On May 31, 2026, AABANY’s Membership Committee hosted members and friends at the Gotham FC vs Houston Dash match as we celebrated the end of Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. It was exhilarating to watch the reigning NWSL champions, Gotham FC, secure a 1-0 victory in a match where the energy across the stadium was truly incredible.
Gotham FC controlled the flow of the entire match, providing our group with close-up views of several sophisticated offensive maneuvers and tactical plays. Beyond the action on the pitch, the event served as a wonderful opportunity to gather fellow members outside of a formal business setting to enjoy a beautiful Sunday at a professional sports game.
The afternoon also featured a meaningful pre-game celebration where many AAPI talents were highlighted, including a special performance by Filipina actress and singer Natalie Bourgeois, which underscored the community spirit of the occasion.
To learn more about AABANY’s Membership Committee, click here.
To see upcoming AABANY events, check out AABANY’s calendar.
-Written by Gloria Tsui-Yip, Co-Chair, AABANY’s Membership Committee
The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) hosted its annual Lobby Day on May 19-20, 2026, bringing together many affiliate members, including those from the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) who traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in this year’s NAPABA Lobby Day. AABANY members joined attorneys, judges, law students, and community leaders from across the country in advocating for policies that advance civil rights, protect due process, and strengthen the rule of law.
Representing AABANY were members of the our Issues Committee, including Co-Chairs Vishal Chander and Rachel Lee, along with other members of the New York delegation: Anushree Bagrodia, Charles Drucker, Linny Ng, Tiffany Ngeo, and Alex Pan. We also thank Glenn Magpantay, Northeast Alternate Regional Governor for NAPABA and AABANY Board Director, and Sapna Palla, NAPABA Board Member and former AABANY President, who joined the New York delegation.
Lobby Day began with a policy training session at Jones Day, where participants received briefings on NAPABA’s legislative priorities and advocacy strategies before meeting with congressional offices on Capitol Hill. The event also included the annual AANHPI Heritage Month Congressional Reception, which brought together NAPABA members, members of Congress, congressional staff, and community leaders from across the nation.
NAPABA’s 2026 Lobby Day focused on three core legislative priorities:
Advancing civil rights through language access protections
Promoting a fair immigration system through access to counsel
Defending the rule of law by supporting judicial security measures
Advancing Civil Rights Through Language Access
The New York delegation urged congressional offices to support passage of theLanguage Access for All Act of 2026 (H.R. 7223), a bill designed to ensure that individuals with limited English proficiency have meaningful access to federally funded services through translation and interpretation assistance. NAPABA emphasized that language access is particularly important for the AANHPI community. Nearly one-third of Asian Americans are considered limited English proficient, making language access a critical civil rights issue.
This legislation would codify protections that were previously provided through Executive Order 13166—“Improving Access to Services for Persons With Limited English Proficiency”—and establish comprehensive language access requirements for federal agencies.
Promoting a Fair Immigration System
The New York delegation also educated Congress on the proposed Access to Counsel Act (H.R. 944/S. 391), which seeks to ensure that individuals with lawful status who are detained for prolonged inspections at ports of entry have meaningful access to legal counsel and family members.
NAPABA highlighted the importance of due process protections, particularly as immigration enforcement actions continue to affect immigrant communities across the country. The delegation stressed that individuals navigating the immigration system should be able to understand the process and access legal representation when their rights are at stake.
The delegation also discussed AABANY’s ongoing efforts to support immigrant communities through legal clinics, educational programming, and pro bono initiatives. (For more information about that, read the blog post about AABANY’s participation in the 2026 AAPI Summit hosted by Senator Gillibrand at the end of April by clicking here.)
Defending the Rule of Law and Judicial Independence
The New York delegation also advocated for passage of the Countering Threats and Attacks on Our Judges Act (H.R. 4602/S. 2379), bipartisan legislation aimed at addressing the increasing threats and acts of violence directed toward members of the judiciary. The bill would establish a State Judicial Threat Intelligence and Resource Center and provide resources to improve judicial security nationwide.
As attorneys, AABANY members emphasized that an independent judiciary is essential to maintaining public confidence in the legal system and preserving the rule of law. NAPABA noted that threats against judges undermine judicial impartiality and threaten the integrity of the courts.
Meetings with Congressional Offices
The New York delegation met with staff from several congressional offices, including New York Representatives Jerry Nadler (NY-12), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), and Dan Goldman (NY-10). Discussions focused on NAPABA’s legislative priorities, including language access, immigration due process, and judicial security.
The delegation also highlighted the work of AABANY and NAPABA in supporting immigrant communities, educating lawful permanent residents about their rights, and providing pro bono legal services and training opportunities for attorneys. Follow-up conversations included discussions regarding immigration policy developments, legal aid initiatives, and opportunities for future collaboration between congressional offices and the AANHPI legal community.
Continuing the Work
Lobby Day provided an important opportunity for AABANY to bring the perspectives of New York’s AANHPI legal community directly to policymakers. Through these conversations, AABANY reinforced the role of attorneys not only as advocates in the courtroom but also as advocates for policies that promote justice, equity, and opportunity.
AABANY thanks NAPABA for organizing another successful Lobby Day and looks forward to continuing its partnership in advancing the interests of the AANHPI community and the legal profession nationwide.
For more information about NAPABA’s legislative priorities, click here.
To learn more about AABANY’s Issues Committee and how you can get involved, go here.
– Written by Vishal Chander, Board Member and Co-Chair of AABANY’s Issues Committee
WASHINGTON – On May 18, 2026, two armed individuals attacked the Islamic Center of San Diego, the largest mosque in San Diego County, California. They killed three people (Amin Abdullah, 51, Nader Awad, 57, and Mansour Kaziha, 78), and the perpetrators were later found dead nearby. Local and federal law enforcement described the shooting as a hate crime.
The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), the South Asian Bar Association of San Diego (SABA-SD), the Pan Asian Lawyers of San Diego (PALSD), the Filipino American Lawyers of San Diego (FALSD), and the Korean American Bar Association of San Diego (KABA-SD) mourn the loss of life and unequivocally condemn this act of hate. We stand with the Muslim community and with the families of the victims.
Who we are, and how and where we choose to worship, are part of the tapestry of American life. A refuge for peace and prayer must never be transformed into a place of violence by perpetrators of hate. As we celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, we not only acknowledge the richness and diversity of our AANHPI communities, but we also emphasize that hate—whether in the form of Islamophobia, anti-Asian hate, or any other form of bigotry—has no place in our society. We remain committed to eradicating hate in all its forms, including by urging governments at every level to fully support and strengthen hate prevention efforts.
NAPABA hosted its annual Lobby Day on May 19-20, 2026, bringing together members of their community from across the country to Washington, DC in a celebration and demonstration of the power of their bar during AANHPI Heritage Month. In meetings with congressional representatives and their staffers, attorneys, law students, and leaders from the NAPABA community advocated for advancing the civil rights of the AANHPI community, a fair immigration system, and defending the rule of law.
Highlights of Lobby Day Include:
Robust Representation
With participants hailing from over 20 states, and the District of Columbia, taking part in over 70 meetings with congressional offices on both sides of the aisle, NAPABA demonstrated its strength and its commitment to amplifying AANHPI voices in the halls of power.
Advocacy Training Prior to the meetings, NAPABA held a training session featuring congressional staffers from both sides of the aisle who spoke with both expertise and passion about the bills their members have introduced or sponsored. Attendees also heard from advocacy veterans on strategies and techniques to more effectively communicate NAPABA’s priorities and the needs of AANHPI communities and the legal profession.
Policy Priorities Throughout multiple meetings, participants advocated for issues of importance to AANHPI communities and the legal profession. They focused on codifying longstanding language access protections for the millions of limited English proficient persons in the United States, including the significant portions of the Asian American immigrant populations, as documented by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. NAPABA stood up for access to counsel at various stages of the immigration and entry processes to the United States, and for judicial security in order to better support the rule of law.
Meaningful Engagements Attendees met with numerous lawmakers and their staff, fostering meaningful dialogues, and building relationships that will be instrumental in advancing policy objectives. NAPABA Lobby Day participants skillfully articulated their positions, presented compelling arguments, and shared personal stories to humanize the issues that they face. On the evening before their training at their Congressional Reception on Capitol Hill, participants heard from leaders in their community directly, including NAPABA Trailblazers Sen. Mazie Hirono (HI) and S.E.C. Commissioner Mark T. Uyeda.
In a time of great uncertainty and a rapidly shifting policy landscape, NAPABA demonstrated the power of its members during a Lobby Day built around a unifying agenda of language access, a sensible and fair immigration system and support for the rule of law. Member-constituents braved the heat to visit engage with key Congressional offices across the Capitol complex and called on their elected representatives to support policies that advance their communities. Lobby Day is another great reminder that NAPABA is the national voice of the AANHPI legal community, and that we can stand together for the betterment of our communities, for the rule of law we have dedicated our livelihoods to, and for the nation we cherish.
WASHINGTON – The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) congratulates Judge Reynaldo A. Aligada, Jr. on his appointment to the Minnesota Supreme Court. Judge Aligada becomes the first Asian Pacific American justice in Minnesota’s history.
“Judge Reynaldo Aligada’s historic appointment to the Minnesota Supreme Court marks a milestone for the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) legal community and beyond,” said NAPABA President Joseph Yao. “As NAPABA’s Portrait Project 2.0 found, Asian American jurists are underrepresented on state high courts. Judge Aligada has broken barriers, and his appointment marks an incredible achievement for our legal community and beyond.”
Judge Aligada currently serves on Minnesota’s Second Judicial District Court. Prior to joining the bench, he served as First Assistant Federal Defender in Minneapolis and previously practiced at Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi LLP. He clerked for Judge Michael J. Davis of the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota and Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright of the Minnesota Court of Appeals. Judge Aligada earned his B.A. from Saint John’s University and his J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law, now the Mitchell Hamline School of Law.
“Through his many roles in the community, including with the Community Outreach Committee of the Federal Bar Association and many bar associations like the Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association (MNAPABA), Judge Aligada has demonstrated a deep commitment public service,” said Priya Purandare, Executive Director of NAPABA. “His groundbreaking appointment highlights the importance of ensuring that those in the AANHPI legal community are recognized, supported, and elevated to positions of leadership across the country.”
“Judge Aligada is a brilliant and skilled jurist and, importantly, a wonderful human being. These qualities, along with his background and experience, make him a phenomenal choice to serve as a justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court,” said Valerie Narcy, President of MNAPABA. “This moment comes against the backdrop of a long and challenging history for AANHPI communities. From legislation excluding Chinese immigrants, to the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, to anti-Asian hate during the COVID-19 pandemic, to the more recent actions against birthright citizenship, our community has often been left to wonder about our place in American society. Judge Aligada’s appointment is a reminder that our place is here and that our community is well-woven into the historic tapestry of Minnesota and this country.”
NAPABA extends its sincere congratulations to Judge Reynaldo Aligada and wishes him success in his service on the Minnesota Supreme Court.
In celebration of AAPI Heritage Month this year, AABANY is presenting or co-sponsoring several events this month. We hope to see you all there! Follow the links for more details, and please note the registration deadlines. This blog post will be updated throughout the month, as new events get added on, so check back for any updates.
May 2, 2026
AABANY Co-Sponsors: Korean Hat Day at Yankee Stadium
1:35pm – Yankees Stadium, 1 E. 161 E. 161st Street
This event has already occurred.
May 3, 2026
AABANY Sunday Run Day
11:00 am – Start at Bedford Ave (L); End at Canal St. & Chrystie St. This event is preparation for the May 23 AAPI 5k run.
This event has already occurred.
May 5-7, 2026
Asian Comedy Fest 2026: AABANY Discount Available
7pm and 9pm – Sugar Mouse NYC, 47 3rd Avenue, Lower Level, New York, NY 10003
This event has already occurred.
May 6, 2026
AABANY Co-Sponsors: Power in Unity: Strengthening Communities Together
1:00 pm – Kings County Supreme Court, Criminal Term, Courtroom 2.95, 320 Jay Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201
This event has already occurred.
May 6, 2026
AABANY Co-Sponsors: Beginner’s Mahjong
6:00pm – Sparrow’s Nest Studio, 35 W. 35th Street, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10018
This event has already occurred.
May 6, 2026
AABANY Presents: Dumplings & Discussion Series Featuring Judge Pamela K. Chen
6:00pm -Midtown location – to be emailed to registrants.
This event has already occurred.
May 9, 2026
AABANY Bi-Monthly Brooklyn Pro Bono Legal Clinic
12:30 pm – 2:30 pm – CPC Brooklyn Community Services, 4101 8th Ave, Brooklyn, New York 11232
This event has already occurred.
May 10, 2026
AABANY Sunday Run Day
11:00 am – Start at Bedford Ave (L); End at Canal St. & Chrystie St. This event is preparation for the May 23 AAPI 5k run.
This event has already occurred.
May 12, 2026
AABANY Co-Sponsors: Reflections of Unity and Strength in our AANHPI Communities
12:30pm – Queens Supreme Court – Civil Term, 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Ceremonial Courtroom 25, Jamaica, New York 11435
This event has already occurred.
May 16, 2026
AABANY Presents: 3rd Annual Wellness Retreat
10:00 am – 5:00 pm – Blue Cliff Monastery, 3 Mindfulness Rd, Pine Bush, New York 12566
This event has already occurred.
May 16, 2026
AABANY Co-Sponsors: Asian Americans and the Law, Featuring Hon. Denny Chin
2pm – White Plains Public Library, 100 Martine Avenue, White Plains, New York 10601
Join NAPABA, NAPABA members, and community leaders from across the country to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month at NAPABA’s Congressional Reception!
This widely attended event will bring together Members of Congress, their staff, and leaders in the AANHPI community. Previous speakers have included Sen. Mazie Hirono, Rep. Judy Chu, and CAPAC Chair Grace Meng.
This event is free and open to the public!
Don’t miss this opportunity to network with peers and connect directly with policymakers from both the Senate and the House.
Registration is open for NAPABA’s Lobby Day, and we want your voice!
Each year, NAPABA brings the AANHPI legal community to Capitol Hill to advocate directly with Congressional leaders and elevate the issues impacting our communities. Lobby Day is a powerful opportunity to turn your commitment into action and ensure your perspectives are heard and represented at the national level.
Why Participate?
Engage directly with Members of Congress and their staff
Receive advocacy training and issue briefings to prepare you for Capitol Hill
Connect with AANHPI attorneys and leaders from across the country
Represent and elevate your community’s voice at the national level
NAPABA is committed to ensuring that Lobby Day is accessible to members from all backgrounds and career stages. To support this goal, we offer limited travel and lodging support for active members who would otherwise face financial barriers to attending. Click the button below to learn more and apply for a stipend. The deadline to apply for a stipend is Tuesday, March 17, at 8:00 pm ET.
As part of Lobby Day, NAPABA will equip you with the tools and resources you need to be an effective advocate and share your participation in this important event. After registering, be sure to use our toolkit to share on your social media channels and invite others to join you.
For Immediate Release: January 23, 2026 Contact: Rahat N. Babar, Deputy Executive Director
WASHINGTON – The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) applauds the introduction of the Language Access for All Act of 2026 in Congress. The bill, if enacted, would ensure that all individuals have meaningful access to critical Federal services, regardless of English proficiency.
In March 2025, President Donald Trump revoked Executive Order 13166 and designated English as the official language of the United States. For nearly 25 years, EO 13166 required that every federal agency meet the needs of individuals with limited English proficiency when it delivers critical services. EO 13166 brought the full import of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits entities that receive federal funding from discriminating based on national origin, to life. NAPABA objected to the revocation of EO 13166 at the time and called on Congress to act in response. Following our advocacy efforts, NAPABA welcomes the introduction of the Language Access for All Act of 2026, which would restore the key guarantees of EO 13166.
Language access is particularly important for the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community. The majority of the Asian American community are immigrants. Nearly 32% of the community is limited English proficient. The Asian American population is comprised of over 50 different ethnicities and speak over 100 different languages. NAPABA has long championed linguistic access for AANHPI communities in the legal system, including through our groundbreaking report, which highlighted and provided recommendations on the state of language access in federal and state courts and agencies. Every individual deserves access to critical, federally funded services.
NAPABA is grateful to Rep. Grace Meng, the Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, along with Rep. Judy Chu, Rep. Juan Vargas, Rep. Daniel Goldman, for their leadership and introducing the Language Access for All Act of 2026. This action coincides with the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic decision in Lau v. Nichols, 414 U.S. 563 (1974), which recognized the right of English learners to participate meaningfully in public school education and served as a catalyst for language access throughout the Nation. We call on Congress to advance this legislation swiftly.
For Immediate Release: January 21, 2026 Contact: Rahat N. Babar, Deputy Executive Director
WASHINGTON – The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) congratulates Justice Sanjay T. Tailor on his groundbreaking appointment to serve as a justice on the Illinois Supreme Court.
“Justice Tailor’s appointment marks a historic milestone in NAPABA’s mission for its members, the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) lawyers, and their broader communities,” said Joseph Yao, President of NAPABA. “In 2022, NAPABA’s Portrait Project 2.0 found that only nine Asian American jurists served on state high courts, a number that remained constant until now. As the first Asian American to serve on the Illinois Supreme Court, Justice Tailor has broken barriers and serves as a beacon of achievement for our legal community and for anyone aspiring to such heights.”
Justice Tailor brings more than two decades of judicial experience to the Illinois Supreme Court. He has served for 23 years on Illinois’s trial and appellate courts, including as an Associate Judge and Circuit Judge and, most recently, as a Presiding Justice of the First District Appellate Court. Prior to joining the bench, he served as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Cook County and practiced law in the private sector. Justice Tailor taught as an adjunct professor at Loyola University of Chicago School of Law. He earned his B.A. from the University of Delaware and his J.D., with honors, from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law.
“Through his many leadership roles, including as the president of the Asian American Judges Association of Illinois, and through his engagement with NAPABA affiliates like the Asian American Bar Association of Greater Chicago (AABA Chicago) and the South Asian Bar Association of Chicago (SABA Chicago), Justice Tailor has demonstrated a deep commitment to public service and the community throughout his career,” said Priya Purandare, Executive Director of NAPABA. “His groundbreaking appointment highlights the importance of continued efforts to ensure that those in the AANHPI legal community are recognized, supported, and elevated to positions of leadership across the country.”
“We are proud and thrilled to see Illinois become one of a small number of states that have a judge on its highest court who is Asian American,” said Stephen Lee, President of AABA Chicago. “AABA formed decades ago in part to help Asian American attorneys become judges and to help our judiciary better reflect the people whom it serves, and this is a huge milestone not just for Justice Tailor and Asian American attorneys but for everyone.”
“The South Asian Bar Association of Chicago proudly congratulates Justice Tailor on this historic appointment as the first Asian and South Asian Justice to serve on the Illinois Supreme Court,” said Saman Haque, President of SABA Chicago. “This milestone reflects the strength of our justice system and the importance of representation. As a founding member of SABA Chicago, Justice Tailor has remained steadfast in his commitment to inclusion and equity, and to mentoring and encouraging attorneys to hone their craft. We celebrate this achievement and look forward to the lasting impact of Justice Tailor’s leadership and service.”
NAPABA extends its sincere congratulations to Justice Sanjay Tailor and wishes him continued success in his service on the Illinois Supreme Court.
