OCA Condemns Trump Administration’s Attack on Immigrants, Voters, and Students with Dangerous and Unjust Policies
For Immediate Release
April 3, 2025
Media Contact:
Socheata Sun, Senior Communications Associate
socheata.sun@ocanational.org
Washington, D.C. — OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates unequivocally condemns the President’s blatant abuse of power with the invocation of the Alien Enemies Act, as well as his dangerous Executive Orders on elections and the rewriting of American history.
The Alien Enemies Act, a relic of xenophobic wartime policies, has no place in modern governance. By reviving this outdated law, the President is granting the government unchecked authority to target and profile immigrants under the guise of national security. This is nothing short of racist fear-mongering, meant to sow division and scapegoat immigrant communities.
At the same time, the Executive Order on elections is a deliberate attempt to suppress voter turnout. It creates unnecessary barriers for seniors, individuals with disabilities, vote-by-mail users, and individuals whose legal names may not match outdated government records—including recently naturalized citizens, married individuals, and transgender voters. This is not about election integrity. It is about silencing voices and rigging the system in favor of those already in power.
“OCA stands firmly against the President’s reckless use of the Alien Enemies Act, which is nothing more than a dangerous tool for racial profiling,” said Thu Nguyen, Executive Director of OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates. “We’ve seen the harm these policies cause time and time again, from Japanese American incarceration to post-9/11 racial profiling. We will not stand by as history repeats itself.”
“The Executive Order to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission is an outright attack on democracy,” said Roland Hwang, Executive Vice President of OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates. “It intentionally creates barriers to voting, particularly for the most marginalized members of our communities. Instead of protecting our elections, this administration is actively working to disenfranchise voters.”
OCA also denounces the administration’s escalating attacks on student activists. Reports of ICE officers surveilling and targeting students, particularly those speaking out against injustice, are deeply alarming.
“The government has no business intimidating students for exercising their constitutional rights,” stated Nugyen. “Freedom of speech as guaranteed by the First Amendment, regardless of citizenship status. We call on universities and communities to protect their students and push back against these blatant attempts to silence dissent.”
The President has also ramped up his attacks on Smithsonian museums and historical truth, claiming there has been a “concerted and widespread” effort to rewrite American history in a way that casts the country’s founding principles in a negative light. This is a thinly veiled attempt to erase the uncomfortable realities of our past.
“History must not be rewritten or erased. Distorting it does a disservice to all Americans,” added Nguyen. “Ignoring the dark parts of our nation’s history does not make them disappear. It only ensures that the same injustices and consequences will be repeated.”
OCA will not tolerate these attacks on immigrants, voters, and students. We demand accountability, and we call on all communities to fight back against policies that threaten civil rights and democracy itself.
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About OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates
Founded in 1973, OCA–Asian Pacific American Advocates is a national, member-driven social justice organization of community advocates dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs). Learn more about our work at ocanational.org/about.