NCAPA Weekly Roundup | April 25 - May 3, 2016 - National Council of Asian Pacific Americans

News and Updates

Happy Asian Pacific American Heritage Month!: Read NCAPA’s statement marking the month and follow along NCAPA’s Medium for member spotlights throughout the month. For a full list of events, go to the NCAPA website or download the PDF.

NCAPA sends letter to Congress as part of countering hate campaign: As part of a letter-a-day campaign to counter hate, NCAPA sent a letter to Members of Congress yesterday urging them to condemn hateful and discriminatory rhetoric and policies directed toward Muslim, Sikh, Arab and South Asian American communities. This campaign is supported by faith-based, advocacy and refugee resettlement organizations.

Letter sent to Southwest Airlines in response to allegations of racial profiling: NCAPA and 25 organizations sent a letter to Southwest last week to urge them to review and improve their policies to address recent allegations of racial and religious profiling against Muslims, Arabs and South Asians. Recommendations include instruction on implicit bias and anti-racism for Southwest employees.

NCAPA, APALA and SAALT join letter calling on technology companies to refrain from supporting bigoted political party conventions: NCAPA and members APALA and SAALT joined a Muslim Advocates-led letter that was sent to Google, Microsoft and Apple urging these companies not to support political party conventions that highlight hateful and bigoted rhetoric.

Department of Justice update related to Asian American scientists: According to the New York Times, the Department of Justice issued new rules that would increase oversight of cases related to national security. This comes after the high profile cases of Dr. Xiaoxing Xi, and Sherry Chen, two Chinese Americans wrongfully accused of sharing secrets with China. Last November, NCAPA, NAPABA, and 70+ organizations sent a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch calling for an independent investigation into these cases.

NCAPA, OCA, NAAPIMHA support Speier Amendment to address military hazing: Representative Jackie Speier introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, based on Representative Judy Chu’s Harry Lew Military Hazing Accountability and Prevention Act, to address and prevent military hazing. NCAPA and OCA strongly supported this amendment in individual letters, and several NCAPA members signed on to the OCA letter.

APIAHF releases report on obese and overweight AAPI youth: A new report from APIAHF reveals that 30 percent of Filipino American and Southeast Asian American children and adolescents are overweight or obese.

APIASF report finds invisible barriers to college access for AAPIs: APIASF’s latest report reveals financial barriers and limitations AAPIs face to college access despite the model minority myth, including a majority of survey respondents not having enough information on financial aid options.

NAPABA applauds the nomination of Judge Florence Y. Pan to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia: President Barack Obama announced the nomination of Judge Florence Y. Pan to serve on the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. NAPABA encouraged the Senate to confirm her to the federal bench. If confirmed, Judge Pan will be the first AAPI woman to serve as a federal district court judge in the District of Columbia.

NAPAWF celebrates 20 years: NAPAWF celebrated its 20th anniversary Thursday in D.C. Peggy Saika, the immediate past president/executive director of Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Representative Grace Meng also attended and gave remarks about what NAPAWF means to her and AAPI women.

NCAPA treasurer Miriam Yeung wins Gloria Award: Congratulations to NAPAWF Executive Director Miriam Yeung, who was honored with the Gloria Award from the Ms. Foundation Thursday for her commitment to uplifting AAPI and immigrant women.

SEARAC applauds Rep. Grijalva for fighting to Roll Back Old Policies That Criminalize Immigrant Families:SEARAC expressed their support for a bill that would repeal laws that have led the way to the deportation of immigrants.

NCAPA in the News

Asians and Pacific Islanders Are Scarce in Higher Ed Leadership, but a Strong Community Is Working to Change That: The magazine Insight into Diversity published a piece on how AAPIs are underrepresented in higher education leadership. Audrey Yamagata-Noji, a facilitator for a professional development program offered by NCAPA member LEAP, talked to the magazine about possible reasons for underrepresentation and how leadership programs can help encourage AAPIs pursue more leadership roles.

Advocates Say Espionage Case Rule Changes Fall Short for Previously Accused Scientists: Although the Department of Justice issued new rules to address missteps in national security cases, Chris Kang is quoted in this NBC Asian America article saying that the Chinese American scientists accused of economic espionage deserve, at the least, an apology to make amends for the damage the investigations caused on their lives.

Advocates Call on Southwest Airlines to Review Practices Amid Profiling Allegations: NBC Asian America reported on the NCAPA letter urging Southwest to review its practices after allegations of racial and religious profiling. SAALT’s Suman Raghunathan and our director Chris Kang are quoted. In response to one incident, Southwest said that their highest priority is passenger safety.

Take Action!

Supreme Court Vacancy sign-on letter to Senate Judiciary Chairman Grassley: The Senate Judiciary Committee has continued to refuse to hold a hearing and a vote on Chief Judge Merrick Garland. Please see Jiny Kim’s email to the general listserve for a new letter to Senator Grassley. Email Jiny at [email protected] to sign on by May 13.

Sign the MPower Change Petition: Tell Southwest Airlines: End Discrimination Against Arab and Muslim Passengers

Share #MyAAPIStory: WHIAAPI is working with StoryCorps to share diverse stories from AAPIs. Find out how you can share yours here.

Sign the petition: Tell North Carolina Legislators: Repeal Anti-Trans Law!

Show your support for Filipino World War II veterans: Support the letter as an individual here.

Support State Data Disaggregation Campaigns: There are several states considering data disaggregation in their legislatures including California, Rhode Island, and Minnesota. Washington state just signed a bill into law on March 30. Please like and promote these Facebook campaigns to support these state initiatives:

MN Campaign Page on FB:https://www.facebook.com/All-Students-Count-MN-1058565654199762/
CA Campaign Page on FB:https://www.facebook.com/allCAcounts/
WA Campaign Page on FB:https://www.facebook.com/allstudentscount/?fref=ts
Also sign the AB 1726 petition to ensure AAPI communities are counted.

Share your family reunification story with NCAPA’s immigration committee to help immigrant families by advocating for the Reuniting Families Act.

In Case You Missed It

Friend of APPEAL guest on “The Doctors:”: Rico Foz, a longtime friend of NCAPA member APPEAL, was featured on the daytime talk show “The Doctors.” Rico is a cancer survivor and tobacco control advocate. Watch the segment here.

Announcements

Apply now to be part of South Asian American's Leading Together's 2016 – 2017 Young Leaders Institute: The 2016-2017 YLI cohort will work to elevate the narratives of immigrants impacted by the confluence of anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim sentiment and those whose interests have not always been reflected in the broader immigrant rights discussion. Participants will build relationships with campus groups and local organizations to implement a project during their academic year. Applications are due by May 31.

Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project (DVRP) community survey: DVRP is surveying the Asian/Pacific Islander community in the District on their 1) understanding of sexual assault and 2) awareness of the District’s services available for survivors. Participants must either live, work, or go to school in DC and identify as Asian or Pacific Islander. If you have 2-3 minutes to spare, please take the survey here.

NAKASEC’s summer youth empowerment program: The Summer Youth Empowerment Program (SYEP) is a six-week experience for local high school students in Northern Virginia who are interested in Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) issues and are ready to make a social impact. It runs from July 5 to Aug. 11. Encourage high school students you know toapply here.

Candidates needed for Appointments Project: The White House Presidential Personnel Office is continuing to develop slates for principal, assistant to principal and functional positions. NCAPA and APAICS work with PPO in diversity outreach and are seeking individuals who are interested in an appointment positions for various levels, roles and background experience for agencies. Please help us to identify ideal appointment candidates who are AAPI. Once candidates complete the online application athttps://apply.whitehouse.gov/, they should fill out this form, which will go to NCAPA and APAICS:http://goo.gl/forms/8Lnjv3G4oB

APAHM

Finalized APAHM events can be found on the NCAPA website:http://bit.ly/NCAPA-APAHM16.

Download the PDF.

Other Events

Saturday, May 7 @ 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: AAJC Citizenship Day Clinic at the Chinatown Service Center - 500 I Street, NW, Washington, DC
Wednesday, May 11, 2016 @ 10:00 a.m.: Social Security Administration Budget Briefing. The briefing will occur in Room 839 at the International Trade Commission Building, located at 500 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024. At the meeting, Bonnie Kind, Associate Commissioner for the Office of Budget, will provide details on the state of Social Security’s budget. All those interested in attending the briefing should RSVP by Monday May 9, 2016, to Diandra Taylor at [email protected], or by phone at 410-966-1346.

Job and Internship Openings

APIAHF: