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Advancing Justice – AAJC Appoints New COO

and Celebrates Staff's Achievements

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

Advancing Justice – AAJC Director of Litigation Honored with

Public Sector Leadership Award

Advocacy

Children’s Advocates Call for Permanent Protections

for Dreamers

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 for more details and statements from our partners.

130 Organizations Urge President Trump to Restore Humanitarian Protections

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.

Anti-Hate

Anti-Asian Hate Report

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.

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