[VT Philadelphia | August 25, 2025] The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) recently featured a report by Chinese in US (CUS) as a top post, highlighting the importance of immigrant rights and civil protections for Chinese and Asian American communities. CAPAC, founded in 1994 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., is composed of 82 members of the U.S. Congress, including Chair Grace Meng (NY-6), First Vice Chair Mark Takano (CA-39), Second Vice Chair Jill Tokuda (HI-2), Whip Ami Bera (CA-6), Freshman Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), and Chair Emerita Judy Chu (CA-28). CAPAC is dedicated to advancing Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) issues, including civil rights, educational equity, economic opportunity, and anti-discrimination legislation.
Earlier this month, CAPAC Chair Grace Meng (NY-6) and Executive Board Member Dave Min (CA-47), alongside other Asian American members of Congress including Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Mark Takano (CA-39), Derek Tran (CA-45), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Judy Chu (CA-28), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-8), Jill Tokuda (HI-2), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Ami Bera (CA-6), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-3), Pramila Jayapal (WA-7), and Al Green (TX-9), sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requesting explanations regarding the detention and treatment of Asian immigrants and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
ICYMI: @CongressMin and Chair @RepGraceMeng led 14 CAPAC Members in demanding answers into ICE’s mistreatment of Asian immigrants.
We will not let these abuses go unchecked. There must be accountability. pic.twitter.com/LUSTogvFB4
— Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (@CAPAC) August 21, 2025
Key Cases Highlighted
The letter cited multiple cases raising community concern, showing that Asian individuals were detained at ports of entry or by immigration enforcement, sometimes deprived of constitutional rights such as access to counsel and due process:
- Tae Heung “Will” Kim: Texas A&M doctoral candidate, LPR, detained for nearly a week upon returning from South Korea, isolated from family and attorney.
- Yeonsoo Go: 20-year-old Purdue University student, R-2 dependent visa holder, detained by ICE during a routine visa hearing.
- Lewelyn Dixon: Lab technician at University of Washington Medical Center, detained by CBP and held by ICE for months after visiting the Philippines; lived legally in the U.S. since age 14.
- Maximo Londonio: Member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW), detained by CBP and held by ICE for two months; immigrated legally at age 12.
Questions Raised
CAPAC’s letter requested DHS clarify:
- The number of U.S. citizens and LPRs detained by CBP and ICE since January 20, 2025, broken down by nationality, legal status, and detention length, including the proportion of Asian detainees and instances of denied legal access.
- Detentions involving students, faculty, or researchers at U.S. universities, with relevant details.
- Reasons for exceeding CBP’s 72-hour detention limit under the Transportation, Escort, Detention, and Search (TEDS) standards, and DHS oversight mechanisms.
- Legal basis for CBP’s denial of attorney access.
Significance of CUS Coverage
CUS is the first and only Chinese-language media outlet whose reporting has been featured by CAPAC, while other outlets featured are English-language. This recognition reflects not only mainstream acknowledgment of CUS’s reporting but also its critical role in amplifying community voices and raising public awareness. By covering legal and social issues affecting Asian immigrants, CUS provides essential information and empowers communities, increasing visibility and advocacy capacity.
The feature also received additional recognition from CAPAC Executive Board Member Dave Min, who shared the report, and CAPAC Chair Emerita Judy Chu, the first Chinese American woman elected to Congress, who expressed her support for the coverage—further affirming CUS’s impact on Asian American civic engagement and advocacy.
