Virginia Asian American & Pacific Islander Caucus

We want to hear from Virginia's Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities, and any family members, caregivers, advocates, allies, and others connected to our communities. Complete our Community Priorities Survey by Nov. 23

Join us in celebrating the vibrant history, culture, and diversity that enrich our community.

Happy Holi to all who are celebrating the Festival of Colors today! VAAPIC wishes everyone a wonderful beginning to the springtime.

Reminder: This Sunday (2/22) at 12pm, the Virginia Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus will share their updates on which bills affecting the Asian American community may become law in 2026. Please join to hear about the legislative session's progress, and how to support key bills on affordability, education, language access, healthcare, and more. VAAPIC Post-Crossover Virtual Town Hall Sunday, February 22nd, 12-1pm Register here: bit.ly/vaapic-zoom

The Virginia Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus wishes a blessed Ramadan to all observing. May this time of sacred reflection bring you peace and joy. Ramadan Mubarak!

[Time change] Join the Virginia Asian American Pacific Islander Caucus for our post-crossover virtual town hall! On Zoom this Sunday, February 22nd, from 12-1pm. VAAPIC members will share updates on which bills have survived crossover, and how they plan to fight for community priorities like healthcare, language access, public safety, education, and affordability through the second half of the legislative session. Register here: bit.ly/vaapic-zoom

Happy Lunar New Year! The Virginia Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus celebrates the coming of the Year of Horse. Today on the floor of the House, Delegate May Nivar shared moving words about Asian American history and the bright days still ahead. See her speech here: nitter.cf/MayforVA/status/202386…. VAAPIC wishes prosperity and happiness to all in this new year!

Delegate May Nivar honored Fred Korematsu Day in the House of Delegates with a fiery, inspirational speech calling on all Virginians to be vigilant against exclusion, targeting, and prejudice. @MayforVA shared: "During World War Two, more than 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry were forcibly removed from their homes and incarcerated by their own government—no charges, no trials, no due process. "Fear replaced facts, and prejudice replaced the Constitution. That decision is now recognized as one of the greatest failures of our Constitutional history... "It is painfully relevant today. We see moments when fear is used to justify the erosion of civil liberties. When entire communities are treated as suspect. When Constitutional rights are framed as inconveniences, rather than guarantees. "Fred Korematsu Day calls on us, especially those entrusted with power, to be vigilant. To ask who is being excluded, to question who is being targeted, and to speak up before injustice becomes policy. "The Constitution does not defend itself. It requires courage. It requires voices. And sometimes, it requires ordinary people willing to stand alone and say: This is wrong." VAAPIC joins Delegate Nivar in honoring Fred Korematsu's lifetime of advocacy and sacrifice, critical to winning recognition that the incarceration of Japanese Americans was a terrible wrong. His devotion to fighting for the civil liberties and Constitutional rights of every American is an inspiration today and every day.

VAAPIC was honored to meet the venerable monks of Huong Dao Temple on their Walk for Peace from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington, DC. Delegate Shin and Senator Boysko presented the party with Resolutions from the House and Senate commending their pilgrimage. Gov. Spanberger and Lt. Gov. Hashmi recognized their inspirational journey before a large Richmond crowd. The venerable monks shared that peace "begins with intention, continues with action, and is sustained by loving-kindness and compassion." VAAPIC shares in their pursuit of peace and wishes them well as they continue their walk towards DC.

The Virginia Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus is proud to count Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi as a member. She is an extraordinary public servant, a beloved Virginia educator, and a scholar of American literature. Muslim Americans are a part of the American fabric. We condemn the rhetoric of hate and xenophobia that targets our immigrant communities because of our faith or origins. Ghazala Hashmi is an American name. We are glad to highlight a timely history lesson from Virginia’s Cardinal News: cardinalnews.org/2026/01/21/….

The Virginia Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus (VAAPIC) commends Attorney General Jay Jones for his strong start in defending Virginians against federal overreach. Attorney General Jones withdrew from an agreement made by his predecessor to surrender to a lawsuit by the Trump Administration without defending Virginia’s laws on in-state tuition. VAAPIC Chair Del. Irene Shin stated, “The Virginia General Assembly voted in 2020 to expand in-state tuition to all students who meet residency requirements. For the previous Attorney General to unilaterally override this policy by capitulating with the Trump administration was outrageous. Virginians deserve an Attorney General who will fight for them and uphold Virginia laws, and we finally have that in Attorney General Jones.” The Virginia Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus applauds Attorney General @jonesjay for making this a priority, and looks forward to partnering with the Attorney General's office in creating a more inclusive Virginia in this new chapter for the commonwealth.