Newsletter - #346 Gene Wu; TX SB17 Hearing; Land Restrictions; ICE Crackdown; Science Reports; Fed Data+ #346 Gene Wu; TX SB17 Hearing; Land Restrictions; ICE Crackdown; Science Reports; Fed Data+ In This Issue #346 · Committee of 100 Condemns Loyalty Attacks on Texas Rep. Gene Wu · 08/14 Public Court Hearing on Lawsuit Against Texas Alien Land Bill SB17 · Restrictions on Chinese Land Ownership in the U.S. · Concerns Over ICE Crackdown Tactics · Science: NIH Funding and Editorial on Columbia Deal · Federal Data at Risk: NASEM Warning, IRS Clash, and BLS Firing · News and Activities for the Communities Committee of 100 Condemns Loyalty Attacks on Texas Rep. Gene Wu On April 8, 2025, the Committee of 100 issued a public statement on Respectful Civil Discourse , condemning rhetoric that questions the loyalty or belonging of Chinese Americans based on ethnicity or political views. The statement cited an August 6 Texas Tribune article reporting that Texas State Senator Mayes Middleton targeted Representative Gene Wu 吳元之 , linking him to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and suggesting he should “go back to China.” “Suggesting that an American lawmaker is aligned with a foreign regime because of his heritage or political advocacy draws on a long and dangerous history of anti-Asian scapegoating and racism in this country,” the Committee of 100 said. “Such statements are outrageous and un-American. Disagreements on public policy are part of a healthy democracy. But invoking race, ethnicity, or foreign associations—especially when aimed at Asian American elected officials—incites xenophobia, invites slurs, and increases the potential for real-world harm.” Wu, leader of the Texas House Democrats, recounted his family’s persecution during China’s Cultural Revolution, noting that accusations of being a “communist spy” are deeply offensive given his family history. In recent months, he has faced escalating racist attacks from GOP officials amid his role in blocking Republican-led redistricting. Republican leaders, including Middleton and Texas GOP Chair Abraham George , have publicly questioned Wu’s loyalty, labeling him “CCP Wu” and accusing him on social media of being an operative of the Chinese Communist Party doing China’s bidding in the Legislature while baselessly questioning his loyalty to Texas and the U.S. Democrats and Asian American leaders warn that such unchecked rhetoric is dangerous, especially as Texas’s Asian American population grows rapidly. In contrast to past instances when racist remarks prompted swift condemnation, top GOP leaders have remained largely silent—signaling a troubling erosion of norms around respectful public discourse. 08/14 Public Court Hearing on Lawsuit Against Texas Alien Land Bill SB17 On July 3, 2025, the Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance (CALDA 华美维权同盟) filed a lawsuit on behalf of three Chinese nationals alleging Texas state law (SB 17), barring Chinese citizens from buying property in the state, is discriminatory and unconstitutional.A public hearing on Wang v. Paxton (4:25-cv-03103) will be held on August 14, 2025, starting at 10:00 am CT at Bob Casey U.S. Courthouse 515 Rusk Avenue, Houston, TX 77002.CALDA is calling on community members to attend the court hearing. “Even just quietly sitting in the back of the courtroom, your presence is the strongest form of support,” CALDA’s call to action states. “This is not only a legal battle but a fight for our right to live with dignity on this land.”The hearing is open to the public, but with only a few dozen seats expected to be available. Standing in the courtroom is not allowed. It is recommended to arrive at least 30 minutes early and enter after passing security screening. The court strictly prohibits carrying any electronic devices, including mobile phones, tablets, laptops, etc. Photography, video recording, and audio recording are forbidden. Lockers are provided at the court entrance for storage. The hearing is expected to last 30 to 60 minutes. During this time, attendees must not enter or leave freely, talk, or create noise. Please obey the rules; violators may be removed by court officers.CALDA’s lawsuit compares Texas’s SB 17 law to historically notorious anti-Asian laws like the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act and California’s 1913 Alien Land Law, both targeting Asian immigrants. Texas had repealed similar discriminatory restrictions in 1965, deeming them unreasonable and discriminatory. SB 17 bans citizens of certain countries—unless they are U.S. citizens or permanent residents—from owning most real estate or signing leases longer than one year in Texas. The law applies even to long-term residents with valid student or work visas, treating them as if they still reside in their country of origin. Violators risk forced property sales, felony charges, imprisonment, and hefty fines.CALDA contends that SB 17 is not an isolated law; it equates “place of birth” with a “national security threat,” treating people of Chinese origin as potential enemies. This is not merely a restriction on foreign nationals but a form of systemic discrimination that marginalizes the entire Chinese community. U.S. history has long shown that once prejudice based on nationality takes root, it spreads and harms the innocent. Among these waves of legislation, SB 17 is neither the beginning nor the end. It is part of a nationwide surge of anti-Chinese laws. We cannot remain silent, retreat, or be absent.SB 17 is set to take effect September 1, 2025. The plaintiffs request the court to rule that SB 17 is preempted by federal law and unconstitutional, to issue temporary and permanent injunctions preventing its enforcement, and to order payment of attorney’s fees and related litigation costs. Restrictions on Chinese Land Ownership in the U.S. Author: Madeleine Gable, APA Justice Communications AssociateAccording to Nikkei Asia , the U.S. is intensifying its crackdown on Chinese ownership of American agricultural land in the name of national security. Legislative efforts at both the federal and state levels to restrict Chinese property ownership have reached an all-time high.According to a recently released report by the Committee of 100 , U.S. Congress is currently considering 15 alien land bills, and 25 states have passed similar legislation aimed at restricting foreign ownership of property, including but not limited to agricultural land. This year alone, 11 such bills have already been enacted into law, with 129 introduced.Last month, the Department of Agriculture released a seven-point national security plan, enhancing public disclosures of foreign ownership of farmland and working with Congress and states to ban purchases of farmland by foreign adversaries and countries of concern. Agriculture secretary Brooke Rollins pointed specifically to the ownership of American farmland by Chinese nationals as an existential threat. Rollins hinted she might “claw back” land currently owned by Chinese investors.In May, Texas passed Senate Bill 17, prohibiting people and companies from China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia from purchasing land and other property in the state. It also bars certain people from leasing homes or apartments for more than a year. ACLU Texas maintains this legislation violates the First Amendment and the Equal Protection Clause.Florida passed similar legislation in 2023 that bans Chinese citizens from buying most property in the state. The law went into effect on July 1, 2023, although enforcement has been curtailed in specific cases pending legal review. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit issued a temporary injunction blocking the law’s enforcement against two plaintiffs while their appeal is under consideration.In April, West Virginia enacted House Bill 2961, explicitly banning Chinese citizens who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents from owning or possessing real property or mineral rights within the state. Speaking at the August 2025 APA Justice monthly meeting, Joanna YangQing Derman of Advancing Justice | AAJC explained that, while the legislation defines “prohibited foreign party” as individuals from China, the actual ban applies to individuals acting on behalf of companies and does not ban individuals from directly renting or purchasing land for themselves. The bill specifies that a violation of the law allows six months for full divestment of the sale, enforceable by the state court system and the West Virginia attorney general.The Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance (CALDA) represents plaintiffs in lawsuits against the legislation in Florida and Texas. CALDA legal director, Justin Sadowsky , says “the purpose [of the legislation] appears to be harming Chinese people.” Vincent Wang , chair of the Ohio Chinese American Association (OCAA) and APA Justice co-organizer, has been working with Ohio legislators with OCAA to amend proposed legislation in Ohio. The legislation, House Bill 1 and Senate Bill 88, would bar U.S. permanent residents from China from purchasing homes or businesses within 25 miles of military bases or critical infrastructure, such as water treatment plants, pipelines, dams, and telecommunication systems.Wang says he and his group have tried to relay to lawmakers the impact the legislation will have on business, employment, and investment in the state. Wang estimates roughly 110,000 people could be impacted if the legislation passes.He added, “While China is on the U.S. ‘foreign adversary’ list, conflating the Chinese government with people of Chinese origin risks racial profiling and discrimination — harming innocent individuals and businesses without meaningfully advancing national security.”Chinese ownership of U.S. farmland dropped last year to 265,000 acres, near the 2019 level, accounting for 0.03% of the 876 million acres nationwide. According to Sarah Bauerle Danzman , a former foreign investment analyst with the State Department and a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, such a miniscule proportion poses no national security threat. Concerns Over ICE Crackdown Tactics Author: Madeleine Gable, APA Justice Communications AssociateAccording to CNN , AsAmNews , and multiple media reports, Yeonsoo Go , a 20-year-old South Korean at Purdue University’s College of Pharmacy, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on July 31. Five days later, August 4, she was released and reunited with her mother in Federal Plaza in New York.In 2021, Go moved to the U.S. with her mother on a religious worker’s dependent visa. Three years later, she graduated from Scarsdale High School, located in Westchester County, New York. Go’s mother, the Rev. Kyrie Kim , serves as a priest in the Asian ministry of the Episcopal Diocese in New York and is recognized as the first woman ordained in the Seoul Diocese of the Anglican Church of Korea.On July 31, 2025, Go attended a visa hearing in Manhattan with her mother, during which a judge scheduled a hearing for October. However, ICE agents arrested her outside the courthouse immediately after the hearing. She was first held at a nearby federal detention site, then transferred to a facility in Monroe, Louisiana. ICE has not provided an explanation for why she was placed in immigration detention.According to Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin , Go had overstayed a visa that “expired more than two years ago” and was placed in expedited removal proceedings. McLaughlin added, “The fact of the matter is those who are in our country illegally have a choice — they can leave the country voluntarily or be arrested and deported.”However, Go’s current visa is reported to be valid until December, and her hearing on July 31 was part of an effort to extend her status, raising serious questions about the legality and appropriateness of her detention.On August 2, supporters called for Go’s release during a gathering in Manhattan’s Federal Plaza. Friends spoke of her positive attitude and kind heart, noting that Go had been increasingly nervous leading up to her hearing given the current political climate.A Purdue University spokesperson Trevor Peters confirmed the university was aware of the situation and that the dean of students had reached out to Go’s family.Following her release, Republican Representative Mike Lawler wrote on X “Yeonsoo’s case is yet another example of why we must fix our broken immigration system and make it easier for folks to come here and stay, the right way.”Go’s detainment comes just over a week after Tae Heung "Will" Kim , PhD student at Texas A&M University, was first detained at San Francisco International Airport. Kim spent a week sleeping in a chair with the lights on 24/7, before being moved to immigration detention centers in Arizona and then Raymondville, Texas. Kim was denied access to counsel while he was held in San Francisco. Karl Krooth , Kim’s attorney, stated that his client’s detention underscores serious flaws in the immigration system. He noted that Kim was deprived of due process protections typically available through immigration court proceedings, and held in an airport under questionable authority. “CBP [Customs and Border Protection] officers are not neutral arbiters — they are interrogators,” Krooth said. Becky Belcore , co-director of National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC), says Kim’s prolonged detention is indicative of a larger crackdown on immigrants’ rights. Earlier in July, Muhanad J. M. Alshrouf was detained by immigration officials for nine days at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, TX. Alshrouf had a valid visa and had no criminal history. CBP officials have not provided reasoning why he was detained.Similarly, CBP officials held naturalized citizen Wilmer Chavarria , a Vermont school district superintendent, at George Bush Intercontinental Airport for hours on July 21, searching his electronic devices. Chavarria was returning from a trip to Nicaragua where he visited family.On August 8, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) addressed a letter to Kristi Noem , Todd Lyons , and Rodney Scott expressing deep concern over the treatment of lawful permanent resident AAPI individuals by CBP and ICE. They pointed to several reports in which individuals — Will Kim, Yeonsoo Go, Lewelyn Dixon , Maximo Londonio , and Yunseo Chung — were detained without due process, suggesting potential violations of constitutional protections. CAPAC also alleges that CBP has violated its own National Standards on Transport, Escort, Detention, and Search, which requires CBP officials to “hold detainees for the least amount of time required” and, generally, for no more than 72 hours. The cases cited by CAPAC exemplify how CPB has purportedly failed to uphold this code.The CAPAC letter underscores growing concerns about the protection of constitutional rights, serving as a reminder of the importance of transparency, accountability, and adherence to due process. Upholding these principles helps ensure that enforcement practices remain fair and that the rights and dignity of immigrant communities are respected. Breaking News : According to the Intercept , a 32-year-old Chinese immigrant named Chaofeng Ge died by suicide in the Moshannon Valley Processing Center, a privately run ICE detention facility in Pennsylvania. Ge had been detained there for five days after being handed over to ICE following a guilty plea for a credit card fraud-related arrest. The Moshannon facility, operated by the GEO Group and the largest ICE detention center in the Northeast, has faced numerous complaints about abusive conditions, including poor language services that leave detainees, especially Chinese speakers, isolated.Ge was found hanging in a shower room early on August 6, 2025, and despite emergency medical efforts, he was pronounced dead around 6 a.m. His death marks the first ICE detainee death in the Northeast this fiscal year and the third suicide in ICE facilities nationwide this year.The Moshannon center has come under scrutiny for overcrowding, lack of adequate medical and mental health care, and harsh conditions that resemble a prison rather than a temporary holding center. A 2024 Department of Homeland Security investigation found “egregious and unconstitutional conditions,” but its findings were largely ignored after oversight offices were closed.Nationwide , deaths in ICE detention have increased sharply this fiscal year, with 12 detainee deaths reported as of June 2025—more than the previous year and the highest since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The rise in deaths highlights ongoing concerns over ICE detention conditions and treatment of immigrants. Science : NIH Funding and Editorial on Columbia Deal According to Science on July 31, 2025, The Senate Appropriations Committee rejected President Trump’s proposed 40% cut to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and major reductions to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), instead approving a 2026 funding bill that boosts NIH’s base budget by $400 million (1%) to $47.2 billion and keeps the CDC at $9.15 billion. The bill preserves NIH’s 27 institutes, blocks a cap on indirect research costs, and funds targeted research areas such as cancer and Alzheimer’s. Lawmakers from both parties criticized the administration’s attempts to freeze funds and reorganize agencies, framing the measure as a strong bipartisan defense of biomedical research and public health. The Senate bill must still go to the full Senate for approval and be reconciled with a House of Representatives version. According to a Science editorial titled “ The Columbia deal is a tragic wake-up call ” on July 31, 2025, Columbia University has entered into an agreement with the U.S. government to restore $1.3 billion in annual research funding after the Trump administration raised concerns about antisemitism, admissions practices, faculty hiring, and campus protests. While university leaders framed the deal as a necessary step to free up critical science funding—emphasizing its importance for advancing research that benefits the nation and humanity—it imposes obligations far beyond research oversight. The terms focus heavily on undergraduate education and require Columbia to answer questions on a range of politically sensitive topics. Michael Roth , the president of Wesleyan University, who has been an outspoken critic of the Trump administration and has decried the timidity of universities in standing up for higher education, declined to criticize Columbia for entering the agreement, likening it to a parent who understandably had to pay a ransom for their kidnapped child. Many in academia believe that Columbia’s decision has put other universities at risk of being required to meet the same kind of demands. The Columbia case underscores the vulnerability of universities that have become deeply reliant on federal research funding since World War II, often prioritizing financial growth and prestige over safeguarding academic independence. It also illustrates the difficult trade-offs administrators face when balancing core educational principles against the need to secure resources. While Columbia opted to negotiate rather than challenge the government, Brown University has followed a similar path, and Harvard University is fighting its own dispute in court. The real danger, some warn, is that such political and financial pressures—combined with heightened scrutiny of teaching and scholarship—could erode the fundamental mission of higher education: preparing future generations for the public good. Federal Data at Risk: NASEM Warning, IRS Clash, and BLS Firing On August 8, 2025, Marcia McNutt , President of the National Academy of Sciences, and Victor J. Dzau , President of National Academy of Medicine, issued a public statement , emphasizing that federal statistical agencies must remain free from political or other undue influence to maintain public trust and ensure effective decision-making. They highlighted the critical role accurate, objective data plays for businesses, governments, and the public, and reaffirmed long-standing principles—articulated since 1992—requiring agencies to operate independently of political agendas. The statement urges federal leaders to protect the integrity, objectivity, and statutory safeguards that enable these agencies to serve the nation impartially and in the public interest. Related Resources: Principles and Practices for a Federal Statistical Agency: Eighth Edition On August 9, 2025, the Washington Post reported that tensions erupted between the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the White House after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) asked the IRS to use confidential taxpayer data to locate 40,000 suspected undocumented immigrants. IRS privacy lawyers had opposed the April data-sharing agreement, and Commissioner Billy Long limited cooperation, verifying fewer than 3% of names and refusing to share additional information such as Earned Income Tax Credit claims, citing privacy laws. DHS has suggested future requests could target up to 7 million people. The dispute occurred hours before Long’s abrupt removal as IRS commissioner, though it is unclear if it was a direct cause. Long, a former congressman appointed in June, will become ambassador to Iceland, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent serving as interim commissioner. His short tenure also saw clashes over delaying tax season and eliminating the IRS’s Direct File program. This episode illustrates the type of political pressure NASEM warns could undermine public trust in federal agencies. On August 1, 2025, President Donald Trump fired Dr. Erika McEntarfer from her role as the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics after alleging the jobs report was “rigged” to harm him and Republicans. In a statement issued by the Economic Policy Institute, Heidi Shierholz , President of EPI, called the claim “preposterous” and warned the move risks politicizing the office of Commissioner by threatening removal if economic data displeases the White House. Taken together, these developments underscore a growing pattern of political interference in statistical and data-driven agencies — a trend that, if unchecked, could erode public confidence in the integrity of government information. News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/08/11 Committee of 100 Conversations – “Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes” with Gary Locke2025/08/12 Teaching and Researching Controversial Topics in the Sciences2025/08/14 Court Hearing on Wang v. Paxton (4:25-cv-03103)2025/09/06 The 2025 Asian American Youth Symposium2025/09/08 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/09/08 Committee of 100 Conversations – “Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes” with Janet YangVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. # # # APA Justice Task Force is a non-partisan platform to build a sustainable ecosystem that addresses racial profiling concerns and to facilitate, inform, and advocate on selected issues related to justice and fairness for the Asian Pacific American community. For more information, please refer to the new APA Justice website under development at www.apajusticetaskforce.org . We value your feedback. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org . 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Newsletter - #288 US Rep. Grace Meng Remarks; TX Rep Gene Wu on Vigilance; Exclusion Legacy; C100 Update #288 US Rep. Grace Meng Remarks; TX Rep Gene Wu on Vigilance; Exclusion Legacy; C100 Update In This Issue #288 · Congresswoman Grace Meng Remarks at APA Justice Monthly Meeting · Texas Rep. Gene Wu Urges Community Vigilance, Solidarity, and Action · The Legacy of Exclusion, Racism, and Xenophobia · C100 Updates AAPI Curriculum Research Project · News and Activities for the Communities Congresswoman Grace Meng Remarks at APA Justice Monthly Meeting Congresswoman Grace Meng gave remarks during the APA Justice monthly meeting on October 7, 2024. Congresswoman Grace Meng is serving her sixth term representing New York's Sixth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. She is the first and only Asian American Member of Congress from New York State. Grace serves on the House Appropriations Committee, where she is New York's senior member and is the Vice Ranking Member. During the monthly meeting, Congresswoman Meng delivered a heartfelt message, beginning by expressing gratitude for the invitation and recognition of her fellow colleagues. She gave special praise to Texas State Representative Gene Wu for his leadership and advocacy for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community during these challenging times. Congresswoman Meng also highlighted the critical role of Chair Judy Chu , Senator Mazie Hirono , and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), who have been working tirelessly to combat discriminatory legislation. Congresswoman Meng voiced her concern over the intensifying anti-China rhetoric in Congress. She specifically mentioned the recent attempt by House Republicans to pass a bill that could reinstate the China Initiative, which unfairly targeted individuals of Chinese descent under the guise of national security. While the bill is unlikely to pass in the Senate, Congresswoman Meng emphasized that such efforts continue to harm the AAPI community. In response, Congresswoman Meng and CAPAC urged Congressional leadership to remove language that would restart the China Initiative from the final government spending bill for 2025. She commended organizations like the Asian American Scholar Forum, Advancing Justice | AAJC, and APA Justice for their advocacy during “China Week” and beyond, and gave a special mention to Casey Lee for her contributions. Congresswoman Meng also raised alarm about Project 2025, a Republican policy roadmap that includes reinstating the China Initiative and ending family-based immigration, a move that would disproportionately impact Asian American communities. Project 2025 also calls for cutting funding to vital programs like food assistance and healthcare, directly affecting vulnerable populations, including the 4.5 million AAPI Medicaid recipients. It also targets reductions in the H1B visa program, which would harm skilled workers, many of whom are from AAPI communities. Congresswoman Meng stressed that these issues are not about party politics but about safeguarding the future and well-being of our community. Despite these challenges, Congresswoman Meng remains committed to fighting discriminatory policies and advancing progressive initiatives. One such initiative is the creation of the National Museum of Asian Pacific American History in Washington DC. The first legislation to establish the museum as part of the Smithsonian Institution was passed in 2022, and Congresswoman Meng is excited to continue working on this project. The museum will preserve and celebrate the rich histories and cultures of Asian Pacific Americans. In closing, Congresswoman Meng reflected on the hardships the AAPI community has faced, particularly during the pandemic, and urged continued unity and collaboration to address the challenges ahead.We thank Congresswoman Meng for her leadership and public service. Watch her talk at https://bit.ly/3Ysvaof (8:08). A summary of the October 7 monthly meeting is being finalized at this time. Texas Rep. Gene Wu Urges Community Vigilance, Solidarity, and Action Texas State Representative Gene Wu reminded the community of the necessity for vigilance, solidarity, and action in the face of rising anti-Asian sentiments and discriminatory legislation during the APA Justice monthly meeting on October 7, 2024. Gene serves the constituents of District 137 in the Texas House and is also an attorney in private practice. A dedicated advocate for the Asian Pacific American community in Texas and across the nation, Gene is committed to raising awareness and fostering dialogue about the pressing issues facing Asian Americans today. He regularly hosts town hall meetings and travels nationwide to engage with communities and promote understanding.Gene began his remarks by expressing profound gratitude to Congresswoman Grace Meng for her unwavering leadership in advocating for the Asian American community. He underscored the urgent need for awareness regarding the rising anti-Asian sentiment and legislation that disproportionately impacts Chinese Americans. This acknowledgment of the broader context of discrimination serves as a foundation for his call to action.Highlighting his recent travels to states like Tennessee and Florida, Gene shared his experiences engaging with Asian American communities and raising awareness about these critical issues. In Tennessee, for instance, a law was initially enacted that barred all immigrants from purchasing land but was later amended to specifically target Chinese individuals. This shift exemplifies a troubling trend across the United States, where anti-Chinese and anti-Asian measures are increasingly pervasive. Gene noted that there are currently 24 states with some form of anti-Asian land law legislation, with 13 of these states imposing restrictions explicitly against Chinese individuals. He traced this alarming trend back to historical patterns of discrimination, recalling how anti-Asian sentiments have roots that extend to the 1850s when waves of Chinese and Japanese immigrants faced similar oppressive laws.Drawing parallels between past and present discrimination, Gene recounted how laws from the late 19th and early 20th centuries specifically targeted Asian communities. Often justified under the guise of national security, these laws include the infamous Chinese Exclusion Act and other discriminatory measures against Japanese immigrants. He highlighted that such practices were not only legislated but also deeply embedded in societal attitudes toward Asian Americans. Gene cautioned that many within the community might dismiss these discriminatory practices as benign, believing they only affect specific groups like those from mainland China. He emphasized that this perspective is fundamentally flawed, as it sets a dangerous precedent where discrimination can escalate unchecked.Reflecting on significant historical moments when anti-Asian sentiments were codified into law, Gene recalled restrictions placed on Chinese women in the 1870s aimed at controlling population growth and the anti-alien laws passed in California in the early 1900s. He stressed that many of these laws remained in effect until the mid-20th century, highlighting a long-standing legacy of dehumanization and discrimination against Asian communities in America. Gene pointed out that the modern narrative of suspicion and fear directed at Chinese Americans is not a new phenomenon but rather a continuation of historical patterns of vilification and scapegoating. He called attention to the inflammatory rhetoric from prominent political figures, including Donald Trump and JD Vance , who portray Chinese Americans as threats to national security. Such rhetoric perpetuates a cycle of fear and distrust that not only harms Chinese Americans but also has broader implications for all Asian communities. Gene warned that this kind of vilification can lead to severe consequences, drawing parallels to the injustices faced by Japanese Americans during World War II when many were forcibly relocated to internment camps despite being U.S. citizens. Challenging the notion that only certain Asian groups are targeted by discrimination, Gene asserted that all Asian Americans are perceived as potential threats in a climate of suspicion. He urged the community to acknowledge this shared vulnerability and the necessity for solidarity among Asian Americans of all backgrounds. The historical context of discrimination serves as a crucial reminder that complacency can lead to dire repercussions. Gene called for heightened awareness and activism within the Asian American community, emphasizing that understanding the history of discrimination is vital to effectively combating the resurgence of these harmful ideologies.Gene also addressed the recent surge in anti-Asian violence that escalated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gene asserted that the violence and discrimination faced by Asian Americans, irrespective of their specific ethnic backgrounds, underscores the urgency of collectively addressing these pressing issues. He emphasized that current societal attitudes toward Asian Americans are not isolated incidents but rather part of a broader historical narrative of discrimination that demands attention and action. In conclusion, Gene issued a rallying call for the Asian American community to awaken from complacency and recognize the challenges that lie ahead. He implored individuals to confront the systemic nature of racism and discrimination against Asian Americans, urging them to advocate for themselves and their communities. The resurgence of old hate signals that the struggles faced by Asian Americans in the past are far from over. It is crucial for everyone, especially the Asian American community, to unite in combating these threats. Gene's message serves as a vital reminder of the necessity for vigilance, solidarity, and action in the face of rising anti-Asian sentiments and discriminatory legislation.We thank Texas Rep. Wu for his leadership and public service. A video of his talk will be made available soon, along with a summary of the October 7 monthly meeting that is being finalized at this time. On October 18, 2024, the Houston Chronicle highlighted Texas State Representative Gene Wu and raised this question, "Asian Americans are Texas' fastest growing population. How ill that impact the elections?" In the upcoming 2024 Texas elections, the rapidly growing Asian American population is becoming an increasingly significant voting bloc. Both Democrats and Republicans are working to engage this diverse community, which has historically been under-represented in political outreach. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) now make up 4% of the Texas electorate, with substantial growth across multiple counties. While this group has leaned Democratic in recent years, there is significant diversity within the community, with variations in political preferences across ethnic groups. Both parties see the potential for the AAPI vote to be decisive in close races, but challenges such as language barriers and underinvestment in outreach persist. As Texas continues to grow and diversify, the AAPI electorate could play a crucial role in shaping the state's political landscape.Read the Houston Chronicle report: https://bit.ly/3A99Pqv The Legacy of Exclusion, Racism, and Xenophobia The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 stands as a glaring reminder of our nation’s darker history. As the first federal immigration law aimed at excluding a specific ethnic group based on race and nationality, it arose from a climate of anti-Chinese sentiment during the late 19th century. Chinese immigrants, who primarily sought work in mining and railroad construction, were scapegoated as “parasites,” blamed for taking jobs from white workers and undermining the societal norm of a “Country of White Men.” Other Asian groups, such as Japanese and South Asian immigrants, also faced restrictive measures later on.The Supreme Court’s landmark decision in the Chinese Exclusion Case of 1889 (Chae Chan Ping v. United States) upheld the federal government’s authority to restrict immigration, validating laws, even in ways that targeted specific racial or national groups. This created a precedent for ongoing anti-Chinese and broader anti-Asian sentiment, which persisted for decades and laid the groundwork for racially exclusionary immigration policies.Subsequent legislation, such as the Immigration Act of 1924, further codified these racial preferences, establishing quotas that favored immigrants from Northern and Western Europe while severely restricting those from Eastern Europe, Asia, and Africa. The Chinese Exclusion Act was repealed in 1943 during World War II, largely to strengthen ties with China as an ally. However, even then, the Magnuson Act limited immigration of Chinese persons to a mere 105 individuals annually, offering little more than a symbolic gesture toward equality.The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 marked a significant turning point, abolishing the national origins quota system and prioritizing immigrants based on family reunification and skills rather than race or national origin. In 2011, Rep. Judy Chu , Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, introduced a resolution expressing regret for the Chinese Exclusion Act. This initiative united various organizations under the 1882 Project , which included Chinese American Citizens Alliance, Committee of 100, Japanese American Citizens League, the National Council of Chinese Americans, and OCA, serving on the Steering Committee. It led to a remarkable moment in 2021 and 2022 when both the Senate and the House unanimously passed the resolution to acknowledge historical injustices. Read about the 1882 Project: https://bit.ly/3j7StPa The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) published a report titled " The Impact of the Chinese Exclusion Act on the Economic Development of the Western U.S." in October 2024. The paper investigates the economic consequences of the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act. The Act reduced the number of Chinese workers of all skill levels residing in the U.S. It also reduced the labor supply and the quality of jobs held by white and U.S.-born workers, the intended beneficiaries of the Act, and reduced manufacturing output. The results suggest that the Chinese Exclusion Act slowed economic growth in western states until at least 1940. Read the NBER report: https://bit.ly/405zbjy According to Reason on the NBER report October 7, 2024, one of the main rationales for the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act was to benefit white workers, who were supposedly victimized by competition from the Chinese. The NBER study shows that it did not achieve that goal. Mass deportations of immigrants destroy more jobs for native-born citizens than they create. The Chinese Exclusion Act benefited "local" white miners competing with Chinese miners. But such effects were outweighed by the much larger number of white workers who benefited from Chinese migration, including the associated job opportunities it created. The economy is not a zero-sum game, and the interests of workers from different ethnic and racial groups are more mutually reinforcing than conflicting. Read the Reason report: https://bit.ly/4f9v7TU C100 Updates AAPI Curriculum Research Project On October 17, 2024, the Committee of 100 (C100) announced an update to its ongoing AAPI Curriculum Research Project, which tracks state legislation and local education standards that require or encourage the teaching of AAPI history in K-12 schools. Launched in 2022, this project is updated annually. New to this year's update is an interactive map that provides summaries of legislations and education standards related to AAPI or ethnic studies for each state, along with the name and full text of each statue.“For almost two centuries, the AAPI community has made significant contributions to the U.S., yet Asian Americans are still battling the stereotype of being perpetual foreigners,” said Cindy Tsai , Interim President of C100. “Public schools play a crucial role in shaping informed citizens. However, in many states, schools don’t teach students about the contributions of Asian Americans, even though Asian American history is American history. If children aren’t taught this, how can they grow into citizens who understand the experiences and challenges faced by all Americans?” According to the C100, as of October 3, 2024: · 12 states have statutes that require AAPI studies curriculum · 4 states are considering recently introduced bills that would require AAPI studies curriculum · 15 states have academic standards that require AAPI studies · 22 states have statutes that require ethnic studies curriculum · 3 states are considering recently introduced bills that would require ethnic studies curriculum · 33 states have academic standards that require ethnic studies · 8 states have no statutes, recently introduced bills, or academic standards that require or make optional AAPI studies or ethnic studies curriculum For more information, visit https://bit.ly/4fd9EcO News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events:2024/10/22 Engage with AAAS: 2024 U.S. Elections2024/10/24 Why Do Legislators Brawl? Lawmaking, Fist Fighting and Messaging in Taiwan 2024/10/25-27 Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the American Studies Network2024/10/26 Common Ground and Banquet2024/10/27 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/11/03 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/11/06 Asian American Women in Media and Music2024/11/10 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/11/12 Threats to International Engagement and Academic Freedom2024/11/14 An Advice and Networking Event (Financial Services, Investing and Consulting)Visit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. NOTE: Because the regular scheduled day falls on the eve of Election Day, we have moved the next APA Justice monthly meeting to Monday, November 18, 2024. 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 . 2. USCET Internships The U.S.-China Education Trust is seeking intern(s) for Spring 2025 to support its communications and programs. Undergraduate juniors, seniors, and graduate students are welcome to apply. The internships offer an opportunity to gain experience in the nonprofit sector and develop expertise in the field of US-China relations. The interns work a hybrid and flexible part-time schedule to accommodate their student schedules. The position includes a stipend or academic credit. Send in your applications by November 8, 2024, 11:59PM ET. For more information, contact https://bit.ly/3Nz4Tyi 3. 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 October 21, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #295 Webinar on Alien Land Laws; Gene Wu on Texas EO; Yanping Chen Case Hearing; Students + #295 Webinar on Alien Land Laws; Gene Wu on Texas EO; Yanping Chen Case Hearing; Students + In This Issue #295 · 12/11 Webinar: The Impact of Land Ownership Exclusion Laws on Diverse Communities · State Representative Gene Wu Response to Texas Executive Order · Appeals Court Hears Dr. Yanping Chen's Case · Indians Become Biggest International Student Group in U.S. · News and Activities for the Communities 12/11 Webinar: The Impact of Land Ownership Exclusion Laws on Diverse Communities Historically discriminatory policies 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 security.On December 11, 2024, the Committee of 100 and APA Justice will co-host a webinar to discuss 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. A panel of legal experts and advocates will delve into the history of alien land laws, examine their renewed impact on vulnerable communities and discuss key cases, including a law passed in Florida. This event is essential for anyone committed to upholding justice and equity in America. To learn more about current land ownership exclusion legislations, visit Committee of 100’s interactive map , which details specific bills, status, and text. Also, visit APA Justice Alien Land Bills webpage for the latest developments on current lawsuits challenging these laws and more. WHAT : From Past Prejudice to Present Policy: The Impact of Land Ownership Exclusion Laws on Diverse Communities WHEN: December 11, 2024, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm ET WHERE: Webinar HOSTS: Committee of 100, APA Justice Moderator: Cindy Tsai , Interim President, Committee of 100 Speakers: · Edgar Chen , Special Policy Advisor, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) · Ashley Gorski , Senior Staff Attorney, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) · Gene Wu , Texas State Representative Closing Remarks: Jeremy Wu , Founder and Co-Organizer, APA Justice; Member, Committee of 100 FOR MORE INFORMATION/REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3CEWK9p State Representative Gene Wu Response to Texas Executive Order According to Texas Tribune on November 18, 2024, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order directing the Texas Department of Public Safety to target individuals conducting influence operations for the Chinese government. This response addresses “Operation Fox Hunt,” a Chinese initiative allegedly used to intimidate dissidents and forcibly return them to China. Abbott emphasized Texas’s commitment to protecting the state’s Chinese community from harassment by the Chinese Communist Party. The U.S. Department of Justice has prosecuted cases linked to this operation. State Rep. Gene Wu , D-Houston, who was born in China and immigrated to the United States applauded Abbott's move. Wu issued a statement " I applaud Governor Abbott's newfound commitment to protecting the civil rights of Chinese Americans and Chinese immigrants and dissidents in our state. The ability to speak your mind and live freely are the core promises of the American Dream; and any who seek to take that away stand against Texas values. I would also encourage Governor Abbott to share his new commitment to protecting the civil rights of Chinese immigrants and dissidents with the Senators and Representatives in his own party who have recently filed legislation to take away the civil rights of Chinese immigrants and dissidents. Laws that would strip away the rights of an entire community to buy a home, to start a business, to go to school, or even get a job–based purely on where they were born. Attacks from Texas Republicans on the civil liberties of Chinese immigrants are no less dangerous to the Chinese dissident community. The loss of safety and security, even by different means, sends the same message. " In 2023, Wu criticized Texas Republicans for pushing legislation that would ban citizens and foreign entities from countries including China from buying land in Texas. He urged Abbott to also support Chinese immigrants by opposing such legislation.Read the Texas Tribune report: https://bit.ly/40ScNL2 . Read Rep. Gene Wu's statement: https://bit.ly/4eIWpQn On November 20, 2024, State Representative Gene Wu was interviewed by KVUE and discussed Texas Governor Abbot's orders targeting China. He expressed concerns about Abbott’s approach, suggesting it may politicize the issue and harm Chinese Texans. Wu emphasized that existing laws are sufficient to address these threats and urged the Governor to focus on meaningful infrastructure improvements instead of divisive policies. Wu linked alien land legislation to historical laws that fueled prejudice, such as those preceding Japanese internment, and warned they undermine Chinese dissidents who fled oppression, stating that: "These bills ... just label an entire community as being threats ... without accusation, without evidence ... saying that these communities, because of where they're from, we will just blanketly say that we should ban all of them from being able to even buy a home, start a business, or farm." Watch the KVUE interview: https://bit.ly/3Okv781 (9:01) Appeals Court Hears Dr. Yanping Chen's Case According to Yahoo News on November 18, 2024, a U.S. Appeals Court is unlikely to overturn penalties against former Fox News reporter Catherine Herridge , who faces fines and possibly jail time for refusing to disclose her source in stories about Dr. Yanping Chen . Herridge’s 2017 reporting involved leaks from an FBI investigation into Chen, who claims the leaks harmed her reputation. Chen later sued several federal agencies and subpoenaed Herridge to identify her source, but Herridge declined, citing journalistic protections. U.S. District Court Judge Christopher Cooper had previously ordered Herridge to pay an $800 daily fine for defying the subpoena, though enforcement was delayed pending her appeal. If Herridge loses the appeal, Chen’s lawyers could seek harsher penalties, including potential jail time. This legal standoff raises significant questions about the balance between press freedoms and privacy rights in the context of leaked information. During oral arguments at the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, two judges appeared unconvinced by Herridge’s arguments for lifting the contempt order, expressing doubts about the scope of protections for journalists. A third judge highlighted concerns over defining journalistic privilege in an era dominated by social media, asking how such privileges apply to less traditional media platforms and individuals claiming journalistic roles. The case could become a major press freedom test during President Donald Trump ’s second term. While Trump cannot directly intervene to remove Herridge’s penalties, he could instruct the Justice Department to settle Chen’s underlying lawsuit, effectively nullifying her subpoena against Herridge. Trump has previously praised Herridge’s investigative reporting, particularly when it aligned with his political narratives.Read the Yahoo News report: https://yhoo.it/3ZdoURF . Read Dr. Yanping Chen's case: https://bit.ly/3Xi4hms Indians Become Biggest International Student Group in U.S. According to CNN, NBC News, South China Morning Post, and other media reports, while India and China still make up over half of all international students in the US, India has overtaken China as the top source for international students in the US for the first time in about 15 years, according to new data released by the Institute of International Education and the U.S. State Department. A total of 331,602 Indians studied in the US during the 2023-24 school year, compared with 277,398 Chinese. Indian students saw a 23 percent increase from the previous academic year, while Chinese students saw a 4 percent decrease. The number of Chinese university students in the US rose from about 98,200 in 2009 to a record high of 369,500 in 2019.The decline of students from China reflects significant shifts in both policy and public perception, with many Chinese students and families worrying about safety, racism and discrimination, and immigration difficulties – especially as more options open up in other countries, including in China itself.In the late 2000s and early 2010s, when Chinese students first began surging overseas, China was rapidly transforming from a poverty-stricken nation to an economic superpower, thanks to an “opening up” initiative that began in the late 1970s and saw sweeping reforms. It changed China’s relationship with the world. After China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001 and hosted a successful Olympic Games in 2008, “there was this upturn in US-China relations – everyone had a really optimistic view of what China could be,” said Mallie Prytherch , a researcher at the University of Hong Kong’s Center on Contemporary China and the World. “So there was a lot of openness in accepting students into America.” But the launch of the "China Initiative," onslaught of racism, and anti-Asian hate crimes during Donald Trump ’s first presidency and the Covid-19 pandemic meant students became disillusioned with the idea of the American Dream. The downward spiral was reflected in policy, too: Trump imposed an executive order canceling the Fulbright exchange program with China, then introduced a ban that effectively prevents graduate science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students from several Chinese universities from gaining visas to the US. In 2020, the US revoked visas for more than 1,000 Chinese students and researchers deemed security risks. When President Joe Biden took office, many of those Trump-era policies were kept in place – making it difficult for Chinese graduate students and researchers to secure a visa.There have been more immigration-friendly policies in other nations, like Canada, the UK and Australia. Chinese parents have more options to choose from in terms of where they want to go, and what universities are willing to accept their children. Simply staying in China is also one of the options, where universities are growing in prestige. Many Chinese professors previously based in the US are now returning to teach in China – partly because of the difficult conditions they faced in the US, but also because of the improvement in Chinese educational quality. Despite the tightening of immigration rules under the last two administrations, some US officials are still trying to encourage the flow of students. “I want to confirm that we very much welcome students from China to the US. We have the largest number of Chinese students studying outside of China here. We do know that US universities are continuing to value Chinese students,” said Marianne Craven of the State Department. 2024/11/21 CNN: Indian international students in the US outnumber Chinese for the first time in 15 years 2024/11/19 NBC News: Indians become biggest international student group in U.S., surpassing Chinese for first time since 2009 2024/11/18 South China Morning Post: As number of Chinese students in US keeps falling, Indians move to top of list 2024/11/18 Institute of International Education and State Department: Report on International Exchange (video 43:59) News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events:2024/11/24 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. Census Bureau Implements New Standard On November 4, 2024, the Census Bureau announced that it will implement the finalized 2024 Statistical Policy Directive (SPD) 15 published by the Office of Management and Budget on March 28, 2024, in the 2027 American Community Survey (ACS) data collection cycle.Read the Census Bureau announcement: https://bit.ly/4fZjKy2 3. 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 22, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

During the first APA Justice monthly meeting of 2023, Rep. Judy Chu, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, reviewed the accomplishments of 2022, highlighted by the end of the "China Initiative" and Sherry Chen's historic settlement. January 9, 2023 During the first APA Justice monthly meeting of 2023, Rep. Judy Chu, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, reviewed the accomplishments of 2022 which was highlighted by the end of the "China Initiative" and Sherry Chen's historic settlement after 10 years of fighting for justice. "Despite all of these wins, we know the work continues to ensure that we are engaging with our partners, the Administration across federal agencies, and my colleagues at Congress; to ensure that our communities are not facing anti-Asian discrimination and racial profiling. To that end, CAPAC will continue to prioritize calling out blatantly xenophobic anti-China rhetoric and pushing back on policies that unfairly target Chinese American communities, which we unfortunately are expecting to see much more in the year ahead," Rep. Chu said. The APA Justice Task Force was formed in 2015 in response to Rep. Chu's call for a platform to connect elected officials with concerned organizations and individuals. It is dedicated 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. Subscribe to the APA Justice YouTube Channel and watch additional APA Justice videos. During the first APA Justice monthly meeting of 2023, Rep. Judy Chu, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, reviewed the accomplishments of 2022, highlighted by the end of the "China Initiative" and Sherry Chen's historic settlement. Previous Next Rep. Judy Chu's New Year Greetings and 2022 Review

Newsletter - #204 AAPI Solidarity in Washington; Power in Voting; 1,000+ Faculty Letter to President; + #204 AAPI Solidarity in Washington; Power in Voting; 1,000+ Faculty Letter to President; + In This Issue #204 AAPIs Show Solidarity at 60th Anniversary of March on Washington Asian Americans Rise as a Powerful Voting Bloc Over 1,000 Faculty/Scientists Urge President Biden to Renew U.S.-China Science and Technology Agreement News and Activities for The Communities AAPIs Show Solidarity at 60th Anniversary of March on Washington According to AsAmNews , supporters, volunteers, and staff from fifteen national AAPI organizations gathered at the 60th anniversary of the historic March on Washington on August 26, 2023.The original March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom took place on August 28, 1963, in which over 200,000 people gathered for Black equality and civil rights– and during which Martin Luther King delivered his historic “I Have a Dream” speech.The AAPI contingent was an intergenerational gathering – with American-born second generation and first-generation naturalized citizens, and Asians — representing multiple organizations and races. John C. Yang , president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Asian American Justice Center (AAAJ-AAJC) gave a rallying speech at the march.Multiple organizations made reference to the long history of AAPIs in civil rights work.“While JACL was the only Asian American organization to formally join the 1963 march, this year we look forward to being joined by hundreds more of our partner Asian American organizations,” the Japanese American Citizens League shared in a statement. “Chinese Americans had our long history of civil rights movement, e.g. Yick Wo v. Hopkins in 1886, Steven Pei , co-organizer of APA Justice and founding chair of the United Chinese Americans, told AsAmNews via email.[Thanks to donation of the Committee of 100 and the Yellow Whistle Project], United Chinese Americans, and other organizations, passed out yellow whistles as part of an anti-Asian hate project. The pamphlet describes the whistle as a “symbol of self-protection and solidarity in our common fight against historical discrimination and anti-Asian violence,” reclaiming the color yellow which “has been weaponized against Asians as the color of xenophobia.”According to Pei, half a million whistles have been distributed nationwide since April 2021, and another 300,000 have been ordered.Participants joined from across the country, including Texas, California, Massachusetts, and more. Tibetan American Baimadajie Angwang , who was accused of being a Chinese spy in 2020 under the "China Initiative" targeting AAPIs (all charges were dropped earlier this year), traveled from New York to attend the march.“We are here to be united. We are all the same. When they push the American dream to immigrants, they say if you work hard, follow the rules, you will be treated fairly. I did everything an immigrant is instructed to do but because of anti-Asian rhetoric, I got accused of being a spy who works for China,” Angwang told AsAmNews . Most importantly, AAPIs stated their commitment to anti-racism.“There are politicians and racists who want to exploit Asian Americans and use our community as a wedge in the fight for justice and civil rights, but we must refuse to be complicit in the oppression of Black Americans. We must do our part and march in racial unity alongside our Black community members – not only today but every day because our fight for equity is one and the same,” stated Louise Liu , Anti-Hate Communications Coordinator, AAAJ-AAJC.Read the AsAmNews report: https://bit.ly/45Jjgaq APA Justice has created an online photo album of the event and will add photos and content at https://bit.ly/3OVojxs . Did You Know Who Designed the MLK Statue? According to Wikipedia , Lei Yixin 雷宜锌 , a prominent Chinese sculptor born in Changsha, Hunan, China, designed the Stone of Hope, the statue of Martin Luther King Jr. at the King Memorial near the United States National Mall. Asian Americans Rise as a Powerful Voting Bloc A major message from the 60th Anniversary of March on Washington is voter registration and turnout. The 1963 March on Washington was a catalyst for landmark voting rights action, leading to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Advocates are sounding alarms about voter suppression and the rollback of voting rights protections, particularly those affecting Black and minority voters. Echo King , President of Florida Asian American Justice Alliance who joined the March on Washington event, commented that "if we are not at the table, we are part of the menu." Gisela Perez Kusakawa , Executive Director of the Asian American Scholar Forum, also participated in the event. So did Adrienne Poon , President of OCA-DC. According to NBC News on August 21, 2023, Asian Americans have emerged as a coveted voting bloc in the 2024 election, with both parties recognizing their power to decide the presidency and other competitive races.Asian American voter turnout spiked in 2020, surprising many political observers, and proved crucial to President Joe Biden ’s Electoral College victory. In battleground Georgia, Asian American turnout jumped by a startling 84% from the previous presidential election. Two years later, Sen. Raphael Warnock , D-Ga., sought to capitalize with an unusual move in his ultra-competitive contest: He produced ads in Mandarin, Korean and Vietnamese to mobilize Asian American voters. He carried 78% of that vote in the runoff and won.Now , with the next campaign underway, the political power of this voting bloc has sunk in. The national committees for Democrats and Republicans say they are launching unprecedented investments to court Asian American and Pacific Islander voters.Read the NBC News report: https://nbcnews.to/3Ece9DM Christine Chen , Co-Founder and Executive Director of Asian Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote), and Bob Sakinawa , Director of Policy and Advocacy, were also at the March on Washington event. During the August 7 monthly meeting, Christine reported on "The Growing AAPI Electorate and What is at Stake." APIAVote’s work revolves around collaborating with national, regional, and local partners in order to equip advocates with the training, tools, resources, and best practices they need to do their best work as “trusted messengers” in their communities. APIAVote’s Alliance for Civic Empowerment (ACE) is missing partners in some states in the Mid-West, South, and Northeast. Christine's presentation included the trend and historic AAPI turnout in 2020, a presidential election year, with 64% registered and 60% turnout. Christine also gave an outline of activities and training in 2023 and 2024. State and local communities are urged to connect with APIAVote to build and strengthen their network to register and turn out voters from the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Christine's 18-slide presentation is here: https://bit.ly/3DZBKY4 Over 1,000 Faculty/Scientists Urge President Biden to Renew U.S.-China Science and Technology Agreement On August 24, 2023, Stanford University Professors Steven Kievelson and Peter Michelson sent a letter to President Joe Biden and members of the National Security Council, expressing their strong support for renewing the US-China Protocol on Scientific and Technological Cooperation. Their call for endorsement of the letter started on August 19. APA Justice amplified their call in its newsletter on August 22. A State Department spokesperson reportedly told NBC News on August 23 that there is likely to be a six-month extension. The current authority expires today, August 27, 2023.The letter to the President was endorsed by over 1,000 faculty and scholars from many US universities including multiple Nobel Laureates, members of the National Academies, and of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Their names and institutional affiliations are included in the letter.Read the cover letter and the original letter with endorsers at https://bit.ly/44xTNPX Chinese Academics Are Becoming a Force for Good Governance in China According to Issues in Science and Technology, a quarterly journal published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and Arizona State University, Chinese bioethicists, legal scholars, and scientists released a consensus statement on March 5, 2023, condemning He Jiankui , the infamous scientist who used the CRISPR gene editing tool to edit the genomes of three babies born in 2018 and 2019. Released from prison in 2022, He quickly began advertising a new—and risky—gene therapy to patients. The March statement denounced He’s actions and urged Chinese authorities to be more accountable in their oversight. The statement also protested the censorship and secrecy shrouding He’s sentencing and called for more open, public discussion of scientific controversies in China.Global scientists and regulators welcomed the statement, which was released the day before the Third International Summit on Human Genome Editing. It was one of the few times since He’s imprisonment in 2019 that the world heard directly from Chinese academics about how controversies involving human genome editing research should (or should not) be handled. And in China, the statement’s timing was particularly remarkable: it was released the very morning of the opening session of China’s annual National People’s Congress, a moment when the government is especially intolerant of dissent. This bold timing demonstrated that, contrary to common belief, Chinese academics are not passive followers of the Chinese Communist Party. Instead, China’s scientific community is making concerted efforts to actively shape science governance.The consensus statement reflects important changes in the domestic dynamics of Chinese science—particularly the increasingly prominent role of academics. Chinese academics have become a proactive, effective force demanding science governance in China, but international counterparts too often fail to recognize their role and so undermine their efforts. China still has much work to do to develop a trusted and accountable regulatory system worthy of its scientific advancement and ambition, but meaningful, sustainable reforms must come from within the country.Read the Issues in Science and Technology report at: https://bit.ly/45OdEf5 U.S.-China joint research papers drop for first time in 28 years According to Nikkei Asia on August 25, 2023, research papers jointly authored by scientists in the U.S. and China have declined for the first time in nearly three decades, underscoring the impact of decoupling in the face of heightened political tensions between the two countries. The tally fell 5% on the year to 51,630 papers in 2021, according to a report from Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The last drop was a slight decrease in 1993.Although the pandemic slowed international exchanges between researchers in 2021, papers typically take years to write. COVID-19 is believed to have had only a minimal impact on joint papers published in 2021.In addition, the overall number of research papers jointly authored across international borders grew 7% to 577,166 in 2021. Factors other than the pandemic likely contributed to the decrease in Sino-American papers. "I suspect there are moves in the U.S. to avoid co-authoring with China due to the bilateral political tensions," said Tohru Yoshioka-Kobayashi , an assistant professor at Hitotsubashi University's Institute of Innovation Research.The U.S. took a hard line on China after Donald Trump became president in 2017. The souring relations deteriorated into a trade war in 2018, when the Trump administration raised tariffs on Chinese imports and Beijing responded with retaliatory duties.The U.S.'s China Initiative anti-spying program ran from 2018 to 2022, with spillover effects on academia. The Trump administration tightened restrictions on Chinese student visas, taking such steps as shortening expiration dates for graduate students in high-tech fields. Current President Joe Biden has imposed controls on semiconductor exports to China, keeping bilateral tensions smoldering. A Japanese researcher working in China reports hearing a colleague say they returned from the U.S. because they no longer felt comfortable there. "As the result of Chinese-born researchers returning to China from the U.S., joint research projects with them are being completed inside of China," the Japanese researcher said. China produced more scientific papers than the U.S. in 2017, taking the global crown. China later bested the U.S. in research paper quality, based on the number of citations.Sino-American joint papers have increased roughly 20 times over two decades. Even with the drop-off in 2021, the U.S. remains China's biggest partner in collaboration, accounting for 36% of all of China's jointly written papers.If the decoupling intensifies, China may end up building a research infrastructure no longer reliant on the U.S. The number of Sino-American papers in chemistry dropped nearly 20% in 2021, while those in materials science declined more than 10%.China could also create a sphere of cooperation separate from the one dominated by American and European research. Pakistan rose to China's seventh-biggest research collaborator in 2021 from 10th place in 2020, with its share of joint papers with China growing to 4.6% from 3.6%.India and Saudi Arabia climbed to 13th and 14th place. Collaboration with emerging and Middle Eastern countries "may spark innovation due to the greater diversity," Yoshioka-Kobayashi said. Read the Nikkei Asia report at https://s.nikkei.com/47Otl7A News and Activities for The Communities 1. Asian American Studies Minor Launches at Fordham University According to Fordham News on August 23, 2023, Fordham University students will be able to minor in Asian American studies beginning this fall. The new minor will provide an interdisciplinary understanding of Asian American people and other members of the Asian diaspora, as well as a focus on Asian culture and history. The minor is part of Fordham’s new Asian American studies program, which faculty members hope to continue to expand. “The student population is really diverse,” said Stephen Hong Sohn , Ph.D., English professor and Thomas F.X. and Theresa Mullarkey Chair in Literature. “Not only do we want Asian American students and Asian students to have a place to explore their backgrounds and identities, but it’s really important for all students to take these types of classes because they need to learn about other cultures, other identities.” Read the Fordham News report: https://bit.ly/3QZTyKv 2. 2023 National Unity Summit The Asian American Unity Coalition (AAUC) will convene 2023 National Unity Summit in Washington DC from September 25 to 27, 2023. Main theme : Collaborating to Achieve Diversity, Unity and Equality Purpose : To create a community platform for all AAPI organizations and leaders to interact and collaborate on vital community issues. Concept : The 2023 National Unity Summit is an in-person event that showcases our [diversity] and unity while affording community leaders the opportunity to advocate on select issues.Read about the event and register at: https://bit.ly/3QXCVPM APA Justice has also posted the AAUC event at its newly created Community Calendar at: https://bit.ly/45KGyga Back View PDF August 27, 2023 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #292 Statement; 11/18 Meeting; Alien Land Bills - CACA, Activism, What Counts? Civil Rights #292 Statement; 11/18 Meeting; Alien Land Bills - CACA, Activism, What Counts? Civil Rights In This Issue #292 · APA Justice Statement on Election Outcome · 2024/11/18 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · CACA Calls for Equal Land Ownership · Texas' Threat Prompts Surge of Chinese American Activism · What Counts as "Chinese-Owned" Farmland? · Chinese American Scientists Call for Fight Against Racial Discrimination · News and Activities for the Communities APA Justice Statement on Election Outcome As a nation built by immigrants, the United States has thrived for 250 years due to the contributions of new arrivals and their descendants. However, this year’s presidential election revealed a stark contrast in how we perceive that legacy of immigration.With Donald Trump ’s election as president, America will face new challenges. In the coming years, APA Justice is resolutely committed to continue addressing issues impacting Asian Pacific American communities. Through coalition-building, education, and civic engagement, we will continue to advocate against the profiling of scientists and any group based on race, ethnicity, or national origin. We will continue to oppose discriminatory alien land laws and legislation that violate constitutional rights, combat harmful stereotypes that question our loyalty, and engage in dialogues that promote fair and accountable government policies and practices.The fight for a more equitable, inclusive future does not end with a single election. Let this moment serve as a powerful call to action. Every individual, regardless of their origin, has the potential to contribute to the future of our nation. Together, we can reaffirm our commitment to diversity and ensure that the promise of America is fulfilled for all. 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: · Ambassador Julia Chang Bloch , Founder and Executive Chair, 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; Steven Kivelson , Prabhu Goel Family Professor and Professor of Physics 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 . CACA Calls for Equal Land Ownership The Chinese American Citizens Alliance (CACA) is one of the oldest Asian American civil rights organizations. It was established in 1895 to advocate for the civil rights of Chinese Americans and to promote citizenship, education, and community engagement. On November 1, 2024, CACA issued a public statement with a position paper, advocating for fair land ownership laws with national security safeguards. "The right to own land is a core American value tied to the pursuit of happiness. The Constitution protects this right through due process and equal protection, covering both U.S. citizens and legal residents," the statement said. "Historically, Chinese Americans faced severe discrimination in land ownership — laws like the 1913 California Alien Land Law barred Asian immigrants from owning land, and these restrictions created lasting economic impacts."According to the position paper, in today’s divisive political environment, systemic discrimination is gaining popularity, particularly in real estate markets. Discriminatory alien land laws, stipulating race or ethnicity, are being revisited in over twenty states, and Chinese Americans often face bias from real estate sellers and government officials. A significant consequence of this discrimination is the inability or unwillingness to differentiate between Chinese Americans and nationals from the People’s Republic of China, fueling xenophobia and unfair treatment of our citizens and residents under misguided security concerns.Read the CACA statement: https://bit.ly/3UA9RyC . Read the position paper : https://bit.ly/3Yx8nGA Texas' Threat Prompts Surge of Chinese American Activism According to the South China Morning Post on October 18, 2024, in response to Texas Senate Bill 147, which sought to restrict property purchases by citizens of “adversarial” nations like China, Chinese Americans in Texas have become increasingly politically active. The bill, though ultimately amended and then dropped, would have affected residents like Lan Wang , who has since joined others in protesting similar proposals. Advocacy groups report unprecedented involvement, with community members rallying, fundraising, and learning the legislative process. SB 147 was later watered down and ultimately died, However, Texas state lawmakers are threatening to bring a version of it back, in addition to other legislation that targets Chinese influence. In July, Republican State Senator Lois Kolkhorst vowed to introduce an anti-foreign land ownership bill in the next legislative session, which begins in January 2025.“The anti-alien land law issue in Texas has ignited a lot of debate and led to a lot of Asian Americans participating in politics and in government in a way that I’ve certainly never seen before,” said Lily Trieu , executive director of Asian Texans for Justice, a non-profit group based in Austin. Trieu, whose organization provides advocacy training, described seeing “unprecedented” numbers of Chinese Americans not only displaying political awareness, but also donating money, hosting rallies and actively participating in the legislative process.In July, the Committee of 100, a non-partisan Chinese American civic group, reported that 151 bills restricting property ownership by foreign entities have been considered in 2024 at the state and national levels, with 71 specifically targeting Chinese citizens. For Gene Wu , a Democratic representative in the Texas House, the battle extends far beyond state politics. Citing proposed land bans and visa restrictions for Chinese nationals in Project 2025, a blueprint by the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank for a second Donald Trump administration, Wu called the fight “existential” for Chinese Americans. “It doesn’t matter who you are, it doesn’t matter that you’re a citizen … everybody is a spy, and that’s what we’re fighting against,” he said.Over the past few months, Wu has travelled across the country sharing lessons from Texas’ recent experience with other states.In Florida, legislation against property ownership by Chinese citizens has also ignited unprecedented mobilization among local Chinese Americans. The Orlando-based Florida Asian American Justice Alliance (FAAJA), for instance, was formed in the wake of SB 264, a Republican-sponsored bill targeting citizens of China and six other countries that became state law in May 2023. FAAJA is one of several groups supporting a suit against the law in court.Read the South China Morning Post report: https://bit.ly/4ehE4d1 What Counts as "Chinese-Owned" Farmland? According to the Wall Street Journal on October 31, 2024, Walton Global, a major landholding company identified by the USDA as having Chinese investments, successfully petitioned to reclassify much of its U.S. farmland as non-Chinese-owned, arguing USDA data misattributed Chinese ownership. While the company has some Chinese investors, Walton's CEO Bill Doherty emphasized that his family owns the company, not Chinese entities.“We do business in China. We’re proud to do business in China,” Doherty said in an interview. But he said, “The company is owned by me and my family. And I’m most definitely not Chinese.”Opposition to Chinese ownership of U.S. farmland in the name of economic and national security is a popular message by U.S. politicians from both parties. Some of the largest companies caught up in this criticism are now pushing back. Few agree on what even counts as owned by China or which aspect of that ownership is bad for the U.S., even when that land is close to military installations.Walton, which buys and resells land to developers, owns 14 sites that have some Chinese investment within 15 miles of military bases. Two Walton sites near military bases with more than 90% Chinese ownership are not included in the USDA database because the underlying land is not designated as agricultural. Walton promoted its project in Colorado Springs by noting how the city is home to sports facilities—and local military installations—because they are a source of employment. Walton said it has investors from around the world who can take brief tours of their land holdings, but do not otherwise have access to the land, which the company then aims to sell to developers.“Labeling all Chinese companies, Chinese investors, and Chinese Americans—and now also all of the American companies who do business with them—as threats to our country without any actual evidence, isn’t just detrimental to our national security, but also defies all of the lessons learned from our history,” Texas state Rep. Gene Wu said. Smithfield Foods, acquired by a Chinese firm in 2013, has also faced national security concerns. Its chief executive has disputed concerns that the company’s Chinese ownership threatens the U.S. food supply chain, saying its new ownership has instead helped fuel Smithfield’s growth. Read the Wall Street Journal report: https://on.wsj.com/3YvZ3Tv Chinese American Scientists Call for Fight Against Racial Discrimination A report by BBC on October 29, 2024, highlights the struggles of Chinese American scientists facing discrimination and national security scrutiny. Physicist Xiaoxing Xi , arrested in 2015 on now-dismissed espionage charges, compares his experience to persecution during China’s Cultural Revolution, leading him to avoid professional ties with China. U.S.-China tensions under recent administrations have intensified, with legislative efforts to revive the “China Initiative,” which previously targeted Chinese American academics for alleged economic espionage.Asian American Scholar Forum's Gisela Perez Kusakawa and MIT’s Yasheng Huang underscore concerns over such legislative moves, which would formally reinstate the initiative. Scientists interviewed agree on national security’s importance but argue they have been unfairly scapegoated. Xi, alongside academics like Anming Hu and Franklin Tao , has turned to advocacy, with Hu recently addressing Congressional representatives against the initiative's revival, warning it scapegoats scholars and threatens U.S. technological leadership.Families have borne immense financial burdens, with Tao’s wife, Hong Peng , working extra shifts to cover legal costs that now exceed $2.3 million. Xi, still pursuing legal action against the FBI for his case, aims to uncover potential abuses and ensure transparency. Read the BBC reports: · 2024/10/29 BBC (English): Chinese American Scientists Call for Fight Against Racial Discrimination · 2024/11/01 BBC (Korean): 미-중 경쟁 속 살얼음판을 걷는 중국계 미국인 과학자들 · 2024/11/02 BBC (simplified Chinese): 美国大选：中美关系恶化下华裔科学家如履薄冰“不要再与中国有任何瓜葛” · 2024/11/02 BBC (Vietnamese): Những nhà khoa học Mỹ gốc Hoa đối mặt với rủi ro trong cuộc đối đầu Mỹ-Trung · 2024/11/02 BBC (Thai): เปิดชีวิตบนเส้นด้ายของนักวิทยาศาสตร์อเมริกันเชื้อสายจีน ท่ามกลางการแข่งขันระหว่าง 2 มหาอำนาจ News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events:2024/11/10 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/11/12 Threats to International Engagement and Academic Freedom2024/11/13 China's Economic Transformation: Policy, Challenges, & Domestic Impact2024/11/14 The U.S. Elections: What Happened? What's Next?2024/11/14 America's Trust in Science: What's Changed, What's Next?2024/11/14 From Tokyo Rose to The China Initiative2024/11/15 An Advice and Networking Event (Financial Services, Investing and Consulting)2024/11/15 Yangtze-Mississippi Regional Dialogue2024/11/15-17 AAASE Inaugural Summit2024/11/17 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2024/11/18 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2024/11/24 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Threats to Academic Freedom and International Engagement: China and Beyond WHAT : Threats to International Engagement and Academic Freedom: China and Beyond WHEN: November 12, 2024, 4:00 pm ET WHERE: Hybrid in-person and Online event HOST: Massachusetts Society of Professors (MSP) at University of Massachusetts, Amherst Speaker : Dr. Yangyang Cheng , Particle Physicist and Research Scholar at Yale Law School's Paul Tsai China Center DESCRIPTION: Across the country, faculty and students are facing impediments to international engagement, and sometimes at significant personal risk, arising from increasingly strict federal regulations. International faculty and students are especially vulnerable, as are Chinese Americans and others with ties to countries experiencing strained US relations. At UMass Amherst, there are strong unions with the power to enforce robust contracts. The MSP event and the conversations it generates will help mobilize the UMass community to win and sustain the strongest possible protections for research and professional lives. REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3O77Shv FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://bit.ly/3Yn2lcH 3. China's Economic Transformation: Policy, Challenges, & Domestic Impact WHAT : China's Economic Transformation: Policy, Challenges, & Domestic Impact WHEN: November 13, 2024, 7:00 pm ET WHERE: Online workshop HOST: 1990 Institute DESCRIPTION: This workshop is the first of a two-part series on China’s economy. This first session will explore the complexities of China's economic evolution over the past 40 years, highlighting the government's role in shaping the country's economic trajectory and addressing key internal challenges such as unemployment, rising national debt, and the evolution of economic policies. Our expert speakers will also examine the effects of COVID-19 on China’s economy and society. This workshop is open to all secondary school educators and everyone who is interested in gaining a deeper understanding of China’s economic past, present, and future. Participating educators will leave better equipped to help students engage with these complex topics in a relatable way. REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3AwiweM 4. America's Trust in Science: What's Changed, What's Next? WHAT : America's Trust in Science: What's Changed, What's Next? WHEN: November 14, 2024, 3:15 pm - 4:00 pm ET WHERE : Online Webinar HOST: American Association for the Advancement of Science DESCRIPTION: The event will feature a breakdown of Pew’s 2024 trust in science survey results, which will be released that morning. Pew will then moderate a AAAS panel to discuss what the results mean for the application and conduct of science, and what the U.S. scientific community should do about it. The event will close with an audience Q&A. REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/3YEl8PF 5. From Tokyo Rose To the China Initiative: Espionage and AAPIs WHAT : From Tokyo Rose To the China Initiative WHEN: November 14, 2024, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm ET WHERE : In Person and Online; Costantino Room, Fordham Law School HOST: Center on Asian Americans and the Law, Fordham Law School DESCRIPTION: Asian Americans have long been accused of spying for foreign countries and engaging in acts of treason. In 1949, Iva Toguri D’Aquino was tried for treason in San Francisco—as the infamous “Tokyo Rose.” Years later, she was pardoned. In 1999, Dr. Wen Ho Lee, a scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory, was arrested and accused of being a spy who had given U.S. nuclear secrets to China. Although he eventually pleaded guilty to one count of mishandling national defense information (after spending 278 days in confinement under harsh conditions), the sentencing judge apologized to him on behalf of the United States.More recently, during the China Initiative, the government arrested individuals of Asian descent with great fanfare, only to eventually drop or drastically reduce the charges in many of the cases. When the end of the “China Initiative” was announced in 2022, there was some skepticism that it was truly over, skepticism that was shown to be justified earlier this year as some members of Congress sought to revive it. Will the China Initiative now be revived? The Center on Asian Americans and the Law at Fordham Law School will explore the issues presented by the government's prosecution over the years of Asian Americans for espionage and treason at its Third Annual Fall Symposium. We will first examine several historic cases and follow with a panel discussion on the government's more recent actions. FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://bit.ly/4fnbZSL 6. 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 9, 2024 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

United Chinese Americans (UCA) Raises Concerns For Chinese American Scientists as Collateral Damage in the Crossfire Between the United States and China Due to Deteriorating Relations April 25, 2019 On April 25, 2019, the United Chinese Americans (UCA) , a nationwide nonprofit and nonpartisan federation and a community civic movement, released a statement to raise concerns for Chinese American scientists as collateral damage in the crossfire between the United States and China due to deteriorating relations, including five appeals to address the current situartion. It was in response to the first wave of an aniticpated crack down targeting primarily Chinese American scientists at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. See links and reports about the MD Anderson story here. Link to full statement in English We call on the U.S. higher education and scientific communities to continue to uphold and strengthen scientific collaborations around the world so they may continue to benefit all mankind. We salute the University of California at Berkeley, Stanford University, the University of Michigan and the University of California at Davis for their efforts to uphold these principles and ideals as well as for their civil rights concerns for their faculty members and students, and call on more institutions to follow their example. We call on Chinese American scientists to continue to carry on the indispensable role they have played in maintaining America’s lead position in scientific research and global competitiveness. To this end, we fully endorse the strengthening of compliance efforts and ethical standards guiding scientific research and collaboration. We call on Chinese American scientists—indeed all scientists—to adhere strictly to all applicable laws, regulations and practices, and to cooperate in reporting any breaches to appropriate authorities. We call on Chinese American scientists – indeed, all Chinese Americans – to continue to strengthen U.S.-China people-to-people relations through scientific exchanges and educational efforts rather than retreating. An adversarial U.S.-China relationship is harmful to Chinese Americans, to the United States and China, and to the future of the world. Chinese Americans have a unique role to play as communicators, bridge builders and messengers of peace between the two peoples. We call on the Chinese government to earnestly protect U.S. intellectual property rights, as American scientists participate in its talent programs and other exchanges, and vigorously strengthen the standardization and transparency of those programs. The Chinese government should also improve its supervision and management of such programs, including sub-national ones, toughen two-way compliance requirements and enhance training to reduce or eliminate doubts and concerns other countries may have about such programs. Finally, we call on U.S. law enforcement agencies to strengthen internal training and safeguards to reduce implicit bias and discrimination, to enhance communication with Chinese American communities and to ensure that the freedom and civil rights of all Chinese Americans are rigorously protected. United Chinese Americans (UCA) Raises Concerns For Chinese American Scientists as Collateral Damage in the Crossfire Between the United States and China Due to Deteriorating Relations Previous Next UCA Raises Concerns For Chinese American Scientists

Newsletter - #302 Thank you Judy Chu! Franklin Tao Sues KU; Birthright Citizenship; WP Cartoonist Quits #302 Thank you Judy Chu! Franklin Tao Sues KU; Birthright Citizenship; WP Cartoonist Quits In This Issue #302 · Thank You, Congresswoman Judy Chu! · Breaking News: Professor Franklin Tao Sues Kansas University · Birthright Citizenship, 14th Amendment, Wong Kim Ark, and More · Famed Cartoonist Quits Washington Post · News and Activities for the Communities Thank You, Congresswoman Judy Chu! During the APA Justice monthly meeting on Monday, January 6, 2025, Congresswoman Judy Chu , Chair Emeritus of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), delivered an inspiring New Year’s message to the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. Rep. Chu was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2009, becoming the first Chinese American woman to serve in Congress. She is the longest-serving Chair of CAPAC, holding the position from 2011 to 2024. She succeeded Norman Mineta (1994–1995), Patsy Mink (1995–1997), Robert Underwood (1997–2001), and Mike Honda (2001–2011). As Rep. Chu transitions to the role of Chair Emeritus, Rep. Grace Meng has begun her tenure as the 6th Chair of CAPAC. Through her leadership and unwavering advocacy for the community, Rep. Chu has consistently championed the rights and well-being of AANHPI communities. Her impactful accomplishments include: · Leadership in Addressing Racial Profiling, Creating APA Justice, and Opposing the China Initiative : Rep. Judy Chu has been at the forefront of combating racial profiling, particularly in cases like Sherry Chen and Dr. Xiaoxing Xi , who faced wrongful accusations of espionage. She staunchly opposed the Trump administration's "China Initiative," which disproportionately targeted Chinese American scientists and researchers. Rep. Chu inspired the creation of APA Justice, a platform dedicated to addressing racial profiling, advocating for legal protection, and fighting systemic discrimination. · C ombating Anti-Asian Hate : In response to the alarming rise of anti-Asian hate crimes during the COVID-19 pandemic, Rep. Chu championed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act to enhance resources for combating hate crimes and improving their reporting and tracking. She also worked alongside community organizations to support victims and amplify public awareness, playing a key role in the national effort to confront and dismantle racial hatred. · Advancing Inclusion and Historical Reconciliation : As CAPAC Chair, Rep. Chu prioritized increasing AANHPI representation in government and leadership while addressing past injustices. She led the congressional resolution expressing regret for the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, acknowledging its long-standing harm and paving the way for historical reconciliation. Her dedication to inclusion and equity continues to shape a brighter future for AANHPIs across the nation. A summary of the monthly meeting is being prepared at this time. Breaking News: Professor Franklin Tao Sues Kansas University According to The Independent on January 6, 2025, Professor Feng "Franklin" Tao ( 陶丰) , who was targeted by the Trump administration's controversial "China Initiative," has filed a lawsuit against the University of Kansas (KU). The lawsuit alleges that KU improperly reported him to the FBI based on false claims from a disgruntled visiting student attempting extortion. Despite being acquitted in 2024, Professor Tao’s career, reputation, and well-being suffered lasting harm. The lawsuit also criticizes KU for exacerbating racial fears and discrimination under the pretext of national security concerns, calling for accountability for its actions. Notably, the now-defunct "China Initiative," intended to address alleged espionage threats by Chinese academics, faced widespread criticism for racial profiling and targeting Chinese Americans, many of whom were later cleared of wrongdoing. Efforts to reinstate the initiative are still ongoing in Congress.Filed on January 3, 2025, Tao v. University of Kansas (2:25-cv-02005) demands a jury trial. In his complaint, Tao, a distinguished chemist with over 210 peer-reviewed articles and three books, alleges that KU's actions violated contractual, legal, and ethical obligations. Recruited by KU in 2014 for a tenured position, Tao became the first academic arrested under the "China Initiative" in 2019. The lawsuit claims KU terminated him unlawfully, breaching a 2020 agreement to withhold employment decisions until after the criminal trial concluded. Despite his acquittal, KU has refused to reinstate him.Professor Tao further asserts that KU collaborated with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to surveil and prosecute him based on unsubstantiated accusations, provided misleading information to federal authorities, and failed to protect him against xenophobic fearmongering. The lawsuit argues that KU’s conduct reflects discriminatory practices and a betrayal of its commitment to academic rigor and innovation. Tao seeks accountability for the severe damage inflicted on his career, finances, and emotional health, and condemns KU’s role in perpetuating a "racist witch hunt." Read the Independent report: https://bit.ly/4a7mxDE . Read the APA Justice web page on Professor Tao: https://bit.ly/3y8SBsm Birthright Citizenship, 14th Amendment, Wong Kim Ark, and More During the Q&A session of the APA Justice monthly meeting on January 6, 2025, birthright citizenship emerged as a significant topic of concern for AANHPI communities.President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly pledged to end birthright citizenship for children born to non-citizen or undocumented immigrant parents. He threatens an executive order or other unilateral action on Day 1 of his presidency, bypassing the constitutional amendment process required to alter the 14th Amendment.The 14th Amendment explicitly guarantees birthright citizenship through its Citizenship Clause: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside." This clause, originally designed to grant citizenship to freed slaves after the Civil War, has served as the foundation for birthright citizenship in the U.S., affirming that anyone born on U.S. soil is automatically a citizen, regardless of their parents' immigration status. Legal interpretation of “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” excludes certain groups, such as children of foreign diplomats or enemy occupiers, but includes children of undocumented immigrants.The landmark 1898 Supreme Court case United States v. Wong Kim Ark reinforced this principle. Wong Kim Ark , born in San Francisco to Chinese immigrant parents, was denied reentry to the U.S. after a visit to China. His case arose during a period of intense anti-Chinese sentiment, codified in laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which severely restricted Chinese immigration and naturalization. Immigration authorities argued that his parents’ nationality disqualified him from U.S. citizenship. The Court ruled 6-2 in favor of Wong, affirming that birthright citizenship applies to all persons born on U.S. soil, regardless of their parents' nationality, provided they are not foreign diplomats or enemy combatants. This decision remains a cornerstone of U.S. citizenship law, underpinning the principle of jus soli (right of the soil). The decision has had lasting significance, serving as the legal basis for birthright citizenship in the United States. It remains a key precedent in debates over citizenship.According to the Pew Research Center , an estimated one million of the 4.3 million babies born in the United States in 2008 were the offspring of immigrants, about 340,000 of them by undocumented immigrants.The issue has resurfaced amid fears of heightened immigration enforcement and challenges to sanctuary city protections. According to the Voice of San Francisco report authored by John Trasviña , San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu has vowed to lead efforts to defend immigrants against expected rollbacks of rights and attacks on birthright citizenship. Trasviña led the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) as President and General Counsel and was Dean of the University of San Francisco School of Law. According to MSNBC on January 7, 2025, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong emphasized the vital role immigrants play in the U.S., citing his own humble background and upbringing. He asserted his commitment to upholding the Constitution against "demagoguery." Tong stated, "birthright citizenship is part of our essential character. It is the core of the American Dream." He vowed to rally fellow attorneys general to form a firewall to protect birthright citizenship and other immigrant rights. The same broadcast reported that on January 6, 2025, Pope Francis appointed Cardinal Robert W. McElroy , the former Bishop of San Diego, as the new Archbishop of Washington, D.C. Known for his outspoken defense of immigrants, Cardinal McElroy had said in 2016, when the Trump administration threatened massive deportations, "we must label this policy proposal for what it is — an act of injustice which would stain our national honor in the same manner as the progressive dispossessions of the Native American peoples of the United States and the internment of the Japanese." Famed Cartoonist Quits Washington Post According to CNN and multiple media reports, Ann Telnaes , a Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist for The Washington Post , resigned on January 3, 2025, following the newspaper's decision to reject her cartoon satirizing Jeff Bezos , the paper's owner, and other tech moguls. The cartoon depicted these billionaires kneeling before a statue of Donald Trump , symbolizing their efforts to gain favor with the incoming administration. On January 3, 2024, Talnaes posted an explanation of why she quit the Washington Post. She described how a cartoon criticizing billionaire tech and media executives was killed. This was the first time her cartoon was rejected due to its viewpoint, marking a concerning shift in editorial policy. The cartoon aimed at powerful figures, including Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos, who were seen as cozying up to President-elect Trump. The cartoonist leaves the Post, emphasizing the importance of holding the powerful accountable, stating the Washington Post's motto, "Democracy dies in darkness."On January 4, 2025, The Association of American Editorial Cartoonists condemned The Post’s decision, accusing the newspaper of “craven censorship” and “political cowardice.”“Editorial cartooning is the tip of the spear in opinion, and the Post’s cowering further soils their once-stellar reputation for standing up and speaking truth to power. We weep for the loss of this once great newspaper,” it said, calling on other cartoonists to finish Telnaes’ sketch and post it online in a show of solidarity. News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/01/15 Master Class: Maintaining the Effectiveness of Organizational Equity Initiatives in the Current Environment2024/01/16 Master Classes: Asian American Career Lessons2025/01/19 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/02/02 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/02/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/02/13-15 2025 AAAS Annual Meeting2025/02/16 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting 2025/03/02 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/03/05 APA Justice Monthly Meeting Visit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. 2025 AAAS Annual Meeting The 2025 Annual of the American Association for the Advancement Science (AAAS) will be held in Boston on February 13-15, 2025. During the APA Justice monthly meeting on January 6, 2025, AAAS Chief Executive Officer Sudip Parikh reported that by tradition, the theme of the conference of "Science Shaping Tomorrow" was selected by the President of AAAS, Dr. Willie E. May , a distinguished chemist and research leader who serves as the Vice President for Research and Economic Development at Morgan State University. Dr. May served as the U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and as Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). According to Sudip, international collaboration is a key focus of the meeting agenda. Large delegations of scholars from countries such as China, India, Japan, and others are expected to engage in robust discussions on the state of science and global collaborations. The breakthrough of the year is a small-molecule drug for HIV that offers six months of protection against HIV transmission.Register for the 2025 AAAS Annual Meeting today: https://bit.ly/3C7Ai8M # # # APA Justice Task Force is a non-partisan platform to build a sustainable ecosystem that addresses racial profiling concerns and to facilitate, inform, and advocate on selected issues related to justice and fairness for the Asian Pacific American community. For more information, please refer to the new APA Justice website under development at www.apajusticetaskforce.org . We value your feedback. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org . Back View PDF January 8, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #121 4/4 Meeting; End Injustice for Sherry; After the "China Initiative;" American History #121 4/4 Meeting; End Injustice for Sherry; After the "China Initiative;" American History Back View PDF March 28, 2022 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

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

Newsletter - #18 09/30 Webinar Reminder; 10/05 APA Justice Meeting; More Webinars #18 09/30 Webinar Reminder; 10/05 APA Justice Meeting; More Webinars Back View PDF September 29, 2020 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #116 "China Initiative" Briefing; AAASE Lecture; Editorials; 3/7 Meeting; Hate Crime Update #116 "China Initiative" Briefing; AAASE Lecture; Editorials; 3/7 Meeting; Hate Crime Update Back View PDF March 1, 2022 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter