Coalition of Asian American Advocacy Organizations Secure Removal of ‘China Initiative’ Language

For Immediate Release:

Date: January 12, 2026

Contact:

Rahat N. Babar, Deputy Executive Director

ICYMI: Coalition of Over 80 Asian American Advocacy Organizations Secure Removal of ‘China Initiative’ Language from House CJS Appropriations Bill

WASHINGTON - Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC (Advancing Justice – AAJC), the Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), Stop AAPI Hate, Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA), and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) commend the removal of concerning report language from the House Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS) appropriations bill that would have effectively re-established the discredited ‘China Initiative.’

In 2025, the House version of the bill’s accompanying report included language directing the Department of Justice to revive policies that previously led to the discriminatory profiling and prosecution of Asian American scholars and researchers. In response, 82 civil rights and Asian American advocacy organizations signed onto a letter in September 2025 opposing the language. The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) also led a bicameral letter to stop the effort, which was endorsed by 82 organizations.

This outcome is a result of this coordinated action. The problematic language was removed before final consideration, marking an important step toward protecting the integrity of U.S. research institutions and safeguarding scholars from unjust targeting.

Leaders from Advancing Justice | AAJC, AASF, Stop AAPI Hate, CAA, and NAPABA emphasized that the final language in the CJS materials reflects the power of collective advocacy and sustained engagement with policymakers. The coalition reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that national security policies are grounded in fairness, evidence, and due process, and do not undermine America’s values.

“We are encouraged to see that Congress listened to our concerns and removed language that sought to unfairly target Chinese American and Chinese immigrant scientists, researchers, and academics under the guise of national security,” said John C. Yang, President and Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC. “At a time when anti-Asian hate levels remain at historic highs, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC remains vigilant against efforts to single out our communities. We will continue to elevate impacted voices and urge leaders to prioritize racial justice alongside the protection of our country.”

“This outcome reflects the power of sustained, collective advocacy thanks to our outstanding community of professors, scientists, and researchers. It sends a clear message that protecting American innovation and protecting people are not competing goals—they are inseparable,” said Gisela Perez Kusakawa, Executive Director of the Asian American Scholar Forum. “The removal of this language is an important affirmation that national security policies must be rooted in evidence, fairness, and respect for American values and freedoms. Efforts to revive the China Initiative, whether in name or in practice, undermine trust, harm American research, and disproportionately endanger Asian American scholars, researchers, and scientists.”

“Asian American scholars and students should not be treated as national security threats simply because of who they are,” said Cynthia Choi, Co-Founder of Stop AAPI Hate and Co-Executive Director of Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA). “When the federal government permits and legitimizes programs rooted in racial and ethnic bias, it sends a dangerous message about who belongs in this country. We will be monitoring very closely and holding the government accountable to ensure these harmful policies are not revived in any form.”

Priya Purandare, Executive Director of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), said, “Lawmakers should address legitimate national security concerns carefully and thoughtfully. NAPABA is pleased to see that the most discriminatory language has been removed from the bill and will continue to monitor developments to ensure that the government will not initiate investigations and prosecutions based on broad generalizations and stereotypes of Asian Americans rather than on credible evidence of wrongdoing."

The coalition will continue working with lawmakers and the federal government to promote policies that uphold civil rights and the rule of law.

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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 AASF

Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) is a national nonprofit that promotes belonging, freedom, and equality for all. In response to heightened anti-Asian sentiments and profiling in the U.S., AASF has been a leading national voice fighting for the rights of Asian American and immigrant scientists, researchers, and scholars. AASF membership includes members from the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Medicine, the National Academy of Science, and the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, in addition to past and current university presidents, provosts, vice provosts, deans, associate deans, and past and current department chairs.

ABOUT CHINESE FOR AFFIRMATIVE ACTION (CAA)

Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA) was founded in 1969 to protect the civil and political rights of Chinese Americans and to advance multiracial democracy in the United States. Today, CAA is a progressive voice in and on behalf of the broader Asian American and Pacific Islander community. We advocate for systemic change that protects immigrant rights, promotes language diversity, and remedies racial and social injustice.

ABOUT NAPABA

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) represents the interests of more than 80,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students, as well as over 90 national, state, and local APA bar associations. Founded in 1988, NAPABA promotes justice, equity, and opportunity for APA legal professionals and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities.  We foster professional development, advocacy, and community involvement. 

ABOUT STOP AAPI HATE

Stop AAPI Hate is a U.S.-based coalition dedicated to ending racism and discrimination against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAs & PIs). We strive to advance the multiracial movement for equity and justice by building power for our communities, working in solidarity with other communities of color, and advocating for comprehensive solutions that tackle the root causes of race-based hate.