July 6, 2020 On July 6, 2020, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a directive on student visas that would compel international students to leave the United States if their coursework were entirely online. Since the U.S. has so far failed to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, many U.S. schools are planning to offer classes entirely online this fall. In effect, the ICE directive will negatively impact hundreds of thousands of international students directly and various segments of the U.S. society indirectly. Reactions against the proposed rule were broad, swift and strong. A week after the announcement, a federal judge in Boston announced on July 14, 2020 that the Trump administration has rescinded its policy. However, there were still reports that the White House may focus on applying the rule to new students instead of existing students. On July 24, ICE introduced the new rule to new students. Previous Next New ICE Directive on Student Visas

Newsletter - #208 Alien Land Laws; Voice from Guam; Asian American History; Statisticians in China; More #208 Alien Land Laws; Voice from Guam; Asian American History; Statisticians in China; More In This Issue #208 Tell Congress NO to Alien Land Laws and the Rounds Amendment A Voice from Guam - "Applying Leverage to Uncle Sam" Asian American History - The AsianWeek Database Project Statisticians in China Speak Up On Transparency of Chinese Government Data News and Activities for The Communities Tell Congress NO to Alien Land Laws and the Rounds Amendment Reminder: The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) put out a call for the public to tell Congress: Say NO to Discriminatory Land Laws. Tell your Members of Congress to speak out against any law that falsely equates Chinese people with the Chinese government." We cannot allow history to repeat itself. Take one easy step to tell Congress NO to discriminatory land laws at https://bit.ly/3qRsFOh Breaking News: The National Fair Housing Alliance announced that it will file a lawsuit against the discriminatory alien land law in Florida during the APA Justice monthly meeting on September 11, 2023. Correction : Scott Chang, an attorney for the National Fair Housing Alliance, said that NFHA and other organizations are still investigating and are likely to file a lawsuit against the discriminatory alien land law in Florida during the APA Justice monthly meeting on September 11, 2023 1. Call for Action by Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC Advancing Justice | AAJC is also urging the public to join the opposition against Senate Amendment 813 otherwise known as the “Rounds Amendment” and say NO to this discriminatory land law. Follow the link here to voice your concerns to Congress. Additional resources on discriminatory land laws can also be found here . The U.S. has seen a resurgence of discriminatory land laws introduced and enacted in states across the country! Similar legislation has also been proposed in Congress and the latest example is the Senate Amendment 813 which has been included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024.Introduced by Sen. Mike Rounds (R-ND), the provision would effectively prohibit foreign nationals from China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran from owning agricultural land in the United States. It would require the President to block specific types of transactions based on recommendations from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). There are currently no exceptions for visa holders and there is a high standard for a waiver which has to be granted by the President of the United States. The good news is that there is still time to prevent the Rounds amendment from being formally adopted into law.Call your member of Congress and urge them to strike Senate Amendment 813 from the final version of the NDAA. When you talk with your elected official(s), let them know that you oppose continuing the legacy of discriminatory land laws. These types of discriminatory land laws have a long legacy in this country and single out citizens who otherwise have no connection to the actions of their governments, including the countries which have been deemed to be a “foreign adversary.” The amendment was adopted and subsequently included in the Senate version of the NDAA but coalition groups are currently applying pressure to strike out the amendment in conferencing. Help us win this fight! 2. National Iranian American Council (NIAC) Webinar On September 12, 2023, the National Iranian American Council (NIAC) hosted a webinar titled " "Alien Land Laws: What's Happening Now and How You Can Take Action." Texas State Representative Gene Wu 吳元之 , who helped defeat Texas’ alien land law proposal, was the featured speaker to offer his insights. The success in Texas, where grassroots efforts narrowly blocked a reckless alien land law bill, underscores the power of collective action. This event was co-hosted by Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA). The webinar covered an in-depth analysis of the alien land laws, strategies on how to engage and counter these measures, call to action on fighting the Rounds Amendment, and a platform to ask questions and share concerns during a Q&A segment.Watch the NIAC webinar: https://bit.ly/45R0EWr (1:03:55) A Voice from Guam - "Applying Leverage to Uncle Sam" According to the Pacific Island Times on September 11, 2023, August was a busy month for federal travel to Guahan (Guam in Chamorro). The island was treated to the “scoping” meetings on the Enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense System (EIAMDS) on Guam. This occurred over three days in early August. The event was well-managed and well-staffed. We had representatives of the Missile Defense Agency that included flag officers and devoted advocates for the system.According to the report, "the organization of the events in poster sessions rather than townhall-style helped provide in-depth information but also avoided a public question and answer session."Criticisms of the planned EIAMDS were inevitable and on-point. The island is being offered a group of 20 'candidate' sites with little explanation about the actual uses of the sites and the intrusions they would make on our day-to-day lives. There was no explanation about which sites were just shooters or radar or sensor sites. There was no explanation about limitations made on uses of airspace and lands near the candidate sites. "There was a lot of discussion about how the island needs protection from ostensible Chinese missiles and the estimation of potential conflict was rated from probable to inevitable. We were told that we live in a dangerous world in which Chinese initiatives are rearranging the geopolitical character of the region. "At the end of the day, we weren’t being asked about whether we agreed with this assessment or how much of our lives and island we were willing to leverage in order to deal with this ominous trend. We were asked to make comments on the 'environmental impacts' of the proposed activity. The basic decision is out of our hands as a colony of the United States. "Many Guahan elected officials privately told me that 'leverage' is the key word. We shouldn’t worry too much. We will be able to leverage this massive intrusion into our lives in order to benefit the island. Leverage is the key word. "Paraphrasing Isaiah in the Bible, we can turn these Pentagon swords into Guam plowshares for our people. I could hardly wait for the opportunity to start leveraging the EIAMDS into hospitals, schools, jobs and businesses. Maybe we could throw in a little political empowerment. Not too much to ask for a vitally important colony which we were constantly told is part of the U.S. homeland. In the discourse over missile defense, Guam is part of America."The House Committee on Natural Resources held an oversight field hearing on August 24 at the Guam Hilton. The title of the hearing was 'Peace Through Strength: The Strategic Importance of the Pacific Islands to U.S.-led Global Security.' Called to testify were Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and CNMI Gov. Arnold Palacios . The three freely associated states were represented by Foreign Ministers Kaleb Udui Jr. of Palau, Ricky Cantero of the Federated States of Micronesia and Jack Ading of the Marshall Islands. "The purpose of the hearing was basically to build regional support for the U.S.-led Global Security efforts in this part of the world. This means that the Chinese threat across the board demands dramatic American action in order to stabilize the environment and continue U.S. hegemony. The role of the Micronesian islands is key to this effort, especially the recently concluded financial agreements between the United States and the three freely associated states."In order to ensure approval of these agreements by Congress, the identified rationales are the threats posed by China and the necessity of U.S. dominance. This field hearing will be used as part of the corpus of justification for approval of the compacts. The robust financial arrangements that have already been concluded can be seen as the 'leverage' that our Micronesian neighbors have been able to exert in Washington D.C. When and how was the leverage going to be applied by the territories?"Taking center stage were illegal fishing activities by the Chinese, descriptions of Chinese economic penetration in the CNMI (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) and Palau and allegations of bribery of officials in the FSM (Federated States of Micronesia)."Leverage is when you point out to the other side the negative consequences of not going along with your plan. There was no leverage, just the usual typical kind of hat-in-hand request, which many Guam officials have done for decades. "There is a rhetorical pattern that many island leaders can’t seem to shake. They think that loving Uncle Sam is a viable strategy for getting respect and assistance. The use of World War II experiences was vital to this approach. "But there is a lesson which everyone needs to know now. In the 21st century, asking Uncle Sam for assistance because we are poor, but loyal islanders neither attracts attention nor does it get rewarded. It is just old hat in Washington D.C. and actually has been since the time of Congressman Antonio B. Won Pat , who did use it effectively for a few years. But he had an audience in Congress that consisted of World War II veterans. That Congress does not exist anymore."The disruption caused by the ascendency of China is real. It has political, economic and strategic dimensions. It is unfortunate that in response to Chinese economic penetration, the primary antidote that Washington D.C. can think of for us is an anti-missile defense system. It took former National Guard General Rod Leon Guerrero to remind us that diplomacy should come first and that the EIAMDS should be a last resort. It isn’t exactly the message of the protestors, but it was closer than all of the other words uttered that day by our leaders."Author of the report is Dr. Robert Underwood, Former President of the University of Guam and Former Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC). He is also Commissioner to the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Please send your feedback to him at anacletus2010@gmail.com .Read the Pacific Island Times report: https://bit.ly/48c2in2 Asian American History - The AsianWeek Database Project From 1979 to 2009, AsianWeek chronicled the growth and development of Asian Pacific America within American history. Today, the AsianWeek Database Project brings back three decades of news, education, and entertainment surrounding the Asian American community. You can rediscover the people and events documented in the historical pages of the AsianWeek newspaper and website. Anyone can easily access this trove of information — for research, for reference, or to simply remember these important times in the community at: https://www.asianweek.com/ . In a beta version (there are typographical errors in the transcribed text that will be corrected in future versions), AsianWeek reported on "DOE's New Ombudsperson" on March 9, 2000.According to the report, " Jeremy Wu 胡善庆 faces a daunting task as the Energy Department's new ombudsperson, an office created as a result of a January report by the department's task force on racial profiling."He seeks to address the continuing problems within the department, especially among its Asian American staff, about the criminal prosecution of physicist Wen Ho Lee 李文和 . Many Asian Americans have rallied to the defense of Lee, as allegations have been made that he was singled out simply because of his Chinese heritage. "As a result, Wu says one of his goals is restore 'trust and faith through effective actions that would combat racial stereotyping or profiling and other unfair practices in the workplace, making the Energy Department 'a workplace of choice for not just Asian Americans but all Americans.'In an exclusive phone interview with AsianWeek just weeks after taking office, Wu discussed his responsibilities as the person who must 'identify systemic issues; gain some understanding of systematic issues; and recommend to managers or Energy Secretary [ Bill Richardson ] directly policy changes to benefit all managers and employees.'"The report was written by Frank H. Wu 吴华扬 (no relation to Jeremy Wu), an associate professor at Howard University Law School at that time. Today, he is President, Queen's College, City University of New York.Jeremy Wu retired from the federal government and is Founder and Co-Organizer of APA Justice.Dr. Steven Chu 朱棣文 served as the 12th Secretary of Energy under the Obama Administration from January 21, 2009, to April 22, 2013. He is the first person appointed to the U.S. Cabinet after having won a Nobel Prize. He is also the second Chinese American to be a member of the U.S. Cabinet.Bill Richardson passed away on September 1, 2023.Read the beta version of the March 2000 AsianWeek report: https://bit.ly/3sTvvDf Statisticians in China Speak Up On Transparency of Chinese Government Data According to the Center for China and Globalization (CCG), a non-government think tank in Beijing, the decision on August 15, 2023, by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) of China to suspend the release of youth unemployment rates caught many by surprise. The NBS spokesperson's explanation for this decision, which cited differing public opinions on the scope and methodology of statistical calculations, was met with sharp skepticism and stinging cynicism.This development has reignited discussions about the government's transparency in statistical reporting. According to China's leading statisticians, while the NBS has made significant efforts to enhance the quality of statistical data, there remains a crucial need for China to draw lessons from the statistical systems of many Western governments. These systems often feature vibrant and open debates between the government and scholars.Statistical data is foundational for effective and sound economic choices, and the government should either make corrections or provide explanations when official figures are in doubt. The discrepancy between official figures and public perception is not uncommon, usually owing to people’s predominant exposure to specific sectors of the economy. This highlights the importance of providing statistical breakdowns that can help mitigate personal biases and boost public acceptance. It is essential for statistical bureaus to tune into the actual needs of the public and the market, and remain responsive by offering clarity on statistical indicators. A book reading event took place on June 18, 2023, nearly two months before the controversial NBS decision. Excerpts of the discussion by three academics are given below. 1. Wu Xiaoying 伍晓鹰, Research Professor of Economics at National School of Development and head of the Growth Lab "it was a daunting challenge to transform an outdated national statistical system designed for a planned economy and under Soviet influences to align with international standards and integrate into the international market and society."National statistical data are public goods... While national statistical agencies produce and manage data with public resources, they are not and should not be the exclusive owners of statistical data. "By reiterating that such data is a public good, we also encourage public scrutiny."Openness and competition are necessary to improve statistical data quality... the pivotal step is to welcome skepticism and recommendations from scholars at academic institutions and other government agencies."We should learn from the statistical system in many Western governments... Instead of complaining that the West dominates the rules, why can't we proactively participate in the rule-setting process?" 2. Huang Yiping 黄益平, Deputy Dean of the National School of Development and Director of the Institute of Digital Finance "China's statistical data, especially the earlier records, is indeed in doubt."Many may not be aware of the efforts statistical departments have taken to enhance data quality. "The NBS has made tremendous efforts to improve the quality of statistical data... This skepticism isn't baseless – manipulation of data did happen in the past."As someone who uses statistical data on a regular basis, I sometimes find a significant discrepancy between official figures and our intuitive perceptions."Despite differences between personal perceptions and the statistical data, the official figures are not necessarily faulty. "It's crucial to tune into what the public and the market really need. Statistics bureaus should ramp up their communication efforts with both groups to clarify data and indicators. "Even if such insights don't resonate with everyone, they can still significantly boost public comprehension and acceptance of data." 3. Xu Xianchun 许宪春, Distinguished Fellow at National School of Development of Peking University "If everyone publicly praises statistical work but privately criticizes the accuracy of the data, that would be unfortunate. I think different voices should be earnestly listened to to identify areas of concern and make necessary improvements."Whether it's for analyzing economic and social development trends, policy formulation, or academic research, government statistical data holds immense significance."If data discrepancies are found, regional statistical departments cannot alter them; corrections must be made at the enterprise level."Read the CCG report: https://bit.ly/48ckCwa News and Activities for The Communities APA Justice Community Calendar APA Justice has launched a Community Calendar to track events and activities of potential interest to the Asian Pacific American and academic communities. Options are available to look at a monthly, weekly, or a daily calendar, as well as an agenda view with event details. You can find the Community Calendar on the front page of the APA Justice website at https://www.apajustice.org/ . 1. National Science Foundation Listening Sessions According to the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the National Science Foundation will host two listening sessions on the implementation of the Framework for Federal Scientific Integrity Policy and Practice developed by the National Science and Technology Council. The listening sessions, open to the public, aim to collect information perspectives to inform “(1) Federal agencies' finalization of Scientific Integrity Policies, in response to the Framework and its implementation memorandum from the Office of Science and Technology Policy ; (2) Federal agency processes, procedures, and practices related to scientific integrity; and (3) other elements of Federal implementation of the Framework.” The sessions will take place Friday, September 15, 1–3 p.m. ET and Wednesday, September 20, 5–7 p.m. ET. Register for the sessions: https://bit.ly/3PjupIo . The event is posted in the APA Justice Community Calendar: https://bit.ly/45KGyga 2. Teachers Workshop - Teaching Asian American Narratives through Literature WHAT: 2023 Teachers Workshop "Teaching Asian American Narratives through Literature" WHEN: September 27, 2023, 3:30pm PT/6:30 pm ET HOST: 1990 Institute EVENT DETAILS: https://bit.ly/48c4g6K PRESS KIT: https://bit.ly/466d2S2 TARGET GRADES: 6-12 DESCRIPTION: Expert speakers on this subject to help teachers bring a nuanced dialogue on intersectional perspectives into classroom discussions. In particular, we want to encourage teachers to bring oft-missing Asian American perspectives to their students and encourage more inclusive community building and understanding.The event is posted in the APA Justice Community Calendar: https://bit.ly/45KGyga . Back View PDF September 14, 2023 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #129 Biden Signs Bill to Create Museum; Norm Goes Home to San Jose; Catch Up with the News #129 Biden Signs Bill to Create Museum; Norm Goes Home to San Jose; Catch Up with the News Back View PDF June 14, 2022 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Republicans have introduced legislation on that would bar Chinese nationals from receiving student or research visas to the United States. May 27, 2020 As history would repeat itself again, two Republican senators and a Republican congressman introduced legislation on May 27, 2020 that would bar Chinese nationals from receiving student or research visas to the United States for graduate or postgraduate studies in science, technology, engineering or mathematics fields. While sugarcoated under the name of SECURE CAMPUS Act , it is the new Chinese Exclusion Act . The 1882 version started by targeting Chinese skilled and unskilled laborers for 10 years, preceded by anti-Chinese hate violence and "Magic Washer," then extended to all Asians permanently. It was not repealed until 1943. Only after many generations did the U.S. Senate and House express its regret its enactment of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 in 2011 and 2012 respectively. The new Chinese Exclusion Act targets students and scientists, preceded by racial profiling of Chinese American scientists and xenophobic labeling of "China virus" and "Wuhan virus" to provoke racism and hate. Quoting Republican Iowa Congressman John Kasson (1822-1910), this new version of the Chinese Exclusion Act is also "one of the most vulgar forms of barbarism." OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates has prepared an open letter calling on the senators and congressman to withdraw and abandon the bill. Like-minded organizational are asked to sign on to the letter here . Deadline to join the open letter is June 2, 2020. Republicans have introduced legislation on that would bar Chinese nationals from receiving student or research visas to the United States. Previous Next New Chinese Exclusion Act

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Newsletter - #5 Tentative Agenda For August 3 Meeting #5 Tentative Agenda For August 3 Meeting Back View PDF July 24, 2020 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #43 Third Webinar; Xiaoxing Xi; Gang Chen; Fundraising Results; More #43 Third Webinar; Xiaoxing Xi; Gang Chen; Fundraising Results; More Back View PDF February 15, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #67 Press Briefing Today On Anming Hu Mistrial; Letter To The White House #67 Press Briefing Today On Anming Hu Mistrial; Letter To The White House Back View PDF June 18, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #75 5 "China Initiative" Cases Dropped; Combating Racial Profiling; Yellow Whistles #75 5 "China Initiative" Cases Dropped; Combating Racial Profiling; Yellow Whistles Back View PDF July 26, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Xiao-jiang Li 李晓江 Docket ID: 1:20-cr-00164 District Court, N.D. Georgia Date filed: May 8, 2020 Date ended: May 8, 2020 Docket ID: 1:19-mj-01007 District Court: N.D. Georgia Date filed: Nov. 21, 2019 Date ended: May 8, 2020 Table of Content Overview 2019/05/16 Emory University Termination 2019/11/21 DOJ Complaint 2020/05/08 Plea Agreement Overview On May 16, 2019, Emory University informed Dr. Li Xiao-Jiang and his wife Dr. Shihua Li that both neuroscientists had been terminated while they were traveling in China. They were accused of failing to disclose research fundings from China and their work for Chinese universities while receiving federal grants from the U.S. government. Dr. Xiao-Jiang Li moved to the U.S. from China to obtain a doctoral degree in the late 1980s and became a naturalized American citizen in 2000. He and his wife, also a U.S. citizen, joined Emory University in 1995 and were co-leader of the Li Laboratory. “They treated us like criminals,” Dr. Li said in an interview in November 2019 near Jinan University in southern China, where he and his wife now work. He disputed the suggestion that they had failed to report ties to China. “Our work is for humanity,” Dr. Li Shihua added. “You can’t say if I worked in China, I’m not loyal to the U.S.” On November 21, 2019, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed an unannounced complaint against Dr. Xiao-Jiang Li, accusing him of theft of federal grant funds and failing to disclose income from China. Dr. Shihua Li was not named in the complaint. On May 8, 2020, Dr. Li pleaded guilty to underreporting his income on federal tax returns. He agreed to pay $35,089 and any penalties stemming from refiling amended returns from 2012–18. The sentence includes 1 year of probation. DOJ then listed Dr. Li’s case as part of the China Initiative in its online report although it did not involve economic espionage or trade secret theft. 2019/05/16 Emory University Termination On May 16, 2019, Emory University informed Dr. Li Xiao-Jiang Li and his wife Dr. Shihua Li that both neuroscientists had been terminated when they were travelling in China. Both were professors of human genetics and co-led the Li Laboratory at the University. They are naturalized U.S. citizens. Dr. Xiao-Jiang Li obtained his doctor degree from Oregon Health & Science University in 1991. He joined the faculty of Emory University in January 1996, was promoted to full professor in 2005, and had been Distinguished Professor of Human Genetics at Emory University from 2007 to 2019. The simultaneous dismissals were for allegedly failing to disclose their sources of overseas financing and research ties in China. Dr. Li claimed that they did not receive notice or opportunity for them to respond to unverified accusations. The university closed their joint laboratory immediately, which was part of the medical school. Their websites were disconnected. Four postdoctoral students working in the lab, who were Chinese nationals, were told to leave the United States within 30 days. None were given reasons for their terminations. Emory University said its action came after an internal investigation prompted by a letter from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which had been contacting U.S. universities with concerns about whether specific grantees have adhered to agency rules regarding the disclosure of foreign funding and affiliations. Dr. Xiao-Jiang Li disputed Emory University's claim that the two researchers "had failed to fully disclose foreign sources of research funding and the extent of their work for research institutions and universities in China." According to available records, Dr. Li and his wife published many papers in high-profile journals. They have disclosed funding and affiliations with Chinese institutions, as well as biographical information posted online. References and Links 2019/11/17 Liberation: Emory University professors fired in NIH’s anti-Chinese crackdown 2019/11/04 New York Times: Vast Dragnet Targets Theft of Biomedical Secrets for China 2019/07/19 Washington Post: Scrutiny of Chinese American scientists raises fears of ethnic profiling 2019/06/17 知识分子: 埃默里大学风波又起，另一华人学者或已离开 2019/06/14 South China Morning Post: Professor at Emory University seeks legal support amid US probe into academics’ ties to China 2019/06/13 Deep Tech深科技: 埃默里大学风波再起，华人科学家称“遭到史无前例的对待”丨独家对话旋涡中心于山平 2019/06/12 Science: Emory scientist was told to vacate his office. He says move is reprisal for activism on Asian ties 2019/05/28 Radio Free Asia: US Research University Fires Two Chinese Scientists Over 'Failure to Disclose' Funding 2019/05/28 美国亚裔快讯: 华裔科学家夫妇遭开除,为埃默里大学工作23年的李晓江夫妇违规了吗？ 2019/05/28 South China Morning Post: Chinese college offers to hire two neuroscientists sacked by Emory University 2019/05/27 South China Morning Post: Scientist hits back at US university over ‘unusual and abrupt’ sacking in China funding ties case 2019/05/24 iNature (Chinese translation): Science | 首度发声！李晓江强力驳斥埃默里大学指控 2019/05/24 South China Morning Post: Emory University in US fires scientists over undisclosed funding ties to China 2019/05/24 Science: Terminated Emory researcher disputes university’s allegations about China ties 2019/05/23 Yahoo Finance: Professors fired from Emory University for hiding grants from China 2019/11/21 DOJ Complaint On November 21, 2019, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed an unannounced criminal complaint against Dr. Xiao-Jiang Li, charging him with one count of theft of federal grant funds and failure to disclose income from China. Dr. Shihua Li was not named in the complaint. The complaint became public through an NBC News report in February 2020. According to the complaint, Emory University provided the FBI with a letter, dated 12/15/2011, addressed to Li from Xue Yongbao of the Institute of Genetics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (“CAS”). The letter notified Dr. Xiao-Jiang Li that his application for a “Thousand Talents Program” position was approved. According to the letter, Dr. Li would be appointed the position of Research Team Leader at the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of CAS. The institute agreed that Li would work in China for six months or more before 01/01/2014 as part of a transition period. The purpose of the transition period was so Li would have “sufficient time to build a large animal experimental platform and team and undertake important national issues.” Li was to assume his position full-time (9 months each year) before 01/01/2014. Emory University also provided the FBI with a “High-level Talent (Transition Period) Employment Contract” between the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of CAS (Party A) and Li (Party B), executed on 12/20/2011. The term of the contract was two years, from 12/30/2011 to 12/30/2013. On or about February 10, 2015, Dr. Li began pursuing part-time status at Emory University to work at CAS. Dr. Li and the Emory University Department of Human Genetics Chairman entered into a “A letter of understanding.” Dr. Li’s stated purpose was “to spend more time to lead research projects on neurological diseases at the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology at Chinese Academy of Sciences.” According to Emory University, Dr, Li did not complete the process and started to work at CAS in 2015. In or about October 2018, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) notified Emory University that NIH had become aware that applications submitted to NIH for Li may have failed to comply with NIH policies regarding other support, disclosing foreign financial interests, and/or obtaining prior approval from NIH for the use of foreign components on NIH research grants. In response, Emory University discussed the matter with Dr. Li between October 2018 and May 2019. Additionally, in or about January 2019, Emory University initiated an internal review of Dr. Li’s Emory University email account. Dr. Li’s emails revealed his association with the Chinese government’s “Thousand Talents Program.” On November 22, 2019, Dr. Li was arrested, and an initial appearance was held at which time Dr. Li moved for a preliminary hearing, which was originally set for December 13, 2019, but it was delayed several times. On May 8, 2020, DOJ made a motion to dismiss the original complaint and refiled with a different complaint based on a plea agreement the same day. References and Links 2020/05/08 US v Li 1:19-mj-01007: (Doc 19) Government’s Motion for Leave to File Dismissal 2020/05/06 US v Li 1:20-cr-00164: (Doc 10) Judgment in a Criminal Case 2020/05/06 US v Li 1:20-cr-00164: (Doc 4) Minute Sheet for proceedings held on 05/06/2020 2020/02/04 NBC News: Emory professor hit with criminal charge, linked to Chinese government program 2019/11/21 US v Li 1:19-mj-01007: (Doc 1) Criminal Complaint 2020/05/08 Plea Agreement On May 6, 2024, a telephone conference regarding plea and sentencing was held between Assistant United States Attorney Samir Kaushal and Peter Zeidenberg, attorney representing Dr. Xiao-Jiang Li, in the U.S. District Court in Atlanta. On May 8, 2020, Dr. Xiao-Jiang Li pleaded guilty to underreporting his income on federal tax returns. He agreed to pay $35,089 and any penalties stemming from refiling amended returns from 2012–18. The sentence includes 1 year of probation. Dr. Li's attorney, Peter Zeidenberg, says his client "admits that he should have reported the income on his taxes. And he's embarrassed by it." The judge's actions, Zeidenberg says, will allow Dr. Li "to get back to his research" on Huntington disease, which was halted when the couple's lab was abruptly shut down. But Zeidenberg thinks the case wound up having the opposite effect of what federal authorities claimed was their goal in prosecuting Dr. Li. "He would have preferred to do it in the United States, at Emory," Zeidenberg says. "He's had a successful career here, and this is where his life is. But now he is being forced to work in China. And I think that's incredibly ironic." References and Links 2020/05/20 ASBMB: Ex-Emory neuroscientist pleads guilty; fired Cleveland Clinic geneticist arrested 2020/05/17 Emory Wheel: Former Emory Biomedical Professor Pleads Guilty to Filing False Tax Returns, Sentenced to 1 Year of Probation 2020/05/13 The College Fix: Former Emory U. professor pleads guilty of hiding ties to Chinese government 2020/05/12 Science: Fired Emory University neuroscientist with ties to China sentenced on tax charge 2020/05/11 Department of Justice: Former Emory University professor and Chinese “Thousand Talents” participant convicted and sentenced for filing a false tax return 2020/05/06 US v Li 1:20-cr-00164: (Doc 10) Judgment in a Criminal Case 2020/05/06 US v Li 1:20-cr-00164: (Doc 4) Minute Sheet for proceedings held on 05/06/2020 Previous Item Next Item

Newsletter - #123 NBC Report; Summary to OSTP; Jury Verdict on Tao; CI Cases Update; COMPETES Conference #123 NBC Report; Summary to OSTP; Jury Verdict on Tao; CI Cases Update; COMPETES Conference Back View PDF April 8, 2022 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #370 1/5 Meeting; Officer Angwang; NY Education Equity; Surveillance Reforms; Govt Broken;+ #370 1/5 Meeting; Officer Angwang; NY Education Equity; Surveillance Reforms; Govt Broken;+ In This Issue #370 · 2026/01/05 Monthly Meeting · The Story of Baimadajie Angwang 昂旺 · NY Governor Signs “New York AANHPI Education Equity Act” · CDT Leads Coalition for Critical Surveillance Reforms · WP : Federal Government Broken in 2025 · News and Activities for the Communities 2026/01/05 Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held on Monday, January 5, 2026, starting at 1:55 pm ET. Rep. Grace Meng 孟昭文 , Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, is invited to deliver a new year message and a review of 2025. 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: · Deborah Frankel , Counsel, Bloch & White LLP on Baimadajie Angwang 昂旺 · Paul Cheng 鄭文耀 , President, Committee of 100 · Hua Wang 王华 , Chair; Haipei Shue 薛海培 , President, United Chinese Americans · Sharon Wong , National Chair; Thu Nguyen , Executive Director, OCA National Center The virtual monthly meeting is by invitation only. It is closed to the press. If you wish to join, either one time or for future meetings, please contact one of the co-organizers of APA Justice - Vincent Wang 王文奎 and Jeremy Wu 胡善庆 - or send a message to contact@apajustice.org . The Story of Baimadajie Angwang 昂旺 Baimadajie Angwang 昂旺 , a naturalized U.S. citizen and former Marine, was arrested in 2020 as part of the Department of Justice's China Initiative. As an officer of the New York Police Department (NYPD), he was accused of acting as an illegal agent for the Chinese government, with prosecutors labeling him an "insider threat." Officer Angwang maintained that his interactions with consulate officials were benign, and his defense argued that the government had misinterpreted and cherry-picked his communications. In January 2023, federal prosecutors dropped all charges "in the interest of justice" after uncovering new information. However, they refused to publicly explain the reversal, citing classified evidence. Although all the federal charges against Officer Angwang were dismissed in January 2023, NYPD failed to reinstate him. Contrary to most internal investigations based on court cases that had been dropped, NYPD continued its internal investigation against him. On January 29, 2024, former New York Police Commissioner Edward Caban ordered the immediate firing of Officer Angwang, saying he disobeyed an order to submit to questioning by internal affairs investigators about the spying case against him under the China Initiative. “It’s extremely disappointing,” Angwang told AP in a phone interview. “I have to continue to fight, not just for me, for anyone who were wrongfully accused … or any potential discrimination victims in the future. I will not give up until I find the justice.” On January 5, 2026, Deborah Frankel , Counsel at Bloch & White LLP, will provide an update on Angwang’s situation at the APA Justice monthly meeting. Read Angwang’s story at the APA Justice website: Baimadajie Angwang 昂旺 NY Governor Signs “New York AANHPI Education Equity Act” On December 16, 2025, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed Legislation S7855E/A8463-E , known as the AANHPI Education Equity Act, a new law designed to assess and strengthen how Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) history is taught in New York State schools. The legislation directs the Commissioner of Education to conduct a statewide survey examining how AANHPI history is currently incorporated into social studies curricula. The law also establishes an AANHPI History Advisory Committee to guide future curriculum development and ensure more inclusive and accurate instruction. Governor Hochul emphasized the importance of representation in education, stating: “AANHPI history is New York history, and our classrooms should reflect that fact. … This law ensures that students across the state will have the tools to understand and appreciate the impact of these communities on our nation.” The bill is part of the Governor’s broader initiative to strengthen inclusive history education, alongside instruction on African American, Indigenous, Jewish, and other historically underrepresented communities. Research cited by the administration underscores that comprehensive cultural history education promotes empathy, reduces bias, and fosters a stronger sense of belonging among students. State Senator John Liu , the bill’s Senate sponsor, described the law as a critical step toward long-overdue recognition: “This survey bill is not the endgame, but an important step … by measuring how AANHPI history is currently taught in classrooms, and how it is not.” Assemblymember Grace Lee , the Assembly sponsor, framed the legislation as foundational to telling a fuller national story: “The AANHPI Education Equity Act is about telling the complete American story. … This law affirms that our stories matter, that our children belong.” The law has drawn strong support from federal, state, and local leaders. U.S. Representative Grace Meng, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), noted: “For generations, AANHPI history has been poorly represented in our education system … It is critical for our next generation to understand that AANHPI history IS American history.” Education advocates also praised the measure. The Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF) called the act “a critical step forward” toward integrating culturally responsive curriculum statewide and ensuring that AANHPI students see their histories and experiences reflected in the classroom. In a press release , Stop AAPI Hate joined Asian American community leaders in celebrating the bill’s signing, marking the culmination of years of organizing and advocacy led by the R.E.A.C.H. Coalition in partnership with Senator Liu and Assemblymember Lee. Community-based organizations within the R.E.A.C.H. Coalition—including CACF, AAARI-CUNY, Caribbean Equality Project, JAHAJEE, KACE, OCA–New York, and Stop AAPI Hate—hailed the legislation as historic and long overdue. Advocates emphasized that the statewide survey will help expose longstanding gaps in curriculum, support culturally responsive teaching, combat ignorance and bias, and foster cross-racial understanding. They also stressed the law’s importance in ensuring that students from diverse and transnational backgrounds see their histories reflected throughout their K–12 education. With the enactment of the AANHPI Education Equity Act, New York takes a meaningful step toward a more inclusive, accurate, and representative education system—one that recognizes the essential role AANHPI communities have played, and continue to play, in shaping both the state and the nation. CDT Leads Coalition for Critical Surveillance Reforms As the April 20, 2026 expiration date for Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) approaches, the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) is spearheading a bipartisan effort to protect Americans' privacy. On December 10, 2025, a coalition of over two dozen civil liberties organizations sent a formal letter to the House Judiciary Committee urging comprehensive reform before any reauthorization occurs. The coalition’s primary focus is on ending the "Backdoor Search Loophole," which currently allows government agencies to search through vast databases of communications without a warrant. Past misuses have reportedly targeted journalists, campaign donors, and even Members of Congress. To address these vulnerabilities, the coalition is calling for four essential reforms: · Establishing a Warrant Requirement : Mandating a probable cause warrant for U.S. person queries to end warrantless "backdoor" searches. · Closing the Data Broker Loophole : Preventing agencies from bypassing court oversight by simply purchasing sensitive personal data—such as location and browsing history—from commercial brokers. · Narrowing Provider Definitions : Reversing overbroad definitions that could force a wide range of businesses, including law firms and media offices, to assist in warrantless surveillance. · Empowering FISA Court Amici : Improving access for independent experts (amici) to ensure civil liberties are represented in secretive court proceedings. With the legislative clock ticking, these organizations are urging Congress to prioritize the Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act and other measures to ensure that government surveillance remains targeted, transparent, and constitutionally sound. Read the CDT statement and coalition letter: https://bit.ly/4qGKXv5 WP : Federal Government Broken in 2025 In 2025, the federal government experienced one of the most sweeping and disruptive transformations in its modern history. During President Donald Trump ’s second term, a rapid series of executive actions and administrative changes fundamentally altered the size, structure, and culture of the federal workforce—an unprecedented dismantling of the civil service. According to an extensive Washington Post investigation, nearly 300,000 federal employees left government service within a single year through firings, forced resignations, early retirement incentives, and new personnel rules. This marked the largest workforce reduction in decades and resulted in the loss of vast institutional knowledge across federal agencies. At the center of the overhaul was a redefinition of how the civil service operates. Long-standing protections designed to ensure a professional, nonpartisan federal workforce were weakened or bypassed. New policies emphasized loyalty to presidential priorities, giving political leadership greater control over hiring, firing, and agency direction. A newly branded entity, the U.S. DOGE Service (Department of Government Efficiency), played a key role in driving these changes, framing them as efforts to eliminate waste and improve accountability. One of the most controversial initiatives was a “deferred resignation” program that offered employees continued pay and benefits if they voluntarily agreed to leave their positions. While the administration promoted the program as a humane and efficient off-ramp, unions and watchdog groups criticized it as coercive and costly, noting that thousands of workers were effectively paid not to work while agencies struggled to function. The human and operational impacts were immediate. Federal employees described an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear as remote work was abruptly curtailed, reporting requirements multiplied, and entire offices were reorganized or eliminated. Agencies responsible for scientific research, environmental protection, public health, and civil rights saw deep cuts or mission changes. In some cases, essential services slowed or broke down as staffing shortages collided with rising public needs. Beyond day-to-day disruptions, the long-term consequences may be more profound. Experts warn that the erosion of career expertise weakened the government’s capacity to respond to crises, enforce regulations, and provide consistent public services. Critics argue the changes amounted to an ideological purge that undermined the nonpartisan foundation of American governance. The Trump administration, however, defended the actions as fulfilling campaign promises to shrink government, cut inefficiency, and restore accountability to taxpayers. By the end of 2025, one thing was clear: the federal government that emerged bore little resemblance to the one that existed just a year earlier. Whether these changes will result in a leaner, more effective government—or leave lasting damage to public institutions—remains a central question for the years ahead. 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 2026/01/21 Perception and Reality: What U.S.–China Relations Mean for Chinese Americans Today 2026/01/28 Elliot L. Richardson Prize for Exceptional Public Service 2026/01/29-30 The Jimmy Carter Forum on U.S.-China Relations2026/02/02 APA Justice Monthly Meeting 2026/02/11 Conversations, Recollections, Pioneers and Heros: BD Wong 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 29, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter