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Happy Holidays! 2025 has been a year of significant pushback and moving with purpose in civil rights advocacy for our communities. Together, we challenged threats to constitutional protections, underscored the impact of unlawful or dangerous actions that affect the Asian American and allied communities, and championed policies that move us toward a more equitable nation. As we look ahead to 2026, we remain even more determined for the work to come.
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* Birthright citizenship on the line. Supreme Court to decide – AsAmNews ([link removed])
* FBI report: Anti-Asian hate remains high in Washington ([link removed])
* The Voting Rights Act Is Still Working To Stop Racist Laws. The Supreme Court Might Not Care. - Dem… ([link removed])



** In other news…
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** Advancing Justice – AAJC Calls for Removal of Harmful NDAA Provisions ([link removed])
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** Asian Americans Advancing Justice ([link removed]) – ([link removed]) AAJC celebrates reintroduction of the AI Civil Rights Act to hold tech companies accountable ([link removed])
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** Asian Americans Advancing Justice ([link removed]) – ([link removed]) AAJC Denounces Executive Order Threatening Responsible AI Regulation ([link removed])
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* Reuniting Families Act of 2025 ([link removed])
* Testimony: Hearing on "Enumeration or Estimation: Why Inaccurate Census Results Hurt American Citizens” ([link removed])


** Follow Advancing Justice – AAJC on social media!
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Advancing Justice – AAJC Appoints New COO

and Celebrates Staff's Achievements


** Welcoming Kareem W. Shora as Advancing Justice
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** – AAJC’s First Chief Operating Officer
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We are happy to welcome Kareem W. Shora as our organization’s first Chief Operating Officer. This important step will strengthen our internal capacity, deepen our impact and help us better address the heightened attacks on our rights and freedoms.


Kareem is a nationally recognized civil rights, violence prevention, and immigrant rights advocate with over 25 years of leadership experience in the fight against hate crimes and discrimination. Kareem brings 14 years of service in the US Government, playing leadership roles in civil rights and civil liberties oversight, grassroots community engagement, and violence prevention. He previously served as Executive Vice President of Programs and Policy at Human Rights First, where he helped guide initiatives addressing hate-inspired targeted violence, supporting survivors of hate crimes, and shaping high-impact litigation and democracy protection policy advocacy strategies. He also spent a decade at the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, serving as legal advisor, legal director, and eventually, national executive director.


Kareem’s track record as a bridge builder and tireless advocate for the civil rights and safety of all communities will strengthen our mission and expand our impact at this critical moment.


Reflecting on his new role, Kareem shared:


“I am honored to join Advancing Justice – AAJC as communities across the country, including Asian American communities, are facing unprecedented attacks on our rights. Defending diversity and equal opportunity is foundational to a democracy that works for all of us. As Chief Operating Officer, I am committed to helping strengthen Advancing Justice – AAJC’s mission and expanding the reach of our civil and human rights work.”


With Kareem’s arrival, Advancing Justice – AAJC marks a new chapter as we build toward long-term sustainability and strengthen our capacity to protect civil rights, combat discrimination and violence, and advance a democracy that works for everyone. We are thrilled to welcome Kareem. He is an extraordinary leader who brings experience, integrity, and leadership to our organization and we look forward to Kareem contributing to Advancing Justice – AAJC’s vision and mission.


** Advancing Justice – AAJC’s Director of the Anti-Hate Program appointed to serve as a Commissioner on the District of Columbia Human Rights Commission
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Sim J. Singh Attariwala, Director of the Anti-Hate Program at Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC, has been appointed to serve as a Commissioner on the District of Columbia Human Rights Commission ([link removed]) an important milestone for Sikh American visibility and leadership in public service.

His appointment, made by Mayor Muriel Bowser and approved by the DC Council, reflects deep confidence in his expertise and long-standing commitment to civil rights. As one of the first Sikh Americans to serve on this influential body, Sim will help uphold and advance some of the strongest anti-discrimination and human rights protections in the nation.


** Advancing Justice – AAJC Director of Litigation Honored with
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** Public Sector Leadership Award
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We are proud to celebrate Niyati Shah, Director of Litigation at Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC, who received the Public Sector Leadership Award ([link removed]) from National Asian Pacific American Bar Association for her outstanding impact in public interest law.

As the head of Advancing Justice –

AAJC’s litigation lead, Niyati advances critical racial justice and civil rights cases spanning voting rights, immigration and national security, tech and telecom equity, census accuracy, anti–racial profiling, and education equity. She served as one of the lead attorneys in Lupe v. Ross, successfully stopping the addition of a citizenship question to the 2020 Census.

Niyati exemplifies public service and legal leadership and has built a career dedicated to protecting consumers, families and vulnerable communities.


** Advocacy
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** Children’s Advocates Call for Permanent Protections
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** for Dreamers
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This month, Senators Dick Durbin and Lisa Murkowski reintroduced the bipartisan Dream Act of 2025, legislation that would finally provide a pathway to citizenship for young immigrants who came to the U.S. as children. These young people commonly known as “Dreamers” grew up in the United States and consider it their home, yet many still lack permanent legal status. With ongoing litigation against DACA and recent unlawful arrests of DACA recipients, children’s advocates including members of the Children Thrive Action Network (CTAN) stress the urgent need for a lasting solution.

Advancing Justice – AAJC’s Director of Immigration Advocacy, Martin Kim, noted that more than 100,000 AAPI young people remain without permanent relief despite building their lives and families here. Partner organizations emphasized that Dreamers are integral members of our communities, and protecting them strengthens the health, stability, and future of millions of children and families nationwide.

Read the full article online ([link removed]) for more details and statements from our partners.


** 130 Organizations Urge President Trump to Restore Humanitarian Protections
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In the aftermath of the November 26 attack in Washington, D.C., 130 national, state, and local organizations including legal services providers, humanitarian groups, civil rights advocates, labor organizations, and faith-based partners sent a joint letter to President Trump calling on the administration to restore humanitarian protections

and ensure a fair, humane immigration system free from discriminatory policies and rhetoric.

Read and download the full letter here ([link removed]) .


** Anti-Hate
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** Anti-Asian Hate Report
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Advancing Justice – AAJC has released Anti-Asian Hate in 2024: Analysis and Recommendations for Change, a new report offering a deeper look at the FBI’s 2024 Hate Crime Statistics. While the federal data provides a national snapshot, it often lacks the detail needed to understand the full scope of anti-Asian hate. Our analysis examines national and regional trends, year-over-year changes, and patterns in offense types and locations, drawing from both federal data and community-based sources. The report also includes recommendations for community partners and policymakers.

Download the full report here ([link removed]) .


** Support Advancing Justice – AAJC
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Your support is very important to advancing civil and human rights. Your contribution strengthens our work for justice and equality. Together, we can make a difference.
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