Asian American Legal Fight
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on Friday to curtail federal judges’ authority to issue nationwide injunctions against President Donald Trump’s executive order ending automatic birthright citizenship...
The Rebel Yellow - Issue #89
The Supreme Court delivered a major win to President Trump on birthright citizenship, setting the stage for continued legal battles led by Asian American lawyers. AAPI leaders in Los Angeles join Latino communities in pushing back against expanded ICE raids. In Oregon, Multnomah County formally apologizes for destroying Chinese American graves nearly a century ago. NBA champion Jaylin Williams signs a $24 million extension, Jet Li discloses his struggles with social anxiety, and new research suggests regular tech use may protect older adults’ brains.
SCOTUS hands Trump major win on birthright citizenship
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on Friday to curtail federal judges’ authority to issue nationwide injunctions against President Donald Trump’s executive order ending automatic birthright citizenship, though the policy’s future remains unclear as litigation continues in lower courts.
Catch up
Trump’s executive order, which was signed on his first day back at the White House, would eliminate citizenship for U.S.-born children whose parents lack citizenship or permanent legal status. Courts in Maryland, Massachusetts and Washington state blocked the directive with nationwide injunctions. The controversy centers on the 14th Amendment, which declares that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof” are citizens, with the traditional exception being children of foreign diplomats.
The 1898 Supreme Court case United States v. Wong Kim Ark established that birthright citizenship covers nearly all children born on U.S. soil, except for children of diplomats, enemies during wartime occupation, those born on foreign ships and children of sovereign Native American tribes. The Trump administration contends that children of noncitizens are not “subject to the jurisdiction” of the U.S. and therefore lack entitlement to citizenship, while critics argue this interpretation contradicts established precedent. Twenty-one states back the policy, while 22 Democratic-led states have filed legal challenges.
What the judges said
In the majority opinion, Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote that “when a court concludes that the Executive Branch has acted unlawfully, the answer is not for the court to exceed its power, too.” Barrett noted that federal courts “do not exercise general oversight of the Executive Branch; they resolve cases and controversies consistent with the authority Congress has given them.” The court restricted the injunctions “only to the extent that the injunctions are broader than necessary” and directed lower courts to “move expeditiously” in determining appropriate scope.
During a 20-minute reading from the bench, Justice Sonia Sotomayor called the ruling “nothing less than an open invitation for the government to bypass the Constitution” and labeled it a “travesty for the rule of law.” In a separate dissent, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson described the decision as “an existential threat to the rule of law.” Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in a concurring opinion that judges could potentially provide broad relief through “putative nationwide class” actions.
The big picture
The ruling represents a major change in how federal courts can constrain executive actions, with Trump calling it “amazing” and a “monumental victory for the Constitution.” The administration now plans to target other nationwide injunctions blocking policies on sanctuary city funding, refugee resettlement and federal funding for transgender surgeries.
Attorneys expect a wave of new class-action cases, with challengers already submitting revised lawsuits hours after the court’s decision. The court left open questions about whether states can obtain sweeping injunctions to safeguard their interests, while the policy stays blocked in New Hampshire under different litigation.
Asian American lawyers continue constitutional fight despite SCOTUS setback
Asian American legal organizations are pressing forward with their constitutional challenge against President Donald Trump’s birthright citizenship executive order, undeterred by Friday’s Supreme Court ruling that limited nationwide injunctions blocking the policy.
Response to the ruling
In a statement responding to the ruling, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), which leads a coalition with nearly 50 affiliates nationwide in defending birthright citizenship, reaffirmed its position that Executive Order 14160 is “patently unconstitutional.” The ruling addressed only procedural injunction issues, the group said, but not the constitutionality of the executive order.
NAPABA, which represents more than 80,000 Asian Pacific American legal professionals, had been preparing for this complex legal terrain. In an interview with The Rebel Yellow, Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel Rahat N. Babar said they have filed amicus briefs in the Courts of Appeals for the First, Fourth and Ninth Circuits and anticipated that litigation will likely continue.
Defending historical precedent
The coalition’s legal strategy centers on defending the 1898 landmark case United States v. Wong Kim Ark. “Since 1868, the plain language of the Fourteenth Amendment guarantees that ‘all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States,’” Babar emphasized, adding that Congress has also “enshrined this protection into statute.”
Babar argued that the Trump administration fundamentally misinterprets Wong Kim Ark by “mistakenly analogizing Wong Kim Ark’s parents to modern day green card holders.” Chinese migrants like Wong and his parents, he said, “faced widespread exclusion, mass violence, expulsions and draconian immigration restrictions” — a context crucial to understanding why the precedent should protect all U.S.-born children today.
“Much of this nation’s foundational immigration case law has been established by Asian American legal pioneers,” Babar noted, explaining how Chinese migrants faced “widespread and systematic violence and lynchings, restrictions on their ability to attend public schools, prohibitions from testifying in court, expulsions from their homes and a legal bar from immigrating to the United States.”
Community stakes and path forward
EO 14160 is expected to disproportionately impact Asian American families, who represent 65% of the Asian American adult population as immigrants. Asian immigrants account for 17% of all undocumented immigrants and over 88% of H-1B visa holders — categories whose U.S.-born children would lose citizenship under the policy.
To community members fearing for their citizenship, Babar reminds them of their constitutional rights. “Our community hails from many different countries of origin and with a variety of immigration statuses, and we contribute to our economy and to the fabric of [the] United States. The U.S. Constitution, not the preferences of any particular president, guarantees their citizenship,” he said.
With the Supreme Court having addressed only the scope of injunctions, the substantive constitutional questions now return to the appellate courts for resolution.
Asian Americans express solidarity with Latinos amid ICE raids in Los Angeles
Asian American and Pacific Islander leaders are organizing their communities to support Latinos as federal immigration enforcement expands across Los Angeles, warning that Asian immigrant areas may face increased scrutiny.
Catch up
Government data shows 722 arrests in the Los Angeles area from June 1-10, including 69% with no criminal history. Mexicans accounted for the highest number of detentions with 345 people, while 47 from Asian countries were arrested during the same period. Notable incidents include 36 Chinese and Taiwanese immigrants arrested from a Los Angeles nightclub and 16 individuals taken outside a Little Bangladesh grocery store.
Meanwhile, Southeast Asian refugees — including Cambodians, Laotians and Vietnamese — with long-suspended deportation orders are being detained during required ICE appointments. Business owners in Artesia’s Little India area report major drops in foot traffic, with one describing conditions as “worse” than the COVID-19 pandemic.
What they’re saying
Manjusha Kulkarni, who leads the AAPI Equity Alliance, characterized the enforcement approach at a press event in Little Tokyo on Thursday. “The images have been bone-chilling. Men in masks, refusing to identify themselves, snatching up street vendors, gardeners, chasing down innocent, hard working people,” Kulkarni said. Thai Community Development Center Executive Director Chancee Martorell called for an end to the “reign of terror” in their communities.
Meanwhile, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California CEO Connie Chung Joe described her community’s reaction. “Our community is much more silent, but we are being detained in really high numbers,” she said. “There’s such a stigma and fear that, unlike the Latinx community that wants to fight and speak out about the injustices, our community’s first reaction is to go down and get more and more hidden.” Indian American Councilmember Nithya Raman emphasized collective vulnerability, saying, “I also want to make it clear to every single person who is Asian American, these aren’t just raids on others. They’re raids on us.”
Why this matters
The collaboration between communities stems from shared vulnerabilities and principles of mutual aid. John Kim, president and CEO of Catalyst California, linked current circumstances to past experiences in his call for action. “When Asian communities have, in the past, been under attack, we often ask ourselves, ‘Why aren’t other communities standing beside us?’ In this moment, our Latino families are asking themselves that question, and we, as Asian Americans, who know the fear and pain they are suffering, need to answer that call,” he said.
For Asian Americans, communication barriers pose significant challenges amid the heightened enforcement. “I can guarantee you, those federal enforcement agents do not speak our languages,” Chung Joe noted. “That means people who have political asylum needs, and need to be going in front of court.” Schools have also become areas of concern, with Assemblymember Mike Fong saying federal agents tried to enter a daycare in his district while parents report being “scared to send their kids to school.”
Multiple AAPI organizations will join “Reclaim Our Streets” demonstrations scheduled for July 1 throughout Los Angeles.
Portland county apologizes for historical destruction of Chinese American graves
Multnomah County’s Board of Commissioners has formally apologized for its role in the destruction of Chinese American graves at Lone Fir Cemetery in Southeast Portland. The resolution, passed on June 26, follows decades of community advocacy and includes a $1 million budget allocation for a new memorial at the site.
Erased without record
Established in 1855, Lone Fir Cemetery served as one of the few burial grounds for Chinese immigrants and Chinese Americans in Portland. By the early 20th century, as many as 2,892 individuals had been buried in Block 14, a section marked with Chinese headstones and a cultural shrine.
In 1928, after acquiring the cemetery, Multnomah County banned further Chinese burials and religious rituals. In 1948, county workers began exhuming Chinese remains, bulldozing graves without consent or proper documentation. Approximately 265 bodies were removed, with some remains returned to China and others reburied anonymously. By 1953, the county had constructed a maintenance building and parking lot atop the site, erasing all visible signs of Chinese presence.
Acknowledging injustices
Archaeological research in 2005 confirmed that Chinese remains and artifacts still existed beneath the site. Metro, the regional government agency that took over the cemetery in 2007, partnered with local organizations to restore the area’s history.
In response to longrunning calls for official recognition and preservation made by several local groups, the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed the resolution, acknowledging the harm and committing to reparative action. The resolution renews a 2005 memorandum of understanding with Metro and outlines plans for public education and memorialization.
Public apology
Commissioner Meghan Moyer said it was her honor to represent District 1, where Block 14 is located, “because it gives me an opportunity to participate in the truth-telling and the beginning of a reconciliation between an institution that I am proud to be a part of, but that has committed acts that have inflicted incredible pain to the Chinese American community.”
“There are not words that can heal this type of action,” Moyer added, “but I think a consistent and sincere effort to take ownership and work collaboratively to restore the harm caused is the least we can do.”
Neil Lee, vice president of the Oregon Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, said the apology marks “a significant step to rebuild trust, equity and inclusion, and acknowledge a historical injustice.”
Kamala Harris 2028 presidential run sees sagging support
Former Vice President Kamala Harris is seeing less support for a potential 2028 presidential bid, according to a new poll, as sources say she is leaning toward a 2026 gubernatorial run in California.
Key findings: The latest Emerson College survey shows Harris capturing 13% of Democratic primary voters — a sharp decline from the pollster’s November survey, when she secured 37% support shortly after her 2024 presidential loss. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg leads the latest poll with 16%, while California Gov. Gavin Newsom holds 12%. However, Buttigieg’s lead comes with limitations as he registered zero support from Black voters, while Harris commands 30.1% backing in that community. The survey, which was conducted from June 24-25 among 1,000 registered voters, found 23% of Democrats remain undecided.
California Governor Harris?: Sources recently told The Hill that Harris is considering running for California governor, with one claiming that the prospect has given her “a glimmer in her eyes.” Harris, who has been meeting privately with longtime supporters in recent Bay Area visits to assess California’s current political landscape, has established an end-of-summer deadline for her decision and intends to use a July vacation for further deliberation. Democratic fundraisers, however, express mixed reactions to her potential run. Mather Martin, a San Francisco fundraiser who previously worked on Harris campaigns, told Politico, “There was more enthusiasm at first. I think it waned a bit.” Several major donors reportedly worry her candidacy could reopen wounds from her 2024 loss, with some seeking guarantees about her campaign approach and chances of victory.
Japan, U.S. commemorate 80th anniversary of Battle of Okinawa
Japan recently marked 80 years since the end of the Battle of Okinawa, the final and bloodiest ground battle of World War II in the Pacific. A memorial ceremony was held on June 23 at Mabuni Hill in Itoman City, the site of the conflict’s last stages, where Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki and members of the imperial family honored the estimated 200,000 people killed.
Calls for remembrance: Roughly half of the Japanese casualties were Okinawan civilians. Tamaki emphasized the importance of passing on the tragedy’s lessons to younger generations, citing heightened global tensions and the ongoing U.S. military presence on the island. Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako earlier paid tribute at the Cornerstone of Peace, where the names of all known war dead are engraved.
Ongoing recovery and memorials: U.S. Navy sailors also joined Okinawan volunteers on June 22 in a candle-lighting vigil at Peace Memorial Park, where nearly 7,000 candles were arranged to form the kanji for “peace.” Civic volunteers, including Takamatsu Gushiken, continue searching for remains in battlefield caves, though only six have been positively identified through DNA analysis.
Japan hangs “Twitter killer” in 1st execution since 2022
Convicted serial murderer Takahiro Shiraishi, known as the Twitter killer, was hanged at Tokyo Detention House on June 27, Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki announced.
The 34-year-old’s execution is the country’s first since 2022. “I ordered the execution after careful and deliberate consideration,” Suzuki told reporters. Shiraishi was sentenced to death in 2020 for murdering and dismembering eight women and one man he met on Twitter in 2017.
Investigators said Shiraishi contacted victims aged 15 to 26 who had posted suicidal thoughts on the platform, promising to help them die before assaulting and killing them. Rights advocates criticized the execution as a setback for justice reform while Suzuki noted that surveys show strong public support for capital punishment and that 105 inmates remain on death row.
Condom prank in Tokyo restaurant continues “sushi terrorism” trend
A 16-year-old boy in Tokyo has been referred to prosecutors after allegedly posting a photo of an unwrapped condom placed in the plate collection slot of a Kura Sushi restaurant. The incident occurred on March 28 at a branch in Toshima ward.
According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, the image quickly went viral online, gaining over 100,000 views within a day. Kura Sushi filed a complaint, prompting police to review surveillance footage and identify the boy. He is being investigated for obstructing business operations by fraudulent means.
During questioning, the teenager reportedly admitted to acting on impulse, saying he “posted it without thinking about the consequences” and wanted a reaction from friends. The prank forced the restaurant to close temporarily for disinfection and drew public criticism over hygiene standards at conveyor-belt sushi chains. The case has been cited as part of a broader rise in disruptive behavior at restaurants, labeled by Japanese media as “sushi terrorism.”
Vietnam eases citizenship rules for foreign spouses
Foreigners married to Vietnamese citizens can now acquire Vietnamese citizenship without residing in the country, following newly approved amendments to the Law on Vietnamese Nationality. The National Assembly passed the revisions on Tuesday, eliminating previous requirements such as five years of residency, Vietnamese language proficiency and financial self-sufficiency for applicants with Vietnamese family ties.
Under the updated law, foreign nationals with close familial connections such as spouses, children, parents or grandparents of Vietnamese citizens must still meet legal criteria. These include full civil capacity, adherence to Vietnamese law and traditions, and compliance with naming conventions. While most naturalized citizens adopt a Vietnamese or ethnic minority name, those permitted dual citizenship may use a combination of their Vietnamese and original names.
Officials say the changes aim to attract skilled professionals, investors and experts with Vietnamese family roots. Dual nationality remains subject to presidential approval and is prohibited for individuals holding positions in the Communist Party, military or specific public offices, which require sole Vietnamese citizenship.
How your parents’ tech habits could help protect their brain
A comprehensive meta-analysis published in Nature Human Behaviour indicates that regular use of digital technology is associated with a significantly reduced risk of cognitive decline in adults aged 50 and older. The study, conducted by researchers from Baylor University and the University of Texas at Austin, found that individuals engaging with devices such as smartphones, computers and the internet experienced a 58% lower risk of cognitive impairment compared to less frequent users.
What researchers found: The analysis of 57 studies with over 411,000 participants found that the benefits of tech use held steady even when accounting for education, income and baseline cognition. The findings challenge the “digital dementia” hypothesis, which suggests that prolonged digital device use may harm cognitive function. Instead, the study supports the “technological reserve” hypothesis — that engaging with digital tools can foster cognitive resilience.
Why it matters: With widespread device ownership and high broadband access, Asian American adults show the highest overall digital engagement. Pew Research Center’s 2024 tech-adoption survey found that 95% of Asian Americans own a smartphone — the highest among all major racial and ethnic groups — compared to 91% of white, 93% of Hispanic and 87% of Black adults. Additionally, 84% of Asian Americans subscribe to home broadband, surpassing 83% of white, 75% of Hispanic and 68% of Black households.
Addressing misconceptions: Michael Scullin, co-author of the study and associate professor of psychology and neuroscience at Baylor University, said the findings counter popular fears about technology’s impact on aging brains. “There was no credible evidence from the longitudinal studies, or the meta-analysis as a whole, for widespread digital ‘brain drain’ or ‘digital dementia’ as a result of general, natural uses of digital technology,” he wrote.
Active use matters: Researchers stress that meaningful tech use — like messaging, planning or information-seeking — is more beneficial than passive scrolling. They also call for further study into how tech habits shape long-term cognitive outcomes. Tasks such as learning new software or troubleshooting devices require problem-solving and adaptability, which may help maintain cognitive functions. Digital tools also support social connection and information access, both of which contribute to cognitive health.
Thunder reward Jaylin Williams with $24 million deal after historic title run
Jaylin Williams is staying put in Oklahoma City after the Thunder signed the 6-foot-8 forward/center to a three-year, $24 million extension on his 23rd birthday on Sunday.
Landing the deal: The Vietnamese American big man made NBA history earlier this month as the league’s first player of Vietnamese descent to win a championship. Oklahoma City declined his $2.1 million option for the 2025–26 season and replaced it with a deal that includes a club option in the third year.
Key stats from title run: The Thunder drafted Williams in the second round (34th overall) in 2022 out of Arkansas. During the 2024–25 championship season he appeared in 47 games (nine starts), averaging 5.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists, while shooting 39.9 percent from 3-point range. He saw key minutes during the Western Conference Finals and contributed crucial rebounds in the Finals.
Why the deal matters: Locking in Williams strengthens the Thunder’s depth and preserves continuity in their rotation. His combination of size, high basketball IQ and floor spacing makes him a versatile contributor in coach Mark Daigneault’s system and a key piece of their evolving championship core.
“Pitch Perfect” goes K-pop: The “Pitch Perfect” franchise is getting another TV spinoff with “Pitch Perfect: K-Pop Idols,” coming to Peacock. Written by Joel Kim Booster, the show follows a struggling singer-songwriter whose life turns upside down when she auditions for America’s first K-pop group, as per Variety. Elizabeth Banks, who starred in the original films, will produce the series alongside her husband Max Handelman. This comes after the previous spinoff, “Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin,” was canceled following just one season during the 2023 strikes.
Jet Li reveals social anxiety struggle, says he may be “slightly autistic”
Martial arts legend Jet Li recently revealed that he has long struggled with social anxiety, often avoiding media events and crowds unless required for filming.
In a Douyin Reel uploaded on June 20, the 62-year-old said early fame caused him to lose his sense of self. “I couldn’t even eat a meal outside because everyone would crowd around me to talk,” he said. “If I didn’t smile, they would say I wasn’t polite. I realized that I couldn’t satisfy everyone. When I saw others unhappy, I felt a sense of fear and worry.”
The pressure led Li to withdraw from social settings, and he admitted, “I think I may be a bit of a recluse.” He added that he suspects he may be “slightly autistic,” describing how fan expectations become overwhelming. “You sign for the first 50 people, but the next 10 who didn’t get an autograph won’t be happy,” he said.
To address his isolation, Li turned to philanthropy, founding the One Foundation in 2007 and working with the Red Cross Society of China. “Sometimes I think, when I’m helping others, I’m also helping myself to become someone who is more open to communicating with others,” he said.