National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA)

STATEMENT: NCAPA Decries President Trump’s Reckless, Unconstitutional Assault on Students’ Futures President Trump’s anticipated decision to dismantle the Department of Education will have a devastating impact on our nation's education system and millions of students. Eliminating the Department of Education disproportionately impacts AANHPIs and other marginalized communities served by critical educational programs. The closure of the Department of Education will lead to many AANHPIs being unable to access educational opportunities that will get them the fair and equal education they deserve.

NCAPA watched the Joint Address to Congress. Here are four of our toplines and takeaways. The Trump Administration’s recent executive orders and the president’s joint address to Congress highlight the Trump Administration’s continued attempts to exclude underrepresented communities rather than promote unity. These actions set back our advocacy efforts to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive America. NCAPA strongly denounces the exclusionary and harmful policies promoted by the Trump Administration. We will continue to advocate for policies that demand justice, inclusivity, and equal access for all.

STATEMENT: NCAPA Sounds Alarm on “Official Language” Executive Order President Trump’s decision to designate English as the official language of the U.S. and roll back language resources across the government will have a devastating impact on millions of Americans. Removing requirements to provide resources in non-English languages disproportionately impacts AANHPIs and immigrant communities served by essential federally funded programs. These language barriers will lead to many AANHPIs being unable to access and understand critical resources that will get them the help they need – from healthcare, education, to emergency assistance. NCAPA remains resolutely committed to advocating for policies that demand justice, inclusivity, and equal access. Our nation thrives when communities can access essential services and contribute to society in ways that honor their lived experiences and cultural needs.

Today marks the 60th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday. On Bloody Sunday, the Alabama Highway Patrol carried out violent attacks on civil rights marchers on March 7, 1965. Around 600 activists gathered to march 54 miles from Selma to Montgomery to protest voting rights discrimination against African Americans and the murder of activist Jimmie Lee Johnson. Alabama troopers assaulted the civil rights marchers by beating them with batons and spraying tear gas, leading to?over 50 injuries. Bloody Sunday represented a crucial turning point in the fight for racial equality. It laid the foundations for the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prohibits the government from denying the right to vote based on race. As we remember this day, we know there is still so much work to do to protect civil rights for communities of color. Our communities continue to be devastated by the same racist rhetoric that fueled the brutal violence on Bloody Sunday to this present day. We must continue fighting against racial injustice and move together in solidarity to build an equitable future for our communities.

Today marks the start of Ramadan! This year, Ramadan begins on February 28 and ends on March 29. NCAPA wishes a blessed Ramadan to all those who celebrate! Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar that celebrates the month that Prophet Muhammad received the first revelations of the Quran. Ramadan marks a month of spiritual reflection, community, and celebration. Muslims worldwide observe Ramadan by engaging in fasting, prayer, and study of the Quran.

Yesterday, NCAPA National Director Gregg Orton joined civil rights leaders of the Demand Diversity roundtable in a meeting with Rep. Hakeem Jeffries to discuss advocacy strategies to defend diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Learn more about the coordinated community response to attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs by reading the following press release: https://lnkd.in/eZf_5BD7

?? [NEW] NCAPA POLICY PRIMER: Department of Government Efficiency’s Mass Termination of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Staff??? Last week, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced plans to cut the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by 84%. This staffing shortage represents a serious attack on Americans nationwide as it will 1) reduce?the number of personnel who assist?people experiencing extreme rent increases and evictions, 2)?make it harder to enforce?policies that ensure equitable access to housing for people of color and people with disabilities, and 3) hinder disaster recovery efforts to rebuild housing and infrastructure after major disasters. As organizations who represent and advocate for Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Native Hawaiians, we must fight for the HUD to remain fully staffed. Our rights to housing stability, access to strong building infrastructure, and affordable housing are at stake.

[NEW] NCAPA POLICY PRIMER: House and Senate Budget Resolutions Over the past two weeks, the Senate Budget Committee and House Budget Committee introduced their versions of budget resolutions and are working to advance each in the upcoming weeks. Currently, both the House and Senate budget committees’ resolutions advocate for cuts to committees focused on agriculture, education, and natural resources. These spending reductions will negatively impact everyday Americans by jeopardizing the funding of several House and Senate committees that manage crucial health, education, housing, and financial programs that our communities depend on.?Slashing the budget will fund tax cuts for corporations and the 1%?— demonstrating a commitment to serving the wealthy, rather than everyday Americans. As organizations that represent and advocate for Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Native Hawaiians, we strongly oppose these spending reductions. Our financial stability, educational opportunity, and healthcare accessibility are at stake.

Today marks the anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 9066. Executive Order 9066 was signed on February 19, 1942, to mandate the relocation and internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. As we remember this day, we acknowledge the work that needs to be done to continue defending the rights of all immigrants and people of color. Our communities continue to be devastated by the hateful anti-immigrant rhetoric that fueled dehumanizing policies like Executive Order 9066 to this present day. We must continue fighting against racial injustice and building a future where immigrants can live free from the fear of internment and deportation.

??[NEW] NCAPA POLICY PRIMER: Trump Administration’s Freeze of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau?? On February 3, 2025, the Trump Administration instructed the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to halt all activities, including regulatory actions, investigations, litigation, and public communications. This halt represents a serious attack on the rights of consumers by weakening critical regulations?that would prevent?bad actors from taking advantage of you and your community by 1) preventing access to resources in AAPI languages; 2) ceasing the regulatory oversight of predatory lenders; and 3) ceasing the enforcement of laws like the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA), which prohibits discrimination in lending practices. As organizations who represent and advocate for Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Native Hawaiians, we must fight for the CFPB to continue all operations. Our rights to economic justice and financial opportunity are at stake.