Press Statement
For Immediate Release
June 5, 2025

Illinois Commits $2 Million to Inclusive History Education Following Community Advocacy

Funding secured after years of organizing to implement racial equity mandates in public schools

CHICAGO, IL – Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago celebrates a major victory in the FY26 Illinois state budget: the appropriation of $2 million for the implementation of inclusive K-12 history mandates. This funding will help ensure that all Illinois students see their communities reflected in the histories they learn in the classroom. Administered by the Illinois State Board of Education, these funds will support the expansion of access to professional development, culturally responsive curriculum, and instructional support for educators statewide.

Illinois has passed multiple inclusive history laws over the last five years, including mandates on Asian American, Native American, Muslim, and LGBTQ+ histories. However, many districts have struggled with implementation due to lack of resources.

“The hard part of passing bills isn’t just the advocacy to get it done – it’s in the implementation,” said Grace Pai, Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago. “Many teachers were never taught Asian American or other marginalized histories themselves. This investment begins to close the gap and ensures students across the state receive an education that tells the full story of who we are.”

This win was the result of three years of persistent advocacy by Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago after the passage of the Teaching Equitable Asian American History (TEAACH) Act in 2021. The $2 million appropriation is a step toward our long-term vision of an education system that equips every student to see themselves and their peers with dignity and understanding.

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About Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago

Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago builds power through collective advocacy and grassroots organizing to achieve racial equity. Our work centers immigrant justice, education equity, and community-led democracy. Learn more at www.advancingjustice-chicago.org

Press Statement
For Immediate Release
May 14th, 2025

 Asian Americans Advancing Justice Welcomes Rümeysa Öztürk’s Release and Urges Immediate Action for Mahmoud Khalil and all Detained Students

Asian Americans Advancing Justice is relieved by the release of Rümeysa Öztürk, the Tufts University Ph.D. student whose six-week detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was ruled unjust by a federal judge on Friday.

Öztürk was detained without formal charges after co-writing an op-ed in her campus newspaper criticizing the university’s response to student activists’ demands related to Israel and Palestine. The administration revoked her visa with no transparent process or justification, and she faced deportation proceedings before being released more than 30 days later. Though her release is welcomed, this incident raises urgent concerns about the fragile state of our democracy and how the federal government is abusing its power to strip away lawful presence and civil liberties — especially for immigrants, students, and activists. 

Öztürk’s treatment is not just an isolated event – it is part of an alarming trend of attempts to suppress our voices, especially on college campuses, through immigration enforcement. It disproportionately affects Asian Americans and many other communities due to their immigration statuses. 

The detention of Öztürk and the targeting of other student activists such as Yunseo Chung sends a message to thousands: speaking up could cost you your home, your education, or your freedom.

While we celebrate Öztürk’s release, we remain deeply alarmed that Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian graduate student at Columbia University, remains in ICE detention. Khalil, a green card holder, was detained on March 8th after ICE agents informed him that his student visa had been revoked due to his participation in pro-Palestinian protests. His continued incarceration raises urgent questions about equal protection under the law, due process and the targeting of student activists—particularly those whose views are opposed to the administration.

Detaining students for exercising political expression raises significant Constitutional concerns and is a direct threat to our shared democratic values. We demand their immediate release and call for an end to the criminalization of peaceful protest, especially among international and immigrant students.

We urge lawmakers, institutions, and the broader public to stand with students facing similar threats to their freedom, and to remain vigilant in defending the rights of all students to speak out without fear of retaliation.

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Contact:

Aleisha Flores, aflores@advancingjustice-aajc.org

Liza Ameen, lameen@ajsocal.org

James Woo, media@advancingjustice-atlanta.org

Arjumand Khan, akhan@advancingjustice-chicago.org

About Asian Americans Advancing Justice

Asian Americans Advancing Justice is a national affiliation of four leading Asian American civil rights organizations committed to advancing the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and building a more just society for all.

Press Statement

Advancing Justice | Chicago Responds to
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security’s Visit to Illinois

CHICAGO, IL — Today, May 7, 2025, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem visited Springfield, Illinois, to criticize the state’s sanctuary policies, including the TRUST Act, which limits local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

In response, Advancing Justice | Chicago reaffirms its unwavering commitment to Illinois as a sanctuary for all.

We stand in solidarity with Governor J.B. Pritzker, Attorney General Kwame Raoul, and local leaders who have consistently upheld the rights and dignity of immigrant communities.
Illinois’ sanctuary status, codified through the bipartisan TRUST Act of 2017, prohibits local law enforcement from detaining individuals solely based on immigration status. This legislation ensures that all residents, regardless of their immigration status, can access essential services without fear of deportation, thereby fostering safer and more inclusive communities.

Advancing Justice | Chicago has long championed policies that promote immigrant rights, such as advocating for increased funding for immigrant services and expanding language access across state government.

While we recognize the challenges posed by recent federal actions, including lawsuits aimed at dismantling sanctuary protections, we remain steadfast in our belief that a compassionate, equitable society welcomes and supports all people, no matter their immigration status.

As we continue our work, we urge all elected officials to uphold the values of justice and equity. Illinois must remain a sanctuary for all and a place where every individual has the opportunity to live with dignity and thrive.

Press Contact: Arjumand Khan
Communications Manager
Advancing Justice | Chicago
Email: akhan@advancingjustice-chicago.org

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Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago builds power through collective advocacy and organizing to achieve racial equity. Learn more at www.advancingjustice-chicago.org.  

Press Release

Immediate Release: Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Media Contact: Advancing Justice | Chicago
Communications Manager
Arjumand Khan email: akhan@advancingjustice-chicago.org

Hundreds Gather for 12th Annual Asian American Action Day in Springfield to Demand “Sanctuary for All”

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois– More than 500 community members from across Illinois converged at the State Capitol today for the 12th annual Asian American Action Day, organized by the Pan Asian Voter Empowerment (PAVE) Coalition and led by Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago.
This year’s powerful gathering marked the 50th anniversary of the end of the wars in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos and served as a moment of remembrance, resistance, and renewed calls for immigrant justice under the rallying cry: “Sanctuary for All.”

“I felt really empowered by the day and felt connected to my community. We do not need anyone to speak for us; we can speak for our needs. Our voices belong in the Capitol and our voices deserve to be heard,” said Nebula Li, Advancing Justice | Chicago volunteer leader.

Dozens of lobby teams made up of concerned community members spent the day advocating for policies that uplift and protect Asian American communities.

This year’s legislative priorities include increasing funding for the Immigrant Services Line Item and Access to Justice program, as well as legislation that promotes inclusive school calendars, protections for undocumented immigrants, and affordable housing.

These face-to-face meetings with lawmakers demonstrated the power of grassroots civic engagement and the impact of community-led advocacy in shaping statewide policy.

The PAVE Coalition was honored and acknowledged on the House floor during the legislative session by state Representative Kevin Olickal. State Representative Theresa Mah also highlighted Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago for their leadership within the Coalition.

The day culminated with a rally that began with a heartfelt tribute to Tuyet Le, the former Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago and the visionary founder of both Asian American Action Day and the Asian American Caucus in the Illinois Legislature. The tribute was delivered by Deputy Governor Grace Hou.

Emceed by Stella Wang of Advancing Justice | Chicago and Philana Quan of the Vietnamese Association of Illinois, the rally program included powerful reflections from Southeast Asian American community leaders and personal testimonies highlighting the ongoing challenges facing immigrants and refugees.

Chants of “What do we want? Sanctuary for all! When do we want it? Now!” echoed throughout the Capitol rotunda.

Speakers from the Cambodian Association of Illinois, Lao American Organization of Elgin, and Vietnamese Association of Illinois shared moving reflections on intergenerational trauma and resilience.
Community testimonies from Norasing Kethdy, Jong Hee Yoon (with interpretation by Sunyoung Pierce), and 16-year-old Adam Kattom of the Muslim Civic Coalition underscored the urgent need for increased investment in immigrant services, legal protections, and inclusive school policies.
Illinois’ Asian American elected officials also took the stage in support of the day’s demands. Representative Hoan Huynh, Representative Theresa Mah, and Senator Ram Villivalam expressed solidarity with the community and reaffirmed their commitment to immigrant justice and legislative change.

The event brought together all 19 organizations in the PAVE Coalition and ended with a group photo, final chants, and a unified call to continue the work toward sanctuary and justice for all.

This year’s Asian American Action Day served not only as a commemoration of history, but as a mobilizing force for policy change and a future rooted in solidarity, safety, and dignity for all communities.

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Media note: Please see the following link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12jD01_gsvXgO-CQn0_eKzTC5ci2PNRh3?usp=sharing_eil&ts=68129ade for pictures from AAA Day 2025. Photo credit: Advancing Justice | Chicago

Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago builds power through collective advocacy and organizing to achieve racial equity. Learn more at www.advancingjustice-chicago.org.  

     PRESS STATEMENT: Friday, April 11th, 2025

     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Asian Americans Advancing Justice Denounces House Passage of SAVE Act  

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, the House of Representatives voted to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, a dangerous piece of legislation that creates barriers to voting for millions of Americans. The act requires individuals to show documentary proof of citizenship such as a passport or birth certificate to register or re-register to vote with the goal of preventing noncitizen voting in federal elections – something that is exceedingly rare. The bill will now move to the Senate for consideration. 

Asian Americans Advancing Justice, a network of four affiliated independent civil rights organizations issues the following statement: 

“We are dismayed by the House’s decision to advance the misnamed SAVE Act, which is an unwarranted attack on voting rights for all who are eligible. In reality, the SAVE Act exploits divisive claims about voter fraud to undermine the democratic process and villainize immigrant communities. And while it aims to target noncitizens, it will make registering to vote significantly more difficult for the over 21 million Americans who were born here or are naturalized citizens, who do not have ready access to the required forms of identification only due to the nature of accessing or maintaining such documents. 

“Additionally, the SAVE Act’s mandate for states to purge voter rolls of noncitizens is an error-prone process due to outdated information in many state and federal databases. It will disproportionately harm communities of color, including Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI), especially the nearly 50% who are naturalized. Let’s call the SAVE Act what it actually is: fraudulent fearmongering designed to exclude qualified voters. 

“We already know that requiring proof of citizenship when registering to vote creates barriers for eligible voters. Past attempts to require proof of citizenship to vote and remove suspected noncitizens from voter rolls at the state level erroneously blocked thousands of eligible voters from exercising their right to vote. While this outcome is disappointing, we will continue working to defend the right of all eligible Americans to show up at the ballot box.” 

PRESS CONTACT: 

Aleisha Flores (771) 233-8202 aflores@advancingjustice-aajc.org

Liana Liang (213) 977‑7500 x237 lliang@ajsocal.org

Rachael Ramchand (404) 585-8446 x990 rramchand@advancingjustice-atlanta.org 

Arjumand Khan (773) 616-0755 akhan@advancingjustice-chicago.org

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Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago builds power through collective advocacy and organizing to achieve racial equity. Learn more at www.advancingjustice-chicago.org.  

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