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Newsletter - #275 C100 2024 Chinese American Survey; Asian American Voters; QI Progressive China Policy+ #275 C100 2024 Chinese American Survey; Asian American Voters; QI Progressive China Policy+ In This Issue #275 · C100: State of Chinese American Survey 2024 · Asian American Political Growth on Display at DNC · Quincy Institute: A Program for Progressive China Policy · News and Activities for the Communities C100: State of Chinese American Survey 2024 WHAT: Unveiling The Findings: State of Chinese Americans Survey 2024 WHEN: Wednesday, September 25, 2024 | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET WHERE: Online webinar WHO: Committee of 100 Speakers: · Dr. Nathan Kar Ming Chan , Assistant Professor of Political Science, Loyola Marymount University · Alex Chew , Director of Client Services and Business Development, Amplify AAPI Lead, NORC at the University of Chicago · Dr. Sam Collitt , Researcher and Data Scientist, Committee of 100 · Dr. Vivien Leung , Assistant Professor of Political Science, Santa Clara University · Cindy Tsai , Interim President, Committee of 100 DESCRIPTION: Chinese Americans constitute about 5.5 million people and are the largest share of the Asian American population. Despite this fast-growing electorate, Chinese Americans have faced a surge in racism in everyday life, been historically underrepresented in politics and policy, and the specific policy preferences and political behaviors of those same Chinese Americans are unknown. So what are the political and policy preferences of Chinese Americans? What are Chinese Americans' feelings toward the current relationship between the U.S. and China? And to what extent do Chinese Americans still experience racial discrimination? REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/46WXiT7 Asian American Political Growth on Display at DNC According to Evanston Now on August 21, 2024, the Chicago area’s Asian population is growing. And so is the political clout of Chinese Americans, Indian Americans, Vietnamese Americans and others with family or personal roots in Asia.That was the message during the Democratic Convention at an event in Chicago’s growing Chinatown, sponsored by Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita , the first Asian American woman on that governing body. Morita, whose district includes Evanston, is the founder of the Asian American Caucus for Illinois state and county elected officials. That group, Morita said, has gone from “low to grow.” Zero members eight years ago, now there are 17.Another 100-plus hold local offices (school board, city council) not covered by the caucus. The session was definitely a shout-out to people who are “firsts.” · First Asian American elected to the Illinois State Legislature, Rep. Theresa Mah (Chicago). · First Indian American elected to the State Senate, Ram Villivalam (parts of Chicago and Cook County including Skokie). · First Muslim American woman elected to the Legislature, Rep. Nabella Syed (Palatine, Schaumburg, and other nearby suburbs). · And, Tammy Duckworth , the first Asian American to represent Illinois in the U.S. House of Representatives, and now the U.S. Senate. And if this was a day of firsts, it was also a day of a “second” who brought about a “first.”Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz , (D-Glenview), whose district incorporates part of Evanston, was the lead sponsor of the TEAACH Act (Teaching Equitable Asian American History), which required instruction in Asian-American history in Illinois schools. It passed in 2021. Gong-Gershowitz was the second Asian-American elected to the State House, and the TEAACH Act made Illinois the first state in the nation to mandate Asian American history in the curriculum. Asian American candidates have to be ready to face stereotyping and negative campaigning. Example #1 was Donald Trump ’s saying he wasn’t sure whether Kamala Harris was presenting herself as Black, or as Indian. The fact is, of course, that Harris’ father was Black, her mother was from India, and so she’s both. After Joe Biden was elected, Senator Duckworth said, he at first failed to name anyone of Asian descent to his cabinet. Senator Duckworth added that she “had to boycott my president,” telling the White House “no more white guys” get her backing “until you name somebody” of Asian heritage to the cabinet.Read the Evanston Now report: https://bit.ly/3Xhxj5t Earlier on August 13, 2024, New York Times reported on "Asian American Voters Could Be Key Swing Voters of 2024." The diverse group is turning out in record numbers. Neither party can take its support for granted. Read the New York Times report: https://nyti.ms/3T3sVVh Quincy Institute: A Program for Progressive China Policy On July 30, 2024, the Quincy Institute, in partnership with the Institute for Policy Studies and Justice is Global, published a brief on "A Program for Progressive China Policy." According to the brief, the United States is on a path toward conflict with China, creating a dilemma for progressives. While there are reasons to oppose China's autocratic government and human rights abuses, a confrontational approach could undermine progressive goals globally and domestically.The alternative — fostering cooperation between the two powers — would not only prevent great power violence but also enhance human rights, workers’ power, global development, and a just climate transition in both countries and around the world.It is crucial that progressives gain clarity on the key tensions in U.S.–China relations, bolster their understanding of what a progressive response would be, and increase their urgency on moving the U.S. and China off the current trajectory toward serious conflict. The research brief provides an overview of key facets in the relationship and recommendations for how progressives can orient on each: · Jobs and the economy · Trade, technology, industrial policy · Military and security · Human rights and democracy · Climate change and public health Tori Bateman , Director of Advocacy at Quincy Institute, and Sandy Shan , Director at Justice Is Global, have accepted our invitation to speak at the APA Justice monthly meeting to discuss the brief on September 9, 2024. Read the brief: https://bit.ly/3T2XJVY News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2024/08/28 1882 Foundation Talk Story: Our Voices in Literature and Song2024/09/01 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/09/09 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2024/09/10-12 Chronicle Festival: The Road Ahead to 20352024/09/12 AA4D: Nobel Laureates and Scientists for Democracy 2024/09/19 1990 Teachers Workshop: Asian American Identity2024/09/19-20 AANHPI Unity Summit2024/09/25 C100: State of Chinese American Survey 20242024/10/02 C100: Asian American Career Ceiling InitiativeThe Community Calendar has moved. Visit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Chronicle Festival: The Road Ahead to 2035 WHAT : Chronicle Festival: The Road Ahead to 2035 WHEN: September 10-12, 2024 WHERE: A Virtual Ideas Summit HOST: The Chronicle of Higher Education DESCRIPTION: 1. Day 1. The Students of 2035. A declining traditional-age student population. Rising mental-health concerns. A challenging classroom environment. Colleges face a variety of issues that will shape how they enroll, educate, and support students during the next decade. The first day of Chronicle Festival will explore ways to adapt, hearing from authors, professors, and college leaders. 2. Higher Ed of 2035. How should higher ed change to serve the America of 2035, to better help students support a fragile democracy and a society reshaped by emerging technologies? During Day 2 of the Festival, Chronicle journalists will talk with students, an interfaith leader, a former U.S. Secretary of Education, and others about these issues. 3. The Work Force of 2035. What does it take for colleges to produce graduates for the work force of tomorrow? And how does it operate in a landscape with a growing number of viable and valuable postsecondary opportunities? Day 3 of Chronicle Festival will include a variety of voices weighing in on these questions. REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3ZdNCSv 3. 1990 Institute Teachers Workshop on Asian American Identity WHAT: Teachers Workshop on Asian American Identity: Immigration History and Transgenerational Impact WHEN : Wednesday, September 18, 2024, 4:00-5:30 pm PT / 7:00- 8:30 pm ET WHERE: Online webinar HOST: 1990 Institute Speakers: · Hua-Yu Sebastian Cherng , Vice Dean for Research and Equity, New York University · Madeline Hsu, Professor of History, University of Maryland · Vivian Louie, Professor of Urban Policy and Planning at Hunter College DESCRIPTION: This workshop is designed to provide educators with valuable insights into Asian American identity, exploring the historical context of immigration and its lasting effects on culture and identity across generations. The goal is to equip teachers with the knowledge and resources they need to enrich their classrooms and foster a deeper understanding of Asian American experiences. REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3XeFn6V 4. Orientation to Legal Research Webinar Series The Law Library of Congress provides authoritative legal research, reference and instruction services, and access to an unrivaled collection of U.S., foreign, comparative, and international law. It has amassed the world's largest collection of law books and other legal resources from all countries, now comprising more than 2.9 million items. It also offers the Orientation to Legal Research Series of webinars designed to give a basic introduction to legal sources and research techniques. These orientations are taught by legal reference librarians and typically offered once a month on a rotating basis. On September 5, 2024, a webinar will provide an overview of U.S. statutory and legislative research, including information about how to find and use the U.S. Code, the U.S. Statutes at Large, and U.S. federal bills and resolutions. Register for the webinar: https://bit.ly/3MhLelN . Learn more about the Law Library of Congress: https://bit.ly/3SZEhtk 4. AAASE Inaugural Annual Summit WHAT : Inaugural Annual Summit WHEN: November 15-17, 2024 WHERE: Beckman Center, National Academy of Sciences, Irvine, CA HOST: Asian American Academy of Science and Technology DESCRIPTION: The AAASE Inaugural Annual Summit will foster collaboration, innovation, and leadership within the Asian American scientific and engineering communities. Attendees can engage with leading experts, participate in thought-provoking discussions, and explore cutting-edge research and developments. This summit represents a unique convergence of academia, industry, and policy, addressing today's most pressing challenges and opportunities in science and technology. REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3XfsFVu Back View PDF August 27, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Xifeng Wu 吴息凤 Dean and Professor of School of Public Health, Vice President of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Director of the National Institute for Data Science in Health and Medicine, Zhejiang University, China Former Director, Center for Public Health and Translational Genomics, Professor, Department of Epidemiology at the MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) Dr. Xifeng Wu is Dean and Professor of School of Public Health, Vice President of The Second Affiliated Hospital, Director of National Institute for Data Science in Health and Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. She joined Zhejiang University in March 2019.Dr. Wu is also a naturalized U.S. citizen. She was Director, Center for Public Health and Translational Genomics and Professor, Department of Epidemiology at the MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) in Houston. Dr. Wu was subjected to multi-year harassment and investigations. She was put on administrative leave for over a year. During that time, she was not allowed to return to her research laboratory, talk to researchers in her research group and after three months all her research grants were reassigned to other researchers. In other words, her research career was put on hold since December 2017, immediately after MDACC turned over 10-years records of 23 researchers over to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and 8 months before MDACC received the letters from the National Institute of Health (NIH) in August 2018.Dr. Wu retired from MDACC in early 2019. Several other Chinese American scientists were also forced to either retire or leave. Dr. Wu is one of many victims of ongoing racial profiling. While she is able to use her expertise to combat COVID-19 in China, her family still lives in Houston. This is a vivid example of how profiling results in U.S. loss of talent, competitiveness, and leadership in today's science and technology when we need them the most. Lessons Learned from Coronavirus Experience in Zhejiang and Hangzhou As the coronavirus crisis is ending in China in March 2020, the U.S. declared a national emergency. Dr. Wu published an article titled " 6 lessons from China's Zhejiang Province and Hangzhou on how countries can prevent and rebound from an epidemic like COVID-19 " in the World Economic Forum on March 12, 2020. It offers valuable lessons the global community including the U.S. could learn at national and local levels. They are Speed and accuracy are the keys to identification and detection Make the right decisions at the right time, the right place, for the right people Big data and information technology are important to avoiding a rebound Evaluate medical resources and response systems. Are we ready for a pandemic? How much stock do we need? Do we have enough health care personnel, and how do we protect them? Implementation of preventive measures in communities, schools, businesses, government offices and homes can influence the trajectory of this epidemic Keep the public well informed 2009 Rogers Award Lauds Wu for Cutting-Edge Research In 2009, MD Anderson published the following report on Dr. Wu receiving the Julie and Ben Rogers Award for Excellence in Research: “The words ‘visionary’ and ‘revolutionary’ have been used to describe the work of Xifeng Wu, M.D., Ph.D., professor of epidemiology in the Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences at MD Anderson. “Recipient of the 2008 Julie and Ben Rogers Award for Excellence in Research, Wu has created a molecular epidemiology research program that bridges epidemiology, statistics, laboratory study and clinical research. With a focus on identifying cancer risk factors as well as markers that can predict an individual’s response to treatment, her research is essential in the quest to develop personalized cancer therapies and to improve prevention efforts. “’These models may help clinicians identify patients who are most and least likely to benefit from treatments, as well as those most likely to develop toxic reactions,’ she says. “Wu is the principal investigator on nine epidemiological studies funded by the National Institutes of Health. She is a collaborative investigator on many other NIH-funded grants, including a recent multi-institutional study of bladder cancer, which she directed. “’I see these integrative projects as the best way to translate science into medicine,’ she says. ‘They’re only possible through close teamwork within a large multidisciplinary group of scientists.’ “Though Wu began her medical education in China, she has spent all of her academic career at MD Anderson. She received her medical degree from Shanghai Medical University in 1984 and her Ph.D. in epidemiology from The University of Texas School of Public Health in 1994. She joined MD Anderson in 1995 as an assistant professor and by 2004 was a full professor. She held an Ashbel Smith Professorship from 2006 to 2008. She holds the Betty B. Marcus Chair in Cancer Prevention at MD Anderson and also is on the faculty of The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. “Wu is internationally recognized for her pioneering work in genetic cancer susceptibility markers and germline genetic variations. One of her major interests is pharmacogenetics, a new field that identifies genetic variations that can help determine why some patients respond better than others to therapeutic drugs. “Somehow Wu also finds time to lead a multidisciplinary team of 35 people. “’Mentoring trainees and junior faculty members is a responsibility and a privilege,’ she says. ‘They are the future of science and discovery, and I take great pride in their every success. To me, their success is my success. It is my dream that they will cherish the institution’s core values of caring, integrity and discovery as I do and spread them all over the world when they become independent investigators.’” References and Links Zhejiang University: Xifeng Wu 浙江大学: 吴息凤 2020/05/20 World Affairs Council: The Public Health Response to Covid-19 in Zhejiang Province and Washington State – Virtual Program 2020/03/18 ProPublica: The Trump Administration Drove Him Back to China, Where He Invented a Fast Coronavirus Test 2020/03/18 Chronicle of Higher Education: Hounded Out of U.S., Scientist Invents Fast Coronavirus Test in China 2020/03/12 World Economic Forum: 6 lessons from China's Zhejiang Province and Hangzhou on how countries can prevent and rebound from an epidemic like COVID-19 2019/06/20 South China Morning Post: Creating a climate of fear for Chinese scientists in the US benefits neither Washington nor Beijing 2019/06/17 Next Shark: FBI Accused of Targeting Chinese Americans Trying to Cure Cancer for ‘Spying’ 2019/06/14 Clean Technica: FBI & NIH Demonize Chinese Researchers As Trump-Inspired Paranoia Spreads Across America 2019/06/14 Axios: U.S. targeting Chinese cancer researchers 2019/06/13 Bloomberg Businessweek: The U.S. Is Purging Chinese Cancer Researchers From Top Institutions 2019/04/19 Science: Exclusive: Major U.S. cancer center ousts ‘Asian’ researchers after NIH flags their foreign ties 2016/10/21 Houston Chronicle: Research: Dr. Xifeng Wu 2009 MD Anderson Center: Accolades and achievements Previous Item Next Item

Newsletter - #364 ICE Arrests and Deaths; Friends of NAPAM Veterans Day/Honors; APAICS Opportunities; + #364 ICE Arrests and Deaths; Friends of NAPAM Veterans Day/Honors; APAICS Opportunities; + In This Issue #364 · ICE Arrests and Deaths Surge Under Trump · 2025 Friends of NAPAM Veterans Day Event and Honors · 2026 APAICS Congressional Fellowships and Internships Open · Chen Institute and Science Prize for AI Accelerated Research · News and Activities for the Communities ICE Arrests and Deaths Surge Under Trump According to the Washington Post on July 3, 2025, the Trump administration is sharply increasing arrests of undocumented immigrants, with total arrests from January 20 to June 11 more than doubling compared with 2024 and nearing 1,000 per day. Despite claims that United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) targets the “worst of the worst,” most people arrested or deported have no criminal conviction, and the share with criminal records has dropped from 46% in January to 30% in June. More than 60% of removals since January 20 involved people without convictions. Arrests rose especially in Texas, Florida, and California. Venezuelan arrests have surged after Trump canceled protections, though Mexicans still make up the largest group. While the administration is far below its stated goal of 3,000 arrests per day or 1 million deportations this year, a massive new DHS funding boost could accelerate operations.According to AsAmNews on November 14, 2025, ICE detention deaths have surged dramatically under the Trump administration, reaching crisis levels in 2025. In just ten months, 21 people have died in ICE custody—nearly matching the total number of deaths (26) during Biden’s entire four-year presidency. This is the deadliest year since 2004, and advocates warn the toll is still rising. Nearly one in four of those who died were Asian immigrants, reflecting both increased arrests and worsening detention conditions.A July report from the UCLA Asian American Studies Center found that arrests of Asian immigrants nearly tripled in early 2025, from under 700 in 2024 to nearly 2,000 between February and May. Most were from China (about a third), India (about a quarter), and Vietnam (about a sixth). This enforcement surge coincides with a series of deaths marked by inadequate medical care, overcrowding, lack of language access, and unresolved questions surrounding the circumstances of each fatality.Among the Vietnamese detainees who died, 55-year-old Nhon Ngoc Nguyen passed away on April 16 after months of transfers between detention and hospitals. An autopsy cited acute pneumonia and dementia, and his family believes ICE may have been negligent. On July 19, another Vietnamese detainee, Tien Xuan Phan , died after seizures and loss of consciousness while detained in a Texas facility that has been chronically overcrowded, at times holding nearly 400 more people than its contracted capacity.Three Chinese nationals also died this year. On September 29, Huabing Xie died after an apparent seizure just two weeks after entering ICE custody. On October 25, 63-year-old Kai Yin Wong died in San Antonio from complications following heart surgery. On August 5, 32-year-old Chaofeng Ge was found hanging in a shower with his arms and legs bound behind him in a Pennsylvania facility. According to the South China Morning Post on November 14, 2025, the brother of Chaofeng Ge has filed a federal lawsuit demanding answers about Ge’s death in ICE custody. The complaint alleges Ge was isolated due to the facility’s lack of Chinese-speaking staff, received no mental-health support, and that U.S. authorities failed to respond to a FOIA request for records about his detention and death. ICE ruled the death a suicide, but the family disputes how suicide would have been possible under the circumstances.On November 13, 2025, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) announced that seven people detained by ICE sued the Trump administration over inhumane conditions at California’s largest immigration detention center, the privately owned California City Detention Facility located in Kern County.The plaintiffs, who seek to represent a class of all people held at California City, describe in their complaint : · Punishing conditions including dirty housing units, inadequate food and water, very cold temperatures, and restrictions on family visits · Enforced isolation caused by frequent lockdowns, no access to programming, and excessive solitary confinement · Terrifyingly inadequate medical care that deprives people of critical treatment for cancer, life-threatening heart conditions, diabetes and other serious medical needs · Neglect of people with disabilities including failing to provide sign language interpreters, wheelchairs, and other necessities people need to live safely · Encroachment on freedom of religion , including confiscation of prayer mats, head coverings and even holy texts · Denial of access to counsel , with weeks-long delays for legal calls and long waits for in-person visits 2025 Friends of NAPAM Veterans Day Event and Honors On November 10, 2025, Friends of National Asian Pacific American Museum (NAPAM) hosted an Annual Veterans Day Inaugural Event to honor 200 years of Asian American Pacific Islanders Military History at the Army Navy Club in Washington DC.Dr. Ravi Chaudhary , Former Assistant Secretary of the Air Force and Advisory Board Member of Friends of NAPAM, led the 2-hour program that included Fife and Drum display, live and taped remarks, a fireside chat, South Asian Tabla, and a short documentary telling the story of Asian American Pacific Islanders in the U.S. military since the War of 1812. Congressional Gold Medal Part of the Friends of NAPAM program described the award of the Congressional Gold Medal to three groups of Asian American veterans: · The 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service (October 8, 2010). Public Law 111–254 (text) . “The United States remains forever indebted to the bravery, valor, and dedication to country these men faced while fighting a two-fronted battle of discrimination at home and fascism abroad.” · Filipino World War II Veterans (December 14, 2016). Public Law 114–265 (text) . “The loyal and valiant Filipino Veterans of World War II fought, suffered, and, in many instances, died in the same manner and under the same commander as other members of the United States Armed Forces during World War II.” · Chinese American Veterans of World War II (December 20, 2018). Public Law 115–337 (text) . “The United States remains forever indebted to the bravery, valor, and dedication that the Chinese-American Veterans of World War II displayed.” The Congressional Gold Medal is the oldest and highest civilian award in the United States, alongside the Presidential Medal of Freedom. It is bestowed by vote of the U.S. Congress, signed into law by the president. The Gold Medal expresses the highest national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions by individuals or institutions. U.S. citizenship is not a requirement.The congressional practice of issuing gold medals to occasionally honor recipients began with members of the military during the American Revolution. The practice soon extended to individuals in all walks of life and in the late 20th century also to groups. The congressional medal honors those, individually or as a group, "who have performed an achievement that has an impact on American history and culture that is likely to be recognized as a major achievement in the recipient's field long after the achievement."As of November 29, 2023, 184 people, events, or institutions have been awarded a Congressional Gold Medal. George Washington was the first recipient in March 1776.Two-thirds of the members in both chambers of Congress, a super-majority sponsorship rule, must co-sponsor a bill before it can advance to the floor for a vote in the US Senate and House of Representatives. Once the bill is passed, a ceremonial signing by the President can take place. The US Mint, which manufactures American coins, produces a unique design for each Congressional Medal. The US Mint commissions artists to prepare designs for the obverse (front) and reverse side of the medal. Once a design is selected, the US Mint works with the honoree to review every detail of the medal design to ensure its historical accuracy.The US Mint presents the final designs to two commissions—the US Commission of Fine Arts and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee—for their review and recommendation. The final selection is then sent to the Secretary of the Treasury for approval. Each medal is uniquely designed and cast in gold. Thus, there are significantly fewer gold medals than presidential medals. Bronze replicas of the Congressional Gold Medal are made available for purchase at the U.S. Mint. Once the medal is minted, Congress can hold a ceremony to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the honoree at the US Capitol. Recognition of Asian American Gold Medal Recipients The Congressional Gold Medal ceremony for Japanese American World War II veterans was held on November 2, 2011 h ttps://www.c-span.org/program/public-affairs-event/congressional-gold-medal-for-japanese-american-veterans/264325 (50:06). The Smithsonian Institute also dedicates a web page on the Congressional Gold Medal for Japanese American Nisei veterans in general, recognizing their exceptional contributions, particularly the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team, alongside the Military Intelligence Service, which are celebrated for their pivotal roles in European and Pacific theaters.The Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP) was the primary driving force behind securing the Congressional Gold Medal for Filipino and Filipino-American World War II veterans, leading the national campaign to raise awareness, lobbying Congress for the necessary legislation, and continuing their mission to document their stories and educate future generations through the "Duty to Country" educational program. The Congressional Gold Medal ceremony for Filipino American WWII veterans was held on October 25, 2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEpncxUSMUA (1:08:37). Three FilVetREP representatives sang the national anthem at the Friends of NAPAM event.The Congressional Gold Medal ceremony for the Chinese American World War II Veterans was held virtually on December 21, 2020, due to the pandemic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iETfRFJHtm4 (57:35). On October 25, 2021, an in-person ceremony was held in Boston's Faneuil Hall https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I37qokeVCzU (1:43:55). The National Museum of the U.S. Army produced a History Talk video "From Bombardier to Congressional Gold Medal: A Chinese American WWII Pilot’s Story" on May 24, 2023: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqYBOseaz84 (42:54) 2026 APAICS Congressional Fellowships and Internships Open Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) offers Internship and Fellowship programs designed to build a strong pipeline of AANHPI (Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander) public service leaders. Applications for the 2026-2027 Congressional Fellowships are open with a deadline of December 12, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET. The Fellowship gives qualified applicants the opportunity to work for a year in a Congressional office or committee to expand their public policy portfolio and build meaningful connections with leaders in Washington DC. The 2026-2027 program dates are: September 8, 2026 to August 27, 2027.Learn more and apply for the APAICS Fellowship here: https://apaics.fillout.com/fellowshipapp Applications for the 2026 Congressional Internships are currently open. This paid, 8 or 10 week program will allow interns the chance to experience the legislative process firsthand by supporting a congressional office or committee. Summer 2026 Dates: June 2 - July 24, 2026Application Deadline: February 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET Fall 2026 Dates: September 9 - November 20, 2026App. Deadline: March 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM ETLearn more and apply here: https://www.apaics.org/congressional-internship Chen Institute and Science Prize for AI Accelerated Research The Chen Institute and Science launched the "Chen Institute and Science Prize for AI Accelerated Research" in August 2024. This initiative aims to drive advancements in artificial intelligence that can expand scientific research. Young scientists from around the world are invited to submit AI-driven projects that demonstrate significant potential to improve research and lives.The competition will award a Grand Prize of $30,000, with the winner's essay published in Science and an accompanying five-year AAAS membership. Additionally, up to two runners-up will receive $10,000 each, with their essays published on Science Online and the same membership benefits, promoting sustained engagement with scientific progress. Visit and apply at https://bit.ly/3WTQq4K . The deadline is December 13, 2025. News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/11/25 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 Meeting2025/12/08 Conversations, Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes: Alice Young2026/01/05 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2026/01/13 Conversations, Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes: Leroy Chiao2026/01/29-30 The Jimmy Carter Forum on U.S.-China Relations Visit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Conversations with Leroy Chiao WHAT : Conversations, Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes: Leroy Chiao WHEN : January 13, 2026, 6:00 pm - 6:45 pm ET WHERE : Online event HOST : Committee of 100 Moderator: Peter Young , Chair of the Conversations Initiative, Committee of 100 New York Regional Chair, and Board Member Speaker : Leroy Chiao , Ph.D.; Former NASA Astronaut and Co-Founder and CEO of OneOrbit DESCRIPTION : Dr. Leroy Chiao is a Chinese American NASA astronaut and International Space Station commander and the CEO of OneOrbit. He has worked extensively in both government and commercial space programs, and has held leadership positions in commercial ventures and NASA. Dr. Chiao has extensive experience as a NASA Astronaut and prior to that, as a Research Engineer. Dr. Chiao is a fellow of the Explorers Club, and a member of the International Academy of Astronautics and Committee of 100. REGISTRATION : https://bit.ly/4pahs3M # # # 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 18, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng has introduced legislation to ensure that students across the U.S. learn about the contributions of Asian and Pacific Americans. October 5, 2020 U.S. Rep. Grace Meng announced the Teaching Asian Pacific American History Act on October 5, 2020 to ensure that students across the U.S. learn about the influence and contributions of Asian and Pacific Americans. Read more 2020/10/05 Rep. Grace Meng: Meng Introduced Legislation to Promote The Teaching of Asian Pacific American History in Schools 2020/10/06 Queens Daily Eagle: Meng introduces bill to ensure students learn about Asian American history U.S. Rep. Grace Meng has introduced legislation to ensure that students across the U.S. learn about the contributions of Asian and Pacific Americans. Previous Next Teaching Asian Pacific American History Act Introduced

Newsletter - #384 3/24 Webinar; Mayor Kaohly Her; WP: America Needs Immigrants; Ohio Bill; Equity Pulse+ #384 3/24 Webinar; Mayor Kaohly Her; WP: America Needs Immigrants; Ohio Bill; Equity Pulse+ In This Issue #384 · 03/24 Webinar: Mass Surveillance and the ICE Crackdown: What the AAPI Community Needs to Know · Remarks by St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her · George Will: America Needs Immigrants · Ohio Alien Land Bill (HB1) Faces Strong Community Opposition · Equity Pulse: Is Your Citizenship at Stake? · News and Activities for the Communities 03/24 Webinar: Mass Surveillance and the ICE Crackdown: What the AAPI Community Needs to Know On March 24, 2026, starting at 7:00 pm ET/4:00 pm PT, APA Justice, Asian American Advancing Justice | AAJC, Asian American Scholar Forum, and Committee of 100 will co-host a webinar on “ Mass Surveillance and the ICE Crackdown: What the AAPI Community Needs to Know. ” Moderator: Michael German is a Retired Fellow in the Brennan Center for Justice's Liberty and National Security Program. His work focuses on ensuring that the U.S. government respects human rights and fundamental freedoms in its pursuit of national security — including reforming the surveillance and intelligence systems that have too often been turned against the very communities they were meant to protect. He is a former FBI Special Agent and one of the nation's leading voices on law enforcement and intelligence oversight. Before joining the Brennan Center in 2014, he served as Policy Counsel for National Security and Privacy at the ACLU's Washington legislative office. Speakers: · Kaohly Her , Mayor, St. Paul, Minnesota. She was elected St. Paul's first woman and first Asian American mayor in 2025. Mayor Her was born in the mountains of Laos and came to the United States as a refugee at age three. A strong work ethic, her family's tenacity, and support from her community propelled Mayor Her to the highest levels of the Minnesota state government and now to City Hall. She served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2019 to 2025. · Saira Hussain , Senior Staff Attorney, Electronic Frontier Foundation. Saira litigates at the intersection of racial and immigrant justice, government surveillance, and technology, with cases challenging border searches of electronic devices, police surveillance of protesters, and law enforcement sharing of license plate reader data with ICE. Previously a Staff Attorney at the Asian Law Caucus, she focused on separating federal immigration enforcement from local law enforcement through litigation, advocacy, and coalition-building. She holds undergraduate and law degrees from UC Berkeley. · Xiaoxing Xi , Laura H. Carnell Professor of Physics, Temple University. A leading expert in superconductor technologies, Professor Xi was arrested in May 2015 by armed FBI agents in front of his family on false charges of sharing sensitive technology with China — dropped just four months later. His case, involving warrantless surveillance under Section 702 of FISA and Executive Order 12333, became a landmark in the fight against racial profiling of Chinese American scientists. He filed suit challenging the prosecution and discriminatory targeting, and in 2020 received the Andrei Sakharov Prize from the American Physical Society for his advocacy for open scientific exchange. · John Yang , President and Executive Director, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC. At Advancing Justice | AAJC, John leads the organization’s efforts to fight for civil rights and empower Asian Americans to create a more just America for all through public policy advocacy, education, and litigation. John is an experienced attorney with over two decades of policy, litigation, and corporate expertise. He graduated with honors from George Washington University Law School. REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3N5BbEy RESOURCES: · APA Justice: Timeline Visualization of U.S. Mass Surveillance · APA Justice: Warrantless Surveillance Remarks by St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her During the APA Justice monthly meeting on March 2, 2026, Mayor Kaohly Her reported a troubling escalation of immigration enforcement in Minnesota, particularly targeting AAPI communities—including many law-abiding residents and citizens who are not criminals or national security threats. She cautioned that conditions are “far worse than what you see on the news,” describing individuals with valid documentation, long-time lawful status, and deep community roots being detained or swept into enforcement actions. Many were transferred to out-of-state detention facilities and later released once their lawful status was verified—only to be left to make their own way home. These were residents who had complied with federal check-ins for years, maintained steady employment, paid taxes, and raised families, yet were suddenly portrayed as public safety threats. Mayor Her emphasized that some had decades-old convictions or had been wrongfully convicted as minors tried as adults, or accepted plea deals years ago without fully understanding immigration consequences. Many had since rebuilt their lives, contributing meaningfully to their communities, and were not violent offenders or national security risks. Mayor Her also expressed concern that ICE enforcement actions are sometimes carried out by agents insufficiently trained to properly assess complex immigration documentation. She described situations in which individuals presented valid paperwork, yet agents either could not interpret it correctly or proceeded with detention pending later review. She underscored that lawful residents—including U.S. citizens—were often detained first and sorted out later. She described the systematic nature of targeting, noting that Hmong, Southeast Asian, and Korean communities were disproportionately affected. Agents went “door-to-door asking who the Asian neighbors were and where they lived,” and enforcement ramped up months before it drew broader attention. The community’s hyper-invisibility meant early incidents received little public notice, and protective measures had to be organized at the grassroots level, including accompaniment to federal check-ins, coordination with local churches, and establishing networks to support residents detained out-of-state. Mayor Her also linked the escalation to the shooting death in Minneapolis shortly after she took office, noting that broader visibility of these threats only came after incidents affecting other communities. In response, the City of St. Paul enacted ordinances limiting ICE activity on city property, requiring agents to display identification, and prohibiting face coverings to reduce confusion with local law enforcement. The city provided support to small businesses impacted by enforcement actions—some of which saw revenues drop 60–70%—backed legal challenges, coordinated community safety efforts, and organized strategies for protests and large gatherings to ensure constitutional rights were observed. At the state level, collaboration with the governor and attorney general expanded clemency hearings—from one per year to four per year, with eight reviews of paperwork annually—resulting in hundreds of pardons for immigrants whose past or unjust convictions had placed them at risk despite years of lawful conduct. Mayor Her highlighted that these measures “meant the world” to affected families and reinforced her central message: the individuals being detained are community members—not criminals or national security threats—and deserve fairness, competence, and due process. Watch a video of her remarks at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Q-kw22N_Yg (11:29) George Will: America Needs Immigrants In a compelling Washington Post opinion, conservative columnist George Will makes an empirically grounded and deeply human case against the Trump administration's mass deportation policy — arguing that America needs immigrants as much as they need the blessings of American liberty. Will opens with a simple but powerful image: a regular at a neighborhood diner shows up one Sunday to find Jose , his waiter of 20 years, gone — deported. "Suddenly, the immigration issue has a face, and complexity." It is a reminder that behind every immigration statistic is a person woven into the fabric of American life. The data Will reports is striking. As of 2023, only 27 percent of the foreign-born population were undocumented, while more than half of all immigrants had become U.S. citizens. Prior to the Biden-era surge, 43 percent of undocumented immigrants had been in the country for at least 20 years, about a third were homeowners, and their 5 million U.S.-born children were citizens. As Will puts it plainly: "Talk of sending them 'home' is nonsensical. They are home." The economic case is equally compelling. A Cato Institute report covering 1994 to 2023 found that immigrants generated more in taxes than they received in government benefits at all levels, creating a cumulative fiscal surplus of $14.5 trillion in real 2024 dollars — equivalent to 33 percent of total inflation-adjusted deficits over that period. Immigrants make up nearly 24 percent of STEM workers, almost 16 percent of nurses, and over 28 percent of health aides — a workforce indispensable to an aging America whose birth rate has fallen below the replacement level. Between 2022 and 2023, for the first time since census data began being collected in 1850, immigration accounted for the entire U.S. population growth. Will closes where he began — at the diner. "That fellow having brunch at the diner will still get his waffles. But he will miss Jose, and millions like him, in more ways than he can easily imagine." For the AAPI community, Will's column resonates deeply. Asian Americans are among the immigrants who have built this country's scientific, medical, and economic foundations — and are among those most vulnerable to the surveillance, profiling, and enforcement policies that Will rightly calls "stomach-turning." His voice, from the right of the political spectrum, is a reminder that the case for immigrant dignity and the case for American prosperity are one and the same. Read George Will’s Washington Post opinion: https://wapo.st/4uv76yT Read Cato Institute’s report on Immigrants’ Recent Effects on Government Budgets 1994-2023: https://bit.ly/4cGL3yW Ohio Alien Land Bill (HB1) Faces Strong Community Opposition The Ohio House Public Safety Committee will hold its fourth hearing on House Bill 1 (HB1) on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 9:30 am in Room 114 of the Ohio State House , focusing on the substitute bill (sub-bill) they passed on November 19, 2025. This bill shares the same title as its senate companion bill, Senate Bill 88 (SB88): “Ohio Property Protection Act,” and is one of the alien land bill or laws tracked by the Committee of 100 that are aimed at restricting land or property ownership based on national origin, raising serious concerns about violations of federal and state laws, especially the U.S. Constitution and the Fair Housing Act. What is extraordinary in the Ohio HB1 and SB88 is they impose restrictions on property ownership within a 10-mile (HB1) or 25-mile (SB88) radius around an overly broad list of items categorized as “critical infrastructure”, which includes daily utilities like telecommunications lines, power grids, water and sewer systems, television and radio facilities, and fiber-optic networks. Below is a map illustrating the restricted areas within a 10-mile radius around these “critical infrastructure” items, essentially “blanket the entirety of the State of Ohio,” as the sponsor of SB88, State Senator Terry Johnson said . To date, the Ohio HB1 and SB88 combined have received 14 proponent testimonies, and 296 opponent testimonies - reflecting strong opposition among Ohioans. Community members and organizations pointed out that even though the Ohio HB1 and SB88 were framed as security measures, they would not meaningfully enhance public safety. Instead, they would penalize individuals who are legally present in the United States, harm Ohio’s reputation as a fair and business‑friendly state, and undermine the constitutional and economic principles that have long supported our state’s growth. Justice for Ohio , a civil rights and advocacy organization, encouraged concerned individuals, businesses and organizations to submit opponent testimonies and send letters to legislators and ask them to reject Ohio House Bill 1. Equity Pulse: Is Your Citizenship at Stake? On April 1, 2026, the Supreme Court will hear arguments that could redefine what it means to be a U.S. citizen. It is a battle Chinese Americans have fought before. In 1898, Wong Kim Ark 黄金德 sued for his right to reenter the United States after being denied because of his Chinese ancestry. His Supreme Court victory established birthright citizenship as we know it. Now, that precedent is under attack in Trump v. Barbara . Join attorneys Wendy Feng , Arjun Shenoy , Tony Wang , Jennifer Wu on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 p.m. PT, as they break down the legal arguments and discuss what this case could mean for AAPIs and civil rights. They were directly involved in the drafting of the two amicus briefs filed by the AAPI community in this case. Even if you are a U.S. citizen today, this case could affect generations to come. Hear from top legal experts, ask questions, and engage on a constitutional right that now hangs in the balance. The “Equity Pulse” series hosted by the Committee of 100 highlights real-world policy impacts on AAPI communities and what we can do to challenge inequities. Registration link: https://committee100-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/9617732618234/WN_R6dq-FEaQVilfADvTmqmIg News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2026/03/17 Equity Pulse: Is Your Citizenship at Stake? 2026/03/19 AAUC Town Hall: In Challenging Times, Our Voices Matter 2026/03/24 Mass Surveillance and the ICE Crackdown: What the AAPI Community Needs to Know 2026/03/25 The Perpetual Foreigner Stereotype: New Data on Asian American Experiences 2026/04/06 APA Justice Monthly Meeting 2026/04/08 Perspectives on Careers in Arts and Entertainment 2026/04/14 Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes - Anla ChengVisit 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 March 16, 2026 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Mass Surveillance and the ICE Crackdown: What the AAPI Community Needs to Know Warrantless Surveillance Tuesday, March 24, 2026 Masked, heavily armed federal agents are roaming through American neighborhoods aggressively targeting anyone they feel does not belong, often using race and ethnicity as a factor to determine who is selected for arrest, detention, and deportation. News reports indicate that Immigration agents are using advanced technological tools and electronic surveillance authorities to create and exploit vast intelligence databases to further the Trump administration’s mass deportation policy. Adding urgency to these concerns, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act — one of the government's most powerful surveillance tools — is set to expire on April 20, 2026, and the outcome of its reauthorization will have profound implications for the civil liberties of all Americans. This lawless approach to immigration enforcement has a direct effect on AAPI communities. US law enforcement and intelligence agencies have long treated Asian Americans unfairly as a suspect community. Our earliest immigration laws, like the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, singled them out for disparate treatment based on their race and national origin, and the Trump administration has repeatedly threatened to invoke the Alien Enemies Act, last used to intern Japanese Americans during World War II. The webinar will provide an update of the current situation and explain how this immigration crackdown is fueled by technological innovations and electronic surveillance powers originally developed to protect Americans from foreign terrorists, now turned inward to target Americans. Hosts: APA Justice, Advancing Justice | AAJC, Asian American Scholar Forum, Committee of 100 On March 24, 2026, starting at 7:00 pm ET/4:00 pm PT, APA Justice, Asian American Advancing Justice | AAJC, Asian American Scholar Forum, and Committee of 100 will co-host a webinar on “Mass Surveillance and the ICE Crackdown: What the AAPI Community Needs to Know. ” Moderator: Michael German is a Retired Fellow in the Brennan Center for Justice's Liberty and National Security Program. His work focuses on ensuring that the U.S. government respects human rights and fundamental freedoms in its pursuit of national security — including reforming the surveillance and intelligence systems that have too often been turned against the very communities they were meant to protect. He is a former FBI Special Agent and one of the nation's leading voices on law enforcement and intelligence oversight. Before joining the Brennan Center in 2014, he served as Policy Counsel for National Security and Privacy at the ACLU's Washington legislative office. Speakers: Kaohly Her , Mayor, St. Paul, Minnesota. She was elected St. Paul's first woman and first Asian American mayor in 2025. Mayor Her was born in the mountains of Laos and came to the United States as a refugee at age three. A strong work ethic, her family's tenacity, and support from her community propelled Mayor Her to the highest levels of the Minnesota state government and now to City Hall. She served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2019 to 2025. Saira Hussain , Senior Staff Attorney, Electronic Frontier Foundation. Saira litigates at the intersection of racial and immigrant justice, government surveillance, and technology, with cases challenging border searches of electronic devices, police surveillance of protesters, and law enforcement sharing of license plate reader data with ICE. Previously a Staff Attorney at the Asian Law Caucus, she focused on separating federal immigration enforcement from local law enforcement through litigation, advocacy, and coalition-building. She holds undergraduate and law degrees from UC Berkeley. Xiaoxing Xi , Laura H. Carnell Professor of Physics, Temple University. A leading expert in superconductor technologies, Professor Xi was arrested in May 2015 by armed FBI agents in front of his family on false charges of sharing sensitive technology with China — dropped just four months later. His case, involving warrantless surveillance under Section 702 of FISA and Executive Order 12333, became a landmark in the fight against racial profiling of Chinese American scientists. He filed suit challenging the prosecution and discriminatory targeting, and in 2020 received the Andrei Sakharov Prize from the American Physical Society for his advocacy for open scientific exchange. John Yang , President and Executive Director, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC. At Advancing Justice | AAJC, John leads the organization’s efforts to fight for civil rights and empower Asian Americans to create a more just America for all through public policy advocacy, education, and litigation. John is an experienced attorney with over two decades of policy, litigation, and corporate expertise. He graduated with honors from George Washington University Law School. RESOURCES: APA Justice: Timeline Visualization of U.S. Mass Surveillance APA Justice: Warrantless Surveillance Previous Item Next Item

Newsletter - #96 Updates On Sherry Chen, Franklin Tao, Charles Lieber; Latest On Campaign; Events + #96 Updates On Sherry Chen, Franklin Tao, Charles Lieber; Latest On Campaign; Events + Back View PDF November 18, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #32 12/02 Webinar; Franklin Tao; 12/07 Meeting; 2020 Census #32 12/02 Webinar; Franklin Tao; 12/07 Meeting; 2020 Census Back View PDF December 1, 2020 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #88 Rep. Raskin Remarks; Cooley Steps Up; House Hearing; White Paper; UTK; Week of Action #88 Rep. Raskin Remarks; Cooley Steps Up; House Hearing; White Paper; UTK; Week of Action Back View PDF October 11, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #47 End "China Initiative" And Racial Profiling; Charles Lieber; Gang Chen; Lots More #47 End "China Initiative" And Racial Profiling; Charles Lieber; Gang Chen; Lots More Back View PDF March 8, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #194: Florida Lawsuit/Land Bills; Chinese Scientists; Houston Needs Help; Colonel Kalsi; FBI #194: Florida Lawsuit/Land Bills; Chinese Scientists; Houston Needs Help; Colonel Kalsi; FBI In This Issue #194 Updates on The Florida Alien Land Bill Lawsuit Opinion: Banning Foreign Ownership of Land Doesn't Protect US. It Just Scapegoats Asian Americans Chinese Scientists Increasingly Leaving U.S. Houston’s Chinese American Community Is Asking The Public For Help Colonel Kalsi: Beyond The Call Understanding The FBI Webinar; Upcoming FBI-Community Roundtable Updates on The Florida Alien Land Bill Lawsuit On July 3, 2023, Clay Zhu 朱可亮 , Partner, DeHeng Law Offices 德恒律师事务所; Founder, Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance 华美维权同盟, provided these updates on the Florida alien land bill lawsuit: Back View PDF July 6, 2023 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

COVID-19 During the COVID-19 pandemic, anti-Asian hate crimes and incidents soared, reinforcing misconceptions about Asian Americans and endangering their communities. THE NUMBERS estimated AAPI essential workers 2 million daily reported anti-AAPI hate incidents 100 anti-Asian hate incidents reported in first few months of 2020 > 2300 Recent developments House Resolution Condemns All Forms of Anti-Asian Sentiment Related to COVID-19 This is your News article. It’s a great place to highlight press coverage, newsworthy stories, industry updates or useful resources for visitors. CAPAC Issues Messaging Guidance on Anti-Asian Hate This is your News article. It’s a great place to highlight press coverage, newsworthy stories, industry updates or useful resources for visitors. Texas man accused of attacking Asian family over racist coronavirus fears pleads guilty to hate-crime charges This is your News article. It’s a great place to highlight press coverage, newsworthy stories, industry updates or useful resources for visitors. 2020 Ends With A Positive Story This is your News article. It’s a great place to highlight press coverage, newsworthy stories, industry updates or useful resources for visitors. More News Johns Hopkins University Unofficial Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University. The COVID Tracking Project An unofficial project on U.S. testing data. 1point3acres An unofficial website built and maintained by first-generation Chinese immigrants in the U.S. World Health Organization Daily situation reports produced by the World Health Organization. U.S. CDC Updates by the U.S. Center for Decease and Control (CDC). Tracking COVID Cases Stop AAPI Hate The Stop AAPI Hate website was launched on March 19, 2020 by the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council (A3PCON) and Chinese for Affirmation Action . By April 23, 2020, over 1,500 incidents have been reported to the website. By the end of March 2021, the number increased to over 6,600. Periodic analytical reports are produced by Dr. Russell Jeung, and Kai Nham, San Francisco State University Asian American Studies. Reporting Anti-Asian Hate Crimes and Incidents Stop AAPI Hate NYC Human Rights Racism is Contagious Act to Change Stand Against Hatred Coronavirus and Racism "There are serious concerns of a global pandemic, but the coronavirus (now called COVID-19 by the World Health Organization) has also reawakened centuries-old prejudices against Chinese people," John Pompret wrote recently in an opinion for the Washington Post . He went on to cite several historical examples of how anti-Chinese racism in the U.S. always hinged on the belief that Asians harbor disease, dating back to the 19th century. The title of a Wall Street Journal opinion on February 3 included a term "Sick Man of Asia" which is a century-old derogatory reference to persons of Chinese origin. It sparked strong reactions from the Chinese American community nationwide. "Something's not right here folks," Mario Cavolo, an American living in China, wrote in his LinkedIn blog as he looked at the disparate treatment and reaction to the 2009 H1N1 virus that started in the U.S. compared to the 2020 coronavirus in China. "This vicious, political, xenophobic racist attacks and smearing of all things China needs to stop," Cavolo concluded. Virus knows no borders. It is not an excuse for division, prejudice, fearmongering, or xenophobia here or elsewhere in the world. The risk of COVID-19 should obviously not be under-estimated. However, hate messages, baseless rumors, prejudice, conspiracy theories, uncontrolled emotions, panic and uninformed behavior cause far more damage than the coronavirus itself. "Whether in a couple of weeks or months later, this nasty flu type Corona virus will begin declining and the joy of Spring will arrive," Cavolo optimistically observed.