APIAVote

Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) Condemns Passage of the SAVE Act, Warns of Harmful Impact to AAPI Voter Access

rchen — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 15:59:47 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, April 10, 2025

WASHINGTON D.C. – Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) is deeply disappointed by passage of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act (HR 22) in the House of Representatives by a vote of 220-208. This legislation presents an unnecessary and harmful barrier to voter registration, disproportionately affecting Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, as well as other historically marginalized groups.

“Not only does the SAVE Act impair government efficiency, it does so by harming many people’s right to vote. The fact that there has been so little evidence of non eligible voters casting ballots in federal elections underscores the point that requiring documentary proof of citizenship in-person in order to register, or re-register, to vote is an unnecessary solution to a nonexistent problem,” said Christine Chen, Executive Director of APIAVote. “Many eligible voters including those in the Asian American and Pacific Islander community do not have readily available documents to meet SAVE Act requirements. Furthermore, our communities rely on methods such as online, mail and voter registration drives, and this draconian measure would effectively end those options. With the bill passing in the House today, the battle now shifts to the Senate where we will be working hard to make sure that our Senators know this bill that will prevent eligible voters from casting their ballot. ”

The SAVE Act would potentially affect an estimated 69 million American women who changed their names through marriage and don’t have passports, as these women rely on birth certificates that don’t reflect their current legal names. Naturalized citizens, seniors, rural residents, and low-income individuals may also be impacted due to not having ready access to the required citizenship documents. It would also render voter registration drives – an important outreach effort, especially within communities of color – nearly impossible, and would eliminate widely used online and mail-in voter registration methods, making it harder for eligible voters to participate in elections.

As we commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, APIAVote urges Congress not to pass this anti-voter measure, to protect the right to vote and ensure all eligible Americans have fair and equal access to the ballot box.

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About APIAVote: Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) is the nation’s leading nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to engaging, educating, and empowering Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities to strengthen and sustain a culture of civic engagement. See our website for more information at https://www.apiavote.org/

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Oppose the SAVE Act: A Threat to Our Right to Vote

rchen — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 20:07:48 +0000

The House of Representatives recently passed HR 22, the SAVE Act, and it now moves to the Senate for consideration. This legislation poses a significant threat to voting rights and democratic participation across the United States. If enacted, the SAVE Act would severely undermine voter engagement efforts, particularly in AAPI communities and other communities of color.

What Would the SAVE Act Do?

The SAVE Act would impose burdensome and unnecessary barriers to voter registration, including:

Requiring all voters to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship in person when registering to vote or updating their registration—including common updates like name changes, address changes, or switching party affiliation.
Effectively eliminating online and mail-in voter registration for voters unable to present citizenship documentation in person.
Rendering community-led voter registration drives nearly impossible by requiring documentation to be shown directly to a government official.
Disenfranchising tens of millions of eligible voters, including more than 21 million U.S. citizens who currently lack access to a passport or birth certificate.
Creating disproportionate barriers for women, particularly the estimated 69 million women who have changed their name after marriage or divorce—many of whom would no longer be able to register with a birth certificate alone. Hundreds of thousands of AAPI women would face this same predicament.

Further Impacts to the AAPI Community

Research from Demos highlights that voter registration drives are especially critical for communities of color, including AAPIs, who are nearly twice as likely to register to vote through these efforts compared to white voters. Third-party registration drives are particularly successful because they are community-initiated and involve direct personal contact and encouragement.

It’s important to note:

Non-citizens are already prohibited by law from voting in federal elections, and there has been so little evidence of non-eligible voters casting ballots in federal elections to justify these extreme restrictions.
The SAVE Act addresses a nonexistent problem with measures that would do real harm to eligible voters in our communities. Many eligible voters in our community do not have easy access to documents needed to meet SAVE Act requirements.

Take Action!

Now is the time to speak out. We urge you to:

Call your Senator and ask them to vote NO on the SAVE Act.
Mobilize your community—tell your friends, family, and networks to do the same!
Stay informed by subscribing to our newsletter to keep updated on activations and mobilization efforts.

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Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) Opposes President Trump’s Executive Order Imposing Unconstitutional Voting Restrictions Harmful to AAPI Communities

rchen — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 14:34:41 +0000

Washington D.C. – APIAVote, strongly opposes President Trump’s March 25th Executive Order that imposes new federal requirements on state-run elections, which includes mandating documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration, involving federal law enforcement in election oversight, and restricting mail-in ballot return deadlines. These election requirements not only undermine the existing Federal election process; under the Constitution, it is Congress and the states, not the executive that set the rules for our elections, furthermore, this EO threatens to disenfranchise millions of eligible voters, particularly within the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.

“The AAPI community is the fastest growing voting bloc in the country, comprising over 24 million individuals. In 2020 and 2024, we have seen significant increases in voter turnout, about a quarter of whom are new AAPI voters participating in each federal election cycle. Requiring documentary proof of citizenship, such as a US passport or REAL IDs explicitly indicating citizenship status, in order to register to vote poses substantial and complicated barriers for many eligible voters who do not already possess these forms of ID,” said Christine Chen, Executive Director of APIAVote.

“Reports indicate that half of the American population do not have a passport and they as well as AAPIs who don’t have a US passport would be severely burdened by having to find the documentation, navigate a long bureaucratic process, pay significant fees, and take the time needed to get one or other EO compliant document. This would disproportionately impact first-time voters, the elderly, low-income, and those living in rural areas who will have to travel long distances in order to complete the process.”

“The EO also impacts AAPI voters who vote by mail, of which more than two-thirds of the AAPI community prefers to do so, often due to language access needs, work schedules, and mobility issues. Restricting mail-in ballot deadlines by prohibiting the counting of ballots after Election Day – even if they have been postmarked by Election Day – would further disenfranchise AAPI voters.”

“Study after study has shown that voter fraud in the United States is exceptionally rare. Furthermore, our Constitution explicitly stipulates that our elections be regulated by Congress and the states. By attempting to bypass this authority and wrap our state-run elections in federal government red tape, the President’s executive order would undermine our foundational checks and balances that have ensured the integrity of our democracy.”

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Recap of Presidential Address

rchen — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 18:21:46 +0000

The following is an excerpt from our January 31 newsletter. Subscribe here for more updates.

On Tuesday, the President addressed Congress and the nation to outline the initiatives his administration has pursued thus far. From toughening immigration policies, imposing tariffs on neighboring countries, to ending diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the federal government, the President focused on many areas that he had been raising during his campaign. Since his inauguration on January 20, President Trump has issued nearly 100 executive orders and counting. From mass dismissals of federal workers to dismantling programs that serve the American public, to undermining diversity and inclusion efforts and scapegoating immigrants, these actions do not serve the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.

In the 2024 elections, AAPI voters made it clear through our Asian American Voter Surveys that their top priorities were the economy, inflation, and healthcare. While the President claims to be addressing these issues, his approach thus far seems to be having a negative effect on key economic indicators. His focus on policies that threaten democracy and promote division are of clear concern to many in the AAPI community.

The American people, including AAPI communities, need a government that addresses their concerns. If this administration wants to genuinely serve all Americans, including AAPI communities, it must move beyond its divisive agenda and focus on building a future that fosters opportunity, justice, and shared prosperity for everyone – no matter their race, class, gender, or zip code.

A Win for Voting Rights: Court Strikes Down AZ Voter Suppression Laws

In an important victory for voting rights, last week the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals struck down several provisions in two Arizona laws passed in 2022 that would have required Arizonans to have “heightened proof of citizenship from federal-form and state-form applications.” These provisions were deemed discriminatory and an attempt to prevent eligible Arizonans from voting.

Currently, Arizona is the only state that requires proof of citizenship to register for state and local elections. Since 2004, this policy has created a dual-registration system: voters who do not provide citizenship documents can register using the federal voter registration form (versus the state form) but they would only be eligible to vote in presidential and congressional elections. The 2022 laws sought to expand these restrictions by preventing Arizonans from voting in federal elections too unless they met the state’s proof-of-citizenship requirements. In other words, these now struck-down provisions would have attempted to supersede federal law and require proof of citizenship to register to vote in any election at all.

Other struck-down provisions include:

Requiring county recorders to conduct citizenship checks on voters “suspected” of not being citizens
Mandating periodic cancellation of registrations within 90 days before a federal election
Requiring voters to submit documents proving their Arizona residency to vote in federal elections.

The court’s ruling is a major victory for Arizonans’ voting rights, and we congratulate our partners at Arizona Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders Equity Coalition (AZ AANHPI) and Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC for helping make this happen. We expect the ruling to be appealed in the near future.

Executive Order to Make English America’s Official Language

President Trump signed an executive order on Saturday, March 1 that designated English as the country’s official language. The executive order also rescinds policies that require federal agencies and organizations that received federal funding to provide language assistance for non-English speakers. Even though a fact sheet on the order states that “agencies will have flexibility to decide how and when to offer services in languages other than English to best serve the American people and fulfill their agency mission,” it is highly unlikely that language accessibility will be prioritized.

English is the United States’ most widely-used language, but the United States has always been a multilingual country and allows Americans to speak any language they want. The United States is not alone; other countries with diverse populations such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and Mexico also do not have an official language. Opponents of designating English as an official language have done so out of concern it would lead to violations of equal protection under the law.

Within the AAPI community, hundreds of different languages are spoken. Additionally:

66 percent of Asian Americans speak another language at home
34 percent of Asian Americans actually have limited English proficiency.

Making English the official language not only risks ostracizing the 2 out of 3 AAPI families in our community and the United States at large, it has the potential to create unnecessary challenges for the millions of AAPIs who rely on language assistance to access the resources and information they need to succeed.

While we have yet to feel the full effects of this harmful EO, you can help:

Document whenever you learn that a family member, friend or community member has difficulty accessing the vital government services they need because of a language barrier

Document whether translated materials were provided in the past but no longer available.
Speak to your elected officials, the media and advocates to amplify these stories.

CISA Employees Placed on Leave, Election Security at Risk

Several employees at Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), an agency within the Department of Homeland Security tasked with helping to secure elections from foreign threats and disinformation, have been placed on administrative leave.

Many election deniers have misleadingly claimed over the years that efforts to combat foreign threats, disinformation, and other harmful content online were attempts to censor Americans and influence elections domestically.

Prior to CISA’s creation, there were no federal agencies truly providing comprehensive election security support to state and local officials. With US democracy under attack from outside and inside the country alike, efforts to ensure voters have the ability to cast their ballot freely and privately are now more important than ever. The future of CISA is currently uncertain.

Updates on the Continuing Resolution

As the March 14 deadline to pass a FY 2025 budget (the “continuing resolution” or CR) inches closer, lawmakers have varying demands that are seemingly at odds with one another and if the CR isn’t passed by the deadline there will be no funds to keep most of the federal government operating. Some Republicans want to lock in the cuts devised by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) by codifying the cuts into law by including them in the upcoming CR, arguing the cuts will make “government run more efficiently” and “save taxpayer money.” However, this is a non-starter for the overwhelming majority of Democratic lawmakers, as they stand against cuts to programs like Medicare and Medicaid which will affect tens of millions of Americans including those in the AAPI community, and the gutting of various government agencies targeted by DOGE. This makes this plan’s passage nearly impossible as most funding measures will have to reach the 60-vote threshold in the Senate, where a slight majority of 53 Republicans reside.

Speaker Mike Johnson has thus proposed a CR which will keep government funding at current levels, and codifying DOGE cuts for the FY 2026 funding process instead. However, this is a non-starter for some House Republicans. This means Johnson would have to garner enough Democratic votes in the House to offset any Republican members who oppose such a budget. With less than a week and a half left before the deadline, it is not clear what the FY 2025’s budget (CR) will look like or if the government will shut down because the CR fails to pass.

The budget negotiations fall against the backdrop of Trump’s recent attempts to freeze funding and delay spending money that Congress has already appropriated. It has greatly fueled concern among many lawmakers whether or not the President will carry out the laws passed by Congress. Additionally, this uncertainty impacts community organizations as well, including those serving the AAPI community. Questions of whether or not grants will be honored loom large, impacting AAPIs’ ability to access crucial resources such as assistance with the immigration process or food assistance. It also leaves AAPI-serving organizations’ ability to remain open unclear. Ultimately, it appears that this is a question that the Supreme Court will have to weigh in on.

Support for Reintroduction of John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act

On March 5, 2025, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (John Lewis VRAA) will be reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation is critical to restoring and strengthening the Voting Rights Act, ensuring that every American has equal access to the ballot. As voting rights face unprecedented threats, it is imperative for Congress to act and protect our democracy.

This reintroduction comes just days before the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement when John Lewis and other activists risked their lives to secure the right to vote. As we commemorate this historic moment in Selma, we must channel that legacy into action by demanding the passage of the John Lewis VRAA. Throughout the anniversary weekend, we encourage everyone to uplift this legislation and call on Congress to protect our freedom to vote.

Read our full statement on the reintroduction of this act here.

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Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Advocacy Groups Express Strong Support for Reintroduction of John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act

rchen — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 16:35:11 +0000

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC (Advancing Justice – AAJC), Asian and Pacific Islander Vote (APIAVote) and the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), three leading advocacy groups representing the interests of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities, commend Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL) for the reintroduction of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (JLVRAA) in the House of Representatives on March 5th. The reintroduction comes just before the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, which marked a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement and led to the eventual introduction and passage of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965.

The JLVRAA is a critical piece of legislation that would strengthen and modernize the VRA. It would ensure that communities of color and other marginalized groups are able to fairly participate in the civic engagement process. Numerous removals or weakening of key anti-discrimination protections of the VRA have allowed states to implement various restrictive voting laws over the years that increase barriers to the ballot. The JLVRAA would restore these provisions of the VRA, including re-establishing “preclearance” – in essence, this would mean that jurisdictions with a history or voting discrimination must receive federal approval before changing any voting laws to ensure they are not discriminatory. The JLVRAA would also empower voters to continue challenging discriminatory voting laws in court.

“Advancing Justice – AAJC has long supported and advocated for the passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and welcome this reintroduction. The Act addresses not just the diversity of our country, but the unique systemic barriers to voting that AANHPI and other communities of color face,” said John C. Yang, President and Executive Director of Advancing Justice – AAJC. “The right of every eligible voter to make their voice heard at the ballot goes beyond the political spectrum and is the foundation of an effective democracy. We urge lawmakers to stand up and safeguard this right for all.”

“Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) strongly advocates for the passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. With voting rights under attack, the urgency to pass the JLVRAA has never been greater. AAPIs are the fastest growing voting bloc in this country and have turned out in record numbers in recent years. Yet we have seen renewed threats to silence our voices, from federal legislative efforts such as the SAVE Act to the many states’ efforts to pass similar laws that will make registering to vote nearly impossible for millions,” said Christine Chen, Executive Director of APIAVote. “As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, passage of the JLVRAA is needed more than ever as a safeguard that will protect the fundamental right to vote for all Americans and ensure that our democratic principles are upheld. We thank Congresswoman Terri Sewell for her steadfast commitment to the JLVRAA and her leadership in ensuring that voting rights remain a priority in Congress.”

“Voting is a fundamental pillar of our democracy, yet Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities continue to face systemic barriers that suppress our political power. The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act is a critical step toward eliminating voter suppression and ensuring that every community — regardless of race, language, or background — has equal access to the ballot box,” said Gregg Orton, National Director of NCAPA. “NCAPA is proud to support this legislation, which is fundamentally about fairness and protecting the power of the people. We will continue to champion voting rights, racial equity, and a democracy that truly represents all of us.”

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About Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC

Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC has a mission to advance the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and to build and promote a fair and equitable society for all.

About APIAVote

Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) is the nation’s leading nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to engaging, educating, and empowering Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities to strengthen and sustain a culture of civic engagement. See our website for more information at https://www.apiavote.org.

About NCAPA

National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) is a coalition of 44 national Asian Pacific American organizations. We represent the interests of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities and provide a national voice for our communities’ concerns. See our website for more information at https://www.ncapaonline.org/about/.

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Recap of Recent Trump Policies

rchen — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 18:12:41 +0000

The following is an excerpt from our January 31 newsletter. Subscribe here for more updates.

Since last week, the policy directives have come out of the White House at a furious pace. Even though the election was decided by very close margins the Trump administration is falsely acting as if its policies have broad nationwide support. The Administration is acting as fast as it can to implement as much of Project 2025 as possible, even though there is no broad bipartisan support for these policy changes. The latest AAPI Data/AP-NORC Survey revealed that the majority of AAPI adults have little to no confidence in Trump’s ability to govern key areas.

In the past, enforcement-only immigration bills such as the Laken Riley Act, which mandates ICE arrest and deport undocumented migrants accused of committing low level crimes such as theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting offenses with little or no due process, would need some positive immigration reform amendments to be included in order to pass. Instead, this one-side enforcement measure has made it to the president’s desk for signature with lightning speed.

AAPI immigrant rights advocates have understood that the best chances of passing immigration reforms that help the AAPI community and improve our nation’s antiquated immigration system has been to pursue a comprehensive solution which would require negotiating between the many parts that make up our immigration system. Broadly speaking, these parts include the legal immigration system (including green cards for families and employment, temporary visas for employment, education, and other purposes, refugee and asylee seekers), enforcement (including border security, immigration law enforcement) and addressing the status of those who are in the U.S. without legal immigration status.Immigration advocates know that a comprehensive approach to reform is needed since we cannot reduce illegal immigration with a deportation only approach given that the current immigration system does not provide sufficient legal pathways into the U.S.

To be clear, these head-spinning changes and policy reversals are not going unchecked. Last week a federal judge in Seattle tapped the brakes on President Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship saying the EO was “blatantly unconstitutional”. Similarly, when the administration issued a memo to federal agencies ordering a freeze on federal grants and loans causing immense confusion and concern nationwide, they were forced to quickly follow up with a clarifying memo in an attempt to quell the uproar. Ultimately, the administration rescinded the federal funding freeze altogether. Furthermore, in a lawsuit brought forth by nonprofit groups that receive federal money, a federal district court judge in Washington, DC temporarily stopped the funding freeze from going into effect. Even with the court action, there have been multiple reports of federal funding-related websites going dark – adding chaos to the uncertainty. On the one hand, whenever the White House issues an executive order, directive or memo, we must take these actions seriously however, we must also keep in mind that there are avenues, including political pressure, public demand and litigation to fight back on any harmful actions.

While the administration can act quickly with its attempts to make drastic policy changes, Congress is not structured to legislate changes to our nation’s federal policies as rapidly; however, the warp speed with which the Laken Riley Act passed should have us all on our guard to act quickly. The need to act fast is especially important as House Republicans are planning to bring the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (HR 22, the SAVE Act) to a vote, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. This requirement will create difficulties for people who don’t have easy access to key documents such as a birth certificate or passport. The bill passed the House last year only to face pushback in the Senate. Reports have shown that it is difficult for many Americans to access the documents needed to prove citizenship. The bill would derail the convenient ways to register such as mail-in registration and online registration through state government websites. APIAVote will be monitoring the scheduling of House legislative action and will reach out to our partners as soon as we learn when this bill will be on the floor for debate, which could be as early as next week.

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President Trump Day One Priorities Affecting AANHPI Communities

rchen — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 18:07:55 +0000

The following is an excerpt from our January 22 newsletter. Subscribe here for more updates.

On Monday, January 20, President Donald Trump marked his first day in office with a series of executive orders aimed at signaling a dramatic shift from Biden-era policies. These orders, spanning immigration, environmental policy, and diversity initiatives, represent a show of force and a rollback of previous administration priorities. Many of these actions will have immediate and significant consequences for AAPI communities. Moreover, they undo generations of progress and tarnish the values of fairness and equality that are central to American society.

In response to these flurry of changes, APIAVote will be keeping our community aware and educated on what’s happening. As these new policies take effect, we are committed to helping our community understand what’s at stake and how they can take action.

Crackdown on Immigration

During the presidential campaign, President Donald Trump had made it clear that harsher immigration policies were going to be a priority for his administration. The President’s executive orders on immigration have in fact signaled his intention to pursue a strict approach on immigration and represent a sharp shift from previous policies, with significant implications for AAPI communities and others. One of the most immediate actions is a policy barring asylum for individuals newly arriving at the southern border and suspending the Refugee Admissions Program indefinitely, citing U.S. national interests as justification. This effectively shuts the door to those fleeing persecution.

Further tightening asylum policies, the administration reinstated the “Remain in Mexico” policy, which requires asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases are processed by immigration judges.

Additionally, the Laken Riley Act, which would require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to arrest and deport undocumented migrants who commit theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting offenses, has passed the Senate vote and will now head back to the House for a final vote.

All these immigration policies are deeply harmful to the AAPI community. Among the 48 million immigrants living in the US today, about 11 million are undocumented and who are integral to the success of our economy, contributing significantly to our workforce and economic stability. While they are invaluable to our local communities and economies, they live under constant threat of displacement. Nearly everyone knows of someone who is or has been undocumented, whether family member, friend, coworker, or community member.

Wong Kim Ark appears in an image attached to his 1894 departure statement from San Francisco, an Immigration and Naturalization Service record that allows him to return to the United States.

National Archives

Ending Birthright Citizenship

During the campaign, President Trump made it clear that he would be ending birthright citizenship for babies born to undocumented immigrants. However, the Executive Order issued by Trump goes beyond ending birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants, which in and of itself would be an unconstitutional move that challenges the 14th Amendment’s guarantee of citizenship for anyone born on U.S. soil. The EO indicates that “when that person’s mother’s presence in the United States was lawful but temporary, and the person’s father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said person’s birth.” That means if the mother and father were both in the U.S. with an H-1B, Temporary Protected Status, or any other legal status other than having a green card or U.S. citizenship, the baby would not get U.S. citizenship. This fundamental change would undermine a cornerstone of American identity and values, and it would create far-reaching consequences for all immigrant communities, including AAPIs.

For those in the AAPI community, this is particularly alarming and draws historical comparisons going back to the 1800s, when Chinese immigrants faced exclusion laws under the Chinese Exclusion Act, as well as being denied citizenship and legal protections for those in the country. Wong Kim Ark was a young poor cook when the U.S. government challenged his citizenship under the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act. This law had not only barred Chinese laborers from immigrating to the United States but also rendered Chinese immigrants already in the country ineligible for citizenship. It was the landmark United States v. Wong Kim Ark of 1898 that finally gave rights of citizenship for children born in the United States to Chinese immigrant parents under the 14th Amendment. Because this EO violates the settled law regarding the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment, 22 states have filed lawsuits against this EO. Additionally, the ALCU along with Asian Law Caucus and others have filed a lawsuit against this EO on behalf of organizations including New Hampshire Indonesian Community Support, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), and others whose members’ babies born on U.S. soil would be denied citizenship by the EO. Ending birthright citizenship would create a climate of fear and uncertainty, as well as render certain individuals stateless within the US. Many AAPI families who are mixed-status would see their children lose basic rights and access to things like education, healthcare, and legal protections.

This measure will create a generation of second class citizens. Second class citizenship by executive order is not just unconstitutional, but ignores 150 years of precedent. It will also mean more big government intrusion into people’s lives, bureaucratic hurdles and investigating of newborns and hospitals.

Further Knowledge and Resources:

Rollback of Federal Voting Rights Protections

In addition to immigration and other issues, President Trump’s executive orders targeted voter rights by rolling back an order issued by former President Joe Biden that encouraged federal agencies to promote voter registration. This rollback is a significant blow to voting rights, a cornerstone of democracy that ensures all eligible citizens have a voice in shaping the nation’s future.

The Biden-era Executive Order on Promoting Access to Voting recognized the federal government’s responsibility to protect democracy by helping citizens register to vote. It built on decades of state-level efforts to integrate voter registration with public services, extending these principles to federal agencies. The order aimed to expand voter participation in a non-partisan manner by making voter registration more accessible to eligible citizens interacting with federal agencies.

By overturning this initiative, the Trump administration undermines a non-partisan effort designed to strengthen voter participation and support democratic engagement. The rollback of this policy weakens the infrastructure that supports voter registration and participation, potentially silencing the voices of many eligible voters, particularly within marginalized communities.

Rescinding of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders

Trump’s recessions of many of Biden’s efforts to help underserved and overlooked communities was especially troubling and the terminating of the WHIAANHPI was most painfully felt by our community. Read the NCAPA statement regarding this decision here. Those who are interested can also access the WHIAANHPI’s full report with recommendations for implementation released earlier this month.

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In Memory of Johnnie Giles

rchen — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 19:21:40 +0000

APIAVote mourns the passing of our dear friend and former Board Chair Johnnie Dee Giles, whose decades of leadership shaped our organization and growth. Johnnie’s dedication, support and vision were instrumental in laying the foundation for and positioning AAPI organizations, candidates and leaders to be powerful voices for our communities.

Johnnie served as APIAVote’s Board Chair for a decade. During the organization’s formative years, he secured the initial funding for the Asian American Voter Survey, a partnership between APIAVote and AAAJ-AAJC that began in 2012, and which continues to provide critical insights into the AAPI electorate. With his support and connections, APIAVote launched public service announcements (PSA) that featured AAPI celebrities and aired nationally on Comcast – the first of many to come. Johnnie also ensured resources were available to launch our Norman Y. Mineta Leadership Institute (NYMLI) trainings, empowering countless young leaders to advocate for their communities.

Johnnie’s political acumen was matched by his selflessness to tirelessly champion the AAPI community. He did so not for any recognition, but because he felt it was the right thing to do. He used his access and influence among different networks to secure vital resources for the community, working behind the scenes to support organizations, aspiring leaders and position them for success.

“Johnnie was a mentor and friend who I could always count on,” shared Christine Chen, executive director of APIAVote. “Despite his stature and incredibly busy schedule, he always made time to listen and ask the right questions. His help was never transactional – it was sincere and heartfelt.”

Johnnie’s legacy is deeply woven into the fabric of APIAVote and the broader AAPI advocacy community. He served on numerous boards dedicated to advocacy and empowerment. He believed in the power of community and tirelessly championed inclusion and representation. His impact will be felt for generations to come.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and honor his memory by continuing the work he so passionately supported.

APIAVote is collecting photos and videos to share with Johnnie’s family. If you have any you’d like to share, please upload them here.

For Johnnie Giles’s official public obituary, please see here.

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Webinar: Community reactions to the Trump administration’s “Day One” priorities (Jan 23, 2025)

rchen — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 17:46:24 +0000

On Thursday, January 23 at 2pm ET / 11am PT, please join APIAVote, AAPI Data, and AAJA for the latest Voices of AAPI Communities monthly briefing, where we’ll dive deep into the new findings from AAPI Data and AP-NORC.

This month’s focus: the incoming Trump administration’s “Day One” policy priorities. We’ll have timely insights and findings to understand the perspectives of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander adults on Trump’s policies on issues including jobs, the economy, immigration, and more. AAPI Data and AP-NORC released topline findings from the study this week, which has already received news coverage in LA Times, Axios, AsAmNews, and in various publications through Associated Press.

On January 23, we will reveal disaggregated findings from the survey–by ethnicity, nativity, gender, age, and partisanship. Get ahead of critical issues shaping the socio-political landscape with data-driven insights from this joint briefing.

The post Webinar: Community reactions to the Trump administration’s “Day One” priorities (Jan 23, 2025) appeared first on APIAVote.

APIAVote Mourns the Loss of President Jimmy Carter

rchen — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 19:15:38 +0000

WASHINGTON D.C. – Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) issued the following statement after news broke President Jimmy Carter peacefully passed away yesterday.

“We are deeply saddened to hear about the loss of former President and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Jimmy Carter. President Carter was a devout public servant who dedicated his life to serving not only the American people, but the global community. During his presidency, he became the first president to proclaim Asian/Pacific Islander Heritage Week and led the United States in establishing official diplomatic relations with China, one of the most pivotal moments in US foreign policy,” said Christine Chen, Executive Director of Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote. “After his presidency, President Carter worked tirelessly on charitable causes around the world, focused on resolving conflict and brokering peace, promoting democracy and fair elections, fighting diseases and advancing healthcare.”

“President Carter will be remembered as one of the most influential and ethical leaders in American history. His legacy, humility and compassion is the standard by which we should measure our leaders, and the way we imagine how politics should be: a world where human rights, peacekeeping, and equality are attainable goals, not mere talking points. We are forever grateful for his support of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and strengthening democracy here and around the world. We are keeping the Carter family in our hearts during this difficult time.”

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