September 11, 2024, In response to the passage of two controversial bills in the House of Representatives, Rep. Judy Chu, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), issued a sharp condemnation. The House voted to pass H.R. 1398, the Protect America’s Innovation and Economic Security from CCP Act of 2024, which seeks to reinstate the Trump-era China Initiative, and H.R. 9465, the Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024, which mandates the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to review agricultural land purchases made by immigrants from China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran. These bills have sparked concern, particularly within the Asian American community.
In her statement, Rep. Chu denounced the bills as an unjust attack on the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community under the guise of “national security.” She criticized H.R. 1398 for attempting to revive the controversial China Initiative, a program launched under the Trump administration that targeted Asian American scientists and scholars, leading to unjust investigations and arrests. Chu described it as a “McCarthy-style witch hunt” based on racial profiling rather than legitimate evidence of wrongdoing. While the initiative was intended to address economic espionage, she pointed out that its execution was deeply flawed, disproportionately harming Asian American scientists and the broader academic community, while undermining the U.S.’s global competitive edge.
Rep. Chu also condemned H.R. 9465, comparing its provisions to the racist alien land laws of the past, which deprived Asian immigrants, particularly those from China and Japan, of property rights. She warned that this bill’s broad language would treat legal immigrants from countries like China, Iran, and Russia as national security threats simply for attempting to purchase farmland. Chu emphasized that this kind of discriminatory reasoning led to past injustices, including the internment of 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War II, despite no evidence of espionage.
“I vehemently condemn the passage of these bills today,” said Rep. Chu. “We should be passing legislation based on evidence that strengthens our country—not tearing it down based on race, ethnicity, or national origin.”
The passage of these bills comes at a time of heightened tension between the U.S. and China, alongside growing scrutiny of immigrants from nations perceived as adversaries. This political climate has created a troubling environment for Asian American communities, especially for those of Chinese descent. H.R. 1398 and H.R. 9465 are seen by many as reflections of this broader anxiety, and critics argue that they further inflame anti-Asian sentiment and xenophobia.
Asian American communities fear that the bills could exacerbate existing racial bias and discrimination, particularly in sectors like academia, business, and land ownership. At a time when hate crimes against Asian Americans have surged, these legislative moves could deepen divisions and perpetuate harmful stereotypes. Community leaders and advocacy groups are rallying against these bills, calling for a focus on evidence-based national security policies that do not scapegoat or discriminate against immigrants based on their race or national origin.
By denouncing these bills, Rep. Chu reaffirms CAPAC’s commitment to defending civil rights and ensuring that national security concerns are addressed without resorting to racial profiling or reviving unjust policies of the past.
