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1. From Past Prejudice to Present Policy: The Impact of Land Ownership Exclusion Laws on Diverse Communities 2024-2025 Alien Land Laws Wednesday, December 11, 2024 An insightful discussion on the troubling resurgence of alien land laws — historically discriminatory policies that are reemerging in state legislatures across the U.S. Originally designed to prevent non-citizens, particularly those from AAPI communities, from owning property, these laws are now being reframed as safeguards to national resources. We discussed whether these laws properly address national security concerns or whether they are merely a pretext that infringes upon civil rights and liberties under the guise of protection. Our panel of legal experts and advocates delved into the history of alien land laws, examine their renewed impact on vulnerable communities and discuss key cases, including a bill recently introduced in Florida. Whether you’re a policymaker, legal professional, journalist, or concerned citizen, this event was essential for anyone committed to upholding justice and equity in America. Previous Item Next Item

2. Fair Housing Rights & Alien Land Laws: Challenges and Advocacy for the Asian American Community 2024-2025 Alien Land Laws Tuesday, March 4, 2025 The second installment of the Alien Land Law Webinar Series examined how nationality-based homeownership restrictions are affecting real estate professionals and homebuyers—especially within the Chinese American community. With new laws limiting property ownership based on nationality, real estate professionals and advocates are stepping up to challenge these discriminatory policies. This webinar provided critical insights into how these restrictions are reshaping the housing landscape and what we can do to fight back. The webinar covered: 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. This webinar was for real estate professionals, homeowners, prospective buyers, community leaders, and advocacy groups looking to stay informed and take action. 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’ll find the latest updates on lawsuits and policy developments. Together, we can stand up for fair housing rights and fight back against discrimination. 20250304 SecondWebinar3.jpg Previous Item Next Item

Newsletter - #97 DOJ Changed Report; Trial Dates; Yale/Princeton/Stanford/SIU News; Happy Thanksgiving #97 DOJ Changed Report; Trial Dates; Yale/Princeton/Stanford/SIU News; Happy Thanksgiving Back View PDF November 22, 2021 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

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

Newsletter - #332 Student Visas and ICE Policy; Know Your Rights; Wen Ho Lee; Higher Ed and Science; + #332 Student Visas and ICE Policy; Know Your Rights; Wen Ho Lee; Higher Ed and Science; + In This Issue #332 • Update on International Student Visas and ICE Policy • 05/08 Know Your Rights Webinar • 05/29 Re-enactment of U.S. v. Wen Ho Lee • Higher Education and Science Developments • News and Activities for the Communities Update on International Student Visas and ICE Policy According to AsAmNews on April 22, 2025, based on a policy brief by the American Immigrant Lawyers Association, more students from India than from any other country have had their student visas revoked. A survey of revocations of 327 student visas and removal from Homeland Security databases found 50% were from India with China being the second highest at 14% followed by South Korea, Nepal and Bangladesh. On April 24, Inside Higher Ed reported over 280 colleges and universities have identified 1,879 international students and recent graduates who have had their legal status changed by the State Department. On April 25, after more than 100 lawsuits, the Trump administration announced that it would restore all terminated SEVIS statuses. On April 29, 2025, Politico reported how the Trump administration's "Student Criminal Alien Initiative” was rushed by using incomplete criminal database matches to wrongfully terminate thousands of foreign students’ legal status, leading to thousands of visa revocations and school bans without due process. On April 28, the Department of Justice submitted an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) internal memoradum dated April 26 on "Policy Regarding Termination of Records" in the case of Patel v. Lyons (1:25-cv-01096). According to the memo, two new grounds for SEVP-initiated terminations were added: “Evidence of a Failure to Comply with the Terms of Nonimmigrant Status Exists” and “U.S. Department of State Visa Revocation (Effective Immediately).” This policy allowed ICE to terminate student records based on visa revocations. At this time, the policy outlined in the April 26 notice has not been formally implemented, and the Department of Homeland Security is reportedly developing a new formal policy for SEVIS record terminations. 05/08 Know Your Rights Webinar WHAT: AASF Know Your Rights: Criminal Law, Research Security & Higher Education WHEN: May 8, 2025, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm ET WHERE: Webinar HOST: Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) Speaker: Robert Fisher, Partner, Nixon Peabody LLP DESCRIPTION: An urgent Know Your Rights webinar focused on the intersection of criminal law, research security, and higher education—specifically addressing the mounting concerns facing Asian American professors and scientists who are facing increasing scrutiny and investigations, raising concerns about the return of the China Initiative and the environment of fear it cultivated. Moreover, international students, postgrads, and researchers are also facing increasing scrutiny with efforts to halt all Chinese student visas, preventing graduate students from conducting research, and targeting their participation in STEM fields. REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/4d5xMOl 05/29 Re-enactment of U.S. v. Wen Ho Lee WHAT: U.S. v. Wen Ho Lee - 25 Years Later WHEN: May 29, 2025, 4:30 - 6:00 pm CT WHERE: In Person Re-enactment. U.S. District Courthouse, 219 South Dearborn Street, 25th Floor, Chicago, IL, 60604 HOSTS: Asian American Bar Association; Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter; U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Moderators: • Stephen Chahn Lee, Solo Practitioner, AABA First Vice President, Former Federal Prosecutor • Vikas K. Didwania, Assistant U.S. Attorney, former Senior Policy Advisor for Criminal Justice at the White House DESCRIPTION: Twenty-five years ago, Wen Ho Lee, a Taiwanese-American scientist, became the focus of one of the most high-profile espionage investigations in American history. Suspected of sharing critical nuclear secrets with China, Dr. Lee faced public condemnation, criminal charges, and solitary confinement. However, as the case unraveled, it revealed profound flaws in the investigation, culminating in a rare judicial apology and a public acknowledgment by President Bill Clinton that "the whole thing was quite troubling". This pivotal moment in Asian-American legal history continues to offer important lessons for today’s legal, civil rights, and national security landscapes. This program will feature an in-depth exploration of United States v. Wen Ho Lee, with a critical look at the government’s investigation, the defense strategies that led to Dr. Lee’s eventual release, and the broader implications for justice and due process. Featuring Chicago practitioners and judges, this event will also include re-enactments of key moments from the case, including an interrogation that even senior government officials later admitted had gone too far. This event is open to the public and will be followed by a reception. 1.5 hours of CLE will be offered (pending approval). FOR MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3GJ3MvR Higher Education and Science Developments 1. Higher Ed Leaders Stand Up for Democracy and Academic Freedom At a pivotal time for higher education and American democracy, two powerful public statements have been issued by leading voices in academia—calling for renewed commitments to open dialogue, civic engagement, and democratic principles. These open letters have been endorsed by hundreds of current and former college and university presidents and chancellors. APA Justice encourages Asian American organizations, academic networks, and community leaders to review, consider signing, and help spread awareness of these timely initiatives. The first, A Call for Constructive Engagement, was released by the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U). As of May 5, over 610 current leaders from across higher education have signed on. The statement champions civil discourse and a shared responsibility for addressing challenges through inclusive, democratic means. Current higher ed leaders are urged to read and add your name as appropriate to the statement here: https://bit.ly/44VdrcC. The second, A Pledge to Our Democracy, organized by PEN America, has been co-signed by 124 former presidents and chancellors representing a broad range of institutions—including research universities, HBCUs, regional colleges, and community colleges. This statement affirms a collective responsibility to uphold democratic values and the freedom to teach, learn, and speak without fear. To learn more or to join the pledge, contact Malka Margolies at mmargolies@pen.org or 718-530-3582. These statements reflect a growing call to action. By adding our voices, we not only defend the values that sustain higher education and civil society—we also show that the Asian American community is ready to lead in shaping a more principled and inclusive future. 2. AAAS CEO Sudip Parikh Warns Against Catastrophic FY2026 Budget On April 30, 2025, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) CEO Dr. Sudip Parikh testified before the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Senator Susan Collins, about the urgent moment facing biomedical research, and science funding more broadly, in the United States. The fiscal year (FY) 2026 Presidential budget request proposes major cuts to Research and Development, including a 40% cut to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 57% to NSF, and 24% to NASA, among others. Dr. Parikh warned that steep federal cuts to biomedical and science research funding could cause the U.S. to lose its global leadership in innovation for generations. He stressed that the scientific ecosystem, built over 80 years, depends on federal support and is now facing paralysis and potential long-term decline. He urged Congress to obligate existing FY2025 funds and secure FY2026 appropriations, saying the U.S. is at a historic crossroads that demands immediate action to protect future scientific leadership. Watch his testimony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT1TpNppK5M (6:40) 3. Foreign Policy: America's Coming Brain Drain In his Foreign Affairs essay “America’s Coming Brain Drain,” on May 6, 2024, MIT President Emeritus L. Rafael Reif warns that the United States is at risk of losing its longstanding global leadership in science and technology. This dominance was built over decades through sustained investment in research and development, academic freedom, and an openness to international talent. However, Reif argues that these pillars are being eroded by a mix of federal funding cuts, political interference in universities, and immigration policies that deter the very scientists who once fueled American innovation. A particularly damaging example Reif highlights is the legacy of the now-defunct China Initiative, a U.S. government program aimed at countering espionage that ended up disproportionately targeting scientists of Chinese descent. Though the program has officially ended, its chilling effects remain: international researchers are more hesitant to collaborate with U.S. institutions, and many have chosen to leave or avoid coming to the country altogether. Reif emphasizes that fear and suspicion cannot be the basis of national policy if the goal is to remain competitive in a globally interconnected research ecosystem. "Nationwide, international students earn 64 percent of doctorates in computer and information sciences, 57 percent of those in engineering, and 54 percent of those in mathematics and statistics. The United States clearly could do a better job of developing homegrown talent for these fields, but it is important to recognize how much the country gains by attracting brilliant people from around the world. The overwhelming majority of international doctoral students educated in the United States intend to stay on in the United States after earning their degrees," Reif wrote. Reif also expresses concern about increasing political pressures on higher education, particularly state-level attempts to reshape curricula or defund research based on ideological grounds. Coupled with the looming threat of steep federal funding cuts for agencies like the NIH and NSF, the U.S. risks dismantling the infrastructure that has long powered its innovation economy. To prevent a lasting brain drain, Reif calls for renewed investments in basic research, a welcoming posture toward global talent, and a reaffirmation of the values—openness, excellence, and integrity—that made the U.S. a world leader in science. Read the Foreign Policy article: https://fam.ag/42JccvM 4. Inside Higher Ed: Tracking NIH and NSF Funding Cuts According to Inside Higher Ed on May 6, 2025, the Trump administration has canceled close to $3 billion in National Institues of Health (NIH) and National Science Foundation (NSF) research grants, often without much explanation. Researchers are now crowdsourcing databases of suspended grants to shed light on what is being lost. While politically sensitive topics like DEI and misinformation were cited as reasons, funding cuts have also hit areas like cancer and maternal health. Epidemiologist Scott Delaney and colleagues created Grant Watch to track NIH and NSF terminations, exposing their arbitrary and opaque nature. Their database has already recorded $2.78 billion in cuts, prompting concern over the chilling effect on U.S. research. One striking example is Eric Wustrow, a University of Colorado professor whose NSF-funded project on online censorship was terminated despite not fitting any flagged category. His experience reflects broader inconsistencies that make it hard for researchers to understand which topics may now be “secretly banned.” Delaney emphasized the value of their crowdsourced data for advocacy and potential legal action, given the lack of transparency and shifting justifications for cuts. In parallel, Abby Andre launched the Impact Project to document the broader erosion of federal support—across education, housing, and science—using crowdsourced data and media reports. Her interactive Impact Map visualizes state-by-state cuts and institutional damage. Both Grant Watch and the Impact Project aim not only to support current resistance but to preserve a public record for future accountability and reconstruction efforts. 5. 05/08 Webinar: Trump and Higher Ed: Understanding the Latest WHAT: Trump and Higher Ed: Understanding the Latest (Part 3) WHEN: May 8, 2025, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm ET WHERE: Webinar HOST: Chronicle of Higher Education Speakers: • Rick Seltzer, Senior Writer • Sarah Brown, Senior Editor DESCRIPTION: During his first few months in office, President Trump has tried to reshape higher education with a barrage of executive orders and actions aimed at transforming key parts of the academic enterprise. The frenzy of dramatic pronouncements, sudden reversals, and legal wrangling has created tremendous uncertainty for colleges. This is the third of a series of virtual events to examine challenges that are top of mind for colleges, their employees, and their students. REFERENCES: • 2025/04/03 Part 1: https://bit.ly/3GFu7e4 (1:03:01) • 2025/04/24 Part 2: https://bit.ly/43l00Bq (1:03:34) REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/4341dvU 6. 06/03 NASEM: Second Annual State of the Science Address WHAT: The Second Annual State of the Science Address WHEN: June 3, 2025, 3:00 - 5:00 pm ET WHERE: National Academy of Sciences Building, 2101 Constitution Ave NW, Washington DC 20418 HOST: The National Academies of Sciences Speaker: Marcia McNutt, President, National Academy of Sciences DESCRIPTION: McNutt will explore progress and opportunities in specific areas that are critical to protect and strengthen U.S. science — including modernizing university-industry research partnerships, reducing red tape so that researchers can focus their time and resources more efficiently, building a stronger U.S. STEM workforce, and cultivating more public trust in science. The address will be presented with data and evidence on the quality and vitality of the research enterprise, trends in education and employment, and strategic and funding priorities. After the address, Kelvin Droegemeier, former science adviser to President Trump and director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy from 2019 to 2021, will moderate a discussion with other research leaders. A reception will follow. REFERENCE: 2024 State of the Science Address FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://bit.ly/3Z3SyYU News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/05/08 AASF Know Your Rights: Criminal Law, Research Security & Higher Education 2025/05/12-14 APAICS Annual Summit and Gala 2025/05/18 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting 2025/05/22 Serica 2025 Trailblazers Conference & Gala 2025/05/29 U.S. v. Wen Ho Lee - 25 Years Later 2025/06/01 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting 2025/06/02 APA Justice Monthly Meeting 2025/06/03 The Second Annual State of the Science Address 2025/06/15 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting 2025/06/15-18 2025 Applied Statistics Symposium Visit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Summary of April 2025 APA Justuce Monthly Meeting Posted Summary of the April 2025 APA Justice monthly meeting has been posted at https://bit.ly/44opZcn. We thank the following speakers for sharing their insightful remarks and updates: • Mark Takano, First Vice Chair, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Member, U.S. House of Representatives • Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean, Jesse H. Choper Distinguished Professor of Law, University of California, Berkeley, Law School • Judith Teruya, Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Judith.Teruya@mail.house.gov • Joanna YangQing Derman, Director, Anti-Profiling, Civil Rights & National Security Program, Advancing Justice | AAJC • Gisela Perez Kusakawa, Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) • Cindy Tsai, Interim President, Committee of 100 • Ed Guo, President, Asian American Academy of Science and Engineering (AAASE) 3. 05/22 Serica 2025 Trailblazers Conference & Gala WHAT: Serica 2025 Trailblazers Conference & Gala WHEN: May 22, 2025 • Conference: 8:30 am - 1:30 pm ET • Gala: 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm ET WHERE: • Conference: 100 Washington St, New York City, 10016 • Gala: 583 Park Ave, New York City, 10065 HOST: The Serica Initiative DESCRIPTION: This annual gathering celebrates AAPI women who are driving change across generations — in the arts, business, tech, education, philanthropy, and beyond. It will be a day of dynamic panels, powerful stories, and connection with some of the most inspiring leaders in our community. FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://bit.ly/3SuDJuJ # # # 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 8, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #294 11/18 Meeting; Science Editorials and Report; Deportation? Stop AAPI Hate Town Hall; + #294 11/18 Meeting; Science Editorials and Report; Deportation? Stop AAPI Hate Town Hall; + In This Issue #294 · 2024/11/18 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · Science Editorials and Report on Politicization, Taking Stock, and Election Outcome · NBC News : Deportation of Undocumented Chinese First? · Stop AAPI Hate Town Hall · News and Activities for the Communities 2024/11/18 APA Justice Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, November 18, 2024, starting at 1:55 pm ET. The meeting was moved to avoid conflicts with Election Day. In addition to updates by Nisha Ramachandran , Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Joanna YangQing Derman , Program Director, Advancing Justice | AAJC, and Dr. Kai Li , Vice President, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), confirmed speakers are: · Rosie Levine , Executive Director, US-China Education Trust · Michael Wong , Board Member and Former National Vice President, Veterans for Peace · Peter Michelson , Luke Blossom Professor in the School of Humanities & Sciences and Professor of Physics, Stanford University Senator-Elect Andy Kim is invited to give remarks.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 . Science Editorials and Report on Politicization, Taking Stock, and Election Outcome In an editorial titled "Science is neither red nor blue" published in Science , Marcia McNutt , President of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS), addresses the increasing politicization of science in the United States and calls for renewed efforts to rebuild public trust. She highlights the apolitical nature of science and its role as a vital tool for predicting outcomes and informing policy, while urging scientists to better explain its norms, acknowledge its limitations, and avoid implying that science dictates policy. The NAS emphasizes the need for objective, evidence-based guidance informed by diverse perspectives and highlights the importance of combating misinformation. While science can project the consequences of policy decisions, it is ultimately up to elected officials and society to weigh values and priorities. The NAS reaffirms its commitment to objectivity, independence, and excellence, offering its expertise to help the new administration address pressing societal challenges."The public and policymakers can discuss and debate how to respond to the myriad challenges that confront society, but these deliberations need to be informed by the objective, dispassionate evidence that only science can provide," the editorial states.Read the Science editorial: https://bit.ly/4ftFNwZ In an editorial titled "Time to take stock" published in Science , Editor-in-Chief H. Holden Thorp examines the challenges facing the scientific community following Donald Trump ’s reelection. Thorp highlights the alienation of Americans who distrust institutions, including science and higher education, as a key issue. Trump’s success, driven in part by divisive rhetoric, reflects a deeper disaffection that science leaders must address by fostering inclusivity and rebuilding trust in science. Thorp critiques the scientific community’s previous efforts to counter political attacks, noting that confrontational responses on social media and cable news during Trump’s first term failed to build public confidence. The pandemic, in particular, highlighted the limitations of these approaches, as platforms amplifying division undermined trust in science. Further damage comes from institutions mishandling misconduct, resisting transparency, and prioritizing reputations over accountability.To rebuild trust, the editorial urges scientists to reject the opacity of traditional institutions. Instead, they should embrace openness to new data, accessibility, and a clear prioritization of public interest over institutional self-protection. With political attacks on science expected to escalate over the next four years, Thorp calls on the scientific community to adopt strategies that not only defend against these assaults but also strengthen public confidence in science."The reelection of Donald Trump for a second, nonconsecutive term as US president ... underscores a reality: Although his success stems partly from a willingness to tap into xenophobia, sexism, racism, transphobia, nationalism, and disregard for truth, his message resonates with a large portion of the American populace who feel alienated from America’s governmental, social, and economic institutions. These include science and higher education," the editorial states. "The attacks are going to keep coming and probably accelerate for the next 4 years. As painful as that will be, it’s up to the scientific community to respond in a way that makes those blows less successful."Read the Science editorial: https://bit.ly/4i3EFlE A report by Science warns that Donald Trump ’s reelection and Republican control of Congress pose significant challenges for U.S. science. Advocates fear reduced funding for basic research and restrictive immigration policies could stifle innovation. Former National Science Foundation Director Neal Lane cautioned, “There’s no good news for science in this election,” as Republicans may prioritize deficit reduction over long-term research investments. These policies could also undermine climate science and public health, with Trump likely to ignore scientific consensus on issues like global warming. Leadership changes in Congress add to these concerns. Senator Ted Cruz , expected to chair the Senate commerce and science committee, has criticized diversity initiatives and climate action, raising alarms about his potential impact on science policy. In the House, Republicans may weaken the CHIPS and Science Act, jeopardizing planned funding increases for the National Science Foundation. “It could be a very dark time for universities,” said one higher education lobbyist, reflecting widespread anxiety over the political climate.Climate and U.S.-China relations are emerging as key flashpoints. Trump’s potential withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and efforts to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act could hinder federal climate initiatives, though bipartisan support for clean energy projects offers some hope. Meanwhile, a revival of restrictive policies like the China Initiative risks damaging international scientific collaborations. “Our prosperity as a nation is built upon the federal investment in research,” emphasized MIT geophysicist Maria Zuber , highlighting the stakes for U.S. leadership in science. With Congress deadlocked over the 2025 budget, agency funding remains frozen, threatening deep cuts to civilian research programs. If unresolved by January, Trump’s administration could rewrite the spending plan, potentially deprioritizing science. Advocates stress the need for robust research investments to maintain U.S. competitiveness, warning that the next four years could mark a critical decline in national scientific leadership.Read the Science report: https://bit.ly/4fu2txn NBC News : Deportation of Undocumented Chinese First? According to NBC News on November 15, 2024, Asian American organizations are preparing for the potential impact of Donald Trump ’s campaign promise of mass deportations, particularly targeting undocumented Chinese nationals deemed to be of "military age." Sources suggest these actions, reportedly tied to national security concerns and anti-China sentiment, have prompted community groups to intensify efforts to educate immigrants on their rights, provide legal resources, and develop in-language materials. Anti-China sentiment has grown under successive administrations, increasingly framing Chinese nationals as security threats. Advocates argue these policies reflect racial profiling trends that harm Asian American communities. Bethany Li , executive director of the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, highlighted this targeting as a continuation of historical patterns, referencing anti-Chinese alien land laws and the Trump-era China Initiative. “We know that both the state and federal government have deemed China as a national security threat,” Li said. “We saw this in World War II with Japanese Americans and post-9/11 with Muslim and South Asian men.” Jo-Ann Yoo , executive director of the Asian American Federation that works with 70 member agencies, shared that her organization has been proactively scenario-planning for months to counteract Trump’s immigration promises. “We’re working to get ahead of these challenges,” she noted, emphasizing the importance of solidarity and preparation. Jo-Ann Yoo , executive director of the nonprofit Asian American Federation, a New York-based umbrella organization that works with 70 member agencies, said that for the past few months, her group has convened meetings and engaged in scenario planning in an effort to get ahead of Trump’s immigration promises. Yoo said that it is important for vulnerable communities to stand in solidarity. “There is no time for rest. We are seeing real danger,” she said. “We’re going to push and we’re going to have to be brave.”Read the NBC News report: https://bit.ly/3VjqAH5 Stop AAPI Hate Town Hall WHAT : Stop AAPI Virtual Town Hall WHEN : November 18, 2024, 8:00 pm ET WHERE : Online Event HOST : Stop AAPI Hate DESCRIPTION : The re-election of Donald Trump presents a monumental threat to our rights, our freedoms, and our safety. But we can and we will fight back together against his administration’s racist and hate-fueled agenda. Join this virtual town hall with Stop AAPI Hate and other movement leaders to learn more about the dangers our communities face under the next administration and how we can mobilize in opposition to Trumpism — far-right extremism, authoritarianism, xenophobia — and in support of a fairer, more equitable vision of America. REGISTRATION : https://bit.ly/3AGnMwt News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events:2024/11/18 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2024/11/18 Stop AAPI Virtual Town Hall2024/11/24 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting 2024/12/08-10 National Immigrant Inclusion Conference2024/12/08 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/12/11 Webinar on Alien Land Laws2025/01/06 APA Justice Monthly MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Air Force Honors Sabu Dastagir On November 12, 2024, the U.S. Air Force unveiled a portrait of Sgt. Sabu Dastagir , a Hollywood actor-turned-American Airman, in a ceremony at the Pentagon. The event, led by Under Secretary of the Air Force Melissa Dalton and Assistant Secretary Dr. Ravi Chaudhary , marked a historic addition to the Pentagon’s World War II hallway. Dastagir, an Indian American actor known for films like The Thief of Baghdad and The Jungle Book, enlisted in the Army Air Forces during WWII. Serving as a tail gunner with the 370th Bomb Squadron, he flew dozens of combat missions in the Pacific, earning five Air Medals and the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor. He passed away in 1963 at age 40. The portrait, donated by Houston artist June Xu , now joins the Air Force Historic Program.June Xu, a lifelong passionate painter and fine arts student at the University of Houston, is known in Texas for her activism, particularly during last year’s protests against SB147, an alien land bill that would ban land ownership by Chinese nationals. Her advocacy, including organizing protests and legislative meetings, deepened her commitment to amplifying Asian American experiences.In April, Xu joined the Committee of 100’s "Next Generation Leader" program, connecting with a project to spotlight Asian American military stories. She described contributing the portrait as a personal milestone and a broader triumph for representation. “This is a historic moment for our community,” Xu said. “If we don’t tell our own stories, mainstream society certainly won’t do it for us.” Read the U.S. Air Force announcement: https://bit.ly/3ZaMHl5 . Read the 休斯顿在线 report: https://bit.ly/48RVr2V 3. National Immigrant Inclusion Conference WHAT : National Immigrant Inclusion Conference WHEN : December 8-10, 2024 WHERE : In person, Houston, Texas HOST : National Partnership for New Americans FOR MORE INFORMATION/REGISTRATION : https://bit.ly/3YUq7vB 4. APA Justice Newsletter Web Page Moved to New Website As part of its continuing migration to a new website under construction, we have moved the Newsletter webpage to https://www.apajusticetaskforce.org/newsletters . Content of the existing website will remain, but it will no longer be updated. We value your feedback about the new web page. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org . Back View PDF November 18, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

On June 17, 2021, APA Justice sent a letter urging the Biden-Harris Administration to respond to the standing FOIA requests and publicize the justification for the continuation of the "China Initiative." June 17, 2021 On June 17, 2021, APA Justice sent a letter to Erika Moritsugu, Deputy Assistant to the President and Asian American and Pacific Islander Senior Liaison at the White House, urging the Biden-Harris Administration to respond to the standing Congressional and Freedom of Information (FOIA) requests and provide full data and information publicly to justify the continuation of the "China Initiative" and related racial profiling policies and practices. In summary, without further delay, we respectfully request the Biden-Harris administration to: Release the data and information requested by Reps. Jamie Raskin and Judy Chu and Senator Roger Wicker for Congressional oversight and the public. Publish the 2017-2020 opinions of the Office of Legal Counsel at the Department of Justice as it has done annually since 1977. Release the data and information requested by Advancing Justice | AAJC, American Civil Liberties Union, and the Cato Institute under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). letter2moritsugu_20210618 .pdf Download PDF • 167KB On June 17, 2021, APA Justice sent a letter urging the Biden-Harris Administration to respond to the standing FOIA requests and publicize the justification for the continuation of the "China Initiative." Previous Next Letter to The White House Calling for Response to Inquiries

3. Building Coalition Against “China Initiative” Discrimination - Fighting racial targeting of Asian Americans and communities of color, past & present 2020-2022 China Initiative Wednesday, February 24, 2021 The “China Initiative’s” racist targeting of Asian American and Asian immigrant scientists, researchers, and students - particularly those of Chinese descent - echoes past xenophobic national security initiatives that put immigrant communities and communities of color under unjust government scrutiny. This webinar, the third in this series, explores the civil society responses to Japanese incarceration and discrimination against Japanese Americans during World War II, and the targeting of Arab, Middle-Eastern, Muslim, and South Asian (AMEMSA) communities after 9/11, to inform how civil rights organizations and university leaders can more effectively challenge the new administration to end the “China Initiative” and the unfair scrutiny of Asian American and Asian immigrant scientists, researchers, and students. Connecting current discrimination against Asian Americans and immigrants of Chinese descent within the historical framework of the treatment of Asian Americans, other immigrant communities, and communities of color in the U.S. is essential for building a broad coalition to support the legal and policy reforms necessary to protect the civil rights of all communities. (See our coalition letter to the Biden transition team here ). Because academic and research institutions are the targets of “China Initiative” investigations, we must also understand the needs of university leaders and create a platform for allies and civil rights organizations to support the scientists, researchers, and students currently impacted by the latest wave of xenophobia. This webinar will focus on how to build these mechanisms for policy reform. 20210224 Webinar3ChinaInitiative2.png 20210224 Webinar3ChinaInitiative1.png Previous Item Next Item

Newsletter - #261 07/01 Monthly Meeting; Media Reports on Forum with FBI; Another NYPD Officer Fired; + #261 07/01 Monthly Meeting; Media Reports on Forum with FBI; Another NYPD Officer Fired; + In This Issue #261 • 2024/07/01 APA Justice Monthly Meeting • SCMP: FBI Official Admits Mistakes, Vows to Improve Relations with Asian American Communities • AsAmNews: FBI, Asian American Civic Groups Hold Forum on Building Trust Post-China Initiative • Another NYPD Officer Fired Without Evidence of Guilt • News and Activities for the Communities 2024/07/01 APA Justice Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, July 1, 2024, starting at 1:55 pm ET. In addition to updates by Nisha Ramachandran, Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC); Joanna YangQing Derman, Director, Advancing Justice | AAJC; and Gisela Perez Kusakawa, Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), confirmed speakers are: • Neal Lane, Senior Fellow, Baker Institute for Public Policy, Rice University; Former Director of Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), The White House; Former Director, National Science Foundation • Kei Koizumi, Principal Deputy Director for Science, Society, and Policy, OSTP, The White House • Xiaoxing Xi, Laura H. Carnell Professor of Physics, Temple University, with invited comments by Kai Li, Paul M. Wythes and Marcia R. Wythes Professor in Computer Science, Princeton University; Vice Chair, Asian American Scholar Forum, and Gang Chen, Carl Richard Soderberg Professor of Power Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology • Karla Hagan, Senior Program Officer, Staff Director for National Science, Technology, and Security Roundtable, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) 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. National Academies Roundtable Capstone Workshop The National Science, Technology, and Security Roundtable Capstone Workshop on July 16-17, 2024, will present information the Roundtable has gathered since its inception in 2020 through 13 gatherings in Washington, DC and across the U.S. Dr. Karla Hagan will provide additional details about the workshop during the APA Justice monthly meeting on July 1, 2024. SCMP: FBI Official Admits Mistakes, Vows to Improve Relations with Asian American Communities According to the South China Morning Post on June 11, 2024, in an unusual public admission, a senior FBI official told an audience of Asian Americans that some of the bureau’s past actions have had a “negative impact” on the community but that “certainly was not the intent”. Jill Murphy, deputy assistant director of counter-intelligence at the FBI, took part in an open dialogue between agents of the top US law enforcement agency and the academic and Asian American communities when she spoke at Rice University in Houston on June 6. The event, sponsored by Rice’s Baker Institute and Office of Innovation, Texas Multicultural Advocacy Coalition, and Asian Pacific American Justice, marked a milestone as it brought together FBI officials, field agents, community leaders, activists and scientists for the first time in person and on a livestream. Amid criticism of the FBI’s role in the now-disbanded China Initiative and its lingering repercussions for individuals of Chinese ethnicity or with ties to China, the FBI is attempting an outreach effort with a clear message: we acknowledge past missteps and seek the community’s assistance in countering the Chinese Communist Party and its government. “We really need to spend time listening to you and your concerns, and we’re not always right, and we can always be better. We need open lines of communication,” said Murphy, who moved to Chinese counter-intelligence in 2010 and later served on the National Security Council. “I’m very cognizant of ensuring that we are opening our investigations on predicated facts or allegations of either things that threaten national security or federal criminal violations,” Murphy said. “It is very unusual that the FBI leadership is willing to attend a Zoom panel discussion that the whole country can watch anonymously,” said APA Justice, adding that the event was “a big step forward.” Gordon Quan, a former city council member in Houston and one of the community leader speakers at the event, said he hoped that Murphy’s “message comes through to the field staff.” “We believe in national security as well. But by the same token, don’t paint all Chinese with the same brush that you know China is a threat. And if you’re Chinese, you’re a possible threat,” Quan said. Neal Lane of the Baker Institute said in an email that there was “no quick fix” to the damage done by the China Initiative, which he said had hurt the careers of scientists and hurt families. “It will take an iterative process and dialogues like this recent one to make progress. Such events should be held all across the country,” said Lane, who participated in the June 6 event. Kelly Choi, a supervisory special agent at the FBI’s Houston field office, urged Asian Americans to collaborate with law enforcement agencies, whether reporting crimes to the FBI or local and state authorities. She recalled how after the US closed the Houston consulate within 72 hours in July 2020, some Asian Americans were not comfortable talking to the agents conducting routine interviews. Douglas Williams, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Houston field office, said the FBI wanted Asian Americans to trust the FBI “when something does happen in this community … that you feel comfortable calling us and that we can investigate it”. Read the South China Morning Post report: https://bit.ly/4cxC7Zx. Watch a video of the June 6 forum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csqLJo869ZY (1:55:23) left to right: Jill Murphy, Steven Pei, Neal Lane AsAmNews: FBI, Asian American Civic Groups Hold Forum on Building Trust Post-China Initiative On June 13, 2024, AsAmNews reported on a rare two-hour forum with the FBI in hopes of rebuilding trust from alleged discriminatory policies against Asian Americans. “We hope this forum will serve as a first step toward building a regular channel of communications between both of these groups,” said Sergio Lira, Vice President of Texas Multicultural Advocacy Coalition and a co-host of the forum. “And we hope the panel will provide clarity on the changing landscape of national research security policy, and its implementation.” Kelly Choi, Supervisory Special Agent for FBI Houston’s Field office, said bridging the gap between the Asian American community and the FBI is a major priority of the agency. “I know that some of the actions that have happened in the past have had a negative impact on this community. And that certainly was not the intent,” said Jill Murphy, the FBI’s Deputy Assistant Director for Counterintelligence. “The intent… was purely to stop the transfer of technology that’s incentivized by the government of China, and not to dampen the scientific work and the collaboration that makes the world a better place.” Advocates from the Asian American community and civic groups said they appreciated the agency’s openness to dialogue and feedback. Many stressed that Asian American scholars are still discriminated against even after the formal end of the China Initiative. “The China Initiative devastated the lives of numerous Asian American scholars engaging in everyday academic research and led to a measurable chilling effect on the community,” said Gisella Kusakawa, Executive Director of Asian American Scholar Forum. “We need protection and training to address racial bias, both implicit and explicit, as well as more scientific experts and thought leaders being included in the discussion with FBI, CBP and law enforcement,” she said. “And the last thing is, we need to keep in mind that we cannot have Asian American scholars be collateral damage while we take the time to try to get this right." David Donatti, a senior staff attorney at the ACLU, observes interrogations and deportations reflect how rights are at their “lowest point” on the border. He adds that the lack of clarity on policy from Customs and Border Protection (CBP), who controls the border, and how the FBI works with that agency can still create discriminatory situations today. “[Transparency is] not only sitting down at a table and having a dialogue, although it’s very important,” Donatti says. “It’s also having meaningful policies in place that are rigorous and clear, and easy to understand. And these policies should be subject to scrutiny.” FBI agents agreed that opening dialogue was essential for them to better protect the Asian American community. And ultimately, maintaining open lines of communication is critical to helping that process, said Murphy. “This partnership, this relationship is really important to the FBI. We need to strive to continue to learn and listen more,” she said. “To protect this community, we really need to spend time listening to you and your concerns. And we’re not always right. And we can always be better. We need open lines of communication.” Read the AsAmNews report: https://bit.ly/4b3jFGE Another NYPD Officer Fired Without Evidence of Guilt On May 21, 2024, Documented reported a veteran Chinese American police officer of 20 years was fired by the New York Police Department (NYPD) following an FBI spying investigation on February 16. According to the report, investigations by the FBI and the NYPD found that between the end of 2019 to the fall of 2021, Steven Li had helped a Chinese national named Sun Hoi Ying to connect with a person targeted by the Chinese government. Sun was alleged to have been paid by the Chinese government to come to the U.S. to conduct “Operation Fox Hunt,” a program pursued by China’s Ministry of Public Security to repatriate alleged Chinese fugitives, often by bypassing authorities in foreign countries where these people had settled. After he was introduced to Sun by an acquaintance, Li brokered meetings for Sun in New York with a person unnamed in the documents, who was accused of having embezzled money from a Chinese state-owned company before moving to the U.S. in 2001. NYPD’s internal investigation found Li was not guilty of the “foreign agent” related charges. There was no evidence to show that Li was aware that Sun was working for the Chinese government when the meetings took place, nor did it find that he took money from China or threatened the victim. Li was terminated less than a month after Angwang, an ethnic Tibetan NYPD police officer from China who was charged by the federal government under the China Initiative for working for China’s interests. Despite prosecutors dropping all charges against him, the NYPD continued its internal investigation against Angwang. He was fired for failing to show up at an internal interview, which his lawyers had told him was “unlawful” because the NYPD refused to share evidence with them in advance. At least 36 people have been charged for foreign-agent related violations benefiting China since 2020, topping any other country, while the number was five between 2009 to 2020, based on the DOJ’s announcements, an incomplete archive of federal court cases. This means for Chinese American cops, who often participate in community events, the risk of inadvertently stepping into a plot involving China and being accused of acting as a foreign agent is higher than ever. Michael Moy, a former NYPD detective, recommends Chinese American cops to not talk to anyone they don’t know at community banquets, and to not offer advice to any party of a dispute until the case is formally reported to the police. Read the full Documented article: https://bit.ly/44VTG2A. Juan Zhang, editor at US-China Perception Monitor, contributed to this report. News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2024/06/20 U.S.-China Relations: Untangling Campaign Rhetoric & Understanding Policy – Teachers Workshop 2024/06/21 Trends in Research Funding and Award Recognitions for Asian Scholars in the United States 2024/06/20-22 Social Equity Leadership Conference 2024/06/27-30 UCA: 2024 Chinese American Convention Visit https://bit.ly/45KGyga for event details. 2. National Academies Roundtable Capstone Workshop WHAT: National Science, Technology, and Security Roundtable - Capstone Workshop WHEN: • Day 1: July 16, 2024, 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. ET • Day 2: July 17, 2024, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. ET WHERE: Hybrid in-person and virtual event • In-person: National Academy of Sciences Building, 2101 Constitution Ave NW, Washington D.C. 20418 • Virtual: coming soon HOST: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine DESCRIPTION: The National Science, Technology, and Security Roundtable Capstone Event will provide an opportunity to present information the Roundtable has gathered since its inception in 2020 through 13 gatherings in Washington, DC and across the U.S. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3z0PnY7 REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3VirGle 3. C100/TAAF Anti-Asian Hate Tracker for New York City Launched On May 14, 2024, Committee of 100 (C100) and The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) jointly launched a database to report and track incidents of hate and bias against the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) New York City (NYC) community. The AAPI Hate Tracker is a collaborative project created by C100 and TAAF and supported by several NYC AAPI nonprofit partners, as part of the NYC Anti-Hate Collaborative. The database is funded by TAAF and C100, along with federal funding from a grant award from the U.S. Department of Justice. 4. Vincent Chin Legacy Guide On June 19, 1982, Vincent Chin was attacked in Highland Park, Michigan, by two white men who worked in the auto industry and were angry over what they perceived as the loss of American jobs to Japanese imports. He died four days later on June 23, 1982, at the age of 27. The killing was an egregious anti-Asian hate crime of the modern era. It galvanized Asian Americans across the entire country to fight for civil rights in a battle that continues today. Activist and author Helen Zia founded the Vincent Chin Institute two years ago and produced the Vincent Chin Legacy Guide as a reference and teaching tool in English and other languages. The Vincent Chin Legacy Guide is located here: https://bit.ly/3z88akk Back View PDF June 17, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus issued a Messaging Guidance on Rhetoric and Anti-Asian Hate to the U.S. House of Representatives. July 16, 2021 On July 16, 2021, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) issued a Messaging Guidance on Rhetoric and Anti-Asian Hate to all members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The letter states that "[t]ime and time again history has taught us the horrific impact xenophobic rhetoric can have on Asian Americans. This is reason enough to end the use of rhetoric that stokes hatred. But it is notable that this type of rhetoric isn’t only dangerous to Asian Americans, it’s harmful to the United States’ long-term interests. Our country faces global security challenges such as climate change, supply chain disruption, and nuclear proliferation that require collaborative bi-lateral and multi-lateral solutions. Our leaders’ use of xenophobic rhetoric undermines our ability to work with other countries to pursue those solutions." 2021/07/16 CAPAC: Messaging Guidance on Rhetoric and Anti-Asian Hate The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus issued a Messaging Guidance on Rhetoric and Anti-Asian Hate to the U.S. House of Representatives. Previous Next CAPAC Issues Messaging Guidance on Anti-Asian Hate

Newsletter - #361 11/3 Meeting; Chinese STEM Students; Brain Drain; Jane Wu v NWU; Birthright Citizens;+ #361 11/3 Meeting; Chinese STEM Students; Brain Drain; Jane Wu v NWU; Birthright Citizens;+ In This Issue #361 · 2025/11/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · Estate of Dr. Jane Wu v Northwestern University · Science : Chinese STEM graduate Students Boon to U.S. Students · U.S. Brain Drain · Update on Birthright Citizenship Lawsuits · News and Activities for the Communities 2025/11/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting left to right: Andy Phillips, Jane Shim, Paula Madison, Brian Sun The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held today, Monday, November 3, 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: · Andy Phillips , Managing & Founding Partner, Meier Watkins Phillips Pusch LLP · Jane Shim , Director, Stop Asian Hate Project , Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund · Paula Williams Madison , Chairman and CEO of Madison Media Management LLC and 88 Madison Media Works Inc.; Retired Executive, NBCUniversal · Brian Sun , Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP 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 . Estate of Dr. Jane Wu v Northwestern University In June 2025, Dr. Jane Ying Wu 吴瑛 's family, acting through her estate, filed a civil lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court alleging that the Northwestern University discriminated against her and contributed to her suicide. An open hearing is scheduled for December 1, 2025, starting at 9:00 am CT at Court Room 1906, Richard J Daley Center, 50 W Washington St, Chicago. Dr. Wu, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in China, was a prominent Chinese American researcher in neurology and genetics at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. She took her own life on July 10, 2024, after her lab was shut down and all records of her work were erased by Northwestern University. Her death drew attention to the negative impact of the "China Initiative" and "foreign interference" investigations by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which targeted scientists of Chinese descent. Dr. Wu was never charged. She was 60 years old. Dr. Wu's daughter, Elizabeth Rao 饶婕, told NBC News in July 2025 that “as painful as it is for us as her family to recount how Northwestern treated her, we are seeking justice to prevent this from happening again to others in the future.” Read the APA Justice Impacted Person web page on Dr. Jane Wu: https://bit.ly/JaneWu Science : Chinese STEM graduate Students Boon to U.S. Students According to Science on October 31, 2025, a new analysis by economists Ruixue Jia (University of California, San Diego), Hongbin Li (Stanford University), Gaurav Khanna (UC San Diego), and Yuli Xu (Stanford University) finds that China’s massive 1999 expansion of its higher education system unexpectedly transformed U.S. graduate education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Published as a working paper by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), the study shows that the policy triggered a surge of Chinese students pursuing U.S. STEM master’s degrees—benefiting not only American universities but also domestic students and local economies.According to the researchers, the influx of highly qualified and often self-funded Chinese students allowed U.S. universities—especially large public research institutions—to expand their graduate programs without reducing access for Americans. “For every four additional Chinese students, one more U.S. student gained a spot in a STEM master’s program,” the authors wrote, describing this as a “crowd-in effect.” The study found that from 2003 to 2015, the number of U.S. STEM master’s programs grew by 23%, and roughly 15% of that growth can be attributed to China’s education expansion. Kevin Shih , an economist at the University of California, Riverside, who was not involved in the study, called the findings groundbreaking: “What’s really cool about this study is that it documents, for the first time, how the Chinese government, in growing higher education at home, also contributed in a significant way to the growth of U.S. graduate education, especially at the master’s level in STEM.” Jia explained that the Chinese government’s centralized university admission quotas—based on the national gaokao 高考 exam and changing perceptions of strategic industries—directly influenced which majors grew and, consequently, which students went abroad. “At first, the government thought biotech was the future, so you saw a huge number of biology majors going to the U.S. after graduation. Then it switched to computer science, and now AI [artificial intelligence],” she said.Khanna noted that the influx of Chinese students benefited both universities and their surrounding communities: “They rent apartments, buy cars, and go to restaurants.” The added tuition revenue also helped subsidize other university activities and reduce pressure to raise tuition for domestic students. Moreover, the growth in Chinese graduate students expanded the pool of teaching assistants, allowing universities to offer more undergraduate STEM courses.However, the study’s authors warn that this positive trend has reversed in recent years. Jia said preliminary findings from follow-up research suggest “a significant decline since 2017 in the number of STEM master’s programs,” particularly at public universities in Republican-led states. The downturn coincides with the Trump administration’s visa restrictions and anti-China rhetoric, which discouraged many Chinese students from studying in the U.S.Khanna added that “other countries now recognize that they are an important source of revenue and talent,” pointing to destinations like Australia, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Hong Kong. China itself has also expanded its graduate programs, giving students more domestic options.Despite the clear economic and educational benefits documented, Jia remains cautious about the policy implications: “We’re providing some hard evidence for the positive spillover effect on universities and communities of the increased number of Chinese students,” she said, “but I’m always skeptical of being able to persuade anyone with data.” U.S. Brain Drain In the PBS NewsHour segment on October 29, 2025, “ The Mozart of Math Considers Leaving the U.S., ” Terence Tao 陶哲軒 , a UCLA mathematics professor and Fields Medal laureate, anchors a sobering look at the declining stability of American science. Known as one of the world’s greatest living mathematicians, Tao was a prodigy who entered college at age 9, earned his Ph.D. from Princeton by 21, and became celebrated for his elegant problem-solving across pure and applied mathematics. His research, for example, produced an algorithm that cut MRI scan times from several minutes to under a minute — a perfect example of how abstract theory can generate life-changing technology. Tao recalls being inspired as a child by “Sesame Street” and Carl Sagan ’s “Cosmos,” crediting the openness and vibrancy of U.S. science for shaping his career. America, he says, long maintained a “lively ecosystem” of hundreds of universities and conferences that drew talent from across the globe. But now, for the first time, he feels existential concern: federal budget cuts, political interference, and uncertainty in research funding threaten to hollow out that system.Under the Trump administration, the National Science Foundation (NSF) was forced to suspend about $1 billion in grants, directly affecting Tao’s UCLA Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics. Instead of doing mathematics, Tao says, he now spends his time fundraising, seeking alternative support, and deciding what to cut first. The situation has made him consider offers from Europe, Australia, and China — something he never imagined after three decades in the U.S. He warns that dismantling America’s research infrastructure “from the top down” could have irreversible consequences, saying, “For any complex system, one person who doesn’t understand it can wreck everything.” Other scientists in the report echo Tao’s alarm. Daniella Fodera , a biomedical engineer completing her Ph.D. at Columbia University, had her NIH-funded uterine fibroid study abruptly cut earlier this year — despite the condition affecting nearly 80% of women. Her funding was restored only after Columbia paid over $200 million to settle unrelated federal investigations, underscoring how erratic and politicized research support has become. Disillusioned, Fodera now plans to pursue work in Europe, where she believes stability and respect for science are stronger. Anna Darling , a neuroscience Ph.D. student at Ohio State University, shares a similar fear. She entered academia to follow her mother’s footsteps as a science teacher, only to discover her program’s funding was no longer guaranteed. “My outlook on being a scientist in this country has changed,” she says. “The freedom to do the research you value just isn’t as free as it used to be.” Stephen Jones , a biochemist who left the U.S. in 2020 for Vilnius University in Lithuania, provides a glimpse of what that brain drain looks like in practice. He says he grew weary of anti-science sentiment and wanted to work in a society that valued research. Now leading a lab abroad, he notes that colleagues who once questioned his decision are asking him how to follow suit, with many considering positions in Canada, Europe, or China. Finally, Vidya Saravanapandian , a UCLA neuroscientist from India, warns that the closure of labs and loss of students could devastate the U.S. economy and its global leadership. “When labs shut down, ideas are lost, experiments are ruined, and the younger generation loses hope,” she says, visibly distressed about the future of science in America. The report closes with Tao reflecting on the broader meaning of this moment. The administration’s decisions, he argues, seem detached from public interest, guided by politics rather than evidence. He stresses that scientific ecosystems thrive on diversity of thought and long-term investment, not short-term cuts. His latest problem to solve, Tao says, is not mathematical — it is how to protect America’s scientific infrastructure before it collapses. Watch the PBS report: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLvO070E_dI (9:26) On October 22, 2025, South China Morning Post reported that political purges, funding cuts, and growing hostility toward expertise under the Trump administration have unsettled the U.S. research community—reminding many Chinese American scientists of China’s Cultural Revolution. During Mao Zedong 毛泽东 ’s 1966 campaign, intellectuals were persecuted and science was paralyzed for a decade; today, some Chinese American scholars see echoes in the U.S. as researchers face suspicion, censorship, and abrupt funding losses. Several scientists, including a Midwest biologist targeted under the China Initiative, are now considering returning to China amid large-scale layoffs at NASA, CDC, and other agencies. Critics such as mathematician Shing-Tung Yau 丘成桐 and scholar Fang Shimin 方是民/方舟子 ; describe the situation as a “Trump-era Cultural Revolution,” where political loyalty outweighs expertise. Duke University’s Denis Simon warns that replacing merit with ideology risks crippling U.S. innovation and driving talent overseas, causing long-term damage to America’s scientific enterprise—even if the U.S. has not descended into the violence of Mao’s era. Read the South China Morning Post report: https://bit.ly/4qIpbYE Update on Birthright Citizenship Lawsuits On October 31, 2025, the total number of litigations challenging Trump Administration actions tracked by Just Security reached 500. At least 11 lawsuits have been filed against President Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship (E.O. 14160). The order remains blocked from taking effect nationwide due to several preliminary injunctions. The core legal challenge asserts that the order is unconstitutional and violates a federal statute, as the 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to all persons born in the U.S. and subject to its jurisdiction. The 11 known lawsuits (3 blocked pending appeal, 4 temporarily blocked, 4 awaiting court ruling) with their filing dates are: 1. 2025/01/20 Doe v. Trump (1:25-cv-10135) . Temporarily blocked 2. 2025/01/20 New Hampshire Indonesian Community Support (NHICS) v. Trump (1:25-cv-00038) . Temporarily blocked 3. 2025/01/20 Thien Le v. Donald J. Trump (8:25-cv-00104) . Awaiting court ruling 4. 2025/01/21 CASA v. Trump (8:25-cv-00201) (and consolidated cases). Temporarily blocked 5. 2025/01/21 State of Washington v. Trump (2:25-cv-00127) . Blocked pending appeal 6. 2025/01/21 State of New Jersey v. Trump (1:25-cv-10139) . Blocked pending appeal 7. 2025/01/24 Franco Aleman v. Trump (2:25-cv-00163) (a class-action lawsuit). Blocked pending appeal 8. 2025/01/30 OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates v. Rubio (1:25-cv-00287) . Awaiting court ruling 9. 2025/01/30 County of Santa Clara v. Trump (5:25-cv-00981) . Awaiting court ruling 10. 2025/02/13 New York Immigration Coalition v. Donald J. Trump (1:25-cv-01309) . Awaiting court ruling 11. 2025/06/27 Barbara v. Trump (1:25-cv-00244) (a class-action lawsuit). Temporarily blocked Just Security has also published four featured articles in the series of "Taking Stock of the Birthright Citizenship Cases:" 1. 2025/07/30 Part I: Unpacking Trump v. CASA, Inc. Author: Marty Lederman, Executive Editor at Just Security and Professor at the Georgetown University Law Center; former Deputy Assistant Attorney General at the Office of Legal Counsel; former Attorney Advisor at the Office of Legal Counsel 2. 2025/08/18 Part II: Making Sense of the Three Established Exceptions . Author: Marty Lederman 3. 2025/09/08 Part III: DOJ’s Arguments Regarding Domicile and Unauthorized Immigrants . Authors: Marty Lederman; John Mikhail, Carroll Professor of Jurisprudence, Georgetown University Law Center 4. 2025/09/29 Part IV: DOJ’s Ineffective Responses to Plaintiffs’ Statutory Argument . Author: Marty Lederman As part of the Collection of Just Security’s Coverage of the Trump Administration’s Executive Actions, on March 28, 2025, Edgar Chen 陳春品 , Senior Policy Advisor, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, and Chris M. Kwok 郭文 , Adjunct Assistant Professor in Asian American studies, Hunter College, published " The Trump Administration’s 14th Amendment Retcon: ‘Wong Kim Ark’ Does Not Limit Birthright Citizenship. " The authors argue that Trump’s Executive Order 14160 grossly misinterprets the 1898 Supreme Court decision in United States v. Wong Kim Ark and the intent of the 14th Amendment. The Court affirmed that all individuals born in the U.S.—regardless of their parents’ immigration status—are citizens, a principle rooted in post–Civil War Reconstruction. Trump’s order wrongly equates Wong’s Chinese immigrant parents, who faced legal exclusion and racial persecution, with today’s lawful permanent residents. If upheld, the order would disproportionately harm Asian Americans, particularly children of immigrants, students, and asylees, effectively reviving exclusionary policies reminiscent of the Chinese Exclusion era and undermining over a century of settled constitutional law. The article was translated into Chinese by Juan Zhang 张涓 , APA Justice, with title " 特朗普政府重塑《第十四修正案》 ——《黄金德案》并未限制出生公民权 . " 特朗普总统宣布通过行政命令第14160号终止出生公民权，意在推翻1898年美国最高法院《美国诉黄金德案》确立的原则，即凡在美国出生者（除外交官及敌对势力子女外）皆为公民。该命令错误地将“永久住所”解读为“合法永久居留”，试图将公民权限定于美国公民及绿卡持有者之子女。文章指出，这种解读既不符合法律，也无视历史现实。黄金德父母在排华时代受歧视、无归化权，生活在暴力与制度性迫害中，与今日移民地位完全不同。特朗普此举被批评为重演排华法案的历史，甚至开启“排华2.0”，其后果将严重打击亚裔群体，剥夺数十万移民后代的公民权，并违背第十四修正案的平等精神。最高法院在黄金德案中早已确立：美国的根本在于包容所有在其土地上出生的人，不论其血统与出身。 Recent news: 2025/10/03 ACLU: Federal Appeals Court Upholds Block on Trump Birthright Citizenship Executive Order News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/11/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/11/03 Advocacy 101 for Scholars, Scientists, and Researchers2025/11/14 Film Screening and Discussion: Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story2025/11/25 Committee of 100 Conversations – “Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes” with Elaine Chao 2025/12/01 Cook County Circuit Court Hearing - Estate of Jane Wu v Northwestern University2025/12/01 APA Justice Monthly Meeting Visit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Understanding The AI Boom: Power, Politics, and The Future of U.S.-China Relations WHAT: Understanding the AI Boom: Power, Politics, & the Future of U.S. China Relations WHEN: November 19, 2025, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm ET/4:00 pm - 5:00 pm PT WHERE: webinar HOSTS: 1990 Institute Moderator : Clayton Dube, Former Director, USC U.S.-China Institute Speakers : · Graham Webster , Editor-in-Chief, DigitChina Project, Stanford University · Zeyi Yang , Senior Writer, WIRED DESCRIPTION: Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how nations compete, how economies grow, and how cultures evolve. At the heart of this global shift is the U.S.-China relationship, where the race for AI leadership is emerging as a modern Cold War — a watershed moment signaling that the AI revolution is no longer distant, but already here. And when it comes to the U.S. and China, many are seeing the future of tech as an existential race that needs to be won.For a generation raised in the era of smartphones, AI is not a futuristic idea—it is part of everyday life. This webinar invites educators, parents, students, and community members to look beyond the headlines and build a deeper understanding of the global forces shaping our digital and physical world today. The webinar will examine the societal, ethical, and geopolitical dimensions of technology. The aim is to lay the groundwork for modern digital literacy including empowering educators to teach it with clarity and confidence. The session is designed for everyone interested in becoming a more informed global citizen in this rapidly evolving digital age. This virtual webinar is open to all audiences, with a segment at the end devoted to high school educators teaching contemporary history, economics, technology and social studies. REGISTRATION : https://bit.ly/47i8wDw # # # APA Justice Task Force is a non-partisan platform to build a sustainable ecosystem that addresses racial profiling concerns and to facilitate, inform, and advocate on selected issues related to justice and fairness for the Asian Pacific American community. For more information, please refer to the new APA Justice website under development at www.apajusticetaskforce.org . We value your feedback. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org . Back View PDF November 3, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #392 5/4 Meeting; Legacy of APAICS; Schwarzman Scholars; Trump's Tirade; FISA Section 702+ #392 5/4 Meeting; Legacy of APAICS; Schwarzman Scholars; Trump's Tirade; FISA Section 702+ In This Issue #392 · 2026/05/04 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · The Enduring Legacy of APAICS · Ten Years of Schwarzman Scholars · Trump’s Tirade Against Chinese and Indian Immigrants · More on FISA Section 702 · News and Activities for the Communities 2026/05/04 APA Justice Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held on Monday, May 4, 2026, 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 to welcome the following distinguished speakers: · Dave Min , Member, U.S. House of Representatives · Robert Underwood , former CAPAC Chair; President Emeritus, University of Guam; Co-Founder, Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) · Madalene Mielke , President and CEO, Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) · Martin B. Gold , Partner, Capitol Counsel, LLC 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 . ***** We are honored that Congressman Dave Min will deliver the opening remarks to launch the 2026 Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Elected in 2024 to represent California’s 47th Congressional District in the heart of Orange County, Rep. Min is the son of Korean immigrants and a proud graduate of California public schools. He previously served in the California State Senate from 2020 to 2024. Prior to his public service, he was a law professor at the University of California, Irvine. The Enduring Legacy of APAICS The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) stands today as one of the most consequential institutions shaping Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) political leadership in the United States. Its story is inseparable from a broader movement to transform representation in American democracy—one that began in 1994 under the visionary leadership of Norman Mineta and Dr. Robert Underwood and continues today under President and CEO Madalene Mielke . APAICS was founded alongside the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) at a time when AAPI representation in government remained limited and fragmented. Mineta and Underwood recognized a structural gap: while advocacy existed, there was no sustained institutional pipeline to recruit, train, and elevate AAPI leaders into public service. Originally known as the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Institute (CAPACI), APAICS was conceived as a nonpartisan, educational organization dedicated to civic participation and leadership development. Its mission remains to promote AANHPI engagement at every level of the political process—from community service to elected office. For Mineta, whose life journey spanned wartime incarceration to Cabinet leadership, the stakes were deeply personal. For Underwood, the imperative was equally clear: to ensure that Pacific Islander voices—often overlooked even within broader AAPI narratives—would have a durable presence in national policymaking. Before and after his congressional service, Underwood built a distinguished career in education, including serving as president of the University of Guam. His scholarship on Chamorro identity, cultural preservation, and education reflects a lifelong commitment to empowerment through knowledge—principles that are deeply embedded in APAICS’ mission. Over the past three decades, APAICS has evolved into a comprehensive leadership pipeline. Its programs—including congressional fellowships, national and regional leadership academies, and mentorship initiatives—have trained and supported generations of AANHPI leaders now serving across government, nonprofit, and private sectors. The results are increasingly visible. AAPI representation in public office and policy leadership has grown meaningfully, and with it, the expectation that AANHPI voices will be present not as exceptions, but as integral participants in governance. Under the leadership of Madalene Mielke, APAICS has entered a new phase of strategic growth and national influence. With deep experience in political development and fundraising, Mielke has expanded the organization’s reach while reinforcing its core focus: preparing leaders not only to enter public service, but to lead effectively once there. As APAICS marks more than 30 years of impact, its founding vision remains highly relevant. From the pioneering leadership of Norman Mineta and Robert Underwood to today’s institutional strength, APAICS continues to translate access into opportunity—and opportunity into public leadership. We are especially honored that both Robert Underwood and Madalene Mielke will be featured speakers at the APA Justice monthly meeting on May 4, 2026. Their perspectives offer a timely opportunity to reflect on the progress of AANHPI political engagement and the work that lies ahead. For more information about APAICS, visit https://www.apaics.org/ Ten Years of Schwarzman Scholars At a time when geopolitical tensions and mutual misunderstanding increasingly shape U.S.–China relations, the Schwarzman Scholars (苏世民学者) program offers a different model—one grounded in education, dialogue, and long-term relationship building. Since its launch in 2016, the program has emerged as one of the most prominent global leadership initiatives of the 21st century. Founded by Stephen A. Schwarzman 苏世民 , the program is based at Tsinghua University in Beijing and is designed to prepare the next generation of leaders to navigate an increasingly complex and interconnected world. Each year, approximately 150 scholars from around the globe are selected for a fully funded, one-year master’s degree in Global Affairs, with a focus on leadership, public policy, economics, and international studies. Throughout the past decade Schwarzman Scholars has empowered over 1,300 young leaders from more than 100 countries with the skills to navigate the challenges of the 21st century. Often compared to the Rhodes Scholarship, Schwarzman Scholars was conceived as a modern counterpart. Its core premise is straightforward but ambitious: that future leaders must develop not only technical expertise, but also cultural fluency, geopolitical awareness, and the ability to engage across differences. The program brings together a highly diverse cohort and immerses them in a rigorous academic and leadership curriculum. Scholars live and study together, creating an environment where dialogue lives on a daily basis. A defining feature of the program is its emphasis on exposure. Scholars engage directly with senior policymakers, business leaders, and academics from China and around the world. Through lectures, mentorship, internships, and travel, participants gain firsthand insight into China’s political system, economic development, and societal changes. Equally important are the informal exchanges—conversations among peers that challenge assumptions and build mutual understanding. In an era where narratives about China and the United States are often shaped by distance and distrust, these interpersonal connections can have lasting impact. Whether one views the program as a bridge, a laboratory, or a strategic investment in global leadership, its significance is clear: it is an effort to shape how future leaders understand—and engage with—one of the most consequential bilateral relationships in the world. For more information about the program, visit https://www.schwarzmanscholars.org/ten-year-anniversary/ Trump’s Tirade Against Chinese and Indian Immigrants According to AsAmNews , The Guardian , and The New York Times , President Donald Trump sparked widespread backlash after posting a transcript and video from a podcast by Michael Savage that described China and India as “hellhole” countries and made negative claims about immigrants from those nations. Although Trump added no commentary, critics in the U.S. and abroad viewed the post as endorsing the remarks. The Indian government publicly criticized the comments as inappropriate, while U.S. lawmakers, including Grace Meng and Ami Bera , condemned the rhetoric as harmful and inflammatory, particularly amid rising anti-Asian sentiment. The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) issued a public statement expressing outrage by the racist and xenophobic post. The controversy comes as the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments over Trump’s effort to end birthright citizenship in early April, an issue central to his immigration agenda. The White House defended the post as part of a broader critique of current citizenship policies. “These are no longer dog whistles,” Jon Lewis , a research fellow at the Program on Extremism at George Washington University, said. “They’re bullhorns. It sends that emboldening message to neo-Nazis and White supremacists that the government is on your side.” More on FISA Section 702 After an extension of 10 days, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) will expire on April 30, 2026, unless it is renewed by Congress. According to NPR on April 24, 2026, Speaker Mike Johnson has introduced a new proposal to extend the surveillance authority for three years, but it is largely unchanged from two earlier attempts that failed in the House. Johnson’s latest bill does not include a warrant requirement, instead proposing increased reporting and penalties for misuse. "This is not a reform bill and it's not a compromise," Elizabeth Goitein , a privacy advocate and senior director of the Liberty and National Security Program at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University, wrote on X . "It's a straight reauthorization with eight pages of words that serve no serious purpose other than to try to convince members that it's NOT a straight reauthorization." On April 23, 2026, the Washington Post published an editorial titled “Want to read an American’s emails? Get a warrant. ” Congress can break its deadlock over Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act by adopting a simple compromise grounded in the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution: continue warrantless surveillance of foreigners abroad, but require a warrant before searching Americans’ communications collected under the program. It emphasizes that while foreign intelligence gathering is essential and lawful, the current system allows the government to search Americans’ emails and messages without judicial approval—effectively creating a “backdoor” around constitutional protections. Internal oversight reforms are insufficient, the editorial argues, because only a judge can provide independent review. The editorial rejects claims that a warrant requirement would harm national security, noting emergency exceptions are available and that similar protections already apply in domestic law enforcement. Ultimately, it frames the issue as a fundamental civil liberties question: whether Section 702 will remain a necessary intelligence tool or continue to function as a loophole that weakens Americans’ constitutional rights. Resources: · 2026/04/16 Brennan Center for Justice: Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA): 2026 Resource Page · 2026/03/24 APA Justice Webinar: Mass Surveillance and the ICE Crackdown: What the AAPI Community Needs to Know (1:04:32) · APA Justice timeline: Timeline Visualization of U.S. Mass Surveillance · APA Justice webpage: Warrantless Surveillance News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2026/05/04 APA Justice Monthly Meeting 2026/05/11 Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes - Steven Chu 2026/05/12-14 Celebrating 250 - Building America’s Future Together 2026/05/13 The Model Minority Trap: How ‘Positive’ Stereotypes Harm Asian Americans 2026/06/01 APA Justice Monthly MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Upcoming “Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes” Events WHAT : Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes - Steven Chu WHEN : May 11, 2026, 6:00-7:00 pm ET WHERE : Webinar HOST : Committee of 100 Moderator : Peter Young , Chair of the Conversations Initiative and Committee of 100 New York Regional Chair and Board Member Speaker: Steven Chu , Nobel Prize Recipient in Physics, former Secretary of Energy, and Stanford University professor REGISTRATION : https://c100-5-11-2026.eventbrite.com ***** WHAT : Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes - Calvin Tsao WHEN : June 10, 2026, 6:00-7:00 pm ET WHERE : Webinar HOST : Committee of 100 Moderator : Peter Young , Chair of the Conversations Initiative and Committee of 100 New York Regional Chair and Board Member Speaker: Calvin Tsao , leading architect, philanthropist, and educator REGISTRATION : https://c100-6-10-2026.eventbrite.com 3. The Model Minority Trap: How ‘Positive’ Stereotypes Harm Asian Americans WHAT : The Model Minority Trap: How ‘Positive’ Stereotypes Harm Asian Americans WHEN : May 13, 2026, 3:00-4:00 pm ET WHERE : Webinar HOST : Committee of 100 Speakers: · Derald Wing Sue , Professor of Psychology and Education, Teachers College, Columbia University · Emma Zang , Associate Professor of Sociology, Yale University DESCRIPTION: The model minority stereotype is often dismissed as a "compliment" but creates real harm for Chinese Americans and Asian Americans more broadly. New data from the 2025 State of Chinese Americans survey reveals Chinese Americans who regularly encounter these assumptions report significantly more psychological distress than those who face no discrimination at all. These seemingly positive assumptions mask significant disparities—and the harm compounds. This is the third installment of C100's 2025 State of Chinese Americans webinar series, featuring new survey data on how these “positive” stereotypes are associated with measurable psychological distress and mask significant mental health disparities within Asian American communities. Professors Derald Wing Sue and Emma Zang, will unpack why this stereotype persists, who it hurts most, and what practitioners and policymakers can do differently. REGISTRATION : https://committee100-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/2117768023399/WN_wonLo_NmSoSBL5DCldJvKQ#/registration 4. Asian American Pioneer Medal Symposium and Ceremony WHAT : Asian American Pioneer Medal Symposium and Ceremony WHEN : August 7-9 2026 WHERE : Memorial Auditorium, Stanford University HOST : Asian American Research Center at Stanford, Asian American Scholar Forum DESCRIPTION : The goal of the Pioneer Project is to educate the public on the history of Asian American pioneers and scholars who have made transformative contributions to our country and the world. FOR MORE INFORMATION : Visit https://www.aasforum.org/ # # # APA Justice Task Force is a non-partisan platform to build a sustainable ecosystem that addresses racial profiling concerns and to facilitate, inform, and advocate on selected issues related to justice and fairness for the Asian Pacific American community. For more information, please refer to the new APA Justice website under development at www.apajusticetaskforce.org . We value your feedback. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org . Back View PDF April 27, 2026 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter