#321 4/7 Meeting; SwAA/AASF Updates; Bill to Ban Chinese Students; Nature Op-Ed; Lawsuits+

In This Issue #321

·        2025/04/07 APA Justice Monthly Meeting

·        Introduction to Stand with Asian Americans

·        Updates from the Asian American Scholar Forum

·        Bill to Ban All Chinese Students Introduced in Congress

·        Nature: Trump 2.0: An Assault on Science Anywhere is an Assault on Science Everywhere

·        Recent Court Rulings Against Trump's Executive Actions

·        News and Activities for the Communities

2025/04/07 APA Justice Monthly Meeting

The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, April 7, 2025, starting at 1:55 pm ET.In addition to updates by Judith Teruya, Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Joanna YangQing Derman, Program Director, Advancing Justice | AAJC, and Gisela Perez Kusakawa, Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), invited and confirmed speakers are:

·        Mark Takano (Invited), First Vice Chair, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC); Member, U.S. House of Representatives

·        Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean, Jesse H. Choper Distinguished Professor of Law, University of California, Berkeley

·        Cindy Tsai, Interim President, Committee of 100

·        X. Edward Guo, President, Asian American Academy of Science and Engineering (AAASE)

The virtual monthly meeting is by invitation only. It is closed to the press. If you wish to join, either one time or for future meetings, please contact one of the co-organizers of APA Justice - Steven Pei 白先慎, Vincent Wang 王文奎, and Jeremy Wu 胡善庆 - or send a message to contact@apajustice.org.

*****The March 2025 APA Justice monthly meeting summary is posted at https://bit.ly/4iOexLD. Past monthly meeting summaries are posted at https://bit.ly/4hyOV4i.We thank the following speakers for their remarks and update reports:

·        Judith Teruya, Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC)

·        Joanna YangQing Derman, Program Director, Advancing Justice | AAJC

·        Gisela Perez Kusakawa, Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF)

·        Jessica Chen Weiss, Founding Faculty Director of the Institute for America, China, and the Future of Global Affairs (ACF), SAIS, Johns Hopkins University

·        Michelle Lee, President and General Counsel, and Brian Pang, Chief Operating Officer and Head of Partnerships, Stand with Asian Americans

·        Clay Zhu, Co-Founder, Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance 华美维权同盟 (CALDA)

Introduction to Stand with Asian Americans 

Michelle Lee serves as the President and General Counsel of Stand with Asian Americans (SwAA), while Brian Pang is the Chief Operating Officer and Head of Partnerships.During the APA Justice monthly meeting on March 3, 2025, Michelle and Brian introduced SwAA – a nonprofit launched in 2021 to empower Asian Americans in asserting their civil rights and liberties. The organization focuses on actively combating workplace discrimination by providing legal representation and strategic litigation against employment injustices. SwAA aims to drive systemic change and ensure accountability through legal action, education, and community support. Mike Roberts is SwAA’s new Legal Director. SwAA was founded in response to rising anti-Asian discrimination, particularly after the 2021 Atlanta Spa shootings.  It published an open letter in the Wall Street Journal titled “Enough.”  The letter went viral, signed by over 9,000 leaders in business, entertainment, sports, and government, including former Presidents of the United States. SwAA’s leadership have all experienced discrimination at work and in their businesses; they have all taken action and obtained favorable outcomes.

The organization initially engaged in broad advocacy efforts, including anti-hate initiatives, civic empowerment, and corporate activism. Over time, recognizing the limited resources and lack of dedicated support for workplace discrimination cases, SwAA refined its mission in 2023 to concentrate on employment and economic justice. SwAA combats workplace discrimination through three main pillars:

·        Legal Representation – Building a legal team to strategically select and litigate cases that expose and challenge workplace discrimination. 

·        Community and Education – Providing resources such as know-your-rights workshops, social media awareness campaigns, and a monthly invite-only support group for those experiencing discrimination.

·        Policy and Advocacy – Partnering with civil rights organizations, law schools, and legal clinics to advocate for legislative and policy reforms at state and federal levels. 

Despite its impact, SwAA faces challenges in securing funding. Traditional corporate and government sponsors often lack awareness of the importance of workplace discrimination efforts for Asian Americans. To operate effectively, SwAA estimates an annual budget of $1 million and seeks support from donors, partners, and community networks.

SwAA encourages individuals to report workplace discrimination through its online portal, participate in its programs, and share its mission within their networks. The organization remains committed to advocating for Asian Americans in employment across all industries, including government, academia, and private sectors. For support or involvement, SwAA can be reached at

·        https://standwithasianamericans.com/

·        hello@standwithasianamericans.com

·        (415)-234-0710, and

·        Social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn

Michelle and Brian’s presentation is available here: https://bit.ly/4iKZgL0

Updates from the Asian American Scholar Forum

During the APA Justice monthly meeting on March 3, 2025, Gisela Perez Kusakawa, Executive Director of Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), provided an update on AASF’s key activities and legislative monitoring efforts. AASF will host its annual multi-day conference at Stanford University in July, culminating on July 26 with the recognition of Nobel laureates and distinguished researchers. This event, often referred to as the "Science Oscars" for Asian Americans, aims to celebrate contributions to American science and foster community engagement. AASF remains committed to empowering scholars through networking and recognition, ensuring a lasting impact across administrations. AASF will also host a virtual town hall to discuss pressing legislative issues affecting the scholar community in 2025.AASF is actively monitoring legislative developments that could impact Asian American scholars, including the Deterrent Act, which may require reporting of all foreign gifts, and the potential reinstatement of the China Initiative, which has been criticized for racial profiling. The organization is also concerned about the reintroduction of the CCP Act, which could disproportionately target academics with ties to China under national security scrutiny. Another area of concern is the Alien Enemies Act, which could lead to unfair targeting of Chinese American scientists, raising fears of history repeating itself. AASF has supported the Korematsu Bill package to acknowledge and prevent injustices similar to the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.  AASF remains vigilant against legislation that could promote racial profiling and discrimination under the guise of national security.

AASF is expanding its support initiatives for scholars by launching naturalization clinics to assist with U.S. citizenship applications, thereby providing greater legal protections. It will also offer "Know Your Rights" sessions with attorneys on legal matters, including employment and criminal law. Recognizing the mental health challenges faced by scholars due to political and professional pressures, AASF is increasing its resources to support mental well-being. AASF also celebrated a major legal victory in the case of Yin v. Diaz, which helped prevent discriminatory policies from spreading nationwide. Through these efforts, AASF aims to provide scholars with legal, institutional, and emotional support to navigate an uncertain landscape while advocating for a fair and inclusive academic environment.In addition to its legislative and legal advocacy, AASF is committed to fostering long-term resilience within the academic and scientific communities. By strengthening partnerships with organizations such as APA Justice, Stop AAPI Hate, and national legal teams, AASF seeks to amplify collective efforts against discriminatory policies and practices. It continues to emphasize the importance of representation, community engagement, and policy reform to safeguard the rights and contributions of Asian American scholars. Looking ahead, AASF remains dedicated to ensuring that academic talent is nurtured and protected, reinforcing the U.S.'s competitive edge in science and technology while upholding principles of fairness and inclusivity.

Bill to Ban All Chinese Students Introduced in Congress

According to AP News and other media reports, on March 14, 2025, a group of six House Republicans led by Rep. Riley Moore (R-WV) introduced legislation aimed at banning all Chinese nationals from studying in the United States under the pretext of "national security" concerns.The bill, H.R. 2147, also known as the "Stop CCP Visas Act," seeks to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit Chinese students and exchange visitors from obtaining U.S. visas.  The proposed Bill would block all Chinese citizens from getting any of three main types of student visas issued by the U.S. – Vocational, Exchange Visitors and Academic Student visas.On March 18, 2025, the Committee of 100 issued the following statement:"America has always thrived by welcoming the brightest minds from around the world. Shutting the door on Chinese students doesn’t just betray our values—it weakens our leadership in science, technology, and innovation,” said Gary Locke, Committee of 100 Chair and former U.S. Ambassador to China. 'The Stop CCP Visas Act is not just exclusionary but self-defeating. We must stand for opportunity, not fear, and ensure that talent and progress continue to flourish in our nation.'

"Suggesting that every Chinese student regardless of their background, intentions, or beliefs is a national security threat is not only inaccurate but also fuels xenophobia, discrimination, and hostility toward an entire group of people – including Chinese Americans here in the U.S. Chinese and Chinese American students have long contributed to America’s scientific, technological, and economic progress, and such rhetoric undermines their ability to learn, collaborate, and thrive in an environment free from suspicion and prejudice. Committee of 100 calls on all our nation’s leaders to uphold the American values of fairness, openness, and equal opportunity. America’s strength comes from welcoming diverse talent from all around the world."Related statements and media reports:2025/03/19 NBC News: Chinese students slam GOP bill that would ban them from U.S. schools, say it's ‘new Chinese Exclusion Act’2025/03/18 South China Morning Post: Distinguished Chinese-Americans condemn visa veto aimed at students from China2025/03/18 Committee of 100 Condemns Proposed Bill H.R. 2147 Banning Chinese Student Visas2025/03/14 Asian American Scholar Forum Cautions Harm to Talent Pipeline By Bill Banning Chinese Student Visas2025/03/13 Advancing Justice | AAJC Rejects Racist Proposed Bill to Block Issuance of Student Visas to Chinese Nationals

Nature: Trump 2.0: An Assault on Science Anywhere is an Assault on Science Everywhere

According to an opinion published by Nature on February 25, 2025, US President Donald Trump is taking a wrecking ball to science and to international institutions.  The global research community must take a stand against these attacks.In his first month in office, Trump has initiated policies that severely undermine scientific research and international collaboration. Despite calls from the scientific community to strengthen the nation’s legacy in research, his administration has instead implemented sweeping funding cuts, frozen research programs, and imposed restrictive policies that threaten academic freedom. Key federal agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), face drastic budget reductions and staff layoffs, creating uncertainty for researchers and stalling critical public health and environmental initiatives.Internationally, the administration’s withdrawal from global agreements and aid programs has far-reaching consequences. Trump has slashed funding for climate change initiatives, abandoned the Paris Agreement, and signaled an exit from the World Health Organization (WHO), jeopardizing global health efforts. USAID, a crucial source of international aid, has been severely impacted, leaving millions without essential medical and humanitarian support. These actions not only harm global development but also diminish the United States’ leadership in science and diplomacy.

In response, scientific organizations and researchers are speaking out against these measures, emphasizing the need to protect academic freedom and research integrity. Legal challenges may overturn some decisions, but the broader trend signals a systematic effort to suppress independent, evidence-based policymaking. Nature calls on the global scientific community to take a stand, support affected researchers, and defend the role of science in shaping public policy. The erosion of scientific progress in the U.S. threatens both national and global prosperity, making collective opposition essential.

Recent Court Rulings Against Trump's Executive Actions

As of March 23, 2025, the number of lawsuits against President Donald Trump's executive actions reported by the Just Security Litigation Tracker has grown to 135 with two closed cases.Some of the recent major rulings and related developments: 

·        Birthright Citizenship.  At least three courts have issued orders blocking Trump’s attack on birthright citizenship. According to Vox on March 22, 2025, in a brief asking the Supreme Court to narrow these court orders, the Trump administration claims that the word “jurisdiction” actually means “allegiance.” So someone is not a citizen if they do not owe “primary allegiance to the United States rather than to an ‘alien power.’”

·        Alien Enemies Act of 1798 and Mass Deportations.  On March 22, 2025, the Washington Post reported that James E. Boasberg, chief judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, expressed doubts about the Trump administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act, a wartime power, to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members, while also grilling a government attorney about whether officials had disregarded his order not to do so.  “Why was this proclamation essentially signed in the dark?” Judge Boasberg said of Trump’s executive order. “Then these people rushed onto planes. It seems to me the only reason to do that is if you know it’s a problem and you want to get them out of the country.”  CNN reported that Trump downplayed his involvement in invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, saying that he had not signed the proclamation.  “I don’t know when it was signed, because I didn’t sign it,” Trump told reporters on March 21.  However, the proclamation invoking the Alien Enemies Act appears in the Federal Register with Trump’s signature.

·        Attempt to Deport Indian Postdoctoral Fellow.  According to NPR on March 20, 2025, U.S. District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles for the Eastern District of Virginia has blocked immigration officials from deporting a Georgetown University professor and postdoctoral scholar.  Badar Khan Suri, an Indian national, is the latest scholar to be detained or deported by the Trump administration for their support for Palestinian rights or for criticizing Israel for the war in Gaza. Just like the high-profile arrest of Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, Suri is being accused by Department of Homeland Security officials of spreading Hamas propaganda.  "Ripping someone from their home and family, stripping them of their immigration status, and detaining them solely based on political viewpoint is a clear attempt by President Trump to silence dissent," ACLU of Virginia Senior Immigrants' Rights Attorney Sophia Gregg said in a statement on Suri's case. "That is patently unconstitutional."

·        Elon Musk's DOGE Access to Social Security Temporarily Blocked.  AP News reported that on March 20, 2025, U.S. District Judge Ellen Hollander in Maryland temporarily blocked Elon Musk’s DOGE from Social Security systems that hold personal data on millions of Americans, calling their work there a “fishing expedition.”  The order also requires the team to delete any personally identifiable data in their possession.

According to the Washington Post on March 2025, more than a dozen judges have said in more than a dozen cases — and in three major rulings this past week alone — a federal judge has ruled that the administration either has violated the law or has probably done so. The total works out to one such finding about every four days.  The cases in which a judge has reached such a ruling span Trump’s efforts to freeze federal funding, fire federal workers, restrict diversity efforts, overturn birthright citizenship, and, most recently, limit transgender rights and deport certain immigrants without legal review.NBC News and multiple media reported that Trump signed an executive order to begin eliminating the federal Department of Education on March 20, 2025.

News and Activities for the Communities

1. APA Justice Community Calendar

2026/03/26 Policing White Supremacy: The Enemy Within2026/03/26 ACLU Virtual Town Hall: Protect People, Not Power2025/03/30 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/04/07 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/04/13 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/04/15 China Connections: A Conversation with Emily Feng2025/04/24-26 Committee of 100 Annual Conference and Gala2025/04/27 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/05/05 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/05/11 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details.

2. USCET Is Hiring Interns

The U.S.-China Education Trust (USCET) is seeking Program and Communications Interns to join its dynamic team. Interns will provide communication and programmatic support to the Program Associate, Managing Director, and Executive Director, contributing to the implementation of its ongoing programs, social media content, and development of new initiatives addressing critical issues in U.S.-China relations.  The deadline to submit applications is March 28, 2025.  For more information, visit https://uscet.org/internships/

3. APIAVote Is Hiring Summer Interns

APIAVote is looking for undergraduate students or recent graduates who can demonstrate that they seek to gain hands-on experience in grassroots community development within a national organization. This internship program will also provide hands-on experience and training on how to organize and implement voter activities to increase the participation of AAPIs in the electoral process.  The internship will have a $3,500 stipend for 10 weeks from June 9 to August 15 hybrid in-person and online.  Apply here: https://bit.ly/4hUee0xin

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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.-person and online.