The Commission seeks written comments that may be emailed to AANHPICommission@hhs.gov at any time. Individuals may also submit a request to provide oral public comments.For details, directions, and registration, visit: https://bit.ly/3NqpQMB .Dr . Robert Underwood , a member of the Commission, also urges all of us to feel free to communicate with him directly at anacletus2010@gmail.com . Read his remarks at the APA Justice monthly meeting: https://bit.ly/3qogBU1 . Watch his remarks at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnIrq1hfl4A (video 11:48 to 25:21) New Scrutiny on U.S.-China Landmark Science Deal According to Reuters on June 18, 2023, for over 40 years, a landmark agreement between the United States and China has yielded cooperation across a range of scientific and technical fields, a powerful sign that the rivals could set aside their disputes and work together.Now with bilateral relations in their worst state in decades, a debate is underway within the U.S. government about whether to let the U.S.-China Science and Technology Agreement (STA) expire on August 27, 2023.The agreement, signed when Beijing and Washington established diplomatic ties in 1979 and renewed about every five years since, has been hailed as a stabilizing force for the countries' relations, with collaboration in areas from atmospheric and agricultural science to basic research in physics and chemistry. It laid the foundation for a boom in academic and commercial exchanges.Inside the U.S. government, including the State Department, which leads the negotiations, there are competing views about whether to renew the pact, let it expire or renegotiate to add safeguards against industrial espionage and require reciprocity in data exchanges. Given the state of U.S.-China ties, trying to renegotiate could derail the agreement.Read the Reuters report: https://reut.rs/42M8Rsz News for the Communities Confirmations of Nusrat Jahan Choudhury and Dale Ho On June 15, 2023, the U.S. Senate voted 50-49 to confirm Nusrat Jahan Choudhury to serve as a United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York, and voted on June 14, 2023 50-49 to confirm Dale Ho to serve as a United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York. Rep. Judy Chu , Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), issued the following statement:“I am thrilled that the Senate has voted to confirm Nusrat Jahan Choudhury to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York and Dale Ho to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.“Ms. Choudhury is a champion for racial justice, religious freedom, and privacy rights. While working at the ACLU, she challenged stop-and-frisk policies and the racial profiling and surveillance of Arab, South Asian, Muslim, and Sikh Americans. Ms. Choudhury’s confirmation is also historic, as she is now the first Bangladeshi American and first Muslim American woman to serve on the Federal bench.“Mr. Ho has a storied career as one of our nation’s leading civil rights lawyers and successfully argued at the Supreme Court against the inclusion of a citizenship question on the 2020 Census. He most recently was the director of the ACLU’s Voting Rights Project, where he spearheaded challenges on partisan gerrymandering, restrictive state voting laws, disenfranchisement of underrepresented and marginalized communities, and more. “I offer my heartiest congratulations to Ms. Choudhury and Mr. Ho on their historic confirmations. I commend President Biden for his ongoing commitment to ensuring that our judicial system reflects the diversity of our country, and I thank Majority Leader Schumer for his leadership on these successful confirmations.” Subscribe to The APA Justice Newsletter Complete this simple form at https://bit.ly/2FJunJM to subscribe. Please share it with those who wish to be informed and join the fight. View past newsletters here: https://bit.ly/APAJ_Newsletters . Back View PDF June 19, 2023 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

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

Newsletter - #90 Anming Hu Offered to be Reinstated; Advocacy Actions; Criminal Injustice Report; More #90 Anming Hu Offered to be Reinstated; Advocacy Actions; Criminal Injustice Report; More Back View PDF October 18, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #34 House Hearing Call; SCOTUS Ruling And Right To Sue; Diversity Concerns; More #34 House Hearing Call; SCOTUS Ruling And Right To Sue; Diversity Concerns; More Back View PDF December 14, 2020 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #258 6/3 Monthly Meeting; Chinese Students; Clear&Fair Law Enforcement; 6/6 Forum with FBI+ #258 6/3 Monthly Meeting; Chinese Students; Clear&Fair Law Enforcement; 6/6 Forum with FBI+ In This Issue #258 · 2024/06/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · Bloomberg: Expulsions of Chinese Students Spread Confusion from Yale to UVA · An Urgent Call for Clear and Fair Law Enforcement Guidelines and Procedures for Research Security · 06/06: An Open and Public Community Forum with The FBI · News and Activities for the Communities 2024/06/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, June 3, 2024, starting at 1:55 pm ET.In addition to updates by Nisha Ramachandran , Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC); Joanna YangQing Derman , Director, Advancing Justice | AAJC; and Gisela Perez Kusakawa , Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), confirmed speakers are: · Tam Dao , Assistant Vice President for Research Security, Office of Innovation, Rice University, will report on the future of the National Science Foundation (NSF)’s Research on Research Security program · Haipei Shue , President, United Chinese Americans, will report on the 2024 Chinese American Convention · Jeremy Wu , Co-Organizer, APA Justice, will preview an alpha version of a web page on the story of exonerated Professor Anming Hu · Anming Hu , Professor, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, will give an update of his situation and his family since the end of his ordeal under the China Initiative. The virtual monthly meeting is by invitation only. It is closed to the press. If you wish to join, either one time or for future meetings, please contact one of the co-organizers of APA Justice - Steven Pei 白先慎 , Vincent Wang 王文奎 , and Jeremy Wu 胡善庆 - or send a message to contact@apajustice.org . Bloomberg: Expulsions of Chinese Students Spread Confusion from Yale to UVA According to Bloomberg on May 29, 2024, Customs agents at US airports have barred entry to at least 20 students and scholars with valid visas since November in ‘more insidious’ version of disbanded China Initiative. Susan , a second-year Ph.D. student in biomedical imaging at the University of Virginia, faced relentless questioning from a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agent upon her return from visiting her parents in China. Accused of ties to the Chinese Communist Party, her student visa was abruptly canceled, forcing her to purchase a $1,400 ticket back to Beijing and barring her from the U.S. for five years. Her experience is part of a broader trend where at least 20 Chinese students from prestigious universities have had their visas revoked since November. The Chinese government and lawyers confirmed these accounts, highlighting the lack of transparency and public accountability in these decisions. These actions contradict the efforts to foster educational and cultural exchanges endorsed by U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping .The expulsions reveal internal divisions within the Biden administration, where Customs agents under the Department of Homeland Security are canceling visas approved by the State Department. The Biden administration ended the controversial China Initiative but has continued similar practices covertly, impacting Ph.D. students and researchers without public scrutiny. Susan and others, like Meng Fei , a fifth-year Ph.D. student at Yale, have faced racial and gender discrimination, with their exclusions linked to vague national security concerns under Presidential Proclamation (PP) 10043 . This proclamation targets students with alleged ties to Chinese military-civil fusion, yet the specifics remain undisclosed, causing confusion and fear among affected students. Universities like the University of Virginia and Yale are striving to support their students by seeking clarity and providing legal assistance. However, the ongoing lack of clear guidelines and coordination between federal agencies leaves many students in limbo, disrupting their academic and personal lives. As the U.S. grapples with balancing national security and academic freedom, the impact on foreign-born researchers like Susan underscores the need for transparent and consistent policies to ensure fairness and uphold the integrity of educational exchanges. Two years ago, the Biden administration ended a controversial Trump-era policy known as the China Initiative that purported to root out spies but resulted in more ruined careers than successful prosecutions. Now that program has been succeeded by a piecemeal effort — one that’s largely hidden from public view. Instead of targeting prominent academics, Customs agents are expelling Ph.D. and postdoctoral students, as well as company employees, by secret administrative actions with no public accountability or right to appeal. Marta Meng , founder of the Meng Law Group in Covina, California, who represents Susan and three other expelled students seeking to overturn their bans, said no reason was given to her clients or in transcripts of the airport interviews that she has reviewed. Dan Berger , Meng Fei's lawyer, said he can’t understand why his client would have been subject to PP 10043, as nothing in her background indicates ties to any of the banned universities or to state funding, and her visa was renewed by the State Department just last year. That’s a problem for learning institutions, said Toby Smith , who handles government relations and public policy at the Association of American Universities, which acts on behalf of 71 research universities including the University of Virginia, Yale and other schools with recently banned students. “Despite asking for additional clarity, the specific items that would result in visa denial for Chinese graduate students under Proclamation 10043 have never been disclosed to our universities,” he said. “So we have been left only to speculate as to what might spark such denials.” The secrecy makes what’s going on “much more insidious now,” said Gisela Perez Kusakawa , executive director of the Asian American Scholar Forum , a nonprofit organization that promotes academic freedom. “The end of the China Initiative wasn’t the end, they’re just not calling it that anymore,” said Ivan Kanapathy , senior vice president at Beacon Global Strategies, a national security advisory firm in Washington, and a former National Security Council official in the Trump administration. When the Biden administration ended the China Initiative, it said that a 2021 national security memorandum about vetting foreign students would remain in effect. It instructs the State Department to work with Homeland Security to ensure that the granting of visas reflects “the changing nature of risks” to US research. But it doesn’t specify what those risks are or how the agencies should be coordinating enforcement. “The question is, who is coordinating the whole thing, the guidelines and procedures for law enforcement,” said Steven Pei , an electrical engineering professor at the University of Houston and co-organizer of the Asian Pacific American Justice Task Force , which advocates against racial discrimination. “We are trying hard to balance national security, US competitiveness with China in high tech and civil rights,” he said. “But this top-level policy has not trickled down.”Read the Bloomberg report: https://bloom.bg/3wRL4O3 An Urgent Call for Clear and Fair Law Enforcement Guidelines and Procedures for Research Security Neal Lane* , Steven Pei* , and Jeremy Wu* posted a public commentary, calling for the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and other federal law enforcement agencies to coordinate their policies using comparable principles and set clear, fair guidelines and procedures. Our scientific success is rooted in core values, including collaboration, honesty, transparency, integrity, the fair competition of ideas, and the protection of intellectual capital. Some foreign entities do not share these values and are working to illicitly acquire our research and innovation. This necessitates laws – and law enforcement.But it is vital that law enforcement guidelines and procedures be clear and fair for maintaining public trust, upholding individual rights, and promoting accountability and consistency within the justice system. Otherwise, we can expect our competitive edge in science and technology to wane, as well as our standing as a leading democracy.With its sharp focus on research security, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) has set a balanced path to guide policies of federal agencies that support research. There is a similar need for the FBI, HSI, and other federal law enforcement agencies to coordinate their policies using comparable principles and set clear, fair guidelines and procedures.Given OSTP’s unique role and capability within the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), it should also coordinate with all key law enforcement agencies to close the apparent gap in communication between national science and technology policy set by NSTC and agents at the forefront of law enforcement. In doing so, it can protect America’s security and economic competitiveness while minimizing the unintended negative impact and associated chilling effects on the science and technology community. * Dr. Neal Lane is Senior Fellow in Science and Technology Policy, Baker Institute, Rice University, and Former Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy at the White House. Dr. Steven Pei is Co-Organizer of APA Justice; Founding Chair of United Chinese Americans; and Professor at the University of Houston. Dr. Jeremy Wu is Co-Organizer of APA Justice; Member of Committee of 100; and Retired from the Federal Government. Read the full commentary: https://bit.ly/3yDRaSB 06/06: An Open and Public Community Forum with The FBI On June 6, 2024, the Baker Institute and the Office of Innovation at Rice University, the Texas Multicultural Advocacy Coalition, and APA Justice will co-host a hybrid forum titled " A Dialogue Between the Academic and Asian American Communities and the FBI ." Registration for in-person attendance and Zoom webinar is now open. In 2022, the Department of Justice ended its China Initiative — a strategy to counter Chinese espionage and threats to U.S. research security — after academic and civil rights groups raised concerns about bias and damage to the United States’ scientific enterprise. However, there were several recent media reports of border entry issues for Chinese graduate students and academic researchers who are green card-holders and even American citizens. This event brings together Jill Murphy, deputy assistant director of counterintelligence at the FBI, and the leadership of the FBI’s Houston field office for a dialogue with members of the academic and Asian American communities. It will examine gaps between national science and technology policy and its implementation. It will also explore the possibility of establishing a regular communication channel between the academic and Asian American communities with FBI field offices. Register to join the forum in person: https://bit.ly/4aFwvuK . Register to join the forum via Zoom: https://bit.ly/3wjg759 . News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2024/05/31 A Discussion on the History of Discrimination Against Asian Americans2024/06/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2024/06/06 A Dialogue Between Academic/AAPI Communities with The FBI2024/06/20 U.S.-China Relations: Untangling Campaign Rhetoric & Understanding Policy – Teachers Workshop2024/06/20-22 Social Equity Leadership ConferenceVisit https://bit.ly/45KGyga for event details. 2. MOCA Forum: A Discussion on the History of Discrimination Against Asian Americans WHAT: A Discussion on the History of Discrimination Against Asian Americans WHEN: May 31, 2024, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm ET WHERE: 215 Centre Street, New York, NY HOST: Museum of Chinese in America MODERATOR: Scott Wong. Reporter, NBC News SPEAKERS: · Christopher P. Lu, U.S. Representative to the United Nations for Management and Reform · Mark Takano, Member, U.S. House of Representatives DESCRIPTION: From the Chinese Exclusion Act and Japanese incarceration to recent hate crimes, a discussion on the history of discrimination against Asian Americans. REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3yG2ltY 3. WHIAANHPI Celebrates 25th Anniversary On June 7, 1999, President Bill Clinton signed Executive Order 13125 establishing a White House Initiative and presidential advisory commission dedicated to improving the lives of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Over the course of 25 years and five presidential administrations, the size and scope of these entities have evolved. But the full story of how they came to be has rarely been told. On May 17, 2024, The White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) posted a documentary video titled "Lasting Legacies - The White House Initiative on AA and NHPIs Turns 25” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9nw4TL80yI (10:29) 4. Two New Pandas Coming to Washington DC According to multiple media reports, months after the nation’s capital bid an emotional farewell to its giant pandas, the National Zoo is expecting a renewed surge in panda-mania with the announcement that two more of the furry black-and-white icons will be coming to Washington DC.A fresh agreement had been struck with the Chinese government, and a pair of adult pandas would be arriving from China by the end of the year. The incoming pair are Bao Li and Qing Bao. Both are two years old.Pandas have been a symbol of U.S.-China friendship since Beijing sent a pair to the National Zoo in 1972, ahead of the normalization of bilateral relations. Later, Beijing loaned pandas to other U.S. zoos, with proceeds going back to panda conservation programs. Back View PDF May 31, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter