AJSOCAL is hosting a free, week-long webinar series to highlight the lived experiences, challenges, and strengths of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities during this volatile and precarious time for immigrants. The series, AAPI Immigrant Justice, will feature subject matter experts and community partners who will offer context, research, real life stories, and practical entry points for public engagement.
As the fastest growing racial and ethnic group in the U.S., immigration is a core part of the AAPI story, and AAPI immigration is essential in California’s advocacy landscape. However, AAPI immigrant stories are often pushed to the margins, leaving our needs forgotten, untold, and unmet. Like all immigrant communities, the AAPI community is diverse and faces many unique challenges, especially in the context of today’s assault on immigration. Allies, advocates, and the public are invited to learn about the AAPI immigrant community so that our advocacy can better respond to the diverse needs our immigrant communities face during these tumultuous times.
Each day of the webinar series will take place from 1 PM – 2 PM PT daily and cover an essential theme:
May 4th: Lives Behind the Numbers
This webinar will focus on the diversity of the AAPI immigrant community and emphasize the importance of disaggregated data. AJSOCAL’s researchers will highlight the wealth disparity and immigrant diversity of AAPI’s in California and how AAPIs are targets of the current administration’s immigration enforcement.
Speakers: Yannan (Lukia) Li, she/her, AJSOCAL, Senior Research Analyst;
Steven Zhang, he/him, AJSOCAL, Senior Research Analyst
May 5th: Is Accessing Healthcare Safe for Immigrants?
The session will focus on AAPI immigrant perspectives on health, the barriers they face to access affordable and culturally responsive care, and the challenges of navigating the U.S. healthcare system. FQHC and CBO leaders will discuss how recent policy changes affect coverage, care-seeking, and community trust, as well as ways advocates, navigators, and providers can better support AAPI immigrant families.
Speakers: Connie Lo, she/her, AJSOCAL, Health Access Director;
Jack Cheng, he/him, Chinatown Service Center, Chief Operations Officer;
‘Alisi Tulua, Southern California Pacific Islander Community Response Team (SoCal PICRT), Executive Director
May 6th: Seeing is Believing, English Not Required
AJSOCAL’s communications experts will discuss the unique challenges to messaging and coverage in both English and ethnic media in order to build trust within the AAPI community. This session will explore the unique coordination and challenges to uplift AAPI stories and messages within English dominant or limited English proficient audiences.
Speakers: Liana Liang, she/her, AJSOCAL, Communications Manager;
Chan Saelee, he/him, AJSOCAL, Community Engagement Lead
May 7th: The Complexity of AAPI Immigration
This session will dive into the AAPI immigrant experience, and how every attack on immigration pathways is an attack on the AAPI community due to the vast diversity of experiences. AJSOCAL’s immigration expert will share how AAPI communities today endure generations of fear, assimilation, and othering – from Wong Kim Ark to Barbara v US.
Speakers: Andy Ji, he/him, AJSOCAL, Managing Director, Immigrant Justice Unit
May 8th: Families Under Pressure
AJSOCAL’s Survivor and Family Empowerment (SAFE) team experts will discuss how domestic violence and immigration are intersectional issues through an AAPI lens. This session will highlight the unique challenges AAPI immigrant survivors face while navigating safety, language access, and the legal system.
Speakers: Barbara Le, she/her, AJSOCAL, SAFE Staff Attorney;
Katrina Espina, she/her, AJSOCAL, Managing Director, Community Justice Unit
Stay informed and register here.
