The University of Austin School of Nursing is sharing information about their NIH-funded study with our community. Under the guidance of Dr. Eun-Ok Im and Dr. Wonshik Chee, their team is conducting an NIH-funded study focused on providing culturally tailored online support for Asian American breast cancer survivors (IRB-approved, Study ID: STUDY00004807).
They are hoping to reach more survivors who might benefit from this free program, which includes bilingual nurse sessions (Mandarin, Korean, Japanese, or English), culturally adapted health resources, a complimentary Fitbit, and up to $150 in compensation.
Please see the study flyers (in various languages below), and share with your networks. Even one share could make a meaningful difference for someone in need.
On November 25, 2025, AABANY’s Prosecutors and Student Outreach Committees joined the National Asian Pacific Islander Prosecutors Association (NAPIPA) to host an event called “Pathways to Careers in Government & Justice” at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office. The hybrid program, available in person and via Zoom, brought together law students, early-career professionals, and seasoned public servants for a wide-ranging discussion about what it means to build a career — and answer a calling — within the criminal justice system.
The event opened with a warm welcome and participants enjoyed a delicious spread of food, featuring dumplings, fried rice, chicken wings, and noodles. The event then quickly moved into a dynamic panel conversation featuring prosecutors, judges, court attorneys, and representatives from major government agencies. Each speaker traced their path into public service, revealing how mentorship, curiosity, and unexpected opportunities shaped their careers. The following judges were also in the audience: Hon. Phyllis Chu, Hon. Danny Chun, Hon. Marilyn Go (Ret.), and Hon. Don Leo.
Panelist Hon. Frances Wang (Queens Supreme Court, Criminal Term) described a childhood spent moving across Taiwan, Singapore, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and finally the United States. Adjusting to new cultures, learning English, and navigating unfamiliar schools, she found herself in a third-grade classroom where a teacher told her, “You ask a lot of questions. I think you’d make a good lawyer.” She had never heard the word lawyer before, but the encouragement stayed with her. Years later, that early spark grew into internships, mock trial competitions, prosecutorial work, and eventually a judgeship.
Her story echoed a theme that ran throughout the night: the profound and often quiet influence of mentors (teachers, supervisors, judges) who saw potential long before the speaker did. Many panelists noted that their career trajectories were not linear. They relied on mentors to clarify possibilities they did not know existed, whether in appellate litigation, regulatory enforcement, oversight and investigation, or judicial work.
William Wang (Assistant Attorney General, New York Attorney General’s Office) and Stephanie Pak (Assistant United States Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of New York) and Yi Liu (Senior Counsel, New York City Law Department) offered clear, accessible explanations of their bureaus and divisions, from affirmative litigation to labor and employment matters, and gave students a rare inside look at where public-sector lawyers can make a difference. Phil Hung (Deputy Commissioner, Department of Investigation) described DOI as “the city’s watchdog,” explaining how the agency investigates fraud, waste, abuse, and corruption across virtually every city entity. For many students, it was the first time seeing how interconnected the city’s justice and accountability systems truly are.
Stephanie Quon (Principle Court Attorney, Brooklyn Supreme Court – Criminal Term) described roles that receive less public visibility but are essential to making the courts and prosecutors’ offices function. She explained the intellectual rigor and responsibility that come with drafting decisions, researching complex legal issues, and supporting judges in high-stakes cases ranging from violent felonies to gang conspiracy, fraud, and bias-motivated crimes.
Grace Vee (Assistant District Attorney, Manhattan District Attorney’s Office) shared her journey to becoming an Assistant District Attorney, which started from a brief externship at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office while she was still in college. What began as a two-week externship quickly became a defining experience. She spoke about how impressed she was by the dedication of the prosecutors, the sense of mission in the office, and the profound public service component of the work.
That early exposure stayed with her. She went on to law school, determined to return to the Manhattan DA’s Office, and she did. Grace became an Assistant District Attorney and remained in the role for 30 years (just recently celebrating her 30th anniversary at the Manhattan DA’s Office), building a long, distinguished career grounded in community protection, ethical prosecution, and public trust. Her story demonstrated that the spark of public service can begin early, but its longevity is sustained by commitment, discipline, and a deep belief in the work. During Grace’s description of her journey, she thanked Judge Marilyn Go, also in attendance in the audience, as her mentor and role model. This moment was especially moving, showing how mentorship has passed on and created a lasting legacy of service within the legal community.
Grace’s narrative resonated particularly strongly with students, showing how a single moment — an externship, a mentor’s encouragement, a first exposure to courtroom advocacy — can set the foundation for a meaningful career.
Across all these narratives, one message stood out: there is no single path into public service, but every path requires integrity, courage, and a willingness to step forward.
As the conversation deepened, several speakers reflected on the unique role of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) attorneys in public-sector positions. They underscored that representation matters not only for visibility, but for trust. Many communities remain fearful or skeptical of government institutions; seeing people with shared histories and cultural understanding in these roles can make the legal system feel more accessible. Public-sector lawyers often become bridges between communities and the courts, between fear and understanding, between wrongdoing and accountability.
The panelists’ honesty about the pressures of the work, whether in sentencing decisions, overseeing investigations, or handling trauma-heavy prosecutions, imbued the discussion with realism and deep humanity. Their candor also reaffirmed that commitment to public service, despite its difficulty, remains a powerful way to shape the world with purpose.
A Visit from Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez: A Call to Serve
Midway through the evening, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez stopped by to offer words that many attendees described as especially moving. He spoke frankly about the critical need for representation in public service, drawing on his own background as a Latino community member and prosecutor.
He emphasized that the justice system needs attorneys who reflect the diverse communities of New York, especially in moments of heightened distrust. “People are really afraid of government,” he said, noting that this fear is prevalent across Asian, Latino, Caribbean, and Black communities. DA Gonzalez emphasized that increased representation and participation of more minority community members would help address this issue.
DA Gonzalez stressed that losing talented young lawyers to the private sector would have consequences far beyond the walls of a single office. The public, he reminded everyone, depends on committed public servants who can build trust and foster accountability. His message was both caution and encouragement: stay, serve, and know that your presence matters.
Thank You to the Prosecutors Committee, Student Outreach Committee, Panelists, and the Kings County District Attorney’s Office.
What distinguished this event was the sincerity running through every story, every piece of advice, and every reflection. The speakers did not simply outline career paths; they opened windows into the human experience of being a public servant. They spoke about challenges and doubts, but also about the moments that reaffirmed why they chose this work.
Hearing about the speakers’ individual stories made students and attendees realize that they could do it too, and witnessing their dedication, passion, and commitment to their jobs firsthand was definitely impactful. During the networking hour that followed, attendees lingered to ask questions, seek mentorship, and connect with speakers. It was clear that the event created not only opportunities, but possibilities.
AABANY extends its deepest gratitude to the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, NAPIPA, DA Eric Gonzalez, the moderators, panelists, and all attendees. Pathways to Careers in Government & Justice illuminated the rich landscape of public-sector careers and reminded aspiring attorneys why representation, integrity, and service matter.
We look forward to continuing programs that uplift emerging leaders and strengthen the pipeline of dedicated AAPI public servants across New York.
To learn more about the Prosecutors Committee at AABANY, click here.
To learn more about the Student Outreach Committee at AABANY, click here.
Contact: Rahat N. Babar, Deputy Executive Director
WASHINGTON — On the day before Thanksgiving, blocks from the offices of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), an individual shot two members of the National Guard. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, tragically succumbed to her injuries on Thanksgiving Day, and Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in critical condition. NAPABA mourns the loss of Specialist Beckstrom and extends our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues. We are holding Sergeant Wolfe, his loved ones, and the military community in our thoughts as he undergoes critical care.
We unequivocally condemn this horrific act of violence. Though a full investigation is pending, government officials revealed that the alleged perpetrator, who is now detained and faces criminal charges, arrived in the United States in 2021 from Afghanistan through a federal resettlement program.
The views from leaders at all levels play a powerful role in shaping how communities such as asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants are understood. The criminal acts of one individual should not be used to paint an entire community, especially those who have sought protection from this Nation. Casting aspersions does nothing to advance public discourse, and instead, it serves to fuel hate, a fact that is all too familiar to the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community.
The United States has taken on an obligation under domestic and international law to provide refuge to those fleeing persecution. This has particular resonance with the Asian American community. Nearly three million refugees from Southeast Asia fled conflicts in the 1970s, and new generations have arrived since. The protections offered by the United States as a leading signatory to the International Refugee Convention and 1967 Protocol are critical to uphold.
Countless numbers of Asian Americans and others throughout history fled persecution for a better life in the United States. We need not turn our back on history or the generations seeking refuge. NAPABA has consistently supported the refugee resettlement program and this Nation’s long history of welcoming those seeking the protections of our country.
WASHINGTON — The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) proudly congratulates Eric Tung on his confirmation to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. His elevation to the federal appellate bench marks a significant achievement—both for Eric Tung and for the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) legal community.
“We are pleased to see Judge Tung ascend to the Ninth Circuit,” said NAPABA President Joseph Yao. “His extensive record as a public servant, appellate litigator, and former Department of Justice official demonstrates a deep commitment to the administration of justice. Having qualified AANHPI attorneys in lifetime judicial roles helps ensure our judiciary reflects the diversity of our nation and benefits from the full range of talent in our community.”
Eric Tung is a partner in the Los Angeles office of Jones Day, where he focuses on appeals and motions practice in commercial litigation. He has briefed and argued matters in federal and state courts nationwide, including the Ninth Circuit, D.C. Circuit, Seventh Circuit, Florida Supreme Court, and the California Court of Appeals. His clients span a range of industries, including telecommunications, energy, banking, real estate, construction, entertainment, and digital currency.
“Judge Tung is the first AANHPI nominated and confirmed during President Trump’s second term,” said Priya Purandare, Executive Director of NAPABA. “Judge Tung joins the bench at a time when representation of AANHPI jurists on the federal bench remains a vital goal for NAPABA. During his first term, President Trump confirmed 13 AANHPI Article III judges. We look forward to continuing our work to advance AANHPI representation on the federal judiciary.”
Eric Tung previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Central District of California and held positions at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., including serving as a Bristow Fellow in the Office of the Solicitor General. He also clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justices Neil M. Gorsuch and the late Antonin Scalia.
NAPABA thanks President Trump for the nomination and the U.S. Senate for confirming him swiftly.
At the NAPABA Convention, you’ll experience unmatched opportunities to grow, connect, and be inspired. On Friday, November 7, join NAPABA for a plenary session featuring trailblazing leaders who will examine the key issues shaping the future of the legal profession.
This year’s plenary will spotlight the Portrait Project, NAPABA’s groundbreaking study of Asian Americans in the law, and offer candid insights on how the legal community can advance representation and leadership in a time of change.
Don’t miss this chance to hear directly from Justice Goodwin Liu, Sandra Leung, Kalpana Srinivasan, and Professor Ajay K. Mehrotra as they unpack the Portrait Project and share perspectives on the challenges facing our profession.
Secure your spot today—add this a la carte session to your Convention registration and be part of this vital conversation.
Sandra Leung Executive Vice President and General Counsel (ret.), Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Professor Ajay K. Mehrotra Moderator Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
Diversity and inclusion efforts are facing mounting pressure. Across the nation, they face legal and political challenges across the board, whether in the government sector, the private sector, or on university campuses. The legal profession has not escaped the backlash. In its wake, the Portrait Project, supported by the American Bar Foundation and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), provides invaluable perspectives. It explores critical empirical research to explain why the Asian American legal community continues to face persistent barriers to advancement and endure underrepresentation in the top ranks of the profession.
NAPABA works to achieve optimal representation and visibility of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) attorneys in every facet and level of the legal field and beyond. But how do we pursue this goal in the current polarized atmosphere, where employee resource groups and affinity organizations face enormous pressures and where employers are wavering on commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Join us for a lively conversation with the architects of the Portrait Project and leaders of the legal profession to hear what the latest data tells us about the state of AANHPIs in the profession. Discover how their findings can cut through the heated political rhetoric to show a better understanding of the factors that have contributed to attrition and retention, and the policies and practices that can boost representation at the leadership levels.
Military & Veteran Service Award
During the Plenary Luncheon, we will also be recognizing this year’s Military & Veteran Service Awardee. This award honors NAPABA members who have served in the United States Armed Forces and demonstrated exceptional dedication to advancing justice, supporting service members and veterans, and strengthening our community.
Congressman Ted W. Lieu (CA-36) U.S. House of Representatives
WASHINGTON – The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) is proud to announce that this week, the American Bar Association’s Commission on Women in the Profession has named NAPABA members Justice Maryka Omatsu and Judge Holly Fujie as recipients of the 2025 Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award. Each year, the Commission honors up to five outstanding women lawyers who have achieved professional excellence and paved the way for other women in the legal profession.
Justice Maryka Omatsu is an icon of the Asian Canadian bar who, in 1993, set the stage for others to follow in her footsteps as the first Canadian woman of East Asian descent to be appointed as a judge in the entire country. She began her legal career in the 1970s as a human rights and environmental rights attorney who represented First Nations communities and held numerous prestigious appointments, including as Chair of the Ontario Boards of Inquiry and later Chair of the Ontario Human Rights Appeals Tribunal.
A third generation Japanese Canadian born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, Justice Omatsu’s parents were incarcerated by Canadian authorities during the Second World War in a manner similar to the Japanese American experience. Justice Omatsu rose to nationwide prominence as a key leader of, and counsel for, the National Association of Japanese Canadians Redress negotiating team, who helped secure an historic human rights settlement between the Canadian Government and affected Japanese Canadians for their mistreatment during the war. In early 2006, Justice Omatsu set forth a vision for a Canadian analog to NAPABA and led the creation of the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (FACL). In 2013, NAPABA conferred Justice Omatsu with its Daniel K. Inouye Trailblazer Award.
“Justice Maryka Omatsu continues to inspire and open doors for women in the legal profession and to do so across the largest land border in the world–serving as a role model for lawyers in both Canada and the United States,” said NAPABA President Thy Bui. “Through her distinguished career, towering achievements, and tenacious and proactive advocacy, she has secured lasting, systemic positive change for Canadian women on the bench, in the legal profession, and beyond.”
For over four decades, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Holly Fujie has been a strong, vocal, and effective champion for, and mentor to, countless women and minorities in the legal profession.
Judge Fujie was only the third woman and the first Asian American to serve as the President of the State Bar of California. Prior to joining the bench, she was a renowned litigator, handling complex litigation for a variety of clients, primarily in the financial services industry. Judge Fujie broke barriers as one of the first Asian American women elected to equity partnership at major Los Angeles firm at a time when there were nearly no other Asian American women attorneys becoming law firm partners in California.
She is Vice President of NAPABA’s Judicial Council and Co-Chair of the Multicultural Bar Alliance of Southern California. She serves on the Boards of the Asian Pacific American Women Lawyers Alliance, the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, and the California Judges Foundation, and previously chaired Senator Dianne Feinstein’s Judicial Advisory Committee for the Central District of California. In 2010, NAPABA bestowed its Daniel K. Inouye Trailblazer Award on Judge Fujie.
Throughout her career, Judge Fujie has individually mentored numerous women seeking to join and advance in the legal profession. But she believes that it is not merely enough to give advice to mentees but to actively do all she can to help them achieve success.
“Judge Holly Fujie continues to inspire and mentor so many in the California bar and across the country,” said Priya Purandare, Executive Director of NAPABA. “Her commitment to opening doors for women in the profession is matched only by her passion and dedication on a deeply personal level to ensuring that as many can succeed as possible.”
Also receiving the Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award this year are:
Anita S. Earls; Senior Associate Justice, North Carolina Supreme Court, Durham, NC
Bridget Marsh; Executive Vice President and General Counsel, LSTA, Inc., New York, NY
Jami Wintz McKeon; Chair, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, Philadelphia, PA
NAPABA congratulates all the recipients who will be honored during the ABA’s Annual Meeting in Toronto on August 10.
### The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) represents the interests of over 80,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) legal professionals and nearly 90 national, state, and local APA bar associations. NAPABA is a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Through its national network, NAPABA provides a strong voice for increased diversity of the federal and state judiciaries, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes the professional development of people of all backgrounds in the legal profession.
You can’t rush art so the deadline has been extended for the “Our History, Our Voice” Video Contest for Middle and High School Students across the United States. All submissions must be received by 11:59 PM EST on April 30, 2025.
This is a joint project of the Center on Asian Americans and the Law at Fordham Law School, the AAPI Crime Victims and Education Fund, and NAPABA. Participants will introduce and highlight the impact of one case from the list of cases in a thoughtful and creative way that will bring attention to this event in Asian American legal history.
ELIGIBILITY
Participants need to be between the ages of 13 and 18 and currently enrolled in middle school or high school.
There is a limit of one (1) entry per person, per case.
Please share the link for the contest landing page broadly to all of your circles, most especially those involving middle and high school aged children. Our stories need to be told, and then passed along and retold, most especially by young people.
On Thursday, February 27th, AABANY with FALA New York, NACAL, SABANY, and NYU’s APALSA co-sponsored a Fireside Chat with Bethany Li, the new Executive Director of the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF). Moderated by Vishal Chander, Co-Chair of AABANY’s Issues Committee, the event gave insight into AALDEF’s history, Bethany’s journey into public interest law, and the pressing civil rights issues facing Asian American communities today.
Bethany Li first took the audience through the history of AALDEF, highlighting how AALDEF has been instrumental in landmark cases that have shaped Asian American advocacy. She emphasized that AALDEF’s history is deeply intertwined with the history of Asian Americans in the United States, stating, “Much of AALDEF’s history coincides with what we understand and study as Asian American history.”
Bethany later shared personal stories of her childhood in Massachusetts, attributing much of her fine-tuned awareness of systemic injustices to her exposure to the immigrant struggle at an early age. This went on to influence her path to public interest law where, at Amherst, she became more involved in Asian American activism through internships at different journalistic and legal organizations, including one experience during college in which she interned at AALDEF. She later attended Georgetown Law, where she studied under Mari Matsuda, one of the nation’s leading critical race theorists, who cemented her commitment to social justice.
Reflecting on her return to AALDEF as Executive Director, she described it as a homecoming and stressed her commitment to expanding AALDEF’s litigation work, strengthening pro bono partnerships, and mentoring the next generation of civil rights attorneys.
The conversation turned to the role of law firms and private attorneys in supporting AALDEF’s mission. Bethany encouraged attorneys to take on pro bono cases, financially support AALDEF’s work through sponsorships, donations, and participation in events like AALDEF’s Annual Gala, and to advocate within their institutions for greater engagement in civil rights litigation and standing up against government policies that harm immigrant communities. She noted that law firms play a crucial role in civil rights litigation, so their support is greatly appreciated. However, she also acknowledged that pro bono support has become more challenging in the current political climate as firms have refused to attach their names to even non-controversial cases.
Bethany also shared valuable insights for law students interested in public interest law. She specifically stressed the importance of getting hands-on experience through internships, clinics, and pro bono opportunities and seeking mentorship from experienced public interest lawyers. Additionally, Niji Jain, the Legal Director of AALDEF, noted the importance of a strong cover letter while applying, saying that “as a lawyer, writing is your craft.” Bethany also mentioned one of AALDEF’s goals in the coming years: launching an Asian American Training Institute to train the next generation of civil rights litigators and community lawyers.
Vishal’s final question to Bethany was regarding whether she had a call to action for the audience. Bethany gave a powerful piece of advice, citing her former Professor Mari Matsuda, saying, “Do the work that gives you energy.”
The event concluded with Bethany taking a few questions from the audience, during which they engaged in discussions about AALDEF’s future priorities, the challenges of mobilizing Asian American communities, and ways to get involved.
AABANY extends its deepest gratitude to NYU Law School for hosting, FALA New York, SABANY, and NYU’s APALSA for co-sponsoring and making this possible, and especially Bethany Li for her time and insights. We also thank the AABANY Committees that worked so hard to put on this event, namely the IP Committee, Issues Committee, GSPI Committee, and Professional Development Committee. Thank you as well to everyone who attended this important discussion.
Three years ago, the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission (originally known as the New York State Judicial Commission on Minorities) released a series of interviews with the Commission’s founding mothers and fathers on the New York Courts Amici podcast site. The series, assembled and organized by John M. Caher, Senior Advisor for Strategic and Technical Communications, concluded with an interview of the Hon. Dorothy Chin Brandt. Justice Brandt passed away on January 27, 2025, and we take this opportunity to look back at her interview and appreciate her legacy of promoting diversity in the judiciary.
Hon. Dorothy Chin Brandt was the first female Asian American Judge to be elected in the state of New York when she was elected to the New York City Civil Court in 1987. Shortly after being elected, she became a founding member of the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission. Brandt said that “the [New York] courts were perceived as unfriendly or not friendly to minorities,” which paved the way for establishing the Commission, with a mission to “find out what was the perception and how it could be remedied.” Brandt was ecstatic to be part of a commission that would help eradicate racism in the courts. Her personal experiences of discrimination throughout her career would provide valuable context and information for this endeavor.
The Commission collected anecdotes from around New York state to figure out the perception of the courts rather than investigating the courts themselves, because, according to Brandt, “perception is different from reality, but in a lot of ways it’s stronger than reality because that’s what people think and feel is going on, and maybe it’s harder to counteract.”
To combat this perception, the Commission immediately put mandatory diversity and sensitivity training in place for the whole court system. They also looked towards legal education and tried to get more minorities interested in and learning about law because there was such little diversity in the courts at the time. She noted happily that now there are many more minority lawyers, talking specifically about Asian Americans by saying, “We have a lot more Asian-American lawyers. We didn’t have an Asian-American bar at that time in 1988…but now we have a full-fledged bar association, Asian American Bar [of New York], and very full force, very active.”
Lastly, Brandt attributed much of the major progress in the United States regarding equality in the courts to the work the Commission has done in New York on the perception of racism in the courts. Through the Commission’s work, they “got people’s attention and presented examples of what was not right, and everybody recognized this is not right.” She further noted that many other states followed New York and set up minority commissions of their own. Brandt ultimately emphasized the importance of the work of the Commission, remarking how if it was not for them, people might still be treated just based on their race, religion, ethnicity, etc. when they enter into the court system.
WASHINGTON – For nearly 25 years, Executive Order 13166 required that every federal agency meet the needs of limited English proficient (LEP) individuals when it delivers critical services. It similarly required those that received federal funding, such as non-profit organizations as well as state and local governments, to guarantee that LEP individuals had meaningful access to their 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. This meant that a Mandarin-speaking LEP individual, for example, could access life-sustaining government entitlement programs or a Vietnamese speaker could receive legal services from a non-profit organization. Those guarantees are now called into question.
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.
The executive order, which also purports to designate English as the official language of the United States without the consent of Congress, places an unnecessary obstacle for LEP individuals within the AANHPI community who need and deserve to access critical, federally funded services. We call on Congress to engage in appropriate oversight over the Administration’s unwarranted action and strengthen the protections of Title VI.
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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) represents the interests of over 80,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) legal professionals and nearly 90 national, state, and local APA bar associations. NAPABA is a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Through its national network, NAPABA provides a strong voice for increased diversity of the federal and state judiciaries, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes the professional development of people of all backgrounds in the legal profession.