Updates

Workers say the NYC Dept. of Buildings has discriminatorily targeted and harassed them for the past 4 years NEW YORK CITY — Today, Red Canary Song, an advocacy organization composed of Asian and migrant massage workers and sex workers, sued the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) over the

In a moment of generational change for the organization, Li succeeds Margaret Fung, AALDEF’s founder NEW YORK, NY—This week, Bethany Li assumed the role of executive director at the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), one of the nation’s oldest Asian American civil rights or

Judge rules in favor of civil rights groups, stating a provision of Senate Bill 1 violate the First and Fourteenth Amendments SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS — A federal court ruled Saturday against a key provision of Texas’ anti-voter law Senate Bill 1 in a victory for voting rights in the state. The lawsuit,

FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT — Today, two Nepali immigrant workers filed a lawsuit against their former employer Taste of Everest, a Nepali and Indian restaurant, for wage theft in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut. The plaintiffs were forced to work for up to 12 hours a day, or 80 h

Filing comes amid reports that Egreen Transport, the company operating the Savannah warehouses, is also being investigated for labor trafficking by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAVANNAH, GA — The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) filed unfair labor practice charge

Eleven organizations sign onto the brief in support of Dr. Yanping Chen, highlighting the racial profiling and targeting of Asian Americans. NEW YORK, NY — Yesterday, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) filed an amicus brief in the D.C. Circuit in Chen v. FBI in support of

NEW YORK, NY — Today, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) announced that they, along with co-counsel Murphy Anderson PLLC, have reached a settlement with four health care companies to rescind the “stay or pay” provisions in employment contracts for current and former employe

Civil and human rights groups, including AALDEF, sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardoza, urging the Department of Justice to investigate the allegations of law enforcement abuses—in response to peaceful protests occurring in cities and on uni

AALDEF alongside over 140 organizations, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, and the Declaration for American Democracy sent a letter to the House Administration Committee and all House members, opposing the SAVE Act. The SAVE Act would require documentary proof of American citizens

A joint letter was sent on August 7 to Attorney General Merrick Garland by members of Congress and civil rights groups, including AALDEF, requesting information about the Justice Department's efforts to enforce the Voting Rights Act for language minority voters. You can read the letter here.

NYCLU, AALDEF, and CAIR-NY demand NYCPS Chancellor Banks rescind misleading guidance that has led to routine censorship NEW YORK, NY — Following reports from dozens of New York City Public School (NYCPS) teachers, students, and parents, the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), the Asian American

AALDEF and AAPI New Jersey poll Asian American voters during the New Jersey primaries PALISADES PARK, NEW JERSEY — Yesterday, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) partnered with AAPI New Jersey to survey Asian Americans voting in the state’s June 4, 2024 primary election.

Founding director Margaret Fung introduces incoming director Bethany Li who will assume the new role in October NEW YORK — Yesterday evening, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) celebrated a half century of public service at its 50th Anniversary Gala, where it presented the

Court heard oral arguments in the case against Florida’s anti-Chinese land law. MIAMI, FL— Today, a coalition of Asian American organizations, community members, elected officials, and allies held a rally in opposition to SB 264, a Florida law banning many Chinese immigrants from buying homes in la

MIAMI, FL— Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit will hear arguments in Shen v. Simpson, a lawsuit challenging SB 264 — the Florida law that bans many Chinese immigrants, including people here lawfully as professors, students, employees, and scientists, from buying a home in large sw

NEW YORK, NY – Today, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), submitted a reply brief in its suit against the New York City Districting Commission, the New York City Board of Elections, and the New York State Board of Elections, challenging the lawfulness of the New York City C

Appeal Filed Challenging Ruling on Local Law 11 NEW YORK, NY — A notice of appeal has been filed challenging a recent ruling on Local Law 11. The law that would expand voting to non-citizens in municipal elections in New York City. The filing comes after a decision by the New York Supreme Court A

AALDEF, Advancing Justice-AAJC, and AAPI New Jersey file an amicus brief in Kim v. Hanlon NEWARK, NJ — Today, three Asian American organizations filed an amicus brief in Kim v. Hanlon, a suit brought by Rep. Andy Kim, a candidate for U.S. Senate, and two congressional candidates against all but tw

Dear Governor Hochul, Speaker Heastie, and Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, We, the undersigned organizations, write in opposition to the expansion of hate crime laws in the Executive Budget. We are eager to address the bias incidents and violence that our loved ones, families, and communities have

Leading Legal Voting Rights Organizations Call for Fair & Equitable Maps NEW YORK, NY — The Unity Map Coalition, a consortium of leading legal voting rights organizations representing people of color in New York City is urging the New York State legislature to adopt the Unity Map in full. The Coal