Newsletter - #367 C.A.C.A./AAJC Updates; Jane Wu; Mass Detention Policy; Rising Fear/Collapsing Courts;+ #367 C.A.C.A./AAJC Updates; Jane Wu; Mass Detention Policy; Rising Fear/Collapsing Courts;+ In This Issue #367 · Chinese American Citizens Alliance Since 1895 · Hearing on Estate of Dr. Jane Wu v Northwestern University Scheduled · Update from Advancing Justice | AAJC · Politico : Judges Reject Mass Detention Policy · Rising Fear, Collapsing Courts: Inside Today’s Immigration Crisis · News and Activities for the Communities Chinese American Citizens Alliance Since 1895 Kin Yan Hui was recently elected to be National President of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance (C.A.C.A.), He previously served as National Executive Vice President from 2023 to 2025 and as National Vice President for Membership from 2017 to 2023. He is also a Past President of the San Antonio Lodge.In his hometown of San Antonio, Kin serves as the Zoning Commissioner for the City of San Antonio’s District 6, representing 165,000 residents. He also sits on the Bexar County Civil Service Commission.A retired civil servant with over 35 years of service in the U.S. Department of the Air Force, Kin concluded his career in 2017 as Chief Engineer for four Air Force Cyber Weapon Systems. In that role, he led a team of more than 75 engineers and technical professionals developing and acquiring advanced cyber capabilities for the Air Force.Kin holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Houston, a Master of Arts in Management from Webster University, and was an Executive Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University.In his remarks at the APA Justice monthly meeting on December 1, 2025, Kin offered a detailed overview of the organization’s 130-year history, its national footprint, and his vision for strengthening its role in the Chinese American community. Opening with characteristic humor—“As a good bureaucrat, I have to have PowerPoint slides, so please put up with that”—Kin set a collegial tone before walking the audience through C.A.C.A.’s mission: “to practice and defend Chinese American citizenship and to preserve our cultural and historical heritage, because without historical and cultural preservation, we are not a people.”Kin traced C.A.C.A.’s roots to 1895, when it was founded in San Francisco as the Native Sons of the Golden State. By 1915, it had reorganized under its current name and expanded nationally. He highlighted several moments of historic significance, including the organization’s advocacy for repealing the Chinese Exclusion Act, testimony before Congress in the 1940s, efforts that led to the War Brides Act and Chinese Alien Wives Act, and more recent achievements such as the 2012 Congressional Statement of Regret and the 2018 Congressional Gold Medal awarded to Chinese American World War II veterans. The medal project, Kin recalled, was a challenge—“It was during COVID, and we were having a very difficult time doing that”—but C.A.C.A. persisted and continues to locate families who were unaware of their eligibility.C.A.C.A. today includes 20 lodges and roughly 3,000 members, historically concentrated along the West Coast but growing rapidly in the South and Southwest. Kin emphasized that while the national board provides guidance and resources, “a lot of the work that’s being done is really at the lodge level.” His vision for the future focuses on restoring prominence, strengthening impact, and ensuring relevance nationwide. Conversations with community leaders, he noted, have helped sharpen that mission: “Not just for the C.A.C.A., but for the greater Chinese American community at large.”To support this vision, Kin outlined strategic goals: empowering lodges, improving messaging and partnerships, increasing membership, and defending birthright citizenship. Membership development will include a new pipeline, service recognition programs, and a youth advisory council—critical, he noted, because “we are all volunteers, with no paid staff, so we must appreciate every minute we get from volunteers.”On birthright citizenship, Kin recounted internal skepticism from some members who believed constitutional rights were secure. His response was grounded in risk management: “The risk may be low, but the severity is so high that we have to address it.” C.A.C.A. will establish a dedicated project team to prepare for and respond to potential policy threats.Kin concluded by reaffirming C.A.C.A.’s long-standing role and future direction: “I just want to introduce the organization…and give you a glimpse into what we are planning to do in the next two years.” He expressed gratitude for the chance to connect with allied organizations and strengthen shared commitments to civil rights, community empowerment, and cultural preservation.A summary of the APA Justice monthly meeting on December 1 is being prepared at this time. According to Reuters , the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to decide the legality of President Trump’s directive to limit birthright citizenship. The policy, issued by executive order in January 2025, seeks to end automatic citizenship under the Fourteenth Amendment for children born in the United States to parents who are neither citizens nor permanent residents. Lower courts had blocked the order as likely unconstitutional, and a federal judge in New Hampshire certified a class action that prevented enforcement nationwide. On December 5, the Supreme Court granted review specifically in that class action case, setting the stage for oral arguments in the spring of 2026 and a likely decision by late June or early July. Hearing on Estate of Dr. Jane Wu v Northwestern University Scheduled The Cook County Circuit Court has scheduled a hearing for February 24, 2026, on the case of Estate of Dr. Jane Wu v Northwestern University (Case Number 2025L007963).According to the South China Morning Post , the family of Chinese American neuroscientist Dr. Jane Ying Wu (吴瑛) filed a civil lawsuit alleging Northwestern University discriminated against her during NIH- and China Initiative–related inquiries and that its actions contributed to her suicide in July 2024. The complaint claims the university marginalized Dr. Wu by shutting down portions of her lab, removing team members, restricting access to funding, and even having her taken to a psychiatric unit—despite the NIH ultimately clearing her. Northwestern denies the allegations and has moved to dismiss the case.Dr. Wu, a leading researcher on neurodegenerative diseases with more than $11 million in NIH funding, had her faculty webpages removed shortly after her death—an unusual step noted by colleagues. Her case echoes broader concerns surrounding NIH-backed foreign-interference investigations, which disproportionately affected Asian American scientists, many of whom suffered career damage without criminal charges.Read more about the story of Dr. Jane Wu: https://bit.ly/JaneWu Update from Advancing Justice | AAJC During the APA Justice monthly meeting on December 1, 2025, Joanna YangQing Derman , Director of Anti-Profiling, Civil Rights & National Security Program at Advancing Justice | AAJC, provided a policy update covering several key areas. She noted that AAJC continues to monitor developments related to the China Initiative and ongoing negotiations in the Commerce, Justice, and Science appropriations process, particularly with the extended January 30 deadline.On the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Joanna reported that both chambers have passed their versions of the bill and that AAJC has submitted its official letter to House and Senate Armed Services leadership. She highlighted the Rounds Amendment (No. 3810) as a major area of concern because it would broaden Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) reviews of foreign purchases of certain agricultural lands. She emphasized that AAJC is in active discussions with Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) and others on the Hill to ensure civil rights safeguards are reflected in the final bill.Joanna also addressed Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s recent proclamation labeling The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) a “foreign terrorist organization” and “transnational criminal organization.” She stressed that AAJC views this as “an attempt to weaponize state power against a religious minority” and is working with interfaith and civil rights partners to oppose discriminatory actions. She noted that CAIR has already filed a federal lawsuit in response.She closed by expressing AAJC’s appreciation for the APA Justice community and said the organization looks forward to sharing a full 2025 wrap-up in the new year. Politico : Judges Reject Mass Detention Policy According to Politico on November 28, 2025, federal judges nationwide are overwhelmingly rejecting the Trump administration’s new mass-detention policy, which mandates that nearly all immigrants in deportation proceedings be held without any opportunity to seek release. Since ICE abruptly implemented the policy on July 8, more than 225 judges in over 700 cases—across 35 states—have found the approach likely unlawful and a violation of due process. Notably, 23 Trump-appointed judges have ruled against the administration. Only eight judges have sided with the government.Courts have been flooded with emergency petitions from immigrants suddenly detained at workplaces, courthouses, or routine check-ins—many long-time residents with families, jobs, and pending legal claims. Judges have described the administration’s interpretation as extreme, illogical, and contrary to decades of precedent, warning that if upheld, the policy could subject millions of long-term residents to mandatory detention. Several courts have publicly noted the near-total consistency of rulings against the administration.Momentum is now building toward nationwide relief. Judges in Massachusetts and Colorado have certified class-action challenges, and a federal judge in California has approved a nationwide class that could require ICE to provide bond hearings to those covered by the new rules. Appeals courts have begun reviewing the issue, even as the administration pushes for rapid consideration in some circuits and delays in others. DHS continues to defend the policy as faithful to statutory text, blaming prior administrations for what it calls overly permissive practices.The dispute centers on two long-standing immigration provisions historically applied only to recent arrivals. For decades, long-term residents in deportation proceedings were eligible to seek bond before an immigration judge. The Trump administration upended that framework by redefining these residents as still “seeking admission,” stripping judges of authority to grant release. With the Board of Immigration Appeals now endorsing this view, federal courts have become the only avenue for relief—driving the nationwide wave of rulings rejecting the policy.Read the Politico report at https://politi.co/4q1yCRR . Rising Fear, Collapsing Courts: Inside Today’s Immigration Crisis In an opinion published by AsAmNews on November 25, 2025, Lily Chen , a first-generation immigrant who came to the U.S. 37 years ago, describes a growing sense of fear spreading through Chinese immigrant communities as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests surge. She writes that friends now warn one another: “Be careful, know your rights, bring your IDs,” prompting her to carry her passport everywhere—not for travel, but out of fear. She notes that these anxieties are shared mostly within “Virtual Chinatown” WeChat groups, where “99% of immigrant Chinese Americans source their information.”Despite her professional roles as a public health nurse educator and film producer, Chen says this is the first time in nearly four decades that she feels “unsafe, worried, and angry all at the same time.” Her fear is deeply personal, recalling watching her father being handcuffed in China even though “He did not commit any crimes and was simply doing his job.” She connects that memory with new UCLA data showing arrests of Asian immigrants nearly tripled in early 2025—from under 700 in 2024 to almost 2,000 between February and May.As ICE operations expand into her own neighborhood in Cary, North Carolina—where she recently saw messages warning, “ICE is currently at a crossroads, Cary. Here is what you need to do today…”—Chen questions how long immigrants must live with this fear. She concludes by asserting her responsibility to speak out, emphasizing that “The immigrant story IS the American story.”According to Border Report on November 24, 2025, a new Migration Policy Institute (MPI) brief warns that migrant communities are experiencing unprecedented fear and instability under the Trump administration, as immigration courts collapse under record backlogs. Enforcement spending has surged while funding for courts and legal aid remains minimal, leaving asylum seekers waiting up to four years for hearings and increasingly too afraid to appear because ICE now arrests people at courthouses and check-ins. MPI reports a backlog of 3.8 million cases—two-thirds involving asylum—compounded by Congress capping the number of immigration judges at 800 and the administration firing or pushing out at least 139 judges. The brief recommends shifting resources from enforcement to adjudication, allowing asylum officers to handle new asylum claims, prioritizing serious cases, expanding technology, and increasing legal representation.Former immigration judge Kyra Lilien described an atmosphere of fear and chaos before her unexplained firing in July. She recounted 50–60-person hearings, migrants fainting as relatives were detained, ICE officers in tactical gear hiding in stairwells, and protesters clashing with ICE outside the courthouse. Detentions in and around courts caused appearance rates to plummet from 85% to 30%. Judge Lilien criticized the structural flaw that immigration courts are housed within the Department of Justice—placing judges and prosecutors under the same authority—and endorsed MPI’s call for institutional reform and greater resources. Advocates in Texas echoed concerns about escalating arrests, family separations, and the growing difficulty of providing legal representation amid expanding detention.On December 1, 2025, Bloomberg Law reported that former immigration judge Tania Nemer has filed what appears to be the first federal lawsuit by an immigration judge against the Trump administration ( Nemer v. Bondi (1:25-cv-04170) , alleging she was unlawfully fired from the Cleveland immigration court. Judge Nemer—a Lebanese American woman who was still in her two-year probationary period—claims the Justice Department discriminated against her based on sex and national origin, noting that two male, non-Lebanese probationary judges were retained. She also alleges retaliation for her prior run for local office on a Democratic Party ticket, asserting a violation of her First Amendment rights.Since early December, the immigration system has come under even greater strain: · New York immigration courts suffered another wave of judge firings, with at least eight judges terminated in one week, according to ABC News . Some courts have lost more than 25% of their judges—deepening delays and weakening due process for asylum seekers. · According to the Los Angeles Times , immigrants who have won their cases or received court orders for release are still being held in detention, as ICE continues to pursue aggressive deportations even after legal victories—raising constitutional and separation-of-powers concerns. · A UCLA School Climate Survey reported by The Guardian finds immigration raids are creating a “culture of fear” among students. Over 70% of high school principals observed increased bullying, absenteeism, and trauma among immigrant and Asian American students tied to enforcement operations. · A December 11 Reuters investigation revealed ICE has begun using family separation threats, prolonged detention, and criminal prosecution to pressure migrants into accepting deportation, prompting legal advocates to warn that due-process protections are being eroded in unprecedented ways. Together, these developments underscore a rapidly intensifying immigration crisis: rising community fear, collapsing courts, unprecedented enforcement pressure, and a growing sense that long-standing norms of fairness and due process are breaking down. News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2026/01/05 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2026/01/13 Conversations, Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes: Leroy Chiao 2026/01/29-30 The Jimmy Carter Forum on U.S.-China Relations2026/02/02 APA Justice Monthly Meeting Visit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. # # # APA Justice Task Force is a non-partisan platform to build a sustainable ecosystem that addresses racial profiling concerns and to facilitate, inform, and advocate on selected issues related to justice and fairness for the Asian Pacific American community. For more information, please refer to the new APA Justice website under development at www.apajusticetaskforce.org . We value your feedback. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org . Back View PDF December 12, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #118 CAPAC Meets President; Senator Wicker on DOC; Letter to Olsen; Editorials; Anming Hu #118 CAPAC Meets President; Senator Wicker on DOC; Letter to Olsen; Editorials; Anming Hu Back View PDF March 8, 2022 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Juan Tang 唐娟 Docket ID: 2:20-cr-00134 District Court, E.D. California Date filed: Aug 6, 2020 Date ended: July 23, 2021 Table of Contents Overview 2021/07/19 Defense Motion to Dismiss 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 claimed visa violation, including Dr. Juan Tang. A fifth scientist was arrested for similar charges in August 2020. Dr. Juan Tang has had a successful and award-winning career as a cancer researcher. She was invited to participate in a cancer research program at the University of California, Davis, as a visiting scholar by a leading professor and researcher at the Cancer Center. Dr. Tang was issued a J-1 visa in November 2019. The J-1 visa is often issued to non-immigrant scholars and researchers. DOJ charged Dr. Tang with one count of visa fraud and one count of making a false statement, alleging that she lied about her affiliation with China’s military. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. On July 22, 2021, DOJ motioned to drop their case against Dr. Tang. U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez granted the motion to dismiss on July 23, 2021. The other four visa fraud cases were also dismissed at the same time. The five visa fraud cases including Dr. Tang were identified under the China Initiative, but they were removed from the DOJ online report after their dismissals. 2021/07/19 Defense Motion to Dismiss A jury trial of Dr. Tang was scheduled to begin in Sacramento, California on July 26, 2021. On July 19, 2021, defense attorneys for Dr. Tang submitted a trial brief and memorandum to support dismissal at trial. The trial brief provided background of the case and included two exhibits . The defense attorneys contended that the FBI deliberately failed to disclose critical exculpatory evidence to the Court and to the defense, including a heavily-redacted FBI Background Note in Exhibit A. The defense attorneys opined that China's PLA is not a direct analog to how the US military services are set up, especially regarding the PLA's Civilian Cadre, quoting from Exhibit A that “...Among the Civilian Cadre are a significant number of doctors and nurses and other professionals that at times are required to wear a military type uniform, but who would not necessarily consider themselves soldiers despite being considered as active duty.” Three days later, DOJ motioned to drop their case against Dr. Tang, which U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez granted on July 23, 2021. [jump to menu] 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 - #103 AASF/Cato Webinars; WHIAANHPI; Dr. David Ho 4 NIH; 12/6 Meeting Summary; Media Reports #103 AASF/Cato Webinars; WHIAANHPI; Dr. David Ho 4 NIH; 12/6 Meeting Summary; Media Reports Back View PDF December 21, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #154 Arrowood Nomination; 11/07 Meeting; STEM Workforce; Jeremy Wu Inducted NAPA Fellow #154 Arrowood Nomination; 11/07 Meeting; STEM Workforce; Jeremy Wu Inducted NAPA Fellow Back View PDF November 9, 2022 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #394 Forbidden Citizens; AAJC Updates; USCET Resource Hub; Letter to Congress; Resistance+ #394 Forbidden Citizens; AAJC Updates; USCET Resource Hub; Letter to Congress; Resistance+ In This Issue #394 · Forbidden Citizens: Congressional Regrets of Chinese Exclusion Laws · Updates from Advancing Justice | AAJC · USCET: New Resource Hub on Academic Travel to China · NYT : 2,500 Scientists Open Letter to Congress · Science Editorial on Resistance · News and Activities for the Communities Forbidden Citizens: Congressional Regrets of Chinese Exclusion Laws During the APA Justice monthly meeting on May 4, 2026, Martin B. Gold , Partner of Capitol Counsel LLP, provided a comprehensive account of the successful effort, roughly 15 years ago, to secure congressional resolutions expressing regret for the Chinese Exclusion Laws—an effort that unfolded over more than three years (2009–2012) and required careful legal, political, and strategic coordination. The initiative began in 2009 in the office of Representative Judy Chu 趙美心 , shortly after her election. A coalition of Chinese American and broader Asian American organizations met to explore how Congress might formally acknowledge the historical injustice of the exclusion laws. Marty, then a partner at Covington & Burling, helped lead the effort on a pro bono basis. This allowed the team to dedicate substantial legal resources to researching what turned out to be a complex legislative history—not just the well-known Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, but a series of eight related laws enacted between 1879 and 1904, which collectively restricted immigration, denied naturalization, and institutionalized discrimination against Chinese immigrants. These laws remained in effect until their repeal in 1943 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt . From the outset, Marty emphasized that success depended on bipartisan support. Representative Chu secured a Republican co-sponsor in the House, while in the Senate, Republican Scott Brown served as lead sponsor with Democratic support from Dianne Feinstein . Notably, both Chu and Brown were relatively junior members of the minority party in their respective chambers—making the effort more challenging and underscoring the importance of coalition-building and strategic positioning. The resolutions were introduced in May 2011 and referred to the Judiciary Committees in both chambers. In the Senate, leadership from Judiciary Committee Chair Patrick Leahy and Ranking Member Chuck Grassley enabled the resolution to move forward. The Senate passed the resolution on October 6, 2011, by unanimous consent—a significant milestone that demonstrated broad bipartisan agreement. The House process proved more difficult. Some members raised concerns that the resolution could be interpreted as criticizing immigration controls more broadly. The issue was not limited to immigration; the historical laws also denied Chinese immigrants the ability to naturalize, based on explicit claims that they could not assimilate. This combination of immigration and citizenship issues made the resolution more politically sensitive. The turning point came through intervention from House leadership, specifically the office of Majority Leader Eric Cantor . His Chief of Staff, Neil Bradley , played a key role in breaking the impasse. At Cantor’s direction, staff worked with Representative Chu to negotiate a compromise that would allow the resolution to move forward. As a result, the House version passed on June 8, 2012. While its language differed somewhat from the Senate version, the core substance and intent remained aligned. Marty emphasized that passage of the resolutions was not the endpoint. Without continued engagement, he noted, the achievement could easily have faded from public awareness. To prevent that, he and others undertook an extensive education effort, delivering roughly 50 talks across the country—from New York to Honolulu—primarily to Chinese American and Asian American audiences. These efforts focused not only on what Congress had done, but also on the broader historical context and significance of the exclusion laws. Marty highlighted several lessons from the effort: · Bipartisanship is essential : Meaningful legislative achievements, particularly on sensitive historical issues, require support from both parties. · Coalition-building matters : Success depended on coordination among community groups, legal experts, and congressional offices. · Leadership intervention can be decisive : The House breakthrough came only after direct involvement from senior leadership. · Substance requires rigor : The effort was grounded in deep legal and historical research, covering multiple decades of legislation. · Education must follow legislation : Without continued outreach, even significant achievements risk being forgotten. Marty concluded by expressing pride in the success of the effort and in the role played by Covington & Burling in supporting the work on a pro bono basis. He emphasized that both the legislative accomplishment and the historical lessons behind it remain important to preserve and communicate. Marty’s 616-page book, Forbidden Citizens: Chinese Exclusion and the U.S. Congress — A Legislative History , was released on July 4, 2012. It was the first comprehensive legislative history of the Chinese exclusion laws passed by Congress. The book was named an Honor Book by the Asian and Pacific American Librarians Association and won a Benjamin Franklin Award. It is widely regarded as an important and timely work given ongoing debates about immigration, discrimination, and civil rights. APA Justice produced a timeline visualization based on Marty’s book at https://www.tiki-toki.com/timeline/entry/78461/1882-Chinese-Exclusion-Act/ . Watch a video of Marty’s talk at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUqYIJYn0Hk (7:10). Updates from Advancing Justice | AAJC During the May 4 APA Justice monthly meeting, Joanna YangQing Derman , Program Director, Advancing Justice | AAJC provided updates on three topics: 1. FISA Section 702 Congressional activity in the days before recess produced a messy outcome: the House passed a 3-year clean extension that included an unrelated provision banning central bank digital currency, but the Senate Majority Leader rejected that provision as a poison pill. The immediate result is a 45-day extension to continue pushing for reforms — specifically a warrant requirement and closing the data broker loophole. She gave a special acknowledgment to CAPAC for co-leading a reform letter with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), and supported by the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). 2. China Initiative H.R. 1468 — the "Protect America's Innovation and Economic Security from the CCP Act," advanced by the House Judiciary Committee in March — would effectively reinstate the defunct China Initiative under a new name. AAJC has been working in coalition with Stop AAPI Hate, Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA), and Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) to oppose it. While it is unclear if or when the bill will reach the House floor, AAJC is circulating an opposition letter to the Hill, expected to go out by end of that week. Contact Joanna at jderman@advancingjustice-aajc.org for more information. 3. SBA Policy Changes New Small Business Administration (SBA) rules now require 100% U.S. citizen ownership to qualify for SBA loans — reversing prior policy that allowed limited foreign ownership. The changes affect the flagship 7(a) and 504 loan programs, microloans, and surety bonds, and include new documentation requirements and nationality-based restrictions specifically targeting individuals with ties to China and Hong Kong. Joanna warned that these changes create barriers to capital access for AAPI-owned small businesses — one of the fastest-growing entrepreneurial segments in the country — and risk discrimination based on perceived foreign ties rather than actual financial risk. AAJC has endorsed the Investing in the American Dream Act (Sponsored by Edward J. Markey and Rep. Nydia Velázquez ) and participated in a closed-door listening session with the senator alongside AAPI small business leaders. USCET: New Resource Hub on Academic Travel to China On May 11, 2026, the US-China Education Trust (USCET) released a new online Resource Hub on academic travel to China. The free platform provides practical guidance for students, scholars, faculty, and researchers navigating study, research, and collaboration opportunities in China amid today’s evolving U.S.-China academic exchange environment. The Resource Hub was developed in response to the sharp decline in Americans studying in China—now fewer than 2,000 students annually—highlighted in USCET’s 2026 America's China Talent Challenge report . Designed primarily for travelers in the social sciences and humanities, the Hub offers vetted information on visas, technology, security, academic freedom, funding opportunities, and institutional considerations. It also compiles lessons and perspectives from recent travelers to help users better understand current conditions and make informed decisions about academic engagement in China. USCET notes that the guidance reflects the experiences and best practices of scholars, students, and institutions involved in academic travel since 2020. The materials are intended as informational resources and should be considered alongside institutional policies, official government guidance, and individual circumstances. Key features of the Resource Hub include: · Operational Toolkit : Practical guidance on logistics, including visa processes and technology, as well as addressing security and academic freedom concerns. · Funding and Programs : A database of current fellowships, funding opportunities, and active academic programs (summer study, research) in China. · Crowd-Sourced Guidance : Insights and lessons from recent travelers, offering on-the-ground perspectives. · Target Audience : Focused on students, faculty, and researchers in the social sciences and humanities. For more information, visit the USCET Resource Hub: https://uscet.org/resource-hub/ . USCET formally launched the Resource Hub for Academic Travel to China on May 4, 2026 at a public webinar event "Should I Study in China?" The program brought together students and scholars to discuss current conditions on the ground, suggestions for navigating the academic environment in China today, and identifying how the Resource Hub can support travelers weighing the decision of whether to go to China. Watch the launch event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbYDDG1-cJo (59:20). NYT: 2,500 Scientists Open Letter to Congress According to The New York Times , there is mounting concern among scientists and former research officials following Donald Trump ’s dismissal of all members of the National Science Board, the independent body that oversees the National Science Foundation. More than 2,500 scientists signed a letter urging Congress to restore the board, calling the move an “alarming attack” on U.S. scientific research and innovation. The scientists warned that disruptions to NSF governance and funding could weaken America’s global scientific leadership at a time when China is rapidly increasing its investments in research and development. The concern was reinforced by the NSB’s own 2026 science and engineering report, finalized before the board’s dismissal, which concluded that China had overtaken the United States in overall research and development expenditures. Established in 1950, NSF distributes billions of dollars annually to support research across fields including artificial intelligence, astronomy, engineering, and the social sciences. Former board members and agency leaders say NSF is now operating under severe strain, with no confirmed director, staffing reductions, relocation disruptions, and proposed budget cuts exceeding 40%. According to the Grant Witness Project, the agency had committed only about 10% of its appropriated funding by May 1—roughly half the pace of previous fiscal years. Several former board members said relations with the administration deteriorated sharply in 2025 after NSF canceled hundreds of active research grants without consulting the board. Shortly afterward, NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan resigned, followed by additional departures from board leadership. Former members described increasing frustration over limited transparency and repeated responses from agency officials that key decisions were still “under discussion” with the administration. The report also highlights concerns that normal oversight processes were increasingly bypassed. Former board members pointed to a proposed $900 million Arctic research vessel project that appeared in the president’s budget request without undergoing standard NSB review procedures. Keivan Stassun , who chaired the board’s committee on large facilities, said the proposal “had not gone through any of the normal processes” before the board was dismissed. The White House defended the firings by citing constitutional concerns related to a 2021 Supreme Court ruling and argued that NSF remains aligned with Trump’s goal of strengthening American technological leadership. Former board members, however, warned that the combination of weakened oversight, funding uncertainty, and leadership instability places the agency in a “very precarious position” and could have long-term consequences for U.S. scientific competitiveness and national security. Read the New York Times report: https://nyti.ms/4wpw5Vq . Read the scientists’ open letter to Congress: https://bit.ly/4d68Ubb Science Editorial on Resistance A Science editorial examines the growing anxiety within the American scientific community following federal grant cancellations, immigration restrictions on foreign scientists, and repeated attempts by the Trump administration to sharply reduce science funding. Although Congress ultimately restored much of the funding, delays in distributing grants and continuing political uncertainty have left many researchers uncertain about how to respond. The editorial centers on a conversation Science editor-in-chief H. Holden Thorp had with historian Timothy Snyder , author of On Tyranny , about how scientists and universities should balance resistance to political pressure with the need to protect institutions and maintain professional ethics. Snyder argues that universities should allow criticism and activism rather than suppress them, while recognizing that different institutions and individuals may respond differently depending on their circumstances. The discussion highlights the importance of scientific integrity, using the refusal of the Annals of Internal Medicine to retract a vaccine-related study at the request of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as an example of maintaining professional standards under political pressure. Snyder emphasized that scientists cannot effectively respond to attacks by abandoning their own ethical and evidentiary standards. The editorial also explores the unequal nature of public debate, noting that critics of science often make broad political claims while scientists feel compelled to respond with rigorous evidence and precision. Snyder argues that this imbalance is common during periods of authoritarian pressure and that scientists should not imitate political rhetoric in response. Rather than prescribing a single form of activism, Snyder suggests that scientists contribute in different ways depending on their roles and personal circumstances. Some may engage publicly through protests or advocacy, while others may support the broader effort through local actions, mentoring, communication, or simply defending professional norms within their institutions. The editorial concludes that protecting science will require sustained collective action, clearer public communication about the value of research, and mutual support across the scientific community. While not everyone must become a public activist, Snyder argues that scientists should avoid passivity and that those taking visible risks in defense of science deserve broad backing from their peers. Read the Science editorial and watch the interview with Timothy Snyder: https://bit.ly/4ts490k (35:38) News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2026/05/12-14 Celebrating 250 - Building America’s Future Together 2026/05/13 The Model Minority Trap: How ‘Positive’ Stereotypes Harm Asian Americans 2026/05/20 Trump v. Barbara: Birthright Citizenship at the Supreme Court 2026/06/01 APA Justice Monthly Meeting 2026/06/10 Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes - Calvin TsaoVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Cato: Trump v. Barbara: Birthright Citizenship at the Supreme Court WHAT : Trump v. Barbara: Birthright Citizenship at the Supreme Court WHEN : May 20, 2026, 2:00-3:00 pm ET WHERE : Webinar HOST : Cato Institute Speakers: · Paul Finkelman , President William McKinley Distinguished Professor of Law and Public Policy, Emeritus, Albany Law School and Visiting Professor of Law, University of Toledo College of Law · Dan Greenberg , Senior Legal Fellow, Cato Institute · Ilya Somin , Professor of Law, George Mason University, and B. Kenneth Simon Chair in Constitutional Studies, Cato Institute · Jack Chin , Edward L. Barrett Jr. Distinguished Professor of Law and Director of Clinical Legal Education, UC Davis School of Law. DESCRIPTION: Does the Fourteenth Amendment guarantee birthright citizenship to persons born in the United States to parents without permanent immigration status? This is an insightful discussion with a group of scholars who will break down Trump v. Barbara, consider the recent Supreme Court oral argument, and explore the approaches the Court might take as it reaches a decision. REGISTRATION : https://bit.ly/4dg8Kwt # # # APA Justice Task Force is a non-partisan platform to build a sustainable ecosystem that addresses racial profiling concerns and to facilitate, inform, and advocate on selected issues related to justice and fairness for the Asian Pacific American community. For more information, please refer to the new APA Justice website under development at www.apajusticetaskforce.org . We value your feedback. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org . Back View PDF May 13, 2026 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #339 7/7 Meeting; Supreme Court; NIH Grant Ruling; Vincent Chin; Perkins Coie Webinar; More #339 7/7 Meeting; Supreme Court; NIH Grant Ruling; Vincent Chin; Perkins Coie Webinar; More In This Issue #339 · 2025/07/07 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · Supreme Court Limits Nationwide Orders on Birthright Citizenship · Judge Rebukes Trump Administration NIH Grant Terminations · Anti-Asian Hate: Why We Must Remember Vincent Chin · Perkins Coie Webinar: Strategies for Nonprofits · News and Activities for the Communities 2025/07/07 APA Justice Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held on Monday, July 7, 2025, starting at 1:55 pm ET. In addition to updates from: · Judith Teruya , Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) · Joanna YangQing Derman , Program Director, Advancing Justice | AAJC · Gisela Perez Kusakawa , Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) We are honored by and welcome the following distinguished speakers: · Lynn Pasquerella , President, American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) · Toby Smith , Senior Vice President for Government Relations & Public Policy, Association of American Universities (AAU) · Clay Zhu 朱可亮 , Founder and President, Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance (CALDA) · Paul Cheung 鄭文耀 , President, Committee of 100 · Tony Chan 陳繁昌 , Former President of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (2018–2024) and Former President of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (2009–2018) 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 . Supreme Court Limits Nationwide Orders on Birthright Citizenship According to AP News , NPR , Washington Post and multiple media reports, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6–3 on June 27, 2025, in favor of narrowing the use of nationwide injunctions, limiting lower courts’ ability to block federal policies for the entire country while litigation is pending. While the ruling does not address the constitutionality of President Donald Trump ’s executive order ending birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to undocumented immigrants and foreign visitors, it does pause the order’s implementation for 30 days and returns pending lawsuits to lower courts to reassess the scope of relief.Justice Amy Coney Barrett , writing for the majority, argued that courts must limit relief to actual plaintiffs, not impose universal blocks. Dissenting Justice Sonia Sotomayor strongly opposed the decision, warning it would harm families and shield unlawful executive actions from scrutiny. The ruling allows nationwide class-action suits as an alternative and has already prompted new legal filings from civil rights groups seeking broad protections. While celebrated by Trump and Republican lawmakers as a check on judicial overreach, critics say the decision weakens protections against potentially unconstitutional policies and creates legal uncertainty for families and states.Within hours after the Supreme Court ruling, two class-action suits had been filed in Maryland and New Hampshire seeking to block Trump’s order, including an amended class action complaint and emergency motion for class-wide injunctive relief under Casa Inc. v. Trump (8:25-cv-00201) One of the lawyers representing the plaintiffs, William Powell , senior counsel at the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection at Georgetown Law, says his colleagues at CASA, Inc. and the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project think that, with the class action approach "we will be able to get complete relief for everyone who would be covered by the executive order." The strategic shift required three court filings: one to add class allegations to the initial complaint; a second to move for class certification; and a third asking a district court in Maryland to issue "a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction asking for relief for that putative class," Powell said. According to a Washington Post opinion on June 28, the Supreme Court’s decision in CASA v. Trump will shift judicial power to check the executive from the roughly 700 district judges across the country to the nine justices of the Supreme Court in Washington. For example, district judges can guarantee birthright citizenship for the children of immigrants who file for relief in their district court (or potentially groups of immigrants who bring a class action). But a universal bar on enforcement of this and other presidential decrees will have to wait for the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is now the only court in the country that can block a presidential policy nationwide. However, if the president tries to implement an unconstitutional order and the district courts lack the tools to stop him, the Supreme Court can still swoop in on its time-sensitive emergency docket. Judge Rebukes Trump Administration NIH Grant Terminations As of June 26, 2025, the number of legal challenges to President Donald Trump’s executive actions has risen to 303, according to the Just Security Litigation Tracker (with 12 cases closed). One of the most significant recent developments centers on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' termination of hundreds of NIH research grants: American Public Health Association v. National Institutes of Health (1:25-cv-10787) In February 2025, HHS halted both ongoing and pending biomedical and behavioral research grants at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), following Trump’s Executive Orders 14151 and 14173, which barred federal funding from supporting “gender ideology” or diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. NIH subsequently issued directives labeling entire categories of research—such as DEI, transgender health, vaccine hesitancy, and COVID-19—as no longer aligned with agency priorities. At least 678 research projects have reportedly been terminated.On April 2, a coalition of prominent health organizations and affected scientists filed suit under the Administrative Procedure Act, challenging the legality of these terminations and seeking an injunction. The plaintiffs include four researchers, the American Public Health Association (APHA), the United Auto Workers (UAW), and Ibis Reproductive Health—all alleging loss of funding or research suppression. According to Politico on June 16, U.S. District Judge William Young of Massachusetts issued a forceful ruling against the administration. Calling the NIH’s actions “illegal” and “palpably clear” discrimination, Judge Young ordered the immediate reinstatement of the terminated grants. He condemned the terminations as unconstitutional, stating they demonstrated racial and anti-LGBTQ bias and violated procedural norms. The administration’s defense—that the actions aligned with congressional priorities—was found to lack any evidentiary basis.This ruling marks a significant legal and symbolic blow to the administration’s sweeping efforts to dismantle federal support for DEI and LGBTQ+ initiatives under the banner of ideological reform. Appeals are expected. Anti-Asian Hate: Why We Must Remember Vincent Chin According to Detroit Free Press , Detroit PBS , Inquirer , Michigan Chronicle , Outlier Media , and other media reports, 43 years after the brutal killing of Vincent Chin 陳果仁 , a new sign was unveiled in Detroit: Vincent Chin Street. Under the hot June sun, a string quartet played Mozart, and the crowd — elders, youth, activists, public officials — gathered not only to honor the man, but to mark the legacy his death ignited.Chin, a 27-year-old Chinese American draftsman, was celebrating his bachelor party on June 19, 1982, when he was assaulted by two white autoworkers who blamed “people like him” for their economic hardships. It was a time when an Asian nation - Japan - was on the rise and blamed for threatening the American auto industry. Days later, on June 23, Chin died of head injuries from a baseball bat attack in a McDonald’s parking lot. The assailants, Ronald Ebens and Michael Nitz , were sentenced to probation and a fine. No jail time.The injustice was not just in the courtroom. It echoed in how little American society at the time recognized Asian Americans as part of the civil rights conversation. Even progressive institutions — local chapters of the ACLU and the National Lawyers Guild — argued Asian Americans did not qualify for civil rights protections. “Those were the things people would say to us,” said Helen Zia, Founder of the Vincent Chin Institute. The battle to establish Chin’s citizenship status in order to pursue justice became symbolic of broader struggles for recognition.And yet, that moment in 1982 became a turning point. Chin’s death spurred the creation of the American Citizens for Justice (ACJ) and catalyzed the modern Asian American civil rights movement. It showed that hate — even when misdirected — had deadly consequences. And it taught a generation that justice does not arrive unless you demand it. The street naming this year, attended by many who led those early fights, is a testament to that generation’s perseverance. Attorney Roland Hwang , who helped cofound ACJ, reminded the crowd: “What happened to him… was seared in our minds. His last words were, ‘It’s not fair.’” Those words, he said, should still guide us today. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan reflected on the leniency of the original sentence. “We have to step up and stop [hate],” he said, linking the legacy of Chin’s killing to anti-Arab bias after 9/11 and to the rising violence and polarization seen today. “Most of all, we’ve got to remember. And that’s what you’ve done today.”But remembrance is not enough.According to new data from Stop AAPI Hate, more than 50% of Asian Americans today — especially those aged 18 to 29 — report experiencing racial animus. Many of these young people were not born when Chin died. Many have never heard his name. As Michigan State Senator Stephanie Chang put it, “There are going to be people who see this sign and ask, ‘Who was Vincent Chin?’ And hopefully, that will spur learning and understanding.”That learning matters, especially in today’s political climate. The same scapegoating that helped justify Chin’s death in 1982 is reemerging in new forms. Now, it is not Japan but China that is framed as the threat — and proposals like Michigan’s recent House bill restricting land ownership by nationals of certain countries (including China) raise alarm about repeating history. “It’s discriminatory,” said civil rights groups and community advocates. State Senator Chang and others are working to embed ethnic studies into Michigan’s education system so that no one graduates asking “Vincent who?” — not just to preserve memory, but to prevent erasure. To see justice not as a one-time verdict, but a cultural habit that must be nurtured.Even the site of the unveiling — once the heart of Detroit’s Chinatown — tells a story. The Chinese Merchants Association building, where the ACJ first organized in 1982, was demolished in 2023 despite protests. Still, the effort to rebuild continues, with a $1 million appropriation and a vision of a revitalized Chinatown, not only as a cultural anchor but as a space of solidarity and healing.What is clear after 43 years is that Vincent Chin’s story is not just a tragedy. It is a mirror. Of where we were, where we still are, and where we need to go. Every June, as Juneteenth reminds the nation of delayed justice for Black Americans, Chin’s memory reminds Asian Americans that the struggle is shared — and ongoing.Vincent Chin's story calls us to vigilance, solidarity, and the courage to confront injustice in all forms. The next generation is watching. Justice is not a moment — it is a movement, and the work continues. Perkins Coie Webinar: Strategies for Nonprofits The law firm Perkins Coie launched The Compliance Collective webinar series in August 2024, hosting a monthly 60‑minute session—every third Thursday at 1 p.m. ET—covering emerging compliance issues with expert panels.The webinar on June 26, 2025, was titled " Essential Strategies for Nonprofit Leaders Navigating Government Inquiries ," specifically designed to empower nonprofit leaders with the latest insights and practical strategies for effectively responding to government investigations and inquiries. As nonprofits face increasing scrutiny from both executive agencies and legislative bodies, it is essential to be prepared for subpoenas, inquiries, and other actions.The webinar covered: · Unique risks facing non-profit organizations · Interacting with the government o Preparing for informal outreach and inquiries from law enforcement and regulators o Navigating government raids o Effective subpoena response · Best practices for developing policies & procedures to address these risks Sign up and receive Perkins Coie webinar invites and updates at https://bit.ly/44mtKgT On March 11, 2025, Perkins Coie sued the Department of Justice (DOJ) and other government agencies over President Trump’s March 6, 2025 executive order (EO) terminating government contracts, denying members of the firm access to federal employees, and suspending employees’ security clearances. On May 2, U.S. District Judge Beryl Alaine Howell of the District of Columbia held that the EO violates the law and is invalid and permanently enjoined the DOJ from implementing, enforcing, or using statements from the EO in any way. Judge Howell granted Perkins Coie’s motion for summary judgment and declaratory relief and denied the DOJ’s motion to dismiss. News and Activities for the Communities APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/06/28-30 2025 ICSA China Conference2025/07/07 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/07/09 8th Annual Congressional Reception2025/07/13 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/07/25-27 Asian American Pioneer Medal Symposium and Ceremony 2025/07/27 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/08/02-07 2025 Joint Statistical Meetings2025/08/04 APA Justice Monthly MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. # # # APA Justice Task Force is a non-partisan platform to build a sustainable ecosystem that addresses racial profiling concerns and to facilitate, inform, and advocate on selected issues related to justice and fairness for the Asian Pacific American community. For more information, please refer to the new APA Justice website under development at www.apajusticetaskforce.org . We value your feedback. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org . Back View PDF June 30, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

A group of prominent leaders in biomedical research warn that recent government actions with respect to Chinese scientists in the U.S. could threaten U.S. leadership in biomedical science. August 21, 2019 On August 21, 2019, a group of 150 prominent leaders in U.S. academic and industrial biomedical research and drug development published a letter titled " Chinese scientists and US leadership in the life sciences ," warning that recent actions by government agencies and universities with respect to Chinese scientists in the U.S. could threaten U.S. leadership in biomedical science. "We, the undersigned, are leaders in U.S. academic and industrial biomedical research and drug development. We are concerned that recent actions by government agencies and universities with respect to Chinese scientists in the U.S. could threaten U.S. leadership in biomedical science. Recently, some scientists from China, or American-born of Chinese heritage, have been summarily dismissed from their university positions, creating a climate of fear and uncertainty in our biomedical communities. Let us be clear: we must absolutely guard against foreign espionage and IP theft, and prosecute those who engage in it, whatever their origins. At the same time, actions that more broadly limit collaboration between Chinese and American scientists and companies would be deleterious to our national interests; so too would limitations on American residents of Chinese origin receiving government research funding or being employed by the NIH. In military wars between national adversaries, leaders often vilify “the other.” Our “war” unifies an international community of medical researchers to fight a common adversary, disease: cancers, immune diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, infections, to name just a few. Vilifying or excluding any group as “the other” limits our ability to win this war. The United States’ unique constitution as a nation of immigrants has been fundamental to our world leadership in biomedical research and drug development. Our nation most prolifically attracts the best, most diverse talent from the entire world. This has enriched our economy and society. As a case in point, our preliminary research indicates that, since 1999, over 400,000 US patents have been issued to inventors of Chinese descent, and approximately 28% of U.S. biomedical science publications in 2018 included an author of Chinese descent. An atmosphere of intimidation will encourage many outstanding scientists of Chinese origin to leave the US or never to come. In addition, scientists from other countries who are working in the U.S. cannot fail to get the message that they may well be next. We also note that the vast majority of the results of academic biomedical research are not secret; their publication and open exchange are the cornerstone of our success against our common enemy of human disease and suffering. Thomas Jefferson wrote, “He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.” We support the opinions recently published by the editors of Nature, Nature Biotechnology and by former NIH Director Elias Zerhouni , and advocate for measured policies that will both protect U.S. intellectual property and continue to foster the diversity and collaboration that fuel our ability to advance science and cure disease. At a minimum, universities must effectively communicate and consistently apply their rules governing scientific collaborations and IP obligations, and they, as well as government agencies, must clearly justify their actions when they accuse scientists of malfeasance or seek to dismiss them from their positions. Ronald Reagan said, “We lead the world, because unique among nations, we draw our people, our strength from every country and every corner of the world,” and, “If we ever close our door to new Americans, our leadership in the world will soon be lost.” Nowhere are these thoughts more pertinent than in biomedical science. If we are to prevail in humanity’s common quest to conquer disease, our surest route is to include any person able to contribute, regardless of country of origin, religion, race, gender, or other identity. The U.S. biomedical community stands for the principles of diversity and unity embedded in the founding principles of our country, without which our leadership indeed will soon be lost." Read the original letter here for all the signatories. A group of prominent leaders in biomedical research warn that recent government actions with respect to Chinese scientists in the U.S. could threaten U.S. leadership in biomedical science. Previous Next Pharmaceutical Chiefs and Scientists Support Chinese Researchers Living in ‘Climate of Fear’

Newsletter - #300 1/6 Monthly Meeting; 11/18 Meeting Summary; Ronnie Chan; Tom Friedman; WSJ Warning; + #300 1/6 Monthly Meeting; 11/18 Meeting Summary; Ronnie Chan; Tom Friedman; WSJ Warning; + In This Issue #300 · 2025/01/06 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · 2024/11/18 APA Justice Monthly Meeting Summary · The Past, Present, and Future of U.S.-China Relations · NYT Opinion: "I Never Felt Like This in China Before" · WSJ : Chinese Students in U.S. Warned to Stay Ahead of Second Trump Term · News and Activities for the Communities 2025/01/06 APA Justice Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, January 6, 2025, starting at 1:55 pm ET. In addition to updates by Joanna YangQing Derman , Program Director, Advancing Justice | AAJC, and Dr. Kai Li , Vice President, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), invited speakers are: · Congresswoman Judy Chu , Chair Emeritus, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) · Judith Terayu , Executive Director, CAPAC · Sudip Parikh , Chief Executive Officer of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and Executive Publisher of the Science family of journals · Robert S. Chang , Executive Director, Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality, University of California Irvine School of Law · Paul L. Hoffman , Director of Civil Rights Clinic, University of California Irvine School of Law The virtual monthly meeting is by invitation only. It is closed to the press. If you wish to join, either one time or for future meetings, please contact one of the co-organizers of APAJustice - Steven Pei 白先慎 , Vincent Wang 王文奎 , and Jeremy Wu 胡善庆 - or send a message to contact@apajustice.org . ***** On December 18, 2024, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) issued a statement marking 80 years since the Supreme Court issued a ruling in the landmark case of Korematsu vs. United States, which ruled that Executive Order 9066 authorizing the relocation of over 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry to incarceration camps did not violate Japanese Americans’ rights. The court affirmed the conviction of Fred Korematsu , a Japanese American civil rights activist, who refused to relocate. In 2018, the Supreme Court rejected its 1944 decision in Korematsu with Chief Justice John Roberts writing that “Korematsu was gravely wrong the day it was decided” and “has no place in law under the Constitution.” Read the CAPAC statement: https://bit.ly/3DwWcTf .The Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality, established in 2009 by Professor Robert S. Chang at Seattle University School of Law, is dedicated to advancing justice and equality through research, advocacy, and education. Named after civil rights hero Fred Korematsu, the center focuses on combating discrimination, empowering communities to advocate for themselves, and training future lawyers committed to social justice. In July 2024, the Korematsu Center relocated to the University of California, Irvine (UCI) School of Law , continuing its mission under Professor Chang's leadership. This move aims to further the center's initiatives in promoting racial equity and social justice on a national scale. Professor Chang is part of the plaintiff's legal team in Jones Eagle LLC v. Ward (4:24-cv-00990) . On December 9, 2024, a District Court in Arkansas granted a preliminary injunction halting Arkansas officials from enforcing state laws restricting foreign ownership of land and digital asset operations within the state.Professor Chang has accepted the invitation to speak at the APA Justice monthly meeting on January 6, 2025. 2024/11/18 APA Justice Monthly Meeting Summary Senator-elect Andy Kim made history as the 1st Asian American from New Jersey elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Now he set another record to become the 1st Asian American in the U.S. Senate from the East Coast. He has dedicated his life to serving the country. He worked as a career public servant under both under both Democratic and Republican administrations, having served at USAID, the Pentagon, the State Department, the White House National Security Council, and in Afghanistan as an advisor to Generals Petraeus and Allen. During the APA Justice monthly meeting on November 18, 2024, Senator-elect Kim said in a video that, at a time when we see so much hate and discrimination out in the public, he wanted to provide the kind of security, comfort, and reassurance to all Americans, including his seven- and nine-year-old children and his two elderly parents at a time of real concern. He said that we need to do a lot more fighting back against anti-Asian hate and discrimination, building the kind of coalition to step up against hate in all forms, taking on some of the different ways in which that fear is weaponized, like the China initiative and other efforts that are unfortunately going to be used going forward. These are difficult times. These are tough times. He hopes to be in a place in the U.S. Senate to be able to work alongside us to fight for the types of things that we all believe in. Senator Kim was sworn into the Senate on Monday, December 9, 2024. His video is posted at https://youtu.be/bBQ4Pq1iagY . Senator Kim welcomes people contacting his team by writing to info@andykim.com .A summary of the APA Justice 2024 November monthly meeting has been posted at: https://bit.ly/4iQMlbh . Read past monthly meeting summaries at: https://bit.ly/3kxkqxP The Past, Present, and Future of U.S.-China Relations On December 2, 2024, Ronnie Chi-Chung Chan 陳啟宗 and Lien-Hang T. Nguyen , a professor at Columbia University, discussed the historical context, current dynamics, and potential future developments in the relationship between the United States and China. The conversation delves into economic, political, and cultural aspects, providing insights into the complexities and challenges that have shaped and continue to influence interactions between the two nations. Columbia University Interim President Katrina Armstrong and University Professor Jeffrey Sachs gave introductory remarks.Ronnie Chi-Chung Chan is a prominent Hong Kong businessman and philanthropist. He serves as Honorary Chair of Hang Lung Properties and Chair Emeritus of the Asia Society. An alumnus of the University of Southern California, where he earned his MBA in 1976, Chan has held influential roles in various international organizations. His philanthropic endeavors are highly notable, particularly through the Morningside Foundation, which has made substantial contributions to educational institutions such as Harvard University and the University of Southern California. Chan is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Lien-Hang T. Nguyen is the Director of the Weatherhead East Asian Institute at Columbia University, and the Dorothy Borg Associate Professor of the History of American-East Asian Relations at Columbia's Department of History. Professor Nguyen specializes in the study of the United States in the world, with spatial focus on Southeast Asia and temporal interest in the Cold War. The Weatherhead East Asian Institute at Columbia University is a hub for the study of modern and contemporary East, Inner, and Southeast Asia at Columbia University. Its mission is to advance knowledge of East, Inner, and Southeast Asia, both across the University and among the public. "Studying is not just to get a job; studying is to make you a better person. Enjoy your education because studying itself is a joy," Chan said during the webinar. "I'm pessimistic but not passive. If you’re passive, you have no future. We must all do our part, even if it’s small, to try to make a difference. If we don't, the world is doomed."Watch the video at https://bit.ly/49RloQq (1:12:44) NYT Opinion: "I Never Felt Like This in China Before" On December 24, 2024, the New York Times published an opinion titled "I Never Felt Like This in China Before" by Thomas L. Friedman . The opinion examines the complexities and evolving nature of U.S.-China relations in the context of global politics. It underscores that the relationship is no longer just about competition but must also include elements of cooperation. While the U.S. and China are embroiled in a range of issues like trade imbalances, technological rivalry, and differing ideologies, the article suggests that these tensions should not overshadow the need for collaboration. The changing global landscape, with rising economic powers and shifting alliances, makes the U.S.-China dynamic crucial not only for both nations but for the stability of the global order.Friedman emphasizes the importance of addressing key challenges, such as the competition in advanced technologies and the battle for global influence. However, he also points out that areas like climate change and global health are issues that transcend national boundaries and require cooperation between the two superpowers. Rather than focusing solely on confrontational tactics, the article advocates for strategic engagement that acknowledges the necessity of cooperation in certain sectors, while also maintaining healthy competition in others. This balanced approach, the article argues, is vital for avoiding catastrophic outcomes, such as military conflicts or economic decoupling. "Excessive confrontation between the U.S. and China could lead to global instability, which would be detrimental not only to both countries but also to the rest of the world," Friedman said. "Fostering an environment of mutual respect and cooperation is essential for addressing the interconnected challenges of the modern world."Read the New York Times opinion: https://nyti.ms/3BYe0WZ . WSJ : Chinese Students in U.S. Warned to Stay Ahead of Second Trump Term According to the Wall Street Journal on December 26, 2024, Chinese students in the United States are being urged to return to campus before President-elect Donald Trump ’s inauguration on January 20, 2025, due to concerns over potential travel and visa restrictions. Universities such as the University of Houston and Rice University have sent out advisories, encouraging international students to return promptly to avoid disruptions. This guidance stems from uncertainty over possible policy changes under the new administration, especially given President-elect Trump’s track record of restrictive immigration measures during his first term. The concerns are particularly acute for Chinese students, who represent one of the largest groups of international students in the U.S. During Trump’s earlier presidency, various policies—including travel bans and tightened visa regulations—created significant barriers for international students from several countries. While no specific plans targeting Chinese students have been announced, the lingering memory of past restrictions has heightened anxiety among this community. Many students are worried about the possibility of being stranded abroad or facing delays in returning to their studies. This situation underscores the broader challenges faced by international students in the U.S., who must navigate a constantly shifting immigration landscape. International students contribute significantly to the U.S. economy and academic environment, yet they often find themselves caught in political crossfires. Universities are stepping up to provide support, recognizing the critical role these students play on campus and the stress they endure due to uncertain policy changes. Institutions are advising students to secure their legal status and ensure compliance with potential new regulations.The return-to-campus advisories also reflect growing geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China. Over the years, Chinese students have faced increasing scrutiny in the United States amid allegations of intellectual property theft and national security concerns. These issues, coupled with domestic pressures to tighten immigration controls, have led to a more challenging environment for Chinese nationals pursuing education in the U.S. Universities, however, remain committed to fostering an inclusive environment and minimizing disruption for their students. Ultimately, the situation highlights the precarious position of international students in an era of shifting political priorities. While universities are taking proactive measures, the uncertainty surrounding U.S. immigration policies under the new administration adds an additional layer of difficulty for students. As the global landscape evolves, the need for stable and predictable policies to support international education becomes increasingly urgent, ensuring that students can continue their studies without undue fear of sudden policy shifts.Read the Wall Street Journal report: https://on.wsj.com/41T5tPU News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/01/05 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/01/06 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/01/15 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 Meeting2025/02/13-15 2025 AAAS Annual Meeting2025/02/16 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Breaking News : Passing of President Jimmy Carter According to the Carter Center and multiple media reports, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter passed away peacefully on December 29, 2024, at his home in Plains, Georgia, at the age of 100.President Carter is survived by his children — Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy ; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Rosalynn , and one grandchild.Serving as the 39th President from 1977 to 1981, Carter's administration was marked by significant achievements, including the historic decision to establish formal diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China, Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt, the SALT II treaty, and the establishment of the Departments of Energy and Education. Carter's commitment to U.S.-China relations extended beyond his presidency. He visited China multiple times and established a China Program within The Carter Center, aiming to promote dialogue and understanding between the two countries.There will be public observances in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., followed by a private interment in Plains, Georgia. The final arrangements for President Carter’s state funeral, including all public events and motorcade routes, are still pending. The schedule will be released by the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region at https://jtfncr.mdw.army.mil/statefunerals/ . Members of the public are encouraged to visit the official tribute website to the life of President Carter at www.jimmycartertribute.org . This site includes the official online condolence book as well as print and visual biographical materials commemorating his life. The Carter family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Carter Center, 453 John Lewis Freedom Parkway N.E., Atlanta, GA 30307. # # # 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 December 30, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #340 C100/Paul Cheung; More on Student Visas; Birthright Citizenship; AI Checks on Trump; + #340 C100/Paul Cheung; More on Student Visas; Birthright Citizenship; AI Checks on Trump; + In This Issue #340 · Introduction of C100 President Paul Cheung · Social Media Checks on Student Visa Applications · A Fractured Future for Birthright Citizenship · What Five AI Models Say About President Trump’s Claims · News and Activities for the Communities Introduction of C100 President Paul Cheung At the APA Justice monthly meeting on July 7, 2025, Paul Cheung 鄭文耀 , the new President of the Committee of 100 (C100), offered introductory remarks outlining his professional background and vision for the organization. With over two decades of experience in journalism and philanthropy, Paul previously led digital innovation at the Associated Press and the Miami Herald , and later focused on technology-driven equity initiatives at the Knight Foundation. He emphasized that his career has been defined by building strategic partnerships and using technology to dismantle systemic barriers—whether in journalism, misinformation, or civil rights. Paul sees strong alignment between C100’s mission and that of APA Justice and other advocacy organizations. In his view, defending AAPI rights requires more than passion—it demands strategy, cross-sector collaboration, and coordinated action. Reflecting on his past work covering civil rights and leading foundation programs, he stressed that legal victories alone are not enough unless they are paired with cultural and public narrative change. For C100, that means not only amplifying partners’ work but also helping to shift the broader conversation about Chinese American identity and inclusion.Acknowledging the evolving U.S.–China relationship, Paul pointed out that geopolitical tensions between the two countries will likely persist, regardless of administration. These tensions have direct consequences for Chinese Americans and other immigrant communities. As a result, C100 is rethinking how it approaches its advocacy—not simply by sharing how policy changes impact Asian Americans, but by demonstrating how they affect all Americans. He called for renewed efforts to uplift Chinese American contributions to U.S. history—from birthright citizenship to building the transcontinental railroad—as essential to understanding what is at stake if these communities are sidelined.Looking ahead, Paul emphasized C100’s commitment to working collaboratively with partners to inform and shape policy change. He highlighted the State of Chinese Americans research as one example of a tool that can support broader coalition efforts. Paul welcomed opportunities to meet with APA Justice participants individually to learn about their work and explore synergies. He concluded by thanking APA Justice and its leadership for hosting the conversation and expressed enthusiasm about building deeper partnerships to advance shared goals of equity, inclusion, and constructive dialogue.A video of Paul's talk is posted at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sQHwSNRMfQ (3:30)A summary of the July 7 APA Justice monthly meeting is being prepared at this time. Social Media Checks on Student Visa Applications Author: Madeleine Gable, APA Justice Communications InternAccording to POLITICO , The Intercept , and other media sources, the State Department’s new student visa social media vetting process includes a list of 20 social media platforms. Applicants are asked to make their accounts public, a task that could prove difficult to accomplish as a quarter of platforms listed in the online application are now defunct.In late June, after a three-week suspension of student visa interviews, the State Department resumed processing with a stricter social media vetting protocol. The process applies to all foreign nationals who apply for F (academic students), M (vocational students), and J (exchange visitor) visa applicants, including applicants who have already been interviewed but have not been finally approved.The State Department directs consular officers to flag “applicants who demonstrate a history of political activism” and directs them to “consider the likelihood they would continue such activity in the United States.” It states that this screening will apply for both new and returning student visa applicants. Consular officers must take “detailed case notes” about their review of applicants’ online presences and “take screenshots to preserve the record against possible later alteration or loss of the information.”The online student visa application requires applicants to provide the usernames for “each social media platform you have used within the last five years” from a list of 20 services. However, many of the services listed have not been operational for years. Some of the listed, obsolete platforms include Vine, which closed in 2017; Google+, which stopped operating in 2019; and the dating site Twoo, which shut down in 2021. Since 2019, most visa applicants have been required to disclose their social media usernames. The Trump administration’s “expanded screening and vetting process” applies to F, M, and J visa applicants. Provided social media accounts will subsequently be checked for “any indications of hostility towards the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States.”Of the seven regional services listed, five are Chinese — Douban (豆瓣), Qzone (QQ空间), Sina Weibo (新浪微博), Tencent Weibo (腾讯微博), and Youku (优酷). Tencent Weibo, a microblogging service, shut down in 2020. The other two regional services are Ask.fm , a Latvian Q&A site, and VKontakte (VK), a Russian social networking, messaging, and entertainment app.Despite including five Chinese services, the list leaves out Tencent’s WeChat (腾讯微信), the most popular social media app in China. The list also does not include TikTok or Truth Social, President Trump’s own social media platform.According to Albert Fox Cahn , founder and executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, “Now those who wanted to study in the U.S. to flee authoritarian governments abroad will have to make their social media public to those same governments to study here.” A Fractured Future for Birthright Citizenship Author: Madeleine Gable, APA Justice Communications InternOn June 27, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled to allow President Donald Trump to continue to end the process of birthright citizenship in the U.S. Earlier this year, President Trump issued an executive order (EO) ending birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants and foreign visitors, but it was challenged and temporarily halted by lower courts. In their recent ruling, the Supreme Court did not address the constitutionality of President Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship, but it did limit the ability of individual judges in lower courts to block federal policies for the entire country. The Supreme Court is now the only court in the country that can block a presidential policy nationwide. Regarding the birthright citizenship executive order, the Supreme Court paused the order’s implementation for 30 days and returned pending lawsuits to lower courts to reassess the scope of relief. After the 30-day pause, the EO will take effect in the 28 states that have not challenged the measure.In response to the Supreme Court’s decision to limit nationwide injunctions, the Chinese American Citizens Alliance (CACA) issued a statement expressing “deep disappointment” that the ruling “significantly weakens the ability of civil rights organizations to protect communities from unconstitutional federal actions when swift nationwide relief is urgently needed.” CACA’s statement points out that advocates must now fight the same battle in multiple jurisdictions, delaying justice and sowing confusion nationwide. CACA urges Congress to restore the ability of lower courts to provide comprehensive relief and warns civil rights advocates to prepare for a more fractured legal landscape.Read the full CACA statement here . Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) issued a similar press release, asserting that the EO attempts to “unilaterally change the 14th Amendment” and threatens to “erode a foundational principle of American identity,” the constitutional promise of equality and inclusion. Such a measure will have serious consequences for all immigrant communities.Read the full APIAVote press release here .U.S. Senator Tim Kaine , a former civil rights attorney, released the following statement:“President Trump’s attempt to curtail birthright citizenship for those born in the U.S. is clearly unconstitutional. This is why every federal court until now had blocked the executive order from going into effect. But instead of making a straightforward determination on the constitutionality of the EO, the Supreme Court has colluded with the Trump Administration to curtail the Judiciary Branch’s own power to protect Americans from illegal actions by the Executive Branch, starting with undermining birthright citizenship. Now that Trump’s birthright citizenship order may go into effect in 30 days unless more lawsuits are filed, American hospitals and state and local governments will be in limbo about something as basic as issuing birth certificates. Parents of newborns will have to scramble to make sure that they have the paperwork to show their citizenship or immigration status, even as they prepare to welcome a baby into their families. Once again with this Administration, it’s nothing but uncertainty and fear.”Read Senator Tim Kaine's statement here . Chair Grace Meng of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) issued the following statement:“I am appalled by the Supreme Court’s decision to let the Trump administration push forward with its unconstitutional attempt to eliminate birthright citizenship. This reckless ruling opens the door to a future where states can decide who is an American citizen. The 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil—a principle upheld by this very Court over a century ago. Instead of ruling on the merits of this case, the Court has chosen to undermine judges’ abilities to block the administration’s unlawful actions that will only lead to more chaos and division. While legal battles remain, CAPAC will continue to defend the Constitution and the bedrock principles that have allowed generations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to call this country home. We will fight this executive order in every courtroom, in every state, across the country.”The American Immigration Council pointed out that after the 30-day pause, enforcement could vary widely by state or circuit, depending on how lower courts proceed. This raises the possibility of a patchwork legal system, where a child born to undocumented or immigrant parents might be a citizen in one state but not another. For example, a baby born to undocumented or immigrant parents in California or Maryland might still be issued a U.S. birth certificate and recognized as a citizen (because of ongoing litigation there). But possibly, a baby born the same day in Texas or Florida might not be recognized as a U.S. citizen — depending on how lower federal courts deal with the existing lawsuits and whether new lawsuits are filed. What Five AI Models Say About President Trump’s Claims On July 1, 2025, the Washington Post published an opinion by a team of senior scholars and researchers from the Yale Chief Executive Leadership Institute, led by Professor Jeffrey Sonnenfeld . The team asked five leading AI systems—ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and Perplexity—to evaluate 20 regularly repeated claims made by President Donald Trump . All five models debunked 15 of the statements outright, and partially rejected most of the remaining ones. "Artificial intelligence discredited all the Trump claims we presented, fact-checking the president with startling accuracy and objective rigor," the opionion stated.For example, Trump’s assertions about tariffs—such as them not causing consumer price increases—were widely contradicted. ChatGPT noted that proposed tariffs "would likely raise consumer prices," while Grok estimated a 1–2.3% price increase per household. Similarly, his claim about the media being “dishonest” was challenged: Perplexity clarified that while there are errors, the U.S. media in general cannot be deemed “dishonest.” Another key contrast came with his statements on the Capitol riot and the 2020 election. ChatGPT asserted that celebrating the rioters "ignores the facts" and undermines democratic norms, while Gemini confirmed there was “no credible evidence” supporting claims of a stolen election The opinion emphasizes a stark dichotomy: either Trump’s claims are false, or the AI is deeply flawed. The models showed consistency and accuracy in their responses, offering a compelling challenge to his narrative—inviting readers to reflect on whether the problem lies with the politician or the technology. These 14 questions were identified in the opinion: Will Trump’s current tariff policies be inflationary? Is the U.S. being taken advantage of on trade by its international partners? Are Trump’s cryptocurrency investments a conflict of interest? Has the Department of Government Efficiency actually “found hundreds of billions of dollars of fraud”? Is Harvard more antisemitic than other universities? Is Trump right that the media is “dishonest” or “tells lies”? Did the “60 Minutes” interview with Vice President Kamala Harris that aired in October distort the truth and damage Trump’s candidacy? Was the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 President Joe Biden’s fault? Was the American economy the worst in its history under the Biden presidency? Was the Biden administration responsible for higher levels of inflation following the covid-19 pandemic and through 2024? Did 21 million illegal immigrants enter the United States [during the Biden administration]? And were many of them murderers, human traffickers, gang members, or other sorts of serious criminals? Were the Jan. 6, 2021, rioters who stormed the capitol “patriots” or “heroes”? Was the 2020 presidential election stolen from Trump? Is Trump the most dishonest president in U.S. history? Read the Washington Post opinion: https://bit.ly/44txfn3 News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/07/09 8th Annual Congressional Reception2025/07/10 C100 Conversations – “Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes” with David Ho2025/07/10 ACLU's Civil Rights in the Digital Age AI Summit2025/07/13 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/07/25-27 Asian American Pioneer Medal Symposium and Ceremony 2025/07/27 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/07/29 C100 Conversations – “Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes” with Linda Chao Yang2025/08/02-07 2025 Joint Statistical Meetings2025/08/04 APA Justice Monthly MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Committee of 100 Conversations - "Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes" WHAT: Committee of 100 Conversations – “Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes” with David Ho WHEN: July 10, 2025, 6:00 pm ET WHERE: Webinar HOST: Committee of 100 Speaker : Dr. David Ho, Founding Scientific Director, Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center Moderator : Peter Young, CEO and President of Young & Partners; Committee of 100 New York Regional Chair and Board Member DESCRIPTION: Dr. David Ho, pioneering AIDS research scientist, is a Professor of Medicine at Columbia University and the Founding Scientific Director of the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, whose elegant studies unraveled the dynamic nature of HIV replication in vivo and revolutionized our basic understanding of this horrific disease. This knowledge led him to champion combination antiretroviral therapy, which resulted in unprecedented control of HIV in patients. He will cover highlights and turning points in his career, his view of the factors that led to the innovations he pioneered, and the joys and challenges of scientific research in this country. He has received many awards, including Time Magazine Man of the Year. REGISTRATION : https://www.committee100.org/conversations-david-ho/ WHAT: Committee of 100 Conversations – “Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes” with Linda Tsao Yang WHEN: July 29, 2025, 6:00 pm ET WHERE: Webinar HOST: Committee of 100 Speaker : Linda Tsao Yang, Former U.S. Ambassador and first woman Executive Director appointed to Asian Development Bank Moderator : Calvin Tsao, Architect Principal at Tsao & McKown Architects and Committee of 100 Member DESCRIPTION: Linda Tsao Yang is a pioneer in the oversight of important financial institutions and the first woman and the first minority to represent the United States on the board of a multilateral financial institution. She served as U.S. Executive Director to the board of the Asian Development Bank in Manila, is Chair Emerita of the Asian Corporate Governance Association (ACGA), was the first minority appointed to serve as California’s Savings and Loan Commissioner; and was also the first minority appointed to the board of the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), the largest public pension fund in the United States.Throughout her career she has directed and driven the institutions she has chaired towards policies and practices that were more equitable and enduring, guided by good governance, transparent information disclosure, improved rules on participation and consultation, a robust policies on gender—all at a time when women were virtually absent from senior leadership, let alone executive directorships or boardrooms. REGISTRATION : https://www.committee100.org/conversations-linda-tsao-yang/ 3. AAAS Tracks Federal R&D Workforce On July 8, 2025, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) launched a tracker on the Full-Time Equivalents (FTE) of federal research and development (R&D) workers. The metric adds up full-time, part-time, and other work types to represent a standard 40-hour work week employee. The dashboard compiles the annually reported FTEs for key R&D intensive agencies and programs across the federal government. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3Ijajht . # # # 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 9, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

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

Am I required to answer? Mostly, no. You are generally not required to answer FBI or police questions (except, e.g., if you are asked for identification while driving a vehicle). Do I have the right to consult an attorney first? Yes. You have a right to talk to an attorney. If an FBI agent or police officer asks to speak to you, tell him or her that you want to consult with an attorney first. If you want to talk to the FBI or police, your attorney can respond on your behalf to set up an interview. Can information I give to the FBI without an attorney be harmful? Yes. ANY information you give to an officer without an attorney, even if it seems harmless, can be used against you or someone else. Lying to a federal officer is a crime. Remaining silent is NOT a crime (except in limited situations when you can be required to identify yourself). Am I required to allow the officer into my home? You are NOT required to allow the officer into your home without a warrant. Ask to see the warrant. If the officer does not have one, you do not have to let him/her into your home. However, do not try to stop him/her if he forces his way into your home or office. Simply state that they do not have your permission to enter. Do I have the right to see a warrant if the officer says that they have one? Yes. If the officer says that they have a warrant for your arrest, you have a right to see the warrant. You must go with the officer, but you do not have to answer questions until you consult an attorney. What should I do if I am detained? If you are detained, you should ask for an attorney and remain silent. What are my rights at the airport? Learn about your rights at the airport here . Questioned by the FBI or police? This is a letter to persons who believe they might be contacted by their employer, a funder, or government officials regarding their relationship to the People’s Republic of China. This includes, for example, university professors who have received grants to support their academic activities; researchers in STEM fields working in the private sector; civil servants; and even U.S. military personnel. It also includes individuals regardless of citizenship; holding a green card, having naturalized, or even being a native-born citizen will not protect you from potential problems. The most important message here is: if you have any concerns at all, you should consult with a lawyer as soon as possible, preferably one with specialized expertise. Read full letter Why you need a lawyer Frank H. Wu President Designate, Queens College, The City University of New York KNOW YOUR RIGHTS The FBI and other agencies have been questioning people across the country based on their First Amendment activity and on their race, ethnicity or national origin. Protect yourself by knowing your rights. Learn more Read Frank Wu's letter