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JANUARY NEWSLETTER
Happy New Year! Here is the AAPI Youth Rising January Newsletter!
Mia Fung
January 01, 2026
Current Actions:
AAPI Art and Writing Competition (Grades 7–12)!
Selected students will receive cash prizes, a one-year membership to the AAPI History Museum, and the opportunity to have their work exhibited at the Brown University Faculty Club. Winners will also be invited to attend the AAPI History Museum Anniversary Dinner at Brown University, alongside university scholars and President Christina Paxson. The program is free to enter, and students may submit existing writing or art—no new work required. SUBMIT HERE!
Help Shape a National Asian American Museum
The National Asian Pacific American Museum Commission is seeking public input as it works to establish a national museum dedicated to Asian American culture and history. Share your ideas, priorities, and vision to help ensure our stories are represented. SUBMIT COMMENTS HERE.You can also support this effort by contributing to the Commission’s work. DONATE HERE 💛.
Op-Ed Project
AAPI Youth Rising is launching an op-ed project to amplify the voices of young people on current events. Participants will write 500–800-word op-eds on topics of their choice to get them published through our connections. We will meet every two weeks for editing sessions to review drafts and provide feedback. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, FILL OUT THIS GOOGLE FORM!
AAPI Youth Rising Stickers
We are looking for YOUR designs to be featured on upcoming AYR stickers! Please take a look at the guidelines and submission form here. Email [email protected] for questions.
AYR Action Corner
Check out our Action Corner to keep track of our latest actions and ways to engage. If you have any actions you would like to highlight, email [email protected]
AYR Blog
If you have art, blogs, or op-eds you’d like to share, email [email protected] or [email protected]. Check out our latest blogs here!
ONE DAY OF AAPI HISTORY
Bring our ONE DAY OF AAPI HISTORY lesson to your school or share the video! The presentation is fully scripted, so you can do it yourself, or board members can join you. This is your chance to practice your public speaking skills. See the TOOLKIT HERE for information!
Upcoming events
AAPI Youth Rising January Monthly All Member Meeting
Thursday, January 22 | 6 pm-7 pm PST | Zoom Link
Film Screening & Panel: Making Waves: The Rise of Asian America
Saturday, February 21 | 1 pm-3pm PST | Koret Auditorium, Koret Lobby, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102 | REGISTER TODAY!
Join us for a screening of Making Waves: The Rise of Asian America, a documentary highlighting youth activists and educators using Asian American Studies to drive social change nationwide. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with co-directors Josh Chuck and Jon Osaki, alongside local youth activists from AAPI Youth Rising featured in the film.
Monday, May 18 | 2 pm PST | RSVP
Building on last year’s powerful coalition—150+ organizations, 115 legislative offices reached, and the successful passage of AB 49 and AB 863—this years event will feature a condensed schedule, including a State Capitol press conference, advocacy training, legislative office visits, and an evening reception. Participation is free, and all partner organizations will be recognized in event materials.
Monthly coalition Zoom meetings will continue on the first Thursday of each month at 2 PM, beginning December 4, offering space for shared updates, advocacy opportunities, and event planning. AYR encourages everyone to join!
Announcements:
New UCLA–California Health Interview Survey Findings on Hate Acts
A recent UCLA study, released with the California Civil Rights Department, reveals that many Californians who experience hate acts do not receive the support they need. Nearly 31% of victims reported unmet needs for mental health, legal, workplace, or other support, and 20% experienced six or more hate acts in a single year.
The data estimate more than 17 million hate acts statewide in one year, affecting 3.1 million Californians ages 12+. Unmet support needs were especially high among American Indian/Alaska Native (44%) and Black (42%)Californians, as well as people with disabilities and those experiencing housing instability.
A companion qualitative study highlights lasting impacts, including changes to daily routines, increased fear and distrust, and physical, mental, and financial strain. Researchers emphasize that these findings can help policymakers and advocates better understand where support gaps exist and how to respond more effectively.
Read the full article: HERE
Legislative Actions:
Federal Policy Updates: Trump’s Recent Immigration Crackdown
Over the past several weeks, the Trump administration has enacted a set of cruel and restrictive immigration policies with wide-ranging impacts. Some of these measures were announced or planned prior to the tragic shooting of two National Guard members in Washington D.C. on November 26. However, since the attack, the administration has launched a massive retributive campaign targeting Afghan nationals, immigrants from the June 2025 Travel Ban countries, and beneficiaries of humanitarian immigration programs. Advancing Justice | AAJC has denounced the unjust targeting of Afghan nationals and the other sweeping policy changes that will impact millions of noncitizens.
Summary of Key Changes:
Re-examination of Biden Refugee Admissions: On November 21, 2025, the administration ordered a re-review of all refugees who entered the country between January 20, 2021 and February 20, 2025 to assess refugee eligibility. USCIS will also pause the processing of all green card applications for refugees who entered during these dates.
Halt on Immigration Processing for Afghan Nationals: After the attack in Washington D.C., the State Department paused the issuance of visas for Afghan nationals abroad and USCIS stopped processing all immigration-related requests for Afghan nationals who have entered the U.S.
Asylum Ban: USCIS has stopped adjudications for all affirmative asylum cases regardless of nationality. The agency continues to accept asylum applications but is not currently making decisions. This pause does not apply to defensive asylum cases in immigration court.
Travel Ban Expansion: On December 2, USCIS issued a memo placing an indefinite hold on all immigration requests for U.S.-residing nationals from the 19 countries covered in the June 2025 Travel Ban. USCIS will also re-assess all past immigration benefit approvals for individuals from the 19 countries who arrived on or after January 20, 2021. Advancing Justice | AAJC is collecting stories of individuals impacted by USCIS’s pause and re-review of immigration applications for folks from these countries. Please feel free to reach out with relevant accounts (we will ensure individuals’ confidentiality).
Additional Resources:
For further details about these new policies, we recommend the following resources:
Please feel free to share the following “Know Your Rights” resources (all available in multiple languages):
Know Your Rights Under the U.S. Constitution – No Matter Who Is President – National Immigration Law Center (NILC).
Green Card Holders: Know Your Rights & Risks During the Second Trump Administration – NILC
Press about AYR:
Bulletins:
Check the “Our Work” section of our website for updates, announcements, and upcoming events.
Spread the word about AYR to your friends! AYR Chapter Leaders can sign up here using this FORM.
Continue raising awareness by speaking out. Email [email protected] if you are interested in anything you see in the newsletter.
Please ensure you’re on our Slack and Google Calendar. Email [email protected] if you have any problems.
Do you have anything to share for next month? Email [email protected]