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Lei Guan 关磊 Docket ID: 8:20-cr-00127 District Court, C.D. California Date filed: Sep 10, 2020 Date ended: July 26, 2021 Table of Contents Overview 2021/07/12 Document 220-1 Exhibit A Five “Visa Fraud” Cases Links and References Overview On July 23, 2020, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the arrest of four scientists from China on an alleged visa violation. A fifth scientist, Lei Guan, was arrested for similar charges in August 2020. Lei Guan came to Los Angeles to work as a researcher in UCLA’s Department of Mathematics in 2018. On August 29, 2020, Lei Guan was charged with destroying evidence and alteration of records to obstruct an FBI investigation. One count of visa fraud and one count of making false statements were added in subsequent superseding indictments. If convicted, he faced a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Lei Guan was detained for months at Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles awaiting trial. On July 23, 2021, DOJ motioned to drop their case against Lei Guan. U.S. District Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald granted the motion to dismiss on July 26, 2021. The other four visa fraud cases were also dismissed at the same time. The five visa fraud cases including Lei Guan were identified under the China Initiative, but they were removed from the DOJ online report after their dismissals. 2021/07/12 Document 220-1 Exhibit A On July 12, 2021, a partially redacted draft FBI report appeared as part of an exhibit in a non-motion response filed in the case of Lei Guan. The lead draft report of the exhibit was titled “ Fourth Military Medical University Interviews and Arrests and Arrests Likely Had Minimal Impact in Mitigating Technology Transfer Threats from PRC Students ” and dated March 19, 2021. The 28-page exhibit includes a draft white paper that provides assessments on seven cases under the "China Initiative," including the five that were dismissed. The draft paper states that targeting of the researcher and students "likely had minimal, short-term positive impact on the technology transfer threat from PRC students, scholars, and researchers." In addition, "[o]nly two of the arrests has a nexus to technology transfer violations, ... and none included charges related to other counterintelligence concerns." The operation "likely contributed to the deterioration of the FBI's delicate yet valuable relationship with some US universities by not exercising more caution before approaching PRC students." Although there was strong advice against investigating and arresting students and researchers with the operation," several FBI field offices proceeded with visa fraud charges for individuals who met the criteria but did not meet the threshold for a high-priority technology transfer threat." "It is in the best national security interest of the FBI to strategically identify, target, and mitigate PRC technology transfer threats while also preserving educational opportunities in the United States for PRC students who do not pose a threat," said an unredacted portion of the FBI report. A footnote also stated that "the FBI does not consider clinical medicine an area of concern for PRC technology transfer." According to the exhibit, a FBI Supervisory Intelligence Analyst drafted the report as a response to a February 2021 award nomination. She was originally included as part of the award nomination but disagreed about the "high impact" the award's nomination claimed to have made. She did not think the arrest of the PLA students met the threshold for high impact at that time, as she assessed at an early stage the impact was minimal. The draft was a way for her to dispute the information contained in the awards packet. She removed herself from the award nomination. Five “Visa Fraud” Cases The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced visa fraud charges against four of five scientists from China on July 23, 2020. The fifth scientist, Lei Guan, was first charged in August 2020 for Destruction and Alteration of Records in a Federal Investigation with visa fraud charges added in September 2020. The announcement of the visa fraud cases coincided with the U.S. order to close China’s consulate in Houston, accusing it to be a "spy center" to conduct spying activities with local medical centers or universities. The five Chinese scientists are: Lei Guan (关磊), Visiting researcher (mathematics), University of California at Los Angeles Dr. Chen Song (宋琛) , Visiting researcher (neurology), Stanford University Dr. Juan Tang (唐娟) , Visiting researcher (cancer), University of California at Davis Xin Wang (王欣) , Visiting researcher (neurology), University of California at San Francisco Kaikai Zhao (赵凯凯) , Doctoral candidate (machine learning and artificial intelligence), Indiana University These five visa fraud cases were abruptly dismissed by DOJ in July 2021 without an explanation for the dismissals. Wyn Hornbuckle, a Justice Department spokesman issued a statement that said "[r]ecent developments in a handful of cases involving defendants with alleged, undisclosed ties to the People’s Liberation Army of the People’s Republic of China have prompted the department to re-evaluate these prosecutions... We have determined that it is now in the interest of justice to dismiss them.” On July 22, 2021, Reuters reported that there was "recently disclosed evidence of a report by FBI analysts that questioned if the visa application question on 'military service' was clear enough for Chinese medical scientists at military universities and hospitals." In another report by the Washington Post, an unnamed official was quoted to say that "the punishment for visa fraud typically does not exceed a year. That fact, combined with the prospect of prolonged litigation in several instances, led officials to assess that the interests of justice were best served by dropping the cases." Upon further research, defense attorneys for Dr. Juan Tang filed a Defendant's Trial Brief and Memorandum Supporting Dismissal at Trial on July 19, 2021. It included a section on "The FBI’s Deliberate Failure to Disclose Critical Exculpatory Evidence to the Court and to the Defense Warrants a Dismissal of this Ill-Conceived Indictment." "There is dissension in the FBI’s own ranks," the trial brief started. It cited that the government intentionally did not comply with the discovery order for the trial and highlighted that "... just days ago, a heavily redacted report dated for release four months ago, on April 1, 2021, which the government did not disclose to this Court when it ruled on Dr. Tang’s Motion to Dismiss." Exhibit A shows a FBI Background Note dated April 1, which includes a statement that investigations and expert interviews "suggest that the visa application form (DS-160) potentially lacks clarity when it comes to declaring one's military service or affiliation." DOJ motioned to dismiss Dr. Juan Tang’s case four days before the trial was to start on July 26, 2021. On July 12, 2021, a partially redacted draft FBI report appeared as part of an exhibit in a non-motion response filed in the case of Lei Guan. The 28-page exhibit includes a draft white paper that provides assessments on seven cases under the "China Initiative," including the five that were dismissed. The draft paper states that targeting of the researcher and students "likely had minimal, short-term positive impact on the technology transfer threat from PRC students, scholars, and researchers." In addition, "[o]nly two of the arrests has a nexus to technology transfer violations, ... and none included charges related to other counterintelligence concerns." The operation "likely contributed to the deterioration of the FBI's delicate yet valuable relationship with some US universities by not exercising more caution before approaching PRC students." Although there was strong advice against investigating and arresting students and researchers with the operation, "several FBI field offices proceeded with visa fraud charges for individuals who met the criteria but did not meet the threshold for a high-priority technology transfer threat." "It is in the best national security interest of the FBI to strategically identify, target, and mitigate PRC technology transfer threats while also preserving educational opportunities in the United States for PRC students who do not pose a threat," said an unredacted portion of the FBI report. A footnote also stated that "the FBI does not consider clinical medicine an area of concern for PRC technology transfer." According to the exhibit, a FBI Supervisory Intelligence Analyst drafted the report as a response to a February 2021 award nomination. She was originally included as part of the award nomination but disagreed about the "high impact" the award's nomination claimed to have made. She did not think the arrest of the PLA students met the threshold for high impact at that time, as she assessed at an early stage the impact was minimal. The draft was a way for her to dispute the information contained in the awards packet. She removed herself from the award nomination. In December 2020, John Demers, former head of the China Initiative at DOJ, and William Evanina, former chief of the counterintelligence branch at ODNI, attributed without supporting facts and evidence that more than 1,000 Chinese researchers from affiliated with China's People's Liberation Army fled the U.S. after the FBI conducted interviews in more than 20 cities and the State Department closed China’s Houston consulate in July 2020. Some of the visa fraud prosecutions were based on photos of the individuals in uniform. However, wearing a uniform does not always imply military service. There are two non-armed branches in the uniformed services of the United States, including the Public Health Service which is a part of the Department of Health and Human Services and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps which is part of the Department of Commerce. Previous Item Next Item

Newsletter - #94 Faculty Nationwide Calls to End "China Initiative;" Franklin Tao Trial; Events + #94 Faculty Nationwide Calls to End "China Initiative;" Franklin Tao Trial; Events + Back View PDF November 8, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #316 Webinar Today; Dr. Tao Sues; China Initiative; Early-Career Scientists; Firing Ruling+ #316 Webinar Today; Dr. Tao Sues; China Initiative; Early-Career Scientists; Firing Ruling+ In This Issue #316 · Reminder: Webinar on Fair Housing Rights and Alien Land Laws Today · NYT : Professor Franklin Tao Sues to Get His Job Back · 03/12 MSU Webinar: The China Initiative · U.S. Early-Career Scientists Struggle Amid Chaos · Judge Rules Trump’s Firing of Head of Special Counsel was Unlawful · News and Activities for the Communities Reminder: Webinar on Fair Housing Rights and Alien Land Laws Today Today, March 4, 2025, starting at 4:00 pm ET, the Committee of 100 and APA Justice will co-host a webinar on Fair Housing Rights and Alien Land Laws. With new laws limiting property ownership based on nationality, real estate professionals and advocates are stepping up to challenge these discriminatory policies. This webinar will provide critical insights into how these restrictions are reshaping the housing landscape and what we can do to fight back.Register to attend: https://bit.ly/4hEouum NYT : Professor Franklin Tao Sues to Get His Job Back According to the New York Times on March 2, 2025, Feng "Franklin" Tao , a former University of Kansas professor, has filed a lawsuit against the university, alleging wrongful termination and violations of his civil rights. This legal action follows a series of events stemming from the U.S. Department of Justice's now-defunct "China Initiative," which aimed to counter economic espionage but shifted to target individuals of Asian descent.Arrested in 2019 as the first professor charged under the China Initiative, Dr. Tao fought allegations of failing to disclose ties to a Chinese university. After five years, a federal appeals court overturned his lone conviction, yet the University of Kansas has refused to reinstate him.Dr. Tao argues the university engaged in fearmongering and racial profiling, prioritizing political pressure over due process.Despite the official end of the China Initiative in 2022, Congress is now considering legislation to investigate Chinese espionage, with proposals for a "CCP Initiative" that could reignite racial targeting of Chinese researchers. Some lawmakers have also raised concerns about the large number of Chinese students studying science and engineering on American campuses. Senator James Risch ’s assertion that “each [Chinese student] is an agent of the Chinese Communist Party” exemplifies the continued stigmatization of Chinese academics and students. Gisela Perez Kusakawa , executive director of the Asian American Scholar Forum, warns against indiscriminate policies, urging for measured, evidence-based responses rather than racial profiling. “There are real, genuine threats that need to be addressed, but we should not be using a sledgehammer on the issue — we should be using a scalpel,” she said. “We can’t choose the country where we were born, where we came from,” said Dr. Tao’s wife Hong Peng , an American citizen. “What we have experienced, this is completely racial profiling.”Read the New York Times report: https://nyti.ms/3XoR76S . Read Dr. Tao's story: https://bit.ly/4i0WZLw 03/12 MSU Webinar: The China Initiative On March 12, 2025, please join the webinar hosted by Michigan State University's Asian Pacific American Studies Program for an insightful discussion of the past and present of the China Initiative, a Trump administration program that targeted Asian American scholars and researchers for investigation and prosecution. Dr. Lok Siu of UC Berkeley and Dr. Jeremy Wu of APA Justice will speak at the event moderated by Dr. Kent Weber of Michigan State University.Register to attend: https://bit.ly/4hVaITO U.S. Early-Career Scientists Struggle Amid Chaos According to Science on February 21, 2025, early-career researchers in the United States are facing significant challenges due to recent federal funding uncertainties under the Trump administration.The administration’s funding freezes, DEI grant cancellations, and federal scientist firings have created widespread instability.Researchers who had been awarded NIH “diversity” fellowships are left in limbo, while NSF postdoc programs supporting underrepresented groups were suddenly canceled. Some applicants only learned their programs were deleted through automated rejection emails.The USDA and U.S. Geological Survey rescinded job offers and terminated early-career scientists, leaving them with financial hardship and no immediate job prospects. One scientist, who envisioned a 20-year career at USDA, now faces an uncertain future.Some worry that race- and gender-related research—such as a study on maternal mortality disparities—could now be flagged under Trump's executive orders restricting DEI.As funding delays mount, researchers face not only financial uncertainty but also structural barriers. Universities, forced to anticipate prolonged funding cuts, have begun reducing faculty hiring and graduate student admissions.Early-career scientists fear a missing generation of researchers—one that could take years, if not decades, to recover. Institutions are under growing pressure to support affected researchers and prevent long-term damage to the U.S. scientific workforce.Experts warn that sustained instability could weaken the U.S.'s global leadership in science and innovation, pushing talent overseas and reducing America’s research output in critical fields.According to Nature on February 24, 2025, some early-career researchers are considering changing jobs, leaving the country or abandoning research altogether.“Disruption and uncertainty are the enemy of science,” says Donna Ginther , an economist at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. And when disruption and uncertainty strike, she adds, “the people who lose their jobs are students and postdocs.” If that happens now, science in the United States could undergo its own generational shift, she says: “Early-career scientists are the future.”According to Inside Higher Ed on March 3, 2025, federal judges have temporarily blocked many of President Trump’s executive actions, but researchers relying on federal grants are still facing significant disruptions. University scientists working on critical medical research are caught in bureaucratic limbo as Trump’s administration delays funding and enforces strict policies targeting DEI initiatives.“My grant’s future is in limbo,” said neuroscientist Eve Marder , whose NIH funding has been stalled due to the cancellation of advisory council meetings. Without approval, she fears shutting down her lab: “If I don’t get another source of money in the next six months, I’ll have to shut my lab.”NSF and NIH have slowed or halted funding processes. Advisory councils have not met since January, preventing new grants from being approved and stalling $1.5 billion in medical research funding. Astrophysics postdoc Adrian Fraser shared his frustration over the uncertainty: “Things aren’t clearly defined from the top, so it becomes a messy game of telephone … No one knows what is considered DEI-related.”Meanwhile, universities are preparing for prolonged funding cuts. Jeremy Berg , former NIH director, suggests the administration may be stalling funding as a hidden budget-cutting tactic: “Effectively a way of cutting the NIH budget without cutting the NIH budget.” If unspent by September 30, allocated funds must be returned to the U.S. Treasury, raising concerns about whether the administration is intentionally withholding money despite congressional approval.If funding restrictions persist, many early-career scientists may be forced to abandon research or leave the U.S., posing a serious threat to the nation’s scientific progress, global competitiveness, and long-term innovation. Judge Rules Trump’s Firing of Head of Special Counsel was Unlawful As of March 3, 2025, the number of lawsuits against President Donald Trump 's executive actions reported by the Just Security Litigation Tracker has grown to 96.According to AP News , Fox , and multiple media reports, one key case, Dellinger v. Bessent (1:25-cv-00385) , resulted in U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson ruling that Trump’s attempt to remove Hampton Dellinger as head of the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) was unlawful.Dellinger, fired on February 5 despite legal protections limiting presidential removal to cases of inefficiency, neglect, or malfeasance, sued for reinstatement. Judge Jackson’s ruling temporarily restored him to his position, warning that unchecked presidential removal of the Special Counsel would undermine protections for federal employees, including whistleblowers.“The Special Counsel is supposed to withstand the winds of political change and help ensure that no government servant of either party becomes the subject of prohibited employment practices or faces reprisals for calling out wrongdoing,” Judge Jackson wrote in her decision.The Trump administration quickly appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. The Supreme Court previously allowed Dellinger to remain in his role pending litigation.Beyond his own case, Dellinger has challenged the administration’s mass termination of probationary federal workers, arguing some firings may have been illegal. In addition, the OSC enforces the Hatch Act, which limits partisan political activities by government employees—an issue drawing scrutiny as Trump administration officials continue publicly endorsing his policies. The ruling comes as Dellinger is challenging the removal of probationary workers who were fired as part of the Trump administration’s massive overhaul of the government. A federal board has halted the terminations of several probationary workers after Dellinger said their firings may have been unlawful.The ruling is a major legal setback for Trump’s efforts to reshape the federal workforce. It underscores the ongoing battle over protections for whistleblowers and civil servants.The case will likely have broader implications as Trump seeks to expand executive power. News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/03/04 Fair Housing Rights & Alien Land Laws: Challenges and Advocacy for the Asian American Community2025/03/05 The Global Economy at a Crossroads: U.S.-China in Focus2025/03/12 MSU Webinar on China Initiative2025/03/16 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/03/30 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting 2025/04/07 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/04/13 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/04/24-26 Committee of 100 Annual Conference and Gala2025/04/27 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting Visit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. 11-year-old Student Took His Own Life After Repeated Bullying According to Cleveland.com on February 28, 2025 , the parents of an 11-year-old boy in Akron filed a federal lawsuit, Gurung v. Akron Public Schools District Board of Education (5:25-cv-00374) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.The 41-page complaint alleges that Abyesh Thulung , born in a Bhutanese refugee camp in Nepal and U.S. citizen, died by suicide after enduring relentless racial bullying at Akron’s National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) Middle School. He was reportedly harassed online and at school, including being called racial slurs like “Ching Chong” and physically assaulted multiple times. Throughout the year, he visited the school nurse 11 times—four for injuries from attacks, the rest for stress-induced headaches and stomach pain.Despite clear signs of distress, the lawsuit claims school officials failed to intervene and, instead, punished Abyesh when he tried to defend himself. In addition, the Akron Public School District allegedly destroyed surveillance footage of a key incident leading up to his death and withheld parts of his educational records from his family.The lawsuit argues that the school’s negligence, failure to enforce anti-bullying policies, and disregard for Abyesh’s safety directly contributed to his tragic death. 3. The Global Economy at a Crossroads: U.S.-China in Focus WHAT: The Global Economy at a Crossroads: U.S.-China in Focus WHEN: March 5, 2025, 7:00 pm ET/4:00 pm PT WHERE: Webinar HOST: 1990 Institute and sponsors Moderator: Clay Dube , Director Emeritus and Senior Fellow, USC U.S.-China Institute Speakers: · Yuen Yuen Ang , Alfred Chandler Chair Professor of Political Economy at Johns Hopkins University · Andy Rothman , Founder and CEO of Sinology LLC DESCRIPTION: The U.S. and China represent the two largest economies in the world, with deeply interconnected yet often competing interests. Their economic relationship involves trade, investment, and technology exchanges, shaped by regulatory, cultural, and geopolitical factors. This workshop will explore the economic interdependencies between these two powers and provide a discussion into the impact of these unique yet interwoven economic landscapes. REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3QIqdms # # # 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 4, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #391 Marty Gold Speaks; Section 702 Extended 10 Days; ICE Arrest Kidnapping? Danhao Wang; + #391 Marty Gold Speaks; Section 702 Extended 10 Days; ICE Arrest Kidnapping? Danhao Wang; + In This Issue #391 · Marty Gold to Speak on Congressional Regrets of Chinese Exclusion Act · Congress Extends FISA Section 702 to April 30 · ICE Arrest in St. Paul Possible Kidnapping · Who Was Danhao Wang? · News and Activities for the Communities Marty Gold to Speak on Congressional Regrets of Chinese Exclusion Act In 2011 and 2012, both houses of the U.S. Congress passed formal resolutions expressing regret for the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and subsequent discriminatory laws. These bipartisan measures acknowledged that such legislation was incompatible with America's founding principles of equality and justice. On October 6, 2011, the U.S. Senate, led by Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) and nine bipartisan cosponsors, passed Resolution 201 unanimously and expressed regret for the passage of discriminatory laws that targeted people of Chinese descent. It reaffirmed the Senate's commitment to protecting the civil rights of all people regardless of race. On June 18, 2012, the U.S. House of Representatives, led by Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA) and 19 bipartisan cosponsors, passed Resolution 683 unanimously and expressed regret for legislation that adversely affected Chinese immigrants because of their ethnicity. A nonpartisan, grassroots effort, known as The 1882 Project , focused on educating lawmakers and the public about the Chinese Exclusion Laws and the impact such legislation had on our history and to raise national awareness. The successful project was led by five national organizations: · Chinese American Citizens Alliance · Committee of 100 · Japanese American Citizens League · National Council of Chinese Americans · Organization of Chinese Americans Martin B. Gold , an expert in legislative history and now Partner at Capitol Counsel, LLC, played a pivotal role as a key strategist and advocate in the 1882 Project. Serving as pro bono attorney for the project, he spent about 1,000 hours drafting, advocating, and advancing the proposals. Marty also authored the book Forbidden Citizens: Chinese Exclusion and the U.S. Congress: A Legislative History in 2012, documenting the legislative history of the exclusion acts and supported the case for congressional action. APA Justice created a timeline visualization of his 616-page book with 39 stories: https://www.tiki-toki.com/timeline/entry/78461/1882-Chinese-Exclusion-Act/ . May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate our culture and contributions to the United States — and to renew our commitment to justice and fairness. We are honored that Marty has agreed to join us as an invited speaker at the APA Justice monthly meeting on May 4, 2026. The virtual monthly meeting is by invitation only. It is closed to the press. If you wish to join, either one time or for future meetings, please contact one of the co-organizers of APA Justice - Vincent Wang 王文奎 and Jeremy Wu 胡善庆 - or send a message to contact@apajustice.org . Congress Extends FISA Section 702 to April 30 According to CBS News , New York Times , NPR , and multiple media reports, the House of Representatives voted in the early hours of April 17, 2026, to extend the expiring Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) for 10 days. The Senate followed a few hours later. Congress now has until April 30 to negotiate a longer-term solution. The standoff pits two cross-party coalitions against each other: privacy-focused lawmakers from both parties demanding warrant requirements before any long-term extension, versus national security hawks who want a clean reauthorization. Twenty libertarian-leaning Republicans broke with Speaker Mike Johnson and blocked both an 18-month and a 5-year extension from moving forward, despite President Donald Trump publicly pressuring Republicans to "unify" behind a no-strings-attached renewal. If lawmakers are unable to reach a compromise by April 30 and FISA 702 is allowed to lapse, intelligence collection could continue but would likely be subject to lawsuits from technology and telecommunications companies compelled to provide communications to the government. Notably, in March 2026, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court recertified the program's surveillance procedures, meaning intelligence agencies can legally continue operating through March 2027 even if the underlying statute expires. In an op-ed published by the New York Times on April 17, 2026, Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) made a bipartisan case against reauthorizing Section 702 of FISA without meaningful reforms. While acknowledging the law's legitimate intelligence value, they argue it has enabled widespread warrantless surveillance of ordinary Americans in violation of the Fourth Amendment — abuses they note have generated rare cross-party outrage in an era of deep political division. The abuses they cite are striking: FBI agents have searched the private communications of protesters, members of Congress, journalists, a state court judge, and 19,000 donors to a political campaign — all without a warrant. Their proposed remedy, the Security and Freedom Enhancement (SAFE) Act, would preserve the core surveillance authority while requiring court approval before the government can access the contents of Americans' communications swept up incidentally. It would also close what they call a significant loophole: federal agencies purchasing Americans' sensitive data — including cellphone location information — directly from data brokers to sidestep warrant requirements entirely. With AI potentially "supercharging" such surveillance, they warn the stakes are only growing. Their bottom line is unequivocal: "Simply extending the law without any changes to protect Americans' privacy should be off the table." On April 14, 2026, 53 Members of Congress — led by the Chairs of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and the Congressional Progressive Caucus — sent a letter to House and Senate leadership calling for meaningful Fourth Amendment protections for Section 702 of FISA, endorsed by over 30 advocacy organizations. Resources: · 2026/04/16 Brennan Center for Justice: Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA): 2026 Resource Page · 2026/03/24 APA Justice: Mass Surveillance and the ICE Crackdown: What the AAPI Community Needs to Know (1:04:32) · APA Justice timeline: Timeline Visualization of U.S. Mass Surveillance · APA Justice webpage: Warrantless Surveillance ICE Arrest in St. Paul Possible Kidnapping According to AP News , New York Times , and other media reports, officials in Ramsey County, which includes St. Paul, Minnesota, are investigating the warrantless arrest of ChongLy "Scott" Thao , a Hmong American U.S. citizen with no criminal record, as a potential case of kidnapping, burglary, and false imprisonment. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents bashed open the front door of Thao's St. Paul home with guns drawn, then led him outside in just his shorts and a blanket in freezing conditions. He was driven around in an ICE vehicle before being released. Ramsey County officials say there is "no indication" agents had a warrant for entry or arrest. ICE has claimed its agents were executing a search warrant and that Thao refused to be fingerprinted or identified. County Attorney John Choi and Sheriff Bob Fletcher have set an April 30 deadline for DHS to respond to their evidence request, after which they may sue or convene a grand jury. The case is part of broader tensions over federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota, with local officials asserting there is "no such thing as absolute immunity for federal agents." Who Was Danhao Wang? According to Detroit News , Michigan Daily , NBC News , South China Morning Post and multiple media reports, Chinese semiconductor researcher Danhao Wang , a postdoctoral scientist at the University of Michigan's College of Engineering, died by suicide on March 19, 2026, after being questioned by U.S. federal law enforcement. China's embassy in Washington confirmed the death, calling it a tragedy and accusing the U.S. of "overstretching" national security to harass Chinese students and scholars. Wang had been at Michigan since 2022, working in the lab of a prominent semiconductor and nanomaterials professor. His research on nitride semiconductors had been cited more than 4,000 times, and the college dean described him as a "promising and brilliant young mind." “This tragedy resonates in China because it reinforces a public perception that Chinese students in America often are subject to harassment from law enforcement officials,” said Ryan Hass , director of the John L. Thornton China Center. The incident has reignited scrutiny of how the U.S. government investigates Chinese-born scientists. The report traces a pattern going back over a decade — from the wrongful prosecutions of hydrologist Sherry Chen and physicist Xiaoxing Xi , to the Trump administration's China Initiative launched in 2018, which was eventually shut down in 2022 amid widespread criticism of racial profiling. Two other recent deaths — Northwestern neuroscientist Jane Wu in 2024 and Arizona State professor Nongjian Tao in 2020 — have similarly raised unresolved questions about whether federal scrutiny of researchers' China ties contributed to their deaths. News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2026/04/21 What does the Middle East war mean for Chinese Americans? 2026/05/04 APA Justice Monthly Meeting 2026/05/12-14 Celebrating 250 - Building America’s Future Together 2026/06/01 APA Justice Monthly MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. APA Justice February Monthly Meeting Summary Posted Summary for the February 2026 APA Justice monthly meeting has been posted at https://bit.ly/4epKWIL . We thank these distinguished speakers for sharing their insightful remarks and updates: · Judy Chu , Chair Emerita, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (introduction by Amanda Yuen , Legislative Aide) · Judith Teruya , Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus · Joanna YangQing Derman , Director, Anti-Profiling, Civil Rights & National Security Program, Advancing Justice | AAJC · Gisela Perez Kusakawa , Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) · Frank Wu, President, Queens College, City University of New York · Rosie Levine , Executive Director, US-China Education Trust · Elizabeth Rao, Daughter of Dr. Jane Wu 3. What Does the Middle East War Mean for Chinese Americans? WHAT : What does the Middle East war mean for Chinese Americans? WHEN : April 21, 2026, 3:00-3:45 pm ET WHERE : Webinar HOST : Committee of 100 Moderator : Ben Wu , former U.S. Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce Speaker : Thomas Krueger , Senior Policy Advisor, National Security and International Affairs, Akin Gump DESCRIPTION : This is part of the Equity Pulse series. Global politics moves fast. The U.S.-Iran conflict has opened space for China to assert new diplomatic influence, and the ripple effects are already being felt in U.S.-China relations. What does this mean for Chinese Americans with cross‑border family, work, and community ties? REGISTRATION : https://bit.ly/3QfWeFC # # # 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 20, 2026 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Chinese American? Who is a Chinese American? What is the Chinese American population? These questions may appear simple on the surface, but they are subject to definitions and interpretations. They have also evolved over time. Defining Chinese American For data collection purposes, the Office of Management and Budget is the official authority to define racial and ethnic categories for the United States. Today, Chinese American is a sub-category of Asian American, defined as "A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam." This government definition generally reflects a recognized social definition. It is not an attempt to define race biologically, anthropologically, or genetically, nor is it linked to the standard geographical definitions. In practice, an individual associates his or her race and ethnicity by self-identification. The U.S. Census Bureau produces official statistics on the Chinese American population according to this definition and self-identified data, which include U.S. citizens and nationals, as well as permanent residents. Under this definition and interpretation, a Chinese American may also be described as a Chinese in America. Definition used in social, legal and other applications may vary, such as the requirement of U.S. citizenship. Basic Statistics The first recorded arrival of three Chinese sailors in the U.S. travelled from Canton (now Guangzhou), China on board the ship Pallas to Baltimore, Maryland in August 1785. The first recorded Chinese immigrants arrived in the U.S. around 1820. By 1860, the census counted 34,933 Chinese living in California. More than three quarters of them were miners and laborers who first came to the U.S. during the 1848-1855 Gold Rush and then helped built and completed the First Transcontinental Railroad by 1869. The 2010 census showed that the Asian population grew faster than any other race group over the previous decade. Chinese Americans was the largest detailed Asian group, with about 3.3 million people reporting Chinese alone and an additional 700,000 people identifying as both Chinese and one or more additional detailed Asian groups and/or another race. According to the 2017 American Community Survey, the Census Bureau estimated a population of Chinese Americans of one or more races to be slightly over 5 million, or about 1.5% of the total U.S. population. Additional statistics on Chinese in America are available from, for example, the Census Bureau , the Migration Policy Institute , and the Pew Research Center . Beyond Statistics Beyond these statistics, the Chinese American population is complex as it has evolved over the past two hundred years. Several waves of immigrations have occurred; they were also severely repressed for more than 60 years under the Chinese Exclusion Act. There are American-born Chinese (ABC) whose roots have been here for generations; there are also recent naturalized citizens and immigrants of diverse economic and educational background who came from Hong Kong, Taiwan, China and the rest of the world. Not surprisingly, more in-depth understanding about the Chinese American population varies according to perspectives, experiences, and even aspirations, notably between ABCs and more recent naturalized citizens and immigrants. Two prominent Chinese American leaders of such diverse background, who have long been engaged with APA Justice, offer their views on this topic. They are: Frank H. Wu (吴华扬), William L. Prosser Distinguished Professor, University of California Hastings College of the Law and author of Yellow: Race in America Beyond Black and White . Frank was born in Cleveland, Ohio, son of Chinese immigrants from Taiwan. His paper, "The New Chinese Diaspora Embracing the Model Minority and Perpetual Foreigner? ," was orginally published in Chinese Historical Society of America: History & Perspectives . Chinese translation of the paper was made by Kathy Liu, Steve Ning, and Julia Pan. Xiaoyan Zhang (张小彥), visiting professor at University of Pittsburgh and Chair of United Chinese Americans (UCA). Xiaoyang was born in Beijing, China and came to the U.S. in the early 1980s. He is a naturalized U.S. citizen. Xiaoyan authored the UCA manifesto "From Sojourner to Citizen " in 2018 and shares a paper here "American Democracy in the Eyes of a New Immigrant from China " about his personal experience and understanding. A Chinese verison is also available. China Policy: Huaren and Huaqiao The Chinese diaspora, consisting of both Chinese living overseas who are citizens of China (huaqiao 华侨), and people of Chinese descent who are citizens of foreign countries (huaren 华人), have significantly shaped the making of modern China. China’s policy towards its diaspora is primarily governed by its national interests and foreign policy imperatives. However, the Chinese government has been careful to ensure that the huaqiao and the huaren fall into different policy domains: Chinese citizens living overseas are subject to China’s domestic policies, while Chinese descendants who are citizens of other countries come under China’s foreign affairs. Nevertheless, from the beginning, the latter continue to be regarded as kinsfolk distinct from other foreign nationals. The huaqiao-huaren distinction is often blurred in ordinary discourse and this has been a source of much misunderstanding. However, it has not been the policy of the Chinese government to blur this distinction, and it is acutely aware of the complexity of the issue and is therefore very cautious about implying any change. As such, when terms such as huaqiao-huaren are introduced in the official lexicon, they are meant to acknowledge certain historical and contemporary realities, and not to deliberately obfuscate the two categories. The use of the combined term is in fact a recognition of the clear-cut distinction between the two groups, and is meant to convey a semantic balance in which neither category is emphasized at the expense of the other. And more from below by Wu Xiaoan, professor of history at Peking University and director of its Centre for the Study of Chinese Overseas Huaren or huaqiao? Beijing respects the difference and is not coercing foreigners to toe its line China’s Evolving Policy Towards The Chinese Diaspora in Southeast Asia (1949–2018) US Policy: National, Citizenship, US Persons U.S. State Department on Dual Nationality and Citizenship : Section 101(a)(22) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) states that “the term ‘national of the United States’ means (A) a citizen of the United States, or (B) a person who, though not a citizen of the United States, owes permanent allegiance to the United States.” Therefore, U.S. citizens are also U.S. nationals. Non-citizen nationality status refers only individuals who were born either in American Samoa or on Swains Island to parents who are not citizens of the United States. The concept of dual nationality means that a person is a national of two countries at the same time. Each country has its own nationality laws based on its own policy. Persons may have dual nationality by automatic operation of different laws rather than by choice. For example, a child born in a foreign country to U.S. national parents may be both a U.S. national and a national of the country of birth. Or, an individual having one nationality at birth may naturalize at a later date in another country and become a dual national. U.S. law does not mention dual nationality or require a person to choose one nationality or another. A U.S. citizen may naturalize in a foreign state without any risk to his or her U.S. citizenship. However, persons who acquire a foreign nationality after age 18 by applying for it may relinquish their U.S. nationality if they wish to do so... Dual nationals owe allegiance to both the United States and the foreign country. They are required to obey the laws of both countries, and either country has the right to enforce its laws. It is important to note the problems attendant to dual nationality. Claims of other countries upon U.S. dual-nationals often place them in situations where their obligations to one country are in conflict with the laws of the other. For data collection and national security purposes, a "U.S. person" includes citizens, lawfully admitted permanent resident aliens, and corporations incorporated in the United States. See U.S. Code § 1801 (i): https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/50/1801 VS

Newsletter - #357 Vincent Wang Honored; 10/16 Webinar; Mike German Remarks/Impacts; NSF Politicization+ #357 Vincent Wang Honored; 10/16 Webinar; Mike German Remarks/Impacts; NSF Politicization+ In This Issue #357 · Vincent Wang Inducted into Ohio Civil Rights Hall of Fame · Reminder: 10/16 Webinar "Bridging Nations" · Mike German's Remarks and Impacts over Time · Politicization at the National Science Foundation · News and Activities for the Communities Vincent Wang Inducted into Ohio Civil Rights Hall of Fame Wenkui “Vincent” Wang 王文奎 , Co-Organizer of APA Justice, was inducted into the Ohio Civil Rights Hall of Fame at a ceremony and reception held at the Lincoln Theatre in Columbus, Ohio, on October 9, 2025.The Ohio Civil Rights Hall of Fame honors exceptional Ohioans recognized as pioneers in advancing human and civil rights, equality, and inclusion. Inductees are individuals who have made significant contributions to civil rights, cultural awareness, and understanding in pursuit of a more just society. Their achievements are officially recorded in Ohio’s history. This year’s class includes eight distinguished honorees.In accepting the honor, Vincent stated: “I am deeply humbled and honored to be inducted into the Ohio Civil Rights Hall of Fame, alongside seven extraordinary individuals who have devoted their lives to advancing civil and human rights in their communities. I accept this honor not for myself alone, but for everyone who refuses to stay silent in the face of injustice—for those who choose hope over fear,trust over suspicion,and bridges over walls. Together, we will continue to defend civil rights, advance immigrant rights, and strengthen the democratic ideals that bind us as one people. My deepest gratitude to the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, my fellow honorees, and all who continue to fight for a more just and inclusive Ohio—and America.” APA Justice congratulates Vincent on this distinguished recognition and his continued leadership in advancing civil and human rights.Watch the 2025 induction ceremony honoring Vincent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_jrtGze7nM (7:44) Reminder: 10/16 Webinar "Bridging Nations" Join APA Justice, Committee of 100, and the US-China Education Trust on Thursday October 16, 2025 at 8:00 p.m. ET for an expansive discussion of "Bridging Nations: People-to-People Exchange in U.S.-China Relations" with two distinguished Asian American ambassadors -- Ambassador Julia Chang Bloch and Governor Gary Locke – whose personal journeys and family histories bridge both nations. They will be joined in dialogue by Jessica Chen Weiss , David M. Lampton Professor of China Studies at Johns Hopkins SAIS.Register to attend the webinar by scanning the QR code above or clicking this link: https://bit.ly/20251016Webinar Mike German's Remarks and Impacts over Time On October 6, 2025, Mike German , Retired Fellow, Liberty & National Security, Brennan Center for Justice spoke at the APA Justice monthly meeting to reflect on his career and share his insightful thoughts.Mike opened by thanking APA Justice, Gisela Perez Kusakawa and Pat Eddington , noting with humor that his retirement “is not an obituary” and that he remains available to help.Reflecting on his career in the FBI, Mike described his years working undercover to infiltrate white nationalist networks. He emphasized that white nationalism is not a fringe ideology, as it is often portrayed, but rather a foundational force in American history that continues to influence society today. While his focus as an agent had been to stop people plotting violence, trafficking illegal weapons, and manufacturing explosives, the experience revealed to him how deeply these extremist ideologies are woven into the history of the United States—and how prevalent it still is.He observed that it has become easier to express such views openly in recent years. Mike left the FBI in 2004 after witnessing how the Global War on Terrorism was scapegoating Muslim Americans as a generalized threat. He recognized how easily those same FBI investigative methods could be turned against other communities. He had already seen a lot of targeting of the Asian American community in that process, particularly during the first Trump administration, when the China Initiative made such targeting more explicit. Mike was very pleased to be introduced to Jeremy and APA Justice, and so many of you. He already knew Gisella and Joanne. He shared how meaningful it was to connect with all of us who were ready to respond constructively. Together, we created a webinar series that educated policymakers, journalists, and the public about discriminatory practices within federal law enforcement.Mike said one of the most significant outcomes of that series was its impact on the media. In 2017 and 2018, coverage of alleged “China Initiative” cases was not very nuanced. When the FBI made an arrest, it was written in sensational terms, adopting the government’s accusations uncritically—before, months or even years later, it was discovered that the evidence was not nearly as strong as claimed, or had been mischaracterized. Through the webinars, the community helped reporters and scholars understand the broader context, which led to more nuanced, skeptical, and fairer coverage. We started to see that shift in the media. That change, Mike said, helped everyone and strengthened the quality of public discussion. It fueled better scholarship, and we were involved in identifying problems with the system.Mike credited the Asian American community’s remarkable organization and capacity for collective action as a central reason for this success. Having worked with many communities targeted by government programs, he noted that this one is unique in its resources, professionalism, and connections at high levels of government. He encouraged the group to extend that strength outward—supporting other communities who may now face similar injustices. He highlighted CAPAC and Judith’s collaborative work with the Congressional Black Caucus and others as examples of solidarity, stressing that “ultimately, it’s all the same issue.” Drawing on lessons from his undercover work, Mike reflected that the use of racial grievance to divide society is a powerful and enduring tool. If one community can be scapegoated, any can. He urged everyone to stay vigilant, to help others before they are directly targeted, and to recognize how division is used to weaken all of us.Although this is an old lesson, we, unfortunately, have to learn over and over again across generations. Mike said he is encouraged by the community’s strong organizational spirit and leadership. Looking ahead, Mike expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming webinar series co-organized by APA Justice, the Committee of 100 (C100), and the US-China Education Trust (USCET). He said the new series continues the essential work of promoting understanding in an era when media is fragmented and misinformation can easily amplify through narrow portals without understanding the nature of the threats that exist—or how those threats can be sensationalized and manipulated.Mike urged policymakers to focus on genuine threats rather than policies that harm innocent and productive individuals who are contributing to our society. Mike also invited participants to connect with organizations in Latino, Black, immigrant, and LGBTQ communities, offering to help make introductions so that knowledge and resources can be shared across movements. Mike closed by reaffirming his commitment to the cause:“Let’s keep working together. Keep up the good work… and if there’s anything I can do to help, just let me know.”***** The webinar series on the China Initiative (2020-2021) Beginning in September 2020, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, APA Justice Task Force, APAPA, the Brennan Center for Justice, and United Chinese Americans (UCA) hosted a series of five webinars examining the civil rights and national security implications of the U.S. Department of Justice’s “China Initiative.”The series explored how this initiative—launched under the guise of countering economic espionage—disproportionately targeted Chinese American and Chinese immigrant scientists, often conflating legitimate academic collaboration with national security threats. Drawing historical parallels from the Chinese Exclusion Act to modern racial profiling, the webinars highlighted how recurring cycles of suspicion and xenophobia continue to harm Asian American communities and undermine U.S. democratic and scientific values.Featuring voices from civil rights organizations, academia, science, and law, the series aimed to raise public awareness, promote accountability, and foster dialogue toward protecting both civil liberties and national security. 1. 2020/09/30 The Human and Scientific Costs of The "China Initiative" ( YouTube 1:00:15) · Moderator: Mike German . Panelists: Steven Chu 朱棣文 , Margaret Lewis 陸梅吉 , John Yang 杨重远 2. 2020/12/02 Policy Needs for U.S. Science and Scientists ( YouTube 1:13:35) · Moderator: Mike German . Panelists: Alice S. Huang 黄诗厚 , Neal Lane , Sarina Neote , Xiaoxing Xi 郗小星 3. 2021/02/24 Building Coalition Against “China Initiative” Discrimination: Fighting racial targeting of Asian Americans and communities of color, past & present ( YouTube 1:16:13) · Moderator: Faiza Patel. Keynote: Judy Chu 赵美心. Panelists: Karen Korematsu , Becky Monroe , Leslie Wong 4. 2021/04/28 Legal Resources and Policy Advocacy: How to Combat Racial Profiling Under the “China Initiative" ( YouTube 1:05:36) · Moderator: Mike German . Panelists: Susan Lee 李凤迁 , Patrick Toomey , Frank Wu 吴华扬 , John Yang 杨重远 5. 2021/06/23 The Mistrial of Professor Anming Hu under the "China Initiative” ( YouTube 1 :12:52) · Moderator: Mike German . Keynote: Ted Lieu 刘云平 , Susan Lee 李凤迁 . Panelists: Phil Lomonaco , Guiyou Huang 黄桂友 , Margaret Lewis 陸梅吉 Politicization at the National Science Foundation On September 19, 2025, Science reported that the National Science Foundation (NSF) is held captive as Trump directives have undermined a 75-year history of independence and threaten the agency's vaunted track record for excellence.NSF, long regarded as the U.S. government’s most independent science agency, has seen its autonomy erode sharply under the Trump administration, according to scientists, former officials, and internal records. Once guided by peer-reviewed merit, NSF’s funding and priorities are now increasingly directed by White House political appointees and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which reportedly gives “thumbs-up or -down” to vetted research proposals.A hallmark example came when NSF abruptly cut its Graduate Research Fellowship program in half—then restored it only after “direct intervention” from the White House. The White House has ordered the $9 billion agency to abandon long-running programs, terminate more than 2000 grants, and reverse decisions on what to fund next based on the administration’s political agenda, which excludes DEI efforts, climate change research, and even mathematics institutes like UCLA's Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics (IPAM), whose grants were suspended after the DOJ accused UCLA of antisemitism—later overturned by a federal judge.NSF is also making radical changes in its daily operations, including sharply reducing its reliance on top academic scientists on loan from their institutions and realigning the agency’s entire grantmaking apparatus to conform to Trump’s priorities.Critics say the administration’s agenda—focused on AI, quantum science, and industrial partnerships while defunding DEI and climate initiatives—marks a departure from NSF’s founding mission to fund “the best ideas across all fields.” As one former NSF official warned, “This administration doesn’t buy the idea that the government’s investment in basic research buys us anything useful.”Internal morale has plummeted. Senior leaders, including computing director Gregory Hager and former director Sethuraman Panchanathan , resigned over political interference. NSF is also eliminating most of its rotator scientists, a move seen as consolidating control and silencing independent scientific judgment.Several programs illustrate the shift: · The Carpentries, a nonprofit training underrepresented coders, was told to strip DEI language from its NSF proposal or lose funding. · A $75 million AI project was restructured to include Nvidia, aligning with Trump’s industrial priorities. · A New Mexico water initiative lost out after tailoring its proposal to avoid DEI language but still not meeting “NSF priorities.” Observers fear the reorganization will replace scientific leadership with political oversight, echoing what one former official compared to “Soviet-style political commissars.” Many warn that the cumulative effect of small changes could permanently redirect the agency’s mission away from open, merit-based science toward politically filtered research serving executive priorities. News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/10/16 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 Law2025/11/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/11/20 Cook County Circuit Court Hearing2025/11/25 Committee of 100 Conversations – “Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes” with Elaine ChaoVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. C100 Conversations: Elaine Chao 赵小兰 WHAT : Conversations, Recollections, Pioneers and Heros: Elaine Chao 赵小兰 WHEN : November 25, 2025, 6:00 pm ET WHERE : Online event HOST : Committee of 100 Moderator: Peter Young , Chair of the Conversations Initiative and Committee of 100 New York Regional Chair and Board Member Speaker : Elaine Chao , 24th U.S. Secretary of Labor and 18th U.S. Secretary of Transportation DESCRIPTION : Secretary Elaine Chao is the first Asian-Pacific American woman to serve in the President’s cabinet in American history. She has been confirmed to two cabinet positions by the United States Senate on a strong bipartisan basis: U. S. Secretary of Labor and U. S. Secretary of Transportation. She will reflect on her remarkable journey as an immigrant, trailblazer, and leader at the highest levels of government, and her insights on leadership, resilience, and service to the nation. REGISTRATION : https://bit.ly/48ozpXq # # # APA Justice Task Force is a non-partisan platform to build a sustainable ecosystem that addresses racial profiling concerns and to facilitate, inform, and advocate on selected issues related to justice and fairness for the Asian Pacific American community. For more information, please refer to the new APA Justice website under development at www.apajusticetaskforce.org . We value your feedback. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org . Back View PDF October 14, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #342 Citizenship Order Blocked; Monthly Meeting Recap; Perkins Coie on Government Scrutiny+ #342 Citizenship Order Blocked; Monthly Meeting Recap; Perkins Coie on Government Scrutiny+ In This Issue #342 · Legal Challenges Continue to Block Trump’s Executive Order on Birthright Citizenship · Summary of 2025/07/07 APA Justice Monthly Meeting (in progress) · Facing Government Scrutiny? Read This from Perkins Coie · News and Activities for the Communities Legal Challenges Continue to Block Trump’s Executive Order on Birthright Citizenship According to AP , CNN , Just Security , and multiple media reports, President Trump’s January 20, 2025, Executive Order 14160, which seeks to deny automatic U.S. citizenship to children born on American soil with non‑citizen parents, remains blocked by federal court rulings despite a recent Supreme Court decision that limited the reach of nationwide injunctions.On June 27, 2025, the Supreme Court held that individual district judges may no longer issue universal nationwide injunctions. However, it clarified that class-action injunctions remain valid, preserving a legal pathway for nationwide relief under certain circumstances.One such ruling came from U.S. District Judge Joseph LaPlante in New Hampshire, who certified a class of affected children and issued a nationwide injunction that remains in effect pending appeal. Although the Supreme Court’s decision would have allowed the order to take effect on July 27 in states not covered by separate injunctions, Judge LaPlante’s ruling ensures continued nationwide protection.“The judge’s order protects every single child whose citizenship was called into question by this illegal executive order,” Cody Wofsy , the ACLU attorney representing children who would be affected by Trump’s restrictions, said. “The government has not appealed and has not sought emergency relief so this injunction is now in effect everywhere in the country.”Elsewhere, U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin of Massachusetts is weighing whether to maintain a previously issued nationwide injunction or to narrow or stay it in light of the Supreme Court’s decision. During a recent hearing, Judge Sorokin appeared skeptical of the government’s arguments. Using an analogy about a noisy neighbor and a hastily proposed wall to block sound, he questioned how the government intended to comply with the law: “What you are telling me is we will do it but, in response to my question, you have no answer how you will do it,” he said. U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman of Maryland stated in an opinion on July 18 that she would grant class action status on behalf of all children affected by the executive order and grant a preliminary injunction blocking it. But she did not immediately rule, noting a previous decision of hers to block the order was on appeal to the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court and that court would have to return the case to her. Judge Boardman said an immediate ruling from her would “promote judicial efficiency and economy because it would enable the Fourth Circuit to consider the merits of a class-wide preliminary injunction sooner rather than later.” At the core of these lawsuits is the 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868 in response to the Dred Scott decision, which denied citizenship to African Americans. In United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898), the Supreme Court affirmed that children born in the U.S. to non-citizen immigrant parents are citizens by birth, unless their parents are foreign diplomats or enemy occupiers. This precedent remains a foundational element of birthright citizenship law—and the focal point of the current legal battles. Summary of 2025/07/07 APA Justice Monthly Meeting (in progress) The APA Justice monthly meeting on July 7, 2025, featured timely and urgent presentations from several distinguished speakers addressing the challenges facing higher education, civil rights, and immigrant communities amid escalating political pressures. Below is a summary of the remarks from four of the speakers: 1. Lynn Pasquerella, President of the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) President Lynn Pasquerella expressed deep concern about the future of American higher education and democracy. She pointed out that this is a moment of enormous significance that brings a renewed sense of urgency to our nation’s historic mission of educating for democracy. It is also a time of growing moral distress, in which campus leaders feel coerced into making decisions they believe are unethical decisions and they feel they have no choice but to make. They are continually forced to confront the question: How much individual injustice should be tolerated for the sake of long-term reform? As a result, for many, that moral distress has morphed into a kind of moral injury—arising from the continuous erosion of their moral compass and the ongoing challenges to their deeply held values characterized by deepening ideological divides. Development of Existential Threat to Higher Education 2023 brought attacks on DEI, a Supreme Court decision banning race-based admissions, and legislation introduced in 42 states to implement educational gag orders—limiting speech around race, gender, and other so-called “divisive concepts.” At the end of that year, the presidents of Harvard, MIT, and Penn were called before the Congressional Committee on Education and the Workforce to answer for and atone for alleged antisemitism on their campuses—accusations attributed to their institutions’ emphasis on DEI. At the December 5 hearings on Capitol Hill, Representative Virginia Foxx’s opening statement was not only against those university presidents, but against higher education as a whole. Those hearings foreshadowed the first 100 days of President Trump’s second term, marked by unprecedented government overreach and political intrusion into nearly every aspect of college and university operations. This included the withdrawal of billions of dollars in federal research funding, caps on indirect costs for grants awarded by NIH and the Department of Energy, and the elimination of spending on research topics like race, transgender health, women’s issues, climate change, misinformation, and COVID-19. Within his first two and a half weeks in office, four executive orders were signed directly targeting transgender individuals. And within another two weeks, a Dear Colleague letter from the Department of Education directed colleges and universities to eliminate all DEI initiatives in hiring, curriculum, and co-curricular activities. A separate executive order mandated that higher education accrediting bodies remove all DEI-related standards, claiming that "radical left" accreditors had allowed campuses to be overrun by “Marxist maniacs and lunatics.” Targeting of Chinese and International Students We saw hundreds of international students detained and thousands more have their visas terminated. Limits were removed on ICE agents’ activities on college campuses. In states like Florida, campus security officers were given authority to perform immigration enforcement functions. Despite First Amendment protections, the President threatened the arrest and deportation of international students and faculty who participated in pro-Palestinian protests. Funding for study abroad and international scholarships was suspended. Harvard was warned that its ability to admit international students would be revoked unless it provided detailed records on all such students. Although Harvard complied, a month later Secretary Kristi Noem declared that international students would no longer be eligible for admission to Harvard, and existing international students were told they must transfer immediately or face visa termination. Travel bans were implemented for citizens of 12 countries, and heightened visa restrictions were placed on those from seven others. On June 9, the government announced that all student visa applicants—regardless of country of origin—must unlock their social media accounts for review. One consequence of this has been that colleges and universities with high international student populations now face credit risk. Moody’s has warned of downgrades to credit ratings—particularly for the 11% of American institutions where international students make up more than 20% of the student body. The reemerging climate of fear and intimidation for Chinese students—echoes of the 77 cases brought by the Department of Justice under the "China Initiative." Although most cases were dismissed due to lack of evidence, the chilling effect on Chinese and Asian American researchers remains. During the program’s enforcement, departures of Asian researchers from the U.S. increased by 75%. Although the initiative ended in 2022, recent attempts to revive it have reaffirmed a deep sense of uncertainty among Asian and Asian American students. Efforts led by Marco Rubio and others, which many see as the weaponization of a population that has contributed significantly to the nation's economic development and academic excellence by bringing in global talent and diverse perspectives. During the last academic year, 200,398 Chinese students were studying in the U.S.—122,778 of them graduate students in STEM fields. These are the very students now being targeted. What has unfolded constitutes an existential threat to American colleges and universities—institutions founded on the principles of the free exchange of ideas, the unfettered pursuit of truth, and independence from unwarranted governmental and political interference. Call to Action In April 2025, AAC&U, alongside the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, released a statement entitled A Call for Constructive Engagement , outlining what is at stake for America’s prosperity should the critical partnership between government and higher education continue to unravel. For the first time, sitting presidents of colleges and universities came together in large numbers to respond to attacks from the Trump administration. The statement made clear that while presidents and leaders of scholarly societies are open to constructive reform and do not oppose legitimate government oversight, they will stand together against efforts to restrict or undermine the freedoms fundamental to American higher education. The process leading to the statement revealed the pressures campus leaders are experiencing. AAC&U held two virtual meetings where 193 campus leaders came together. Many spoke of needing board approval to speak out, others described pressure from state governors, and many feared media backlash. Yet nearly all cited growing demands from faculty and students to defend their institutions’ core principles and push back against efforts to control curriculum or restrict freedom of expression. We know from the recent removal of the President of the University of Virginia that concern over government overreach is real. That incident reaffirmed a conviction that emerged: If everyone exercises a little moral courage, no one person has to be the hero. This is a moment for all of us to come together across sectors and lead with moral courage. When one university is threatened, it is the responsibility of all institutions to respond. As philosopher John Dewey reminds us—democracy is not just a system of government, but a way of life. It depends on an educated and engaged citizenry, capable of making independent judgments, challenging authority, and participating meaningfully in public discourse. 2. Tony Chan 陳繁昌, Former President of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and Former President of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology After having spent 20 years teaching at UCLA, Tony spent the following 15 years abroad—including six years as the President of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia. Tony talked about his article, The Role of Research Universities in a Changing World Order , which was recently published in Not Alone by Elsevier. Recent Developments Since the article was written in early 2025 Much has changed since March—Harvard’s authority to admit international students and its tax-exempt status are under threat, visa policies have shifted, and there have been dramatic funding cuts to the NIH and NSF. The NSF’s Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences, where Tony once served, faces a proposed 75% cut. This level of disruption affects all research universities and makes long-term planning nearly impossible. We have also seen a wave of university president resignations. The landscape is shifting rapidly, and academia is scrambling to respond. It is no longer just about campus governance—it is about our role in society and in global competitiveness. Tony framed his article around East-West academic competition—particularly between the U.S. and China, though India now plays a growing role. Talent Flow and Research Collaboration Recently, Tony co-founded a virtual platform called " Dialogue on Asian Universities ” (DAU). On June 23, DAU had its 11th dialogue, titled Tectonic Shift in the Global Talent Chain: The Forces of Technology and Geopolitics , where Tony moderated a conversation between the presidents of two Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)—Delhi and Mumbai—and a leading AI researcher from Tsinghua University, formerly a senior VP at Microsoft in Redmond. Ten years ago, 90% of IIT graduates came to the U.S. Today, that trend has reversed: 90% stay in India, where opportunities are booming. The same is true in China, which is actively attracting returnees at the peak of their careers. Chinese students once saw the U.S. as the obvious destination. Now, many are reconsidering—questioning whether it’s worth investing years here under such uncertainty. There is a push from the U.S.—visa hurdles, political hostility—and a growing pull from home countries. Tony gave two striking examples: 1. DeepSeek, a competitive AI model to ChatGPT, was built in China by graduates who never studied abroad. That is a wake-up call. 2. Meta has been hiring talent away from OpenAI—many of these AI researchers are young, Chinese-born, and U.S.-trained. So while the government tries to limit student visas, industry thrives on the very people being pushed out. There is a major contradiction. When it comes to research collaboration, the trend has also reversed. Fifteen years ago, U.S. faculty were eager to collaborate globally—especially with China. Now, fears over dual-use technologies and national security have shut many doors. This is understandable to a degree, but we have managed dual-use issues before—through clearances and containment. What we have now is a blanket policy that hinders not just collaboration with China, but progress on global challenges like climate, energy, and health. Joint ventures are collapsing. Multiple American-Chinese university partnerships—at Berkeley, Michigan, and Georgia Tech—have closed under political pressure. Others are likely considering exit strategies. Recommendations Universities represent something deeper: values, leadership, and change in society. What is happening now has broader implications—for all of society. Here is the irony: the Chinese system is often criticized for authoritarianism, lack of free speech, and human rights issues. Yet, in recent years, Tony has seen a disturbing erosion of these very things in the U.S. He offered four recommendations: 1. Academia must remember its core mission —to serve society and humanity for the long term. Bending to short-term political pressure may be expedient but risks undermining academic integrity, reputation, and the ability to attract talent. 2. Universities must adapt to shifting geopolitical and economic realities . Ignoring national security concerns is not an option. But universities should propose pragmatic frameworks that enable collaboration within necessary constraints. 3. Reaffirm academic freedom . Without that, there is no point in having American-style universities. 4. Leadership requires courage . It is easier to do nothing. But if you are in a leadership position, that is not an option. If you cannot lead, you should step aside. The bigger question is: how did we let it get this far without the public engaging? When we speak, people assume it is self-interest. We need third-party voices to make the case for why academia matters—beyond campus walls. 3. Clay Zhu 朱可亮, Founder and President, Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance (CALDA) Clay provided updates on two major lawsuits challenging government actions targeting Chinese students and property buyers. In early April, CALDA learned about the mass termination of student status for thousands of international students, most of whom are from China. In response, CALDA filed a case, Chen v. Noem (4:25-cv-03292) , in the Northern District of California. On May 22, the judge issued a nationwide preliminary injunction . As a result, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) statuses of most affected students have been restored. However, CALDA also discovered that, simultaneously, DHS and ICE had terminated the students' SEVIS statuses, and the State Department had revoked their student visas. CALDA does not yet have an exact count of how many students are affected but plans to amend the complaint to add the State Department as an additional defendant, in an effort to restore the revoked visas. Due to the recent Supreme Court decision in CASA Inc. v. Trump (8:25-cv-00201) , CALDA may also need to further amend the complaint to pursue the case as a class action. Meanwhile, in Texas, Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 17 (SB17) into law on June 20, 2025. The bill restricts certain foreign purchases of real property in Texas. CALDA filed a motion for a preliminary injunction and a motion for class certification the day before Independence Day. This is one of the first cases filed under the recent Supreme Court ruling in CASA v. Trump, which prompted CALDA to file these lawsuits on a class-action basis. CALDA is currently awaiting a judge assignment and hearing date. Since the law takes effect on September 1, there is less than two months to obtain a court decision—followed potentially by an appeal. Clay, expressing both gratitude for American opportunities and frustration at current policies, emphasized that CALDA’s legal efforts aim to protect constitutional rights and ensure due process for affected Chinese individuals. 4. Joanna YangQing Derman, Director, Anti-Profiling, Civil Rights & National Security Program, Advancing Justice | AAJC, jderman@advancingjustice-aajc.org Without going into the details of Texas Senate Bill SB17, Joanna highlighted several other top-line actions from AAJC. On July 2, AAJC transmitted a bipartisan letter from AAPI leaders to members of Congress, urging broader protection for the safety of the AAPI community. It was signed by senior former government and elected officials, as well as community and public service leaders. (Please contact Joanna if you would like a copy of the letter.)AAJC, along with the Asian American Scholars Forum (AASF), Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA), and Stop AAPI Hate, also led a coalition letter representing 64 organizations addressed to Secretary Marco Rubio . His newly proposed visa policy—issued without meaningful clarity—harms the safety and well-being of students, undermines American values, and jeopardizes the nation’s academic, technological, and economic leadership. The letter called for a halt to the implementation of the May 28 policy announcement to “aggressively revoke the visas of Chinese international students,” including those in “critical fields.”There have also been several Supreme Court decisions in recent weeks. AAJC, along with the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs and OCA, condemned the recent Supreme Court ruling in CASA v. Trump, which significantly limits the ability of lower courts to issue "universal injunctions." Executive Order 14160, which seeks to end birthright citizenship for individuals born in the United States whose parents had certain immigration statuses, may now go into effect on a case-by-case basis. AAJC remains confident that related litigation will result in the Executive Order being ruled unconstitutional. AAJC has also issued press statements on other Supreme Court decisions, which can be found on the AAJC website. Facing Government Scrutiny? Read This from Perkins Coie On June 26, 2025, Perkins Coie LLP, a large international law firm headquartered in Seattle, Washington, hosted Compliance Collective webinars aimed at helping nonprofit and university leaders stay ahead of the curve when it comes to government investigations and inquiries. With oversight from executive agencies and legislative bodies on the rise, organizations in the nonprofit and higher education sectors are increasingly likely to encounter subpoenas, information requests, and other official actions. These sessions offered practical advice and up-to-date strategies to ensure leaders are well-prepared to respond effectively and protect their institutions.The webinars focused on two principal avenues of risk: (1) revocation of tax-exempt status by the IRS, and (2) law enforcement and regulatory inquiries, including subpoenas, congressional investigations, and government raids. These risks are increasingly intertwined, with legislative and executive actions targeting activities perceived as contrary to public policy or law. Perkins Coie has shared two documents summarizing the insights from the webinars: · Essential Strategies for Navigating Government Inquiries o Legal Frameworks and Areas of Exposure o Practical Guidance for Risk Assessment and Response o Developing Robust Policies and Procedures · Search Warrants: Dos and Don’ts Perkins Coie concludes that in an increasingly uncertain regulatory environment, nonprofit organizations and higher education institutions must proactively identify and assess their unique risks, establish clear protocols for government interactions, and ensure ongoing board and management engagement. Tailored compliance strategies, informed by legal counsel and aligned with organizational mission and risk tolerance, are essential to navigating the evolving landscape of government scrutiny. Perkins Coie welcomes interested parties to contact any of the following presenters or Perkins Coie representative for more in-depth guidance or legal support. · Jamie Schafer, Partner, JSchafer@perkinscoie.com · Jean-Jacques Cabou, Firmwide Co-Chair, White Collar & Investigations Practice, Partner, JCabou@perkinscoie.com · Angela Jones, Deputy General Counsel, Partner, AJones@perkinscoie.com · Richard Sevcik, Firmwide Chair, Tax-Exempt Organizations Practice, Partner, RSevcik@perkinscoie.com News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/07/25-27 Asian American Pioneer Medal Symposium and Ceremony 2025/07/29 C100 Conversations – “Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes” with Linda Chao Yang2025/07/29 From Heartland to Mainland: 2025 Future Ag Leaders Delegation2025/07/31-08/10 Asian American International Film Festival2025/08/02-07 2025 Joint Statistical Meetings2025/08/04 APA Justice Monthly MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. 1990 Institute Youth Symposium WHAT: 1990 Institute Youth Symposium — Roots and Wings: Celebrating Asian American Youth with the Power of Community WHEN: September 6, 2025, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm PT WHERE: College of San Mateo, 1700 W Hillsdale Blvd, San Mateo, CA 94401 HOST: 1990 Institute DESCRIPTION: This inaugural Youth Symposium is more than a one-day event. It is our first large-scale, cross-generational outreach initiative and marks a major milestone for the 1990 Institute as we navigate this fast-changing and challenging time, and position ourselves as a leader in addressing the most pressing and relevant issues impacting our community. It builds upon 1990’s legacy educational programming and supports our core mission. REGISTRATION : https://bit.ly/4m79Q0D # # # APA Justice Task Force is a non-partisan platform to build a sustainable ecosystem that addresses racial profiling concerns and to facilitate, inform, and advocate on selected issues related to justice and fairness for the Asian Pacific American community. For more information, please refer to the new APA Justice website under development at www.apajusticetaskforce.org . We value your feedback. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org . Back View PDF July 21, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #303 Gene Wu on Being American; CALDA/Franklin Tao; Judy Chu; Bracing for Threats in SF; + #303 Gene Wu on Being American; CALDA/Franklin Tao; Judy Chu; Bracing for Threats in SF; + In This Issue #303 · Gene Wu: Being American and Shaping America · CALDA and Professor Franklin Tao's Lawsuit · Rep. Judy Chu's Remarks at 01/06 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · Bracing for Threats in San Francisco · News and Activities for the Communities From Governor Gavin Newsom's Office - Get Help Today on LA Fires Californians can go to CA.gov/LAfires – a hub for information and resources from state, local and federal government. Individuals and business owners who sustained losses from wildfires in Los Angeles County can apply for disaster assistance: · Online at DisasterAssistance.gov · Calling 800-621-3362 · By using the FEMA smart phone application · Assistance is available in over 40 languages · If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Please share with your families, friends, and colleagues in the Los Angeles area. Gene Wu: Being American and Shaping America Gene Wu 吳元之 came from China to the U.S. when he was four. Today he is the Chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus. His district covers part of Houston, a blue city in a red state.On December 31, 2024, Gene Wu was interviewed in a podcast by Define American with Jose Antonio Vargas , Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, filmmaker, and immigration rights activist. Gene Wu addressed a range of issues on being American, how immigrants continue to shape America, and systemic issues faced by the Chinese American and all immigrant communities today. Highlights of his talk: 1. Immigration Policy · Gene Wu frames immigration as a cornerstone of America’s success, advocating for education-based green cards and policies to attract global talent. · Criticizes restrictive immigration laws for contributing to labor shortages and economic challenges. 2. Systemic Challenges for Immigrants · Highlights issues like racial prejudice, hate crimes, and lack of trust in law enforcement among immigrant communities. · Warns against policies that undermine community safety by damaging relationships between immigrants and law enforcement. 3. Media Narratives on Immigration · Criticizes the media for oversimplifying immigration issues and failing to accurately portray the struggles and contributions of immigrant communities. 4. Political Leadership and Advocacy · Calls out policymakers for lacking nuanced understanding of immigrant issues. · Advocates for proactive community engagement to push for political change and counter discriminatory policies. 5. Coalition Building · As Chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, plans to unite diverse racial and cultural groups to fight discrimination and build alliances for shared goals. 6. Personal Leadership and Vision · Draws on his immigrant background to champion equitable policies. · Emphasizes the importance of collective action and public advocacy to influence political and societal outcomes. Watch the podcast and get to know Gene Wu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de-RCgAMm8Y (37:31). According to AsAmNews and the Houston Chronicle , Gene Wu has sparked widespread discussion with his viral comments emphasizing the interconnected struggles of Asian and Black communities in the fight for civil rights from the podcast. Gene Wu argued that the privileges many Asian Americans enjoy today would not exist without the sacrifices made by Black Americans during the civil rights movement. He said, “The day the Latino, African American, Asian, and other communities realize that they share the same oppressor is the day we start winning because we are the majority now.” Wu highlighted how stereotypes, such as the “model minority” myth imposed on Asian Americans, have been used to pit minority groups against each other. His comments have resonated widely, going viral on social media platforms focused on Black and Asian audiences. They have also reignited discussions about the shared struggles of minority groups in the United States and the importance of unity in addressing systemic racism. Godfrey C. Danchimah Jr. , or simply Godfrey, is a Nigerian American comedian, impressionist and actor. He posted an Instagram response , in which he said, "I’m so happy that they’re having this conversation because black people and Asians are actually very similar. Here’s a fun fact, Bruce Lee 李小龙 , when he was in San Francisco, his first student was an African American." CALDA and Professor Franklin Tao's Lawsuit AsAmNews , Inside Higher Ed , NBC News , South China Morning Post , The Topeka Capital-Journal , and multiple other media have reported on the lawsuit filed by Professor Feng "Franklin" Tao (陶丰) against the University of Kansas (KU). APA Justice is tracking the case of Tao v. University of Kansas (2:25-cv-02005) with CourtListener.As the first academic indicted under the China Initiative in August 2019, Professor Tao endured a grueling five-year legal battle before being fully acquitted of all charges in July 2024. Despite his exoneration, KU has refused to reinstate Professor Tao to his tenured position.On January 8, 2025, the Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance (CALDA) 华美维权同盟 posted a Chinese-language report titled " 陶丰教授起诉堪萨斯大学歧视不公，CALDA全力以赴支持打响维权之战 " ("Professor Franklin Tao is suing the University of Kansas for discrimination and unfair treatment. CALDA is fully committed to supporting the fight for his rights").According to the report, CALDA has been actively working within the legal community to find attorneys who can seek justice for Professor Tao. After extensive discussions and careful negotiations with numerous experienced lawyers, they successfully helped Professor Tao secure legal representation from Karen R. King , a partner at Morvillo Abramowitz Grand Iason & Anello PC, a prestigious New York law firm with a 50-year history of excellence, along with her team. Karen R. King and her colleagues have agreed to represent Professor Tao pro bono, offering their services without compensation. Since the case will be heard in federal court in Kansas, a local Kansas attorney is required to participate. To further reduce Professor Tao’s litigation burden, CALDA will also cover part of the fees and case-related expenses for the local attorney in Kansas, fully supporting Professor Tao in his pursuit of justice.Attorney Karen R. King has extensive experience in complex litigation, U.S. economic sanctions compliance, regulatory enforcement, internal investigations, securities litigation, and strategic legal consulting. She has represented global financial institutions, international corporations, and individuals in numerous cases before federal and state courts, as well as in investigations by U.S. regulatory and enforcement agencies.Karen is also dedicated to public service, assisting the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) in addressing anti-Asian hate and violence issues and achieving notable successes in related Supreme Court advocacy. She was named an "Outstanding Leader" by the New York Law Journal in September 2022 and recognized as one of the "Outstanding Women in Law" by New York Business in June 2023.Read the CALDA report: https://bit.ly/3C26avy Rep. Judy Chu's Remarks at 01/06 APA Justice Monthly Meeting On January 6, 2025, Congresswoman Judy Chu , Chair Emeritus of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) delivered a heartfelt New Year welcome, addressing the challenges faced by Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities and highlighting the progress achieved through collective advocacy. As she has done in recent years during APA Justice’s January Monthly Meetings, Congresswoman Chu reaffirmed her commitment to advancing civil rights and combating discrimination. Congresswoman Chu recounted the inception of the APA Justice Task Force in 2015, emphasizing its formation to address racial profiling against Asian Americans, particularly scientists such as Sherry Chen 陈霞芬 and Dr. Xiaoxing Xi 郗小星 . She stated, “I put out a call to mobilize and organize, and I’m so proud that you took action and created the APA Justice Task Force.”She expressed pride in the community’s advocacy, noting how their voices have become more influential in addressing issues such as racial profiling and defending civil rights. She condemned the China Initiative, a program initiated under President Donald Trump that disproportionately targeted Chinese American scientists. Despite its termination, she acknowledged the lasting damage it inflicted: “We saw time and time again how baseless accusations... resulted in protracted legal battles that upended lives and careers.” She credited collective efforts for ending the initiative but cautioned, “Our job is far from done.” Congresswoman Chu also condemned recent discriminatory land ownership laws at both state and local levels that specifically target Chinese and immigrant communities. She drew parallels between these laws and past racist legislation, sharing, “We’ve heard stories like... Mr. Zhiming Xu ... who was forced to cancel his contract to simply purchase a new home, losing both his property and a $30,000 deposit.” She highlighted legislative efforts to address this injustice, adding, “And it’s why Congressman Al Green and I introduced the Preemption of Real Property Discrimination Act to block state laws that would discriminate against individuals based on their citizenship.”Celebrating increased AAPI representation in Congress, she noted a record 25 AAPI members in the 119th Congress and 80 members of CAPAC, the largest in history. She reiterated her commitment to opposing discriminatory agendas and supporting the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities.Congresswoman Chu emphasized the critical role of organizations like APA Justice in mobilizing communities, advocating for civil rights, and resisting discriminatory policies. She urged continued vigilance and activism to defend against harmful policies targeting AAPI and immigrant communities while fostering collaboration to protect civil liberties. She concluded with a pledge of ongoing support, stating, “I look forward to continuing our work together this year and beyond.”Watch Congresswoman Chu's remarks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MNT61PApwQ (8:17). A summary of the January 6 APA Justice monthly meeting is being reviewed before its release. Bracing for Threats in San Francisco According to the San Francisco Examiner on January 7, 2025, Chinese American immigrant-rights groups and political leaders in San Francisco are bracing for potential anti-immigrant policies under President-elect Donald Trump 's second term, set to begin on January 20, 2025. Trump's campaign promises of mass deportations, including targeting Chinese nationals, have sparked widespread fear and uncertainty in immigrant communities. San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu , himself the son of immigrants, voiced concerns about the harmful consequences of anti-Asian rhetoric, citing the spike in anti-Asian hate crimes during Trump’s first term. He emphasized the city’s responsibility to protect its diverse immigrant population, including the estimated 40,000 undocumented Chinese residents and their families. Local advocacy groups, such as Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA), are working to address the fears gripping the community. Since Election Day, CAA has seen an increase in inquiries from Chinese immigrants, particularly about naturalization and legal protections. Jose Ng , CAA’s immigrants-rights program manager, emphasized the importance of spreading accurate information to counter rumors and prevent panic. The organization has launched initiatives to educate the community on their legal rights, including protections under the Fourth and Fifth Amendments, and has conducted outreach through Chinese-language media to provide reassurance. San Francisco’s sanctuary city status remains a cornerstone of its immigrant protections, ensuring that local law enforcement cannot assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) without a warrant or court order. Jorge Rivas , executive director of the San Francisco Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs, highlighted the city’s collaboration with nonprofits to prepare for potential federal policies. These efforts include analyzing Trump's proposed measures and ensuring a coordinated response. Officials have also encouraged immigrants to complete citizenship applications and other documentation while President Joe Biden remains in office.Despite the uncertainty, organizations like CAA are expanding their resources, including multilingual legal staff, to better serve immigrant communities. Ng stressed the importance of empowering residents through rights training and legal assistance to withstand potential challenges. “Don’t panic, because that’s what the administration wants,” he urged, while reaffirming San Francisco’s commitment to protecting its immigrant population. Advocacy groups and city officials remain united in their mission to support vulnerable communities and uphold the city’s long-standing values of inclusivity and justice.Read the San Francisco Examiner report: https://bit.ly/4jdpqHa News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/01/15 Master Class: Maintaining the Effectiveness of Organizational Equity Initiatives in the Current Environment2024/01/16 Master Classes: Asian American Career Lessons2025/01/19 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/02/02 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/02/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/02/13-15 2025 AAAS Annual Meeting2025/02/16 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting 2025/03/02 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/03/05 APA Justice Monthly Meeting Visit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. White House Initiative Releases Final Report On January 7, 2025, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) released Rising Together, its final report to President Joe Biden.The report highlights the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts to advance equity, justice, and opportunity for the communities, featuring updates from 29 federal agencies and 86 recommendations from the President’s Advisory Commission on AA and NHPIs. Key focus areas include combating anti-Asian hate, promoting belonging, advancing data disaggregation, improving language access, addressing COVID-19 recovery, expanding outreach and engagement, and diversifying the federal workforce.Read the final report: https://bit.ly/4fLQw5m 3. Celebration of the Life of George Koo George Ping Shan Koo 顧屏山 , a distinguished advocate for U.S.-China relations and a prominent figure in the Chinese American community, passed away on September 24, 2024, at the age of 86. His death resulted from a head injury sustained during a fall on the pickleball court. Born in Hong Kong in 1938, George immigrated to the United States as a child. He earned degrees in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and an MBA from Santa Clara University. Throughout his career, George was instrumental in fostering American-Chinese business partnerships and was a respected voice in the Chinese American community. He was a long-time member of the Committee of 100. A celebration of George's life will be held in Mountain View, CA, on February 2, 2025. # # # 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 January 13, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #269 8/5 Monthly Meeting; Dr. Yanping Chen; Citizenship Question Lowers Census Response; + #269 8/5 Monthly Meeting; Dr. Yanping Chen; Citizenship Question Lowers Census Response; + In This Issue #269 · 2024/08/05 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · The Privacy Lawsuit of Dr. Yanping Chen · AP: Noncitizens are Less Likely to Participate in a Census with Citizenship Question, Study Says · News and Activities for the Communities 2024/08/05 APA Justice Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, August 5, 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: · Franklin Tao , former Professor of Kansas University, Victim of China Initiative; Hong Peng , Wife of Professor Tao · Ann S. Chao , Co-founder, Friends of the National Asian Pacific American Museum; Program Manager, Houston Asian American Archive, Rice University · Sonal Shah , Chief Commissioner, President's Advisory Commission on AANHPI; CEO, Texas Tribune 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 . *****Professor Franklin Tao was the first academic scientist indicted under the China Initiative. It took him almost 5 years to clear all 10 charges against him, the last of which was overturned by the 10th Circuit Appeals Court on July 11, 2024. None of the charges were related to espionage or the transfer of sensitive information to China. On July 23, 2024, a press conference was held on Capitol Hill following Professor Tao’s recent victory in a federal court appeal. Franklin and his wife Hong will share their thoughts and remarks about their experience and plans. Anne S. Chao is a modern Chinese historian, and currently an Adjunct Lecturer in the Humanities at Rice University, and co-founder and manager of the Houston Asian American Archive at Rice University. She is a co-founder of the FRIENDS of the National Asian Pacific American Museum , whose goal is to establish a national AAPI museum on the nation's Mall in Washington DC. Anne serves on the boards of the Houston Ballet, Wellesley Colleges, the National Archives Foundation, the Dunhuang Foundation among others. Ann will update us on her activities. President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders was created in 2021 under Executive Order (EO) 14031 to advance equity, justice, and opportunity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. Sonal returns to update us about the Commission as Chief Commissioner. The Privacy Lawsuit of Dr. Yanping Chen APA Justice is compiling stories of scientists and individuals impacted by racial profiling for its new website under construction. One of these individuals is Dr. Yanping Chen . She was not charged after six years of FBI investigations started in 2010. Dr. Chen filed a lawsuit against the Government for violating the Privacy Act, which has been ongoing since 2018.Dr. Chen, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in China, was a cardiologist and medical researcher for the Chinese astronaut program. She became a lawful permanent resident in 1993 and a U.S. citizen in 2001.In 1998, she founded the University of Management and Technology in Arlington, Virginia, to provide secondary and graduate education to working adults. In 2010, Dr. Chen became the focus of an FBI investigation. After six years of investigations, including searches of her home and office, she was informed that no charges would be filed against her in 2016. However, beginning in 2017, Fox News aired a series of reports by Catherine Herridge , based on leaked FBI materials, that suggested she was spying for China, causing her significant personal, professional and financial harm.On December 21, 2018, Dr. Chen filed a lawsuit against the FBI, Department of Justice, Department of Defense, and Department of Homeland Security. Fox News and Catherine Herridge, while not defendants in the lawsuit, were subpoenaed to reveal the source of the leaks after deposing 18 government employees failed to identify the source.On August 1, 2023, U.S. District Court Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that Catherine Herridge must participate in a deposition to reveal her source. “The Court recognizes both the vital importance of a free press and the critical role that confidential sources play in the work of investigative journalists like Herridge. But applying the binding case law of this Circuit, the Court concludes that Chen’s need for the requested evidence overcomes Herridge’s qualified First Amendment privilege in this case. The identity of Herridge’s source is central to Chen’s claim, and despite exhaustive discovery, Chen has been unable to ferret out his or her identity. The only reasonable option left is for Chen to ask Herridge herself,” the ruling said.On February 29, 2024, Judge Cooper held Catherine Herridge in civil contempt for refusing to divulge her source for her 2017 series of Fox News reports. He imposed a fine of $800 per day until Catherine Herridge reveals her source, but the fine will not go into effect immediately to give her time to appeal.Dr. Yanping Chen has faced a 14-year struggle for justice and fairness since the FBI began investigating her in 2010.Once Dr. Chen's web page is fully implemented, it will be shared for review. Watch this newsletter for the latest developments. The legal docket of Dr. Chen's lawsuit is located here: https://bit.ly/3ufnqUP AP : Noncitizens are Less Likely to Participate in a Census with Citizenship Question, Study Says According to AP on July 25, 2024, adding a citizenship question to the census reduces the participation of people who are not U.S. citizens, particularly those from Latin American countries as Republicans in Congress are pushing to add such a question to the census form. The next census will be taken in 2030.Noncitizens who pay taxes but are ineligible to have a Social Security number are less likely to fill out the census questionnaire or more likely to give incomplete answers on the form if there is a citizenship question, potentially exacerbating undercounts of some groups, according to a research paper released by researchers at the U.S. Census Bureau and the University of Kansas.Excluding people who are not citizens from the census count tilts political power and the distribution of federal funds in the United States. The 14th Amendment requires that all people are counted in the census, not just citizens.During debate earlier this month at a House appropriations committee meeting, Democratic U.S. Rep. Grace Meng of New York described the efforts to exclude people in the country illegally as “an extreme proposal” that would detract from the accuracy of the census. “Pretending that noncitizens don’t live in our communities would only limit the crucial work of the Census Bureau and take resources away from areas that need them the most,” Meng said.The Trump administration unsuccessfully attempted to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census questionnaire. It was blocked by the Supreme Court in 2019. At the moment, the citizenship question is part of a separate detailed annual sample of a small chunk of the population (about 3.5 million addresses each year), the American Community Survey. Read the AP report: https://bit.ly/3SmxMAp News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2024/07/25-28 Leadership Convention by NAAAP (National Association of Asian American Professionals) 2024/07/27-28 Asian American Pioneer Medal Symposium and Ceremony 2024/08/04 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting 2024/08/05 APA Justice Monthly Meeting 2024/08/19 DNC Convention, AAPI Briefing & Reception, Chicago, IL 2024/09/01 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting 2024/09/09 APA Justice Monthly Meeting Back View PDF July 26, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #352 Register for 10/16 Webinar; AAJC, APIAVote, and OCA Updates; CALDA New Lawsuit v SB17+ #352 Register for 10/16 Webinar; AAJC, APIAVote, and OCA Updates; CALDA New Lawsuit v SB17+ In This Issue #352 · Register to Attend Inaugural Webinar on October 16, 2025 · Update from Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC · Update from APIAVote · Update from OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates · CALDA Appeals and Files New Lawsuit Against Texas Alien Land Law · News and Activities for the Communities Register to Attend Inaugural Webinar on October 16, 2025 Cindy Tsai 蔡欣玲 , Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Committee of 100 (C100), and Rosie Levine 卢晓玫 , Executive Director of the U.S.-China Education Trust (USCET), announced the launch of a joint webinar series, titled " Global Tensions, Local Dimensions - Navigating the U.S.-China Relationship, " at the APA Justice monthly meeting on September 8, 2025.The inaugural webinar will take place on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 8:00 PM ET on Zoom , featuring Ambassadors Julia Chang Bloch 張之香 and Gary Locke 骆家辉 , in conversation with Jessica Chen Weiss 白潔曦, David M. Lampton Professor of China Studies at Johns Hopkins SAIS.Register to attend the webinar titled " Bridging Nations: People-to-people Exchange in U.S.-China Relations ," by scanning the QR code above or clicking this link: https://bit.ly/20251016Webinar About the Series and Webinar From the ping-pong diplomacy that preceded formal diplomatic ties in the 1970’s to the robust educational exchanges that flourished in the reform era in the 1990’s, people-to-people connections have provided continuity during periods of political tension in the U.S.-China relationship. Yet in today's environment of strategic competition, people-to-people engagements, such as academic partnerships, student exchanges, business networks, and diaspora community ties, are increasingly restricted in the name of national security. Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, whose families and networks often span both countries, increasingly find themselves in the crosshairs.This webinar will focus on the past, present, and future of people-to-people ties between the United States and China, as well as the implications for AAPI communities and U.S. policy. At a time of strained U.S.-China ties, and a concurrent rise in incidents of profiling and violence directed toward the AAPI community in the United States, this discussion will explore how U.S. foreign policy intersects with domestic policy and rights. About the Co-Hosts · C100 is a nonpartisan leadership organization of prominent Chinese Americans in business, government, academia, science, and the arts. Founded in 1990 by I.M. Pei 貝聿銘 and other distinguished leaders, C100 works to advance the full participation of Chinese Americans in U.S. society and to foster constructive dialogue between the United States and Greater China. As Cindy noted, global interactions have direct consequences for AAPI communities at home. · USCET , founded in 1998 by Ambassador Julia Chang Bloch, is a Washington, D.C.–based nonprofit dedicated to promoting mutual understanding between the United States and China through education and exchange. USCET strengthens American Studies in China, supports professional development for educators, and creates dialogue among students, scholars, and policymakers. Rosie noted that USCET’s first-ever public statement was issued to express concern over proposed restrictions on international student visas. · APA Justice , advocate of over 10 years for fairness, equity, and justice for Asian Americans and beyond, is also a co-host of this series. Update from Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC During the APA Justice monthly meeting on September 8, 2025, Joanna YangQing Derman , Director, Anti-Profiling, Civil Rights & National Security Program, Advancing Justice | AAJC, reported on the Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Bill, highlighting harmful House language directing the Department of Justice to reinstate the China Initiative. AAJC is responding comprehensively. · Civil Society Letter : An updated letter with more than 80 organizational sign-ons has been sent to Congress. · Bicameral Letter : Representative Judy Chu and Senator Mazie Hirono led a bicameral letter urging opposition to reinstatement, also with the same broad organizational endorsements. In addition, AAJC and coalition partners AASF, Stop AAPI Hate, and CAA are launching a call campaign. Supporters are encouraged to mobilize their bases to phone back and mail all Democratic senators. The goal is to prevent the harmful China Initiative language from appearing in the Senate bill, ensuring it remains only in the House version. Continued calls and emails will be critical throughout this month until the Senate vote. AAJC is closely coordinating with allies on the Hill and provide updates on timing. On September 11, 2025, AsAmNews reported that a proposal to revive the defunct China Initiative—a Trump-era program aimed at curbing Chinese economic espionage but widely criticized for unfairly targeting Chinese scientists—is advancing through Congress. On September 11, the House Appropriations Committee voted 34–28 to include the measure in a larger appropriations bill.Asian American leaders warn reinstating the Initiative would repeat past harms. The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) condemned it for fueling racial profiling and dual-loyalty tropes. Civil rights groups point to high-profile failed prosecutions of Chinese scientists such as Gang Chen 陈刚 (MIT), Anming Hu 胡安明 (University of Tennessee), and Franklin Tao 陶丰 (University of Kansas), noting the chilling effect beyond the scientific community. “People don’t know, just by looking at you, whether you’re from China or not,” said Cindy Tsai , general counsel and Executive VP of the Committee of 100. “This really goes back to the safety issue and the sense of belonging for those who have been part of this country.”More than 80 Asian American organizations including APA Justice issued a joint letter opposing the bill. Gisela Perez Kusakawa , Executive Director of the Asian American Scholar Forum, warned it would undermine U.S. competitiveness by driving away scientific talent. Joanna Derman of Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) urged the public to educate themselves and press Congress to strip the measure: “We’ve seen how that can result in unfair and harmful discrimination against Asian American and Asian immigrant scientists, researchers, and academics. So by putting [it] in the appropriation bill, pretty much anybody who votes for the appropriation bill can deny that they supported the China Initiative, because it’s part of a larger bill.” Update from APIAVote APIAVote is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing civic engagement in the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. In today’s hyper-partisan climate, some ask whether a C3 message can still resonate. Bob Sakaniwa , Director of Policy and Advocacy at APIAVote, answered yes during the APA Justice monthly meeting on September 8, 2025. Now more than ever, trusted messengers are essential. Communities look to organizations like APIAVote not to tilt the political scales, but to highlight how policies directly shape AAPI lives. Bob emphasized that while 501(c)(4) activity and more overtly partisan efforts have their place, C3 organizations occupy a unique and vital role. They can elevate the dialogue, build trust across divides, and push conversations toward inclusion and solutions.Reflecting on 2024, the picture for AAPI civic participation was mixed. In 2020, turnout reached historic highs. But in 2024, participation slipped—driven by uncertainty, disillusionment with both parties, and the draining effects of misinformation. Still, there were bright spots: AAPI voters led the nation in new registrations, with more first-time registrants than any other group. With 15 million eligible AAPI voters, there remains enormous untapped potential. And after nearly a year of political upheaval, more people are connecting the dots between policies and daily life—recognizing why civic engagement matters. APIAVote sees opportunities for a rebound this year and an even bigger surge heading into the 2026 midterms.At the same time, threats to voting rights are real and growing. Chief among them is the push—through legislation and executive orders—for documentary proof of citizenship to vote. This bureaucratic barrier amounts to voter suppression, fueled by the false narrative of widespread non-citizen voting. The facts say otherwise. Yet the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would impose such requirements, has already passed the House. Fortunately, the Senate has shown little interest so far.Meanwhile, the Trump administration issued an executive order with the same aim. It is currently tied up in the courts, and APIAVote—along with OCA and represented by AAJC—is a plaintiff challenging it. Another front is the push to roll back birthright citizenship. Both efforts strike at the heart of who belongs in our democracy and carry profound implications for AAPI families.Looking ahead, APIAVote is closely monitoring state-level contests. In New Jersey and Virginia, upcoming races may serve as early indicators of public sentiment toward the administration. And in California, voters will decide this November on a major redistricting proposition, a response to Texas’ mid-decade redistricting carried out under presidential direction. While redistricting is often framed in partisan terms, APIAVote sees it fundamentally as an issue of representation: voters should choose their leaders, not the other way around.Bob closed with a reminder that September 16 is National Voter Registration Day. APIAVote and its partners will be working nationwide to send a clear message: the first step in making your voice heard is registering to vote. With millions of AAPI voices still untapped, this is our moment to ensure our communities are not only present at the polls, but powerful in shaping America’s future. Update from OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates Founded in 1973, OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates is a 501(c)(3) national member-driven nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. with 35+ chapters and affiliates across the U.S. At the APA Justice monthly meeting on September 8, 2025, Thu Nguyen , Executive Director, recapped OCA’s 2025 convention in Seattle, spotlighting the State of the U.S. Constitution plenary, which featured Karen Narasaki (longtime civil rights advocate and former U.S. Commission on Civil Rights commissioner), Karthik Ramakrishnan (academic and founder of AAPI Data), and William Xu , a former OCA intern who later served as a public defender and now works as a judge advocate. Together, they explored impact litigation, public narrative change, and pathways for community involvement. The convention also engaged audiences through workshops like Helen Zia ’s session on AAPI crisis communications, addressing censorship, the politicization of terms such as diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the challenge of intergenerational dialogue around politically charged language—like “tariffs,” which have real consequences for families and businesses. A screening of John Osaki ’s film Making Waves , on preserving ethnic studies and critical race theory, was another highlight. Thu encouraged chapters to bring the film to local communities. Thu reported that OCA is co-plaintiff in three ongoing lawsuits: one on birthright citizenship, one challenging cuts to the Department of Education, and one with APIAVote on voting rights. All cases are pending before the courts. Thu also described OCA’s Leadership Summit program, historically held in D.C. for select members to receive advocacy and public speaking training and participate in Hill visits. This year, OCA expanded the model into two-day regional leadership summits—open to all ages—combining training with visits to state capitols or local congressional offices. Recent summits were held in Boston and Las Vegas, with upcoming events in Phoenix (November), New York City, and Houston in 2026. OCA covers program costs, while local chapters help with logistics and outreach. Finally, OCA is partnering with National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) members to educate communities on healthcare budget cuts, particularly the impact on Medicare and Medicaid. Many community members are unaware of their coverage links (e.g., CHIP and Medicaid), so OCA is working to clarify these changes and provide next steps for affected families. CALDA Appeals and Files New Lawsuit Against Texas Alien Land Law 1. Wang v. Paxton (4:25-cv-03103) According to a post by the Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance (华美维权同盟), CALDA led a lawsuit against the Texas government seeking to overturn Texas SB 17, an anti-Chinese land law. A federal judge dismissed the case on procedural grounds in August. The judge held that the two plaintiffs represented by CALDA had resided in Texas for many years and thus could not be considered “domiciled in China.” Since SB 17 does not restrict them, their rights were not harmed, and therefore they lacked standing to sue.CALDA believes the judge’s ruling was wrong. The decision’s interpretation of “domicile” for individuals on non-immigrant visas conflicts with existing law and creates further ambiguity. Because violating SB 17 carries felony consequences, such vagueness may lead to overly strict enforcement, causing broader harm to Chinese communities.Some Texas banks and mortgage companies have already adopted internal policies refusing home loans to any Chinese nationals without green cards—going beyond the law itself. For many Chinese residents, the law’s terms are hard to interpret, and in the current political climate, such gray areas invite abuse, fear, and discrimination. Even those on non-immigrant visas who stay in Texas only temporarily still fall under SB 17 and face housing discrimination.At its core, SB 17 is not about national security but about treating all Chinese people as potential threats. By relying on procedural grounds, the judge avoided the real constitutional question: does SB 17 violate equal protection by stripping a group of the right to buy or rent property based solely on nationality or country of origin? This is the heart of the case and the reason CALDA filed the lawsuit.Following the August ruling, CALDA immediately filed an appeal. Both sides are now submitting briefs, and the appeals court has scheduled a hearing for November 4, with a ruling expected thereafter. 2. Huang v. Paxton (1:25-cv-01509) On September 16, 2025, CALDA filed a second lawsuit in federal court in Austin. This new case includes three plaintiffs: two Chinese citizens holding B1/B2 visas who are only in the U.S. for short-term visits but purchased investment properties in Texas, and one Chinese student who has been in the U.S. for just a year, currently renting in Texas while attending college. Because none of these plaintiffs have long-term continuous U.S. residence, the judge will find it harder to dismiss the case for lack of standing.CALDA will soon request a court hearing to seek a preliminary injunction to block SB 17. CALDA vows not to stop until this discriminatory law is struck down. Against the backdrop of U.S.–China tensions, Chinese Americans face unprecedented uncertainty. Texas SB 17, Florida SB 264, and Ohio HB 1 and SB 88 reflect a nationwide anti-Chinese trend. Meanwhile, the long-dormant “China Initiative” has resurfaced, stirring deep anxiety among Chinese researchers and students.Once discrimination is institutionalized, it tends to spread. These laws are like dominoes: if the first is not stopped, the chain reaction will inevitably expand. Challenging SB 17 is not only about one state law—it represents defending the basic rights of Chinese communities and resisting systemic exclusion in America. For this reason, CALDA views litigation as a crucial tool of advocacy, turning fear about the future into collective action and legal precedent for change.This is a difficult and protracted struggle. We must unite more strength and resources to confront powerful opponents. CALDA calls for continued support to secure a future free from discrimination, where fairness and justice are true guarantees for all Chinese Americans. News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/09/18 CAPAC Press Conference2025/09/23 Committee of 100: Is Deglobalization Inevitable?2025/10/03 Covering China—Journalism, Scholarship, and the Global Conversation2025/10/06 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/10/16 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. May 2025 APA Justice Monthly Meeting Summary Posted Summary of the APA Justice May 2025 meeting is now posted at https://bit.ly/4pxi6ti . We thank the following distinguished speakers for sharing their comments and insights: · Judith Teruya , Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus · Joanna YangQing Derman , Director, Anti-Profiling, Civil Rights & National Security Program, Advancing Justice | AAJC · Gisela Perez Kusakawa , Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) · Gee-Kung Chang 張繼昆 , Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology · Robert Fisher , Partner, Nixon Peabody · William Tong 湯偉麟 , Attorney General, State of Connecticut · Robert L. Santos , Former Director, U.S. Census Bureau; Former President, American Statistical Association · Haifan Lin 林海帆 , President, Federation of Asian Professor Associations (FAPA); Eugene Higgins Professor of Cell Biology, Yale University 3. CAPAC Press Conference WHAT : CAPAC Press Conference on Economic Toll of Trump’s Tariffs on Asian American Communities WHEN : September 18, 2025, 10:30 am ET WHERE : Studio A – HVC117 and live stream: https://www.facebook.com/events/1874102480195831/ HOST : Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) SPEAKERS : · Chair Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06) · Second Vice Chair Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) · Chair Emerita Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) · Vice Chair Ted Lieu (CA-36) · Rep. Dave Min (CA-47) · Rep. Ed Case (HI-01) DESCRIPTION : On August 29, a federal appeals court ruled that most of Trump’s tariffs are illegal but allowed the tariffs to remain in place while the case moves through the appeals process. The Supreme Court agreed to consider the appeal on an expedited timeline. Meanwhile, tariffs continue to create uncertainty for small businesses and consumers—including for Asian-owned businesses that import agricultural goods, cultural products, and traditional medicines that cannot be produced domestically.Asian American entrepreneurs own 11 percent of small businesses in the U.S. and nearly 20 percent of restaurants. Chinatown businesses in particular have reported lower demand and increased costs for goods, with some hiking prices by an average of 50 percent. According to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, consumer prices rose 0.4 percent in August, driving the annual inflation rate to 2.9 percent, the highest since January, in part due to Trump’s tariffs. RSVP : Please RSVP in advance to james.kwon@mail.house.gov 3. ACF: Covering China—Journalism, Scholarship, and the Global Conversation WHAT : Covering China—Journalism, Scholarship, and the Global Conversation WHEN : October 3, 2025, 9:30 am - 12:00 noon ET WHERE : Kenney Link Auditorium, Johns Hopkins SAIS, 555 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest Washington, DC 20001 HOST : Institute for America, China, and the Future of Global Affairs (ACF) PROGRAM: · 9:30am: Opening Remarks · 9:45am: Session 1—Covering China from Within: Problems and Processes · 11:00am:: Session 2—China, America, and the World: New Frontiers · 12:00pm: Networking Lunch DESCRIPTION : The Johns Hopkins SAIS Institute for America, China, and the Future of Global Affairs (ACF) and the Overseas Press Club of America will jointly host an in-person event examining the state of journalistic and academic coverage of China.The first session will consider the hurdles that journalists and academics face when operating within China at present, and their evolving approaches to reporting and research. A second panel will assess the challenges that global correspondents and researchers face as they cover China's global activities and influence, especially when the issues that intersect China's global role—including artificial intelligence, trade and investment, and new energy—are themselves complex and rapidly evolving.What are the perspectives of top journalists and researchers on the current state of reporting on China? What do we know and not know – and what assumptions and narratives may need revision? What are our collective blind spots? What strategies can help strengthen the quality of research and reporting, and more accurately frame the scope and scale of the China challenge for U.S. audiences? REGISTRATION : https://bit.ly/3KtwClu # # # 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 18, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #263 Return of Anming Hu; AAJC on Land Laws; Spying on USPS Mail; Vincent Chin's Legacy; + #263 Return of Anming Hu; AAJC on Land Laws; Spying on USPS Mail; Vincent Chin's Legacy; + In This Issue #263 · The Return of Exonerated Professor Anming Hu · Advancing Justice | AAJC Speaks Up on Discriminatory Land Laws · WP : Law Enforcement is Spying on Thousands of Americans' Mail · FBI Released 602 Pages of Its Vincent Chin Files · News and Activities for the Communities The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held via Zoom today, July 1, 2024, starting at 1:55 pm ET. In addition to Nisha Ramachandran , Joanna YangQing Derman , and Gisela Perez Kusakawa . confirmed invited speakers include Neal Lane , Kei Koizumi , Xiaoxing Xi , and Karla Hagan . Please register to attend. 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 . The Return of Exonerated Professor Anming Hu Professor Anming Hu returned and spoke at the APA Justice monthly meeting on June 3, 2024. It has been almost three years since he was fully acquitted of all charges against him under the now-defunct China Initiative.Professor Hu was born in China, a naturalized Canadian citizen, and Professor of Mechanical, Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK).On February 27, 2020, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the indictment of Professor Hu. He was the second China Initiative case involving a U.S. university professor of Asian ancestry. He was charged with three counts each of wire fraud and making false statements, but not espionage. The charges stemmed from his purported failure to disclose affiliations with a Chinese university while receiving funding from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).At the time of his arrest, he was a tenured professor. After his arrest, UTK suspended him without pay and then terminated his employment on October 8, 2020.Professor Hu was the first academic to go to trial under the China Initiative. A mistrial was declared on June 16, 2021, after the jury deadlocked. On September 9, 2021, Judge Thomas Varlan acquitted Professor Hu of all charges in his indictment. “The government has failed to provide sufficient evidence from which any rational jury could find, beyond a reasonable doubt, that defendant had specific intent to defraud NASA by hiding his affiliation with BJUT [Beijing University of Technology] from UTK," the judge wrote.On October 14, 2021, UTK offered to reinstate Professor Hu. On February 1, 2022, Professor Hu returned to his laboratory. During the APA Justice monthly meeting on June 6, 2024, Professor Hu provided updates on his situation and his family's well being since his return to UTK. He expressed gratitude to his attorney Phil Lomonaco , members of the UTK Faculty Senate, Congressional representatives, CAPAC, and various Asian American justice organizations for their support.Professor Hu spent a year rebuilding his lab with startup support from the university's leadership. He acquired new equipment and repaired old, damaged devices. Despite recovering about 95% of his equipment, nearly 50% were malfunctioning and 30% were completely damaged.With help from collaborators, two of his PhD students graduated in 2022 and 2023.Professor Hu focused on applying for external funds and hiring new students. He secured one federal and one industrial fund, enabling him to hire one new PhD student and two undergraduates. However, his lab size is still only about 30% of its previous capacity, and it may take another one to two years to fully recover.The wrongful prosecution caused significant mental and physical harm to his family. They continue to struggle with sleep issues and anxiety, and Professor Hu sometimes needs medication to sleep. His wife still becomes anxious when receiving phone calls in the afternoon, a reminder of the day Professor Hu was arrested.In the past two years, the family has shared their experience with colleagues, friends, and church groups. Professor Hu also participated in panel discussions on the China Initiative and civil rights. Despite his reinstatement, the US government continued to falsely accuse him of being part of China's Thousand Talents Program. With support from lawyers and Congressional representatives Judy Chu , Ted Lieu , and Jamie Raskin , his U.S. permanent residency was approved in March 2024. Recently, his older son's green card was also approved.A summary for the June 3 APA Justice monthly meeting is being prepared at this time. APA Justice has compiled Professor Hu's story as an impacted scientist under the China Initiative. It is posted for beta review for its content, navigation, and links at https://bit.ly/44V5tOG . Please send your comments and feedback to contact@apajustice.org . Advancing Justice | AAJC Speaks Up on Discriminatory Land Laws During the APA Justice monthly meeting on June 3, 2024, Joanna YangQing Derman , Director, Anti-Profiling, Civil Rights & National Security Program, Advancing Justice | AAJC, reported that John Yang , President and Executive Director of AAJC, testified before the Texas Senate State Affairs Committee on May 29. The hearing addressed three interim charges or topics, one of which was foreign investment in Texas land. John Yang emphasized AAJC’s deep concern about the resurgence of discriminatory land laws under the guise of national security. He underscored the historical context of AAPI discrimination and called for robust research to accurately identify the issues these land laws aim to address. John successfully countered harmful and overbroad anti-China rhetoric that conflates Chinese individuals with the Chinese government. Overall, it was a successful testimony, with special credit to Asian Texans for Justice (ATJ) for facilitating the opportunity and playing a critical role in coordinating the response. John Yang’s written testimony is posted here: https://bit.ly/3zkxgwe . A summary for the June 3 APA Justice monthly meeting is being prepared at this time. WP : Law Enforcement is Spying on Thousands of Americans' Mail According to the Washington Post on June 24, 2024, · The U.S. Postal Service shares mail data with law enforcement without warrants. · More than 60,000 requests have been received since 2015, with a 97% acceptance rate. · A group of senators want judicial oversight, but the chief inspector declined to change the policy. The U.S. Postal Service has shared information from thousands of Americans’ letters and packages with law enforcement every year for the past decade, conveying the names, addresses and other details from the outside of boxes and envelopes without requiring a court order.Postal inspectors say they fulfill such requests only when mail monitoring can help find a fugitive or investigate a crime. But a decade’s worth of records, provided exclusively to The Washington Post in response to a congressional probe, show Postal Service officials have received more than 60,000 requests from federal agents and police officers since 2015, and that they rarely say no.Each request can cover days or weeks of mail sent to or from a person or address, and 97 percent of the requests were approved, according to the data. Postal inspectors recorded more than 312,000 letters and packages between 2015 and 2023, the records show.The IRS, FBI and the Department of Homeland Security were among the top requesters. In a letter in May 2023, a group of eight senators, including Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), urged the agency to require a federal judge to approve the requests and to share more details on the program, saying officials there had chosen to “provide this surveillance service and to keep postal customers in the dark about the fact they have been subjected to monitoring.”In a response earlier this month, the chief postal inspector, Gary Barksdale , declined to change the policy but provided nearly a decade’s worth of data showing that postal inspectors, federal agencies, and state and local police forces made an average of about 6,700 requests a year, and that inspectors additionally recorded data from about another 35,000 pieces of mail a year, on average.The practice, he added, had been legally authorized since 1879, a year after the Supreme Court ruled that government officials needed a warrant before opening any sealed letter.Wyden said in a statement, “These new statistics show that thousands of Americans are subjected to warrantless surveillance each year, and that the Postal Inspection Service rubber stamps practically all of the requests they receive.” He also criticized the agency for “refusing to raise its standards and require law enforcement agencies monitoring the outside of Americans’ mail to get a court order, which is already required to monitor emails and texts.”In their letter last year, the senators said that even the exteriors of mail could be deeply revealing for many Americans, giving clues about the people they talk to, the bills they pay, the churches they attend, the political views they subscribe to and the social causes they support.Read the Washington Post report: https://wapo.st/3Xxr9yO FBI Released 602 Pages of Its Vincent Chin Files Without explanation, the FBI released 602 pages of its files on Vincent Chin during the week of his murder 42 years ago. Helen Zia published an essay at the Vincent Chin Institute about its good, bad, and ugly on June 26, 2024. This is an AI-assisted summary of her essay: The Good · Community Support and Advocacy : The essay highlights the significant support and advocacy from the Asian American community and various organizations in seeking justice for Vincent Chin. · Awareness of Anti-Asian Hate : The release of the FBI documents and the efforts to commemorate Vincent Chin's legacy help raise awareness of anti-Asian hate and the historical context of such violence. · Legacy and Education : The essay emphasizes the importance of educating others about Vincent Chin's case and the ongoing fight against racial prejudice, contributing to a more informed and empathetic society. The Bad · Incomplete Investigation : The FBI documents are incomplete, missing critical details from the Wayne County criminal proceedings and failing to interview key witnesses, which hindered the investigation and justice process. · Inadequate Judicial Response : The essay criticizes the judicial system's response, particularly the sentencing judge's decision to release the attackers on probation and fines, which highlights systemic racial biases. · Media Bias : The essay points out how media coverage at the time failed to grasp or acknowledge the anti-Asian prejudice involved in the case, often casting doubt on the racial motivations behind the crime. The Ugly · Racially Motivated Violence : The brutal attack on Vincent Chin, driven by racial hatred and scapegoating during an economic recession, represents the ugly reality of racially motivated violence and bigotry. · Traumatic Aftermath : The essay describes the trauma endured by Vincent Chin's family and the Asian American community, exacerbated by the lack of justice and recognition from the judicial system. · Enduring Prejudice : The essay underscores the persistent ignorance and harmful stereotypes surrounding Asian Americans, both in the past and present, highlighting the ongoing struggle against racial prejudice and discrimination. Overall, the essay provides a detailed account of the events surrounding Vincent Chin's death, the community's response, and the broader implications for understanding and combating racial hatred. Read Helen Zia's essay: https://bit.ly/4eN4Nzg . Read the 602-page FBI case file: https://bit.ly/3RQobSt Vincent Chin's Legacy on Asian American Activism According to the Washington Post on June 26, 2024, when Vincent Chin , a Chinese American groom-to-be, was bludgeoned to death with a baseball bat by two white Detroit autoworkers in 1982, his loved ones’ cries for justice fell on deaf ears. The autoworkers who attacked Vincent Chin did so under the false belief that he was Japanese, attributing the auto industry’s hardships to foreign competition from Japan.It took twelve full days before the media reported his killing — without recognizing the racism involved, remembers Curtis Chin , the nephew of Vincent Chin’s best man. Nine months later, judge Charles Kaufman handed the perpetrators just three years’ probation and a $3,780 fine, reasoning that “These aren’t the kind of men you send to jail.”Despite media silence and a lenient sentence for the perpetrators, Chin's case galvanized Asian Americans to unite across ethnic lines.Today , advocates still ensure that Vincent Chin’s name is never forgotten. In the wake of his death anniversary, and amid increasing xenophobia worldwide, his story provides guiding light for the struggle toward equality.Curtis Chin found his calling in the experience, and instead of taking over Chung’s — his family’s restaurant of five decades — spent the next 30 years elevating Asian American voices as a writer and a filmmaker. In his memoir and his documentary, “Vincent Who?,” Curtis Chin recounts Vincent Chin’s story and the racial animosity of 1980s Detroit.For Helen Zia , an activist who moved to Detroit in 1976 and took up work at an auto plant, Chin’s case laid bare the glaring injustices that Asian Americans faced: “There were two legal organizations in the whole country, one in New York and one in California,” Zia says. “We were in Detroit, and they couldn’t help us.” Zia rallied leaders from Detroit’s Chinatown and local lawyers to support Vincent Chin's mother Lily Chin and co-founded the American Citizens for Justice, which helped secure a federal trial for Vincent Chin. Zia launched the Vincent Chin Institute in 2022 to fill the void Asian American Detroiters found themselves in four decades ago through advocacy, education, and resources for Asian Americans in underserved areas.In the 21st century, the killing of Vincent Chin continues to energize Asian American advocacy and presence. Law students reenact his trial to highlight legal shortcomings. Hollywood has adapted his case into films like “Hold Still, Vincent” and “Who Killed Vincent Chin?”The fear of foreign economic threat parallels modern “anti-China hysteria and scapegoating,” says Stop AAPI Hate co-founder Cynthia Choi , pointing to how COVID-19 was racialized and fueled attacks on Asians across the country. The Vincent Chin case remains a cornerstone for Asian American advocacy, inspiring films, reenactments, and organizations like Stop AAPI Hate, which combats rising xenophobia and discrimination. Despite the progress achieved, advocates against anti-Asian hate assert that there is still considerable work ahead in every sector, from the workplace to the entertainment industry. The comprehensive history of Asian Americans, for instance, continues to be excluded from core K-12 history curricula in the United States. Some advocates like John Yang , the president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice AAJC, are turning their attention to what they say is a new form of anti-Asian hate: a growing number of bills preventing some Chinese citizens from buying and owning land. “Everyone is concerned about whether an Asian American is truly an American, and so they’re not being shown the same houses, they’re not being afforded the same opportunities,” Yang says. Wilson Lee , co-founder of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance Boston Lodge and the Chinese American Heritage Foundation, has organized a vigil for Vincent Chin every June 23 for the past six years. “We’re in it for the long haul,” Lee tells the Associated Press . “Because it’s the right thing to do, not because it’s the popular thing to do.”On June 21, 2024, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus issued a press statement marking the 42nd Anniversary of the murder of Vincent Chin: https://bit.ly/4cdUAKT Read the Washington Post report: https://wapo.st/3VHk4Jf . Visit the Vincent Chin Institute website: https://bit.ly/39Bu0QQ News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2024/07/01 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2024/07/01 President's Advisory Commission Public Meeting - Livestreaming2024/07/02 President's Advisory Commission Public Meeting - In Person2024/07/03 Hearing on Preliminary Injunction on Florida SB 8462024/07/07 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/07/11-12 National AAPI Leadership Summit2024/07/13 APIAVote: Presidential Town Hall, Philadelphia PA2024/07/15 APIAVote: RNC Convention, AAPI Briefing &Reception, Milwaukee, WI2024/07/16-17 National Science, Technology, and Security Roundtable - Capstone2024/08/04 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall MeetingThe Community Calendar has moved. Visit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. New Appointments at Johns Hopkins University Starting July 1, 2024, Professor Jessica Chen Weiss joined the faculty of Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Washington, DC as the David M. Lampton Professor of China Studies and the inaugural director of a new institute on the evolving role of China in the world to be established this fall at SAIS, bringing together scholars, practitioners and experts from the private sector to foster deeper understanding and informed policy making. Professor Chen Weiss comes to SAIS from Cornell University, where she was the Michael J. Zak Professor for China and Asia-Pacific Studies in the Department of Government. From August 2021 to July 2022, she served as senior advisor to the Secretary's Policy Planning Staff at the U.S. State Department on a Council on Foreign Relations Fellowship for Tenured International Relations Scholars.Also starting July 1, 2024, Jeremy Lee Wallace has been named the A. Doak Barnett Professor of China Studies, also starting July 1, 2024; and he will be affiliated with the new institute at SAIS as well as the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins. Read the Johns Hopkins University announcement: https://bit.ly/4beT3CJ Back View PDF July 1, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #305 AAAS Update; Science/Sustaining Collaboration; Franklin Tao Lawsuit; Johns Hopkins ACF #305 AAAS Update; Science/Sustaining Collaboration; Franklin Tao Lawsuit; Johns Hopkins ACF In This Issue #305 · Updates from the American Association for the Advancement of Science · FP: Science Could Be a Bright Spot in U.S.-China Relations · Sustaining Scientific Collaboration Amid Worsening US–China Relations · University Daily Kansan on Franklin Tao Lawsuit · 02/03 Launch of ACF Institute at SAIS, Johns Hopkins University · News and Activities for the Communities Updates from the American Association for the Advancement of Science Dr. Sudip Parikh is Chief Executive Officer of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS); Executive Publisher of the Science family of journals. Sudip last spoke at the September 2023 APA Justice monthly meeting covering open science, basic research, and US-China collaboration in today's environment. He returned to give an update on the latest activities and developments of AAAS during the APA Justice monthly meeting on January 6, 2025. AAAS was the first permanent organization established to promote the development of science and engineering at the national level and to represent the interests of all its disciplines. Sudip emphasized the significance of leading an organization with a storied history since 1848, stating that it gives “a sense of perspective” about the evolution of science in the United States.Sudip noted the symbolic power of his role as a first-generation immigrant of Indian descent leading the AAAS. Reflecting on the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, he remarked, “I wouldn’t exist without [it]… several of us would not exist.” This underscored the importance of inclusivity in science leadership. He acknowledged the organization's historical challenges: "When AAAS was formed in 1848, it was by 87 men—white men only—because that was the demographic practicing science at the time.” Today, AAAS reflects diversity in gender, race, and geography, with a majority-female board, which he described as a hopeful sign of progress.Acknowledging the complex challenges of the next two years, including divisive policy and rhetoric, Sudip found inspiration in AAAS’s history of overcoming its "baggage"; and shameful moments. “An organization that can evolve… can rise above and continue to advance science.” On Global Science Diplomacy and Collaboration: 1. U.S.-China Science and Technology Agreement : This long-standing agreement, renewed for five years over the holidays, symbolizes critical cooperation. Sudip highlighted the new focus on reciprocity and transparency, which were absent in the 1979 framework. He described the renewal as "a good agreement” and crucial for fostering future collaborations. 2. India and Immigration Policy : Sudip’s visit to India highlighted the strong scientific ties between the two nations. He also addressed controversies surrounding H-1B visas, particularly on social media. “It turns out two things can be right at the same time—a program can be really important, and it can need to be reformed.” He encouraged constructive discussions on immigration policy reform. 3. Japan and Collaboration : During his visit to Japan, Sudip discussed the challenges of scientific collaboration despite the close alliance between the U.S. and Japan. He stressed the importance of distinguishing economic decisions from cultural signals, advocating for open and active collaboration in science. 4. Science Diplomacy Efforts : Sudip reaffirmed AAAS’s commitment to Track II diplomacy, which maintains dialogue even in strained geopolitical climates. He emphasized fostering long-term relationships, especially among junior scientists, to sustain international cooperation for decades. AAAS Annual Meeting Sudip previewed the upcoming AAAS Annual Meeting in Boston (February 13–15), themed Science Shaping Tomorrow . He noted the event’s focus on international collaboration and breakthroughs of the year, particularly the development of a small-molecule drug providing six-month protection against HIV transmission. “It’s not a vaccine, but it’s as close as we’ve ever gotten,” he noted. Vision for American Science and Technology Sudip discussed his role as chair of a task force developing a new vision for American science and technology—Endless Frontier 2.0, referencing Vannevar Bush ’s seminal 1945 report. Recognizing changes since 1945, Sudip said, “Vannevar Bush never imagined me,” emphasizing the increased role of diversity, philanthropy, and international parity in modern science.This updated vision will be released in late February, featuring multimedia formats to spark national conversations. Sudip reminded listeners of the historical precedent, noting that the original Endless Frontier was initially rejected and took five years of debate before leading to the National Science Foundation. He called for similar discussions today, concluding, “It’s time for an update… to look forward, not backward.”Sudip closed by reaffirming AAAS’s dedication to advancing science and fostering collaboration globally. He emphasized the importance of maintaining dialogue, covering critical issues like immigration and international relations, and inspiring the next generation to continue building bridges through science. A summary for the January 6 monthly meeting is being prepared at this time. FP : Science Could Be a Bright Spot in U.S.-China Relations On January 16, 2025, a Foreign Policy report highlights the renewal of the U.S.-China Science and Technology Agreement (STA), a longstanding pact that has underpinned bilateral scientific collaboration since 1979. The updated agreement, extended for another five years, is limited to basic research and incorporates new safeguards addressing intellectual property and researcher safety concerns. However, it explicitly excludes sensitive areas like artificial intelligence and quantum computing, reflecting rising national security concerns and intensifying U.S.-China technological competition. The report underscores the mounting challenges in scientific collaboration due to China’s military-civil fusion policy and espionage concerns, which have raised fears in Washington about the potential misuse of joint research for military advancements. Additionally, China’s increasingly restrictive information environment and limited transparency in research-sharing practices have cast doubt on the equity and mutual benefit of such collaborations.Amid these developments, the STA’s renewal marks a cautious continuation of scientific diplomacy. Yet, the broader relationship between the two nations remains strained, particularly in the tech sector, where the U.S. has enacted export controls and promoted domestic production to counter China’s advancements. While the agreement aims to maintain dialogue and cooperation, its future impact will depend on navigating geopolitical and strategic tensions. *****According to an opinion of the China-based China Daily on January 11, 2025, the signing of a protocol by China and the United States recently to amend and extend the US-China Science and Technology Agreement is a crucial development given the fraught geopolitical relationship between the world's two largest economies. Originally signed in 1979 by former US president Jimmy Carter and former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping , the agreement coincided with the resumption of academic exchanges between the two countries. Following the signing of a 1978 memorandum of understanding on student and scholar exchanges — the first official agreement between the two governments — 52 Chinese students departed from Beijing to the US, with American students arriving in China two months later.The number of Chinese students in the US has declined for the fifth consecutive academic year. According to the Open Doors Report, published by the Institute of International Education in partnership with the US Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the number of Chinese students had fallen from 372,532 in 2019-20 to 277,398 in 2023-24.The careers of the "Beijing Eight" — the first group of American students to enroll in Chinese universities in February 1979 — exemplify the profound impact of early academic exchanges. Figures such as Madelyn Ross , former president of the US-China Education Trust; Frank Hawke , former China director of Stanford University Graduate School of Business; and Stephen Allee , curator of Chinese art at the Smithsonian Institution, highlight the importance of these programs in shaping future leaders and fostering international collaboration. Diplomacy, after all, begins in classrooms, lecture halls and research labs — places where future leaders learn to see the world through each other's eyes. It is a bridge worth preserving. Sustaining Scientific Collaboration Amid Worsening US–China Relations According to the University of California at San Diego (UC San Diego) School of Global Policy and Strategy on January 16, 2025, a recent commentary in Nature , coauthored by six senior scientists from the United States and China, calls for renewed efforts to protect and expand scientific collaboration between the two nations amid growing geopolitical tensions. The authors, including David Victor of UC San Diego, stress that U.S.–China cooperation has historically produced transformative global benefits, such as advancements in clean energy and medicine. However, they note that restrictive visa policies, political friction, and the COVID-19 pandemic have led to a sharp decline in student exchanges and joint research efforts. The authors highlight the limitations of the recently renewed U.S.–China Science and Technology Agreement (STA), which excludes collaboration in security-sensitive fields and focuses solely on basic science. They advocate for a more comprehensive framework to address shared global challenges like climate change, public health, and sustainable development. For example, the number of Chinese students in the U.S. has dropped from nearly 400,000 in 2019-2020 to under 300,000 in 2021-2022, while U.S. student exchanges to China have fallen from a peak of 15,000 in 2012-2013 to fewer than 1,000 in 2022-2023. The Nature commentary offers several solutions to increase collaboration in the face of challenging times, such as: · Identifying “safe zones” : Collaboration should focus on less sensitive fields like polar science and cosmology. These areas could offer less blowback compared to research on machine intelligence or pharmacology. Scientists need to identify and champion these “safe zones” to reduce political interference. · Securing funding : Federal and philanthropic organizations should offer reliable funding mechanisms for cross-border research. The U.S. Chips and Science Act, for example, prohibits individuals receiving federal research funding from participating in “Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs.” The authors argue that “when funders take on these dual roles — supporters and punishers — it becomes harder for scientists to secure reliable funding for work involving cross-border collaborations.” · Making the case for collaboration : Scientists must communicate the benefits of collaboration to policymakers, the public and funding agencies, countering nationalist narratives and fostering mutual understanding. “Scientists must better explain the benefits of joint work, root out and combat cases of mistreatment, racism and alienation, and restore science to its true purpose: a global pursuit of ideas that benefits from collective progress, not nationalism,” the authors write. Read the UC San Diego report: https://bit.ly/4hmHuNg . Read the Nature commentary: https://go.nature.com/3WqCUpf University Daily Kansan on Franklin Tao Lawsuit On January 17, 2025, the University Daily Kansan reported on a lawsuit Professor Franklin Tao filed against the university, alleging discrimination and wrongful termination following his prosecution under the now-defunct "China Initiative." The lawsuit claims that a visiting scholar at KU demanded $300,000 from Tao, threatening to report him to the FBI when he refused. Following the scholar's false accusations, KU reported Tao to the FBI without conducting its own investigation. The lawsuit further claims that the university collaborated closely with the FBI and DOJ, with evidence collected by KU forming the basis of the eventual charges against him.Text messages obtained by Tao’s legal team reportedly show close communication between KU’s then-deputy general counsel and FBI agents, including one exchange where the counsel referred to the agents as “my Wonder Twins,” to which the agents replied, “Ok mom.” Another message sent after Tao’s arrest allegedly stated, “Job well done, gentlemen.”The University Daily Kansan is an independent student newspaper established in 1904. It has long been a key source of news and analysis for the KU community, covering campus and university-related issues.Read the University Daily Kansan report: https://bit.ly/4gbX9OM 02/03 Launch of ACF Institute at SAIS, Johns Hopkins University On February 3, 2025, the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) will launch the Institute for America, China, and the Future of Global Affairs (ACF). This new institute seeks to add rigor and reason to public and policy discussions on China and the range of domestic and international issues that intersect China’s global role, bringing together experts and practitioners to foster informed public dialogue, promote evidence-based research, and support the next generation of scholars and practitioners. The event will be held at Johns Hopkins SAIS, 555 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001.This day-long event will include sessions on what’s at stake in U.S. policy making on China, the Chinese economy, artificial intelligence and emerging threats to U.S. interests, and a new report on "Getting China Right at Home," analyzing the domestic challenges posed by intensifying competition. Jessica Chen Weiss will serve as the inaugural Director of ACF. She is also the David M. Lampton Professor of China Studies at Johns Hopkins SAIS. Prior to joining Johns Hopkins, Weiss was the Michael J. Zak Professor for China and Asia-Pacific Studies at Cornell University's Department of Government. For more information and registration to attend the event, visit: https://bit.ly/4am8fPG News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/02/02 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/02/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/02/03 Getting China Right: Launch of ACF Institute at SAIS, Johns Hopkins University2025/02/13-15 2025 AAAS Annual Meeting2025/02/16 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting 2025/03/02 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/03/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting Visit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Get Help Today on LA Fires Californians can go to CA.gov/LAfires – a hub for information and resources from state, local and federal government. Individuals and business owners who sustained losses from wildfires in Los Angeles County can apply for disaster assistance: · Online at DisasterAssistance.gov · Calling 800-621-3362 · By using the FEMA smart phone application · Assistance is available in over 40 languages · If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Please share with your families, friends, and colleagues in the Los Angeles area. 3. NIH Developments National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Monica Bertagnolli resigned on January 17, 2025, ending her tenure as the head of the $48 billion biomedical research agency after one year. According to Science on January 16, 2025, after over three years of organizing, early-career researchers at NIH have secured the first union contract at a federal research institution. The contract, covering around 5,000 graduate students, postdocs, and post-baccalaureates, includes paid parental leave, harassment protections, work hour limits, and a 40-hour workweek baseline. It also promises pay increases—raising graduate stipends to $50,400 and postdoc pay to $68,544—but these raises won't start until 2026.The deal, approved by the Department of Health and Human Services, guarantees up to $1,500 in relocation benefits, professional development time, gender-neutral restrooms, and remote work accommodations. While the pay increases depend on congressional appropriations and could be delayed, the contract is seen as a significant victory, especially in high-cost areas like Washington, D.C.This agreement may set a precedent for other institutions, encouraging similar pay and benefit negotiations. Despite frustrations over delays and uncertainties, union members view the contract as a major achievement that provides stability in the face of potential federal changes.Read the Science report: https://bit.ly/4h5y09x Back View PDF January 20, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter