News and Updates

AANHPI groups stand for affirmative action: NCAPA and 25 of our members joined a letter of 150+ AANHPI organizations in support of affirmative action in light of recent administrative complaints filed against Brown, Dartmouth, and Yale universities. For more information, read our statement and go to asianamericancivilrights.org.

NCAPA demands Senate Republicans end their obstruction of Supreme Court: Last week was an AAPI Week of Action that NCAPA supported to urge Senate Republicans to hold a hearing on Chief Judge Merrick Garland’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. In a press conference with CAPAC, Rep. Judy Chu, Rep. Bobby Scott, NCAPA National Director Christopher Kang and AAJC President & Executive Director Mee Moua called on Senate Republican leadership to do their jobs. NCAPA staff was also featured on the #WeNeedNine campaign on the 71st day since Garland’s nomination.

Spring 2016 Asian American voter survey released: NCAPA members APIAVote and AAJC, along with AAPI Data, released the results of their Asian American voter survey “Inclusion, not Exclusion,” which found that Asian American voters are more enthusiastic about this year’s elections than in 2014. See the full results here.

AAPI Nexus Journal releases special issue on AAPIs in the year 2040: Many NCAPA members contributed to volume 1 of a special UCLA Asian American Studies AAPI Nexus Journal on the state of AAPIs by the year 2040 in a social, economic and political context. Staff who wrote chapters are from the NCAPA organizations SEARAC, APIASF, APALA, APIAHF, AAPCHO, NAAPIMHA, NAPAFASA, NAPCA and APIAVote. Former AAJC staff Erin Oshiro also wrote an essay on immigration. APAICS sponsored the issue.

50+ AAPI organizations sign on to oppose ICE raids: In response to reports about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) leading more raids targeting families from Central America, 50+ AAPI organizations sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson to urge the Administration to end the raids of vulnerable communities. NCAPA members NAKASEC, NQAPIA, SAALT and SEARAC led the letter. NCAPA signed on, as well as members APALA, AAPCHO, JACL, NAPAWF, NAPABA, CAPACD, OCA and SALDEF.

NCAPA co-hosts reception with MNet America and APAICS: In collaboration with CAPAC, NCAPA, MNet America and APAICS co-hosted a reception to celebrate APAHM last Tuesday. Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Reps. Judy Chu, Ted Lieu, Mark Takano, Charles Rangel and Grace Meng were among those to give remarks.

Department of Interior finalizes Hawaiian home land rules: The U.S. Department of Interior and Obama Administration finalized rules regarding Hawaiian home lands to improve the lives of Native Hawaiian communities. The rules will help better manage the Hawaiian Home Land Trust, where thousands of Hawaii residents own homes or farm land.

APALA firmly stands with the Movement for Black Lives following the acquittal of Baltimore police officer: Following the acquittal of Baltimore police officer Edward Nero of all charges related to the death of Freddie Gray, APALA released a statement to support the Movement for Black Lives.

AAPCHO holds health center summit: Last week, AAPCHO brought together experts and leaders on AANHPI health in a health center summit in Atlanta. One focus was on the importance of Hepatitis B screening and treatment.

NCAPA in the News

Opinion: It's Time to Start Putting Effort Toward Polling Asian Americans: Christopher Kang’s op-ed in NBC Asian America is a response to Pew Research Center’s analysis as to why they do not poll Asian Americans.

Opinion: In 2016, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Are Ready To Be Heard: APIAVote’s Christine Chen wrote an opinion piece with Rock the Vote’s Carolyn DeWitt in NBC Asian America about mobilizing and registering AAPI voters and  the potential of the AAPI vote.

Opinion: Are Asian Americans Really Healthier Than Everyone Else?: Kathy Ko Chin of APIAHF wrote about the health challenges AANHPIs face despite a recent CDC report that Asian American adults are the healthiest of all groups.

Republican Obstruction Creates New Bamboo Ceiling for Asian American Judicial Nominees: Christopher Kang wrote a blog in Huffington Post about how Republican obstruction is keeping five Asian American judicial nominees waiting for hearings and keeping courtrooms empty.

Community Leaders Urge Senate GOP To Act on Supreme Court, Other Judicial Nominations: NBC Asian America covered the press conference where CAPAC and NCAPA leaders called on Senate leadership to confirm Judge Merrick Garland.

MSNBC Live: Glenn Magpantay on NQAPIA's "Family is Still Family" Campaign: Glenn Magpantay appeared on MSNBC Live with Richard Lui to talk about NQAPIA’s bilingual ad campaign featuring AAPI parents who love their LGBT children, and Glenn’s personal experience with family acceptance.

Appeal for Indiana woman convicted for having an abortion: MSNBC gave updates on the appeal of Purvi Patel, who was convicted of feticide and became the first woman to be sent to jail for terminating her own pregnancy. NAPAWF has worked to support Purvi, and Executive Director Miriam Yeung is quoted in the article.

15 Memorable Facts About Filipino-American History You Should Know: Buzzfeed celebrated Filipino American heritage during APAHM to share little-known facts about Filipino Americans. Kevin Nadal of AAPA authored this piece, and NCAPA executive committee member Gregory Cendana is featured in fact #2.

Take Action!

New

• Join the open letter of AANHPI organizations in support of affirmative action: asianamericancivilrights.org

• Sign on to letter to DOJ Inspector General regarding possible profiling of Asian American scientists: Sign on by COB Wednesday, June 1.

Ongoing

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

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

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

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

• Support State Data Disaggregation Campaigns: There are several states considering data disaggregation in their legislatures including California, Rhode Island, and Minnesota. Please like and promote these Facebook campaigns to support these state initiatives: MN Campaign Page on FB, CA Campaign Page on FB, WA Campaign Page on FB. Sign theAB 1726 petition to ensure AAPI communities are counted.

In Case You Missed It

Asian-American Actors Are Fighting for Visibility. They Will Not Be Ignored: The New York Times interviewed Asian American actors such as Constance Wu of “Fresh Off the Boat,” and wrote about how the entertainment history is lagging behind in telling diverse stories.

Letters from Camp: Watch Smithsonian APA’s video of Muslim American youth reading letters written by Japanese Americans in incarceration camps in World War II. This video was featured over the weekend in Smithsonian APA’s CrossLines event, a culture lab of artists and performers.

Announcements

Apply to be part of South Asian Americans 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 TODAY.

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

Events

• Thursday, June 2 @ 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.: 2016 Summit on Language Access in Elections at University of Maryland. Presented by The U.S. Election Assistance Commission & Democracy Fund Action.

• Friday, June 10 - Sunday, June 12  @ 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.: AAPI Every Student Succeeds Act Listening Sessions in California

• Thursday, June 16: APIASF Higher Education Summit in D.C.

Job and Internship Openings

See NCAPA postings on ncapaonline.org/opportunities

External job (including Hill) opportunities:http://bit.ly/NCAPAexternaljobs