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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF)

@aaldef.bsky.social
502 followers 77 following 194 posts

Protecting the civil rights of Asian Americans since 1974 | Immigrant rights | Labor rights | Voting rights | www.linktr.ee/aaldef

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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
At the same time, Muslim, Arab, Sikh, South Asian, and other immigrant communities began facing discrimination, violence, surveillance, and other civil rights abuses. 9/11 forced many of them to prove their allegiance to America even as law enforcement and hate groups continued to target them. 3/4
Sikh Americans at a vigil in Central Park in New York City following the September 11, 2001 attacks. Credit: Corky Lee.
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
In the midst of deep uncertainty and grief, AALDEF staff and community partners gathered the next morning in Manhattan to begin strategizing what our communities would need. Manhattan’s Chinatown suffered devastating economic, health, and community consequences in the aftermath of the attacks. 2/4
A boy at a memorial in Chatham Square in Manhattan's Chinatown for victims of the 9/11 attacks. Credit: Lia Chang.
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
September 11, 2001 was primary election day in New York City, which meant a busy day for AALDEF staff in the office taking calls on our hotline and other staff scattered across the city to monitor polls. “Our lives changed forever,” says Margaret Fung, who was in the office that day. 1/4
“Suddenly, we heard a thunderous crash, looked out our windows to see a building on fire eight blocks away, and felt the floor shake as the South Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed at 9:59 am.”

—Margaret Fung, who took this photo on her camera phone as she and AALDEF staff evacuated the area
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Today’s devastating court ruling has real consequences for thousands of TPS holders from Burma, who have been in a state of limbo since the Trump administration first announced it would be terminating TPS for Burma. 1/5
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
We love movies — films that delve into themes of love, relationships, grief, and complex emotions. AALDEF is proud to partner again with the Asian American International Film Festival to uplift Asian American stories and the Asian American storytellers putting them on the screen.
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Less than a week after ICE shot and killed Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, ICE shot and killed Johan Sebastian Guerrero. ICE is rampaging our communities. From Minnesota to Texas to now Maine, this is the 11th fatal shooting by ICE in 2026 that we know about. 1/5
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
"This should have been a 9-0 decision," said AALDEF's Bethany Li. By one vote, the court affirmed that the 14th Amendment guarantees the right to citzenship for all people born in the U.S. regardless of ancestry. Read the full New York Times article: www.nytimes.com/2026/07/01/u...?
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
The recent Supreme Court ruling creates uncertainty for TPS holders from Burma, Yemen, and other countries. This ruling DOES NOT mean immediate deportation. TPS protections for Burma and Yemen remain for now.
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
Much joy, much Asian, and much much PRIDE ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤🤎
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
The moment Bowen realizes he’s covering the Kochiyama seal 👀 The story behind that is slice of American history: Our org name is long. We wanted a logo to promote our acronym—AALDEF. Bill Kochiyama (husband of Yuri Kochiyama) designed a seal, which we’ve adapted in many variations/colors ever since!
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
Incredible. Thrilling. Joyous. Home. You had to be there. #PrideNYC 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Today’s devastating Supreme Court decision creates new fear and uncertainty for TPS holders from Burma, Yemen, and other countries. Importantly, this ruling does not mean immediate deportation—current protections and work authorization for Burma and Yemen remain in place for now.
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Today, the Supreme Court issued its decision on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti and Syria, stripping federal courts of key power to review the Trump administration's unjust terminations of TPS for thousands of immigrants.
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
The safety of our communities is interconnected. Read our joint statement with a multiracial coalition of civil rights organizations in response to the acquittal of Rick Chow in the fatal shooting of Cyrus Carmack-Belton. @legaldefensefund.bsky.social @aaaj-aajc.bsky.social @aaaj-atlanta.bsky.social
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Today, a congressional committee is holding a hearing targeting @splcenter.org —a civil rights organization that protects communities from threats to fair voting and violence from hate groups.
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
Last weekend in Alabama, AALDEF joined @legaldefensefund.bsky.social and @blackvotersmatterfund.org in a National Day of Action for Voting Rights, standing with communities from across the country to demand fair maps and voting rights after SCOTUS’s harmful decision in Louisiana v. Callais. 1/3
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
AALDEF issued the above statement in response to the tragic shooting at the San Diego Islamic Center which led to the senseless murder of 3 community members.  Kindly consider donating to the Islamic Center's relief fund for victims and families:  goodbricks.org/campaign/ics...
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
The dismantling of the Voting Rights Act is a reminder that we have unfinished business. This fight is ours — and we are going to finish it. Join @blackvotersmtr, @naacp_ldf, AALDEF, and other advocates this Saturday in Montgomery to fight for our democracy. #DayOfAction #VotingRights
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Last week, a federal court stopped the termination of TPS for Yemen. This means Yemeni TPS holders keep their lawful status, work authorization, and protection from detention/deportation while our case continues. Learn more about the case and what this means for you: www.aaldef.org/resources/tp...
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Today marks both May Day and the beginning of AAPI Heritage Month — a reminder that our stories of identity are also stories of labor, resistance, and solidarity.
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
From the very beginning, the fight for voting rights has always been about who belongs and who gets a say in shaping this country. Today, the importance of that fight and what’s at stake is clearer than ever.
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Today, the Supreme Court delivered a profound setback in Louisiana v. Callais by dismantling one of the most transformational protections of the Voting Rights Act—effectively rendering Section 2 unusable as a safeguard against racial discrimination and redistricting.
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Our response to the DoJ's investigation of @splcenter.org: We will not be intimidated, even as the admin continues to deploy agencies to further its war against immigrants, racial and religious minorities, other marginalized people, and now the civil rights organizations fighting on their behalf.
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Asian immigrants are among the largest groups in removal proceedings in NY, yet the city's immigration legal services system is largely out of reach for them. Most intake hotlines don't offer a single Asian language. Outreach to Asian communities is rare.
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
"When the Trump administration terminated Temporary Protected Status for Burma, a temporary immigration pathway that over 3,000 Burmese immigrants are relying on, a friend of mine remarked that we fled a tyrant only to run into the arms of a worse one..."
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Nurul Amin Shah Alam should be alive. DHS agents released Mr. Shah Alam outside a closed coffee shop on a freezing night with no money, no phone, and no interpreter. From arrest to abandonment, the system treated his disability, language barriers, and refugee status as someone else’s problem.
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Ramadan Mubarak! Wishing a blessed Ramadan to all as we welcome this holy month of reflection, prayer, and community. 🌙🌅
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
The passage of this law didn’t happen by accident — it was won through years of organizing and leadership by Adhikaar, domestic workers, and their allies. The law is in the books, but now with these model contracts, workers have the tools they need to advocate for themselves.
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
AALDEF and Adhikaar have developed model employment contracts— designed to be clear, accessible, and practical—for domestic workers in NJ. With this model contract, workers can confidently start a new job knowing their rights are secured from day one.
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
Two years ago today, New Jersey enacted the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights—a law that ensures critical protections for workers in the state, including the right to written contracts in English and the native language of the worker. But long, complex documents can still be a barrier.
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
Abolish ICE. AALDEF issued the following statement in response to the heinous murder of a woman in Minneapolis by ICE. "ICE is a dangerous, violent agency that tears families apart and kills people.”
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 01/01/2026
As we head into 2026, manifesting the strength and courage we need as we continue the fight to keep our community safe and whole. Wishing you all a Happy New Year!
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
“I cannot return to Burma.” For thousands of Burmese people here, the Trump admin’s decision to terminate TPS is a matter of safety and freedom. With the end of TPS for Burma, nearly 4,000 people could lose legal protection and face deportation to a warzone, tearing families apart and risking lives.
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
We remember the powerful life and legacy of documentary filmmaker Christine Choy. Christine’s trailblazing career spanned 50 years with more than 80 films, including her Oscar-nominated documentary, “Who Killed Vincent Chin,” which persists as required viewing for any student of AsAm history.
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
AALDEF Report: Gentrification over the past decade has driven the displacement of Asians in Chinatowns in the Northeast. Our land use survey of Chinatowns in Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia reveals how outdated zoning laws are leaving residents and small businesses vulnerable.
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
📊 1 in 3 people said they felt discriminated against sometimes, often, or always in the last year. Listening to the lived realities of Asian communities isn’t optional — it’s essential for a multiracial democracy.
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
AALDEF and AAF's 2025 Asian American Exit poll revealed ongoing, targeted harassment faced by Asian communities across New York. 📊 1 in 4 people reported experiencing harassment or violence based on race, ethnicity, or religion in the past two years.
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
Amidst the relentless attacks on democracy and our communities, this is a win worth celebrating. It’s also a reminder of what we can accomplish in coalition.
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
Future political campaigns should take note. Zohran Mamdani’s victory shows what’s possible when candidates take every community seriously—meeting people where they are, listening to their priorities, and investing in multilingual, culturally competent outreach that makes everyone feel seen.
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
The promise of the Voting Rights Act remains unfinished — but your voice can help fulfill it. Make your vote and voice heard tomorrow, November 4, on Election Day. #Vote #ElectionDay
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
The report is a critical piece of evidence supporting the NY Taxi Workers Alliance's advocacy for Int. 276, a bill sponsored by NYC CM Shekar Krishnan to protect rideshare workers from firings without cause. The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection also spoke in support of the bill.
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
In its analysis of a survey of Lyft/Uber drivers in NYC, @aaldef.bsky.social found that the rideshare companies deactivated hundreds of drivers with no notice, no due process, and no effective way to appeal. Read the full report: bit.ly/AALDEFReport... @nytwa.bsky.social
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
Election Day is 6 days away and AALDEF is gearing up to protect the Asian vote! We will be on the ground in NY, NJ and VA conducting the nation’s largest and longest-running Asian American exit poll, as well as monitoring polling sites for compliance. Volunteer today! bit.ly/VolunteerAAL...
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
On Tuesday, just blocks from AALDEF’s office in NYC, ICE stormed into the heart of Chinatown, terrorizing our community in broad daylight. ICE is already promising more raids, but we’re gearing up to fight back harder than ever. Can you contribute to power the fight? bit.ly/AALDEFGiveTo...
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
“These raids aren’t about law enforcement—they’re about racialized persecution and the intimidation and disappearance of our communities.” Read AALDEF’s full statement in response to the ICE raid in New York City’s Chinatown this afternoon.
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
AALDEF wishes you a Shubh Deepawali (शुभ दीपावली) – Happy Diwali! 🪔 Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Today reminds us that every act of kindness, justice, and love adds light to the world. ✨
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
Today the Supreme Court will determine whether communities of color across the country can have meaningful representation at all levels of government. The promise of the VRA and our right to a free, fair, and representative democracy hangs in the balance. Learn more about what is at stake.
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
Tomorrow, October 15, join AALDEF in rallying at the U.S. Supreme Court at 9 AM ET while NAACP Legal Defense Fund presents arguments. Louisiana v. Callais is about more than just maps. It is about the future of our multi-racial democracy. Here’s what YOU can do to help us spread the word.
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
Today we recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day—celebrating the ones here before and with us still. We must continue fighting alongside Native communities for equity, justice, and meaningful solidarity.
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Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF) @aaldef.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
New York is in a mental health crisis, and jail is NOT mental health care. Thousands with mental illness are jailed instead of treated, fueling repeat arrests and record-high suicides. Join us tmrw Oct 10 at 9 AM across 250 Broadway for a rally & Senate hearing on the Treatment Court Expansion Act
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