Trump's new immigration restrictions will adversely impact Asian immigrants; favor white Afrikaners

Donald Trump wants more restrictions for immigrants to the US.

The United States might as well hang a sign out that says "No people of color allowed," after Donald Trump proposed new sweeping restrictions after Thanksgiving Day.

Over the past week, following an Afghan national arrested as a suspect in the fatal shooting of National Guard soldier in Washington DC, Trump issued a flurry of social media posts further restricting immigration from "third world" countries. 

As  Trump advocated new restrictions on immigration from Asia, Africa and the MIddle East, going almost unnoticed under the barrage of his social media posts, is he wants to give white South Afrikaners priority as refugees.

Trump's recent immigration declarations will affect immigrants from Asia by heightened restrictions on family-based immigration, increased scrutiny and costs for skilled-worker visas (H-1B), and travel restrictions on certain Asian nations.

Key Declarations

 The death of one National Guard soldier and seriously injuring another blocks from the White House sparked a flurry of social media pronouncements by Trump, including:

• Trump stated he would "permanently pause" migration from "all Third World Countries". When asked for clarification, the Department of Homeland Security pointed to the 19 countries already on a June 2025 travel ban list, which includes Asian countries like Afghanistan, Myanmar (Burma), and Laos. Nationals from these specific countries will face full or partial entry suspensions, including stricter visa requirements and potentially indefinite delays in processing.

• The Director of US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has ordered a "full scale, rigorous reexamination of every Green Card for every alien from every country of concern." For Asian immigrants from the targeted 19 countries, this means a likely increase in processing times, added background checks, longer security screening, or temporary holds on their applications.

• Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs), often used by Afghan nationals who worked with the US military, have been paused following the incident, directly impacting a specific group of Asian immigrants seeking refuge and legal status.

Immigration from Asia is a significant part of U.S. immigration, with immigrants from India, China, and the Philippines being the largest groups, and origins spanning from historical migration to modern-day skilled and family-based immigration

Key effects on Asian immigrants include:

Family Reunification Challenges: Trump has emphasized a shift away from the current family-based immigration system towards a "merit-based" model. This will disproportionately affect many Asian immigrant communities (such as those from the Philippines, Vietnam, India, and China) that rely heavily on family-sponsored visas, which already face extensive backlogs. The new policies will likely prevent family members abroad from joining relatives already in the U.S., creating long-distance separations and significant delays.

H-1B Visa Restrictions: The administration continues to target the H-1B skilled-worker visa program, which is widely utilized by immigrants from India and China. Recent actions have included significant fee increases (e.g., to $100,000 per application for certain groups), higher wage requirements, and increased scrutiny during the application process, making it more difficult and expensive for US companies to hire and retain highly skilled Asian professionals.

Family reunification may be harder under Donald Trump's new proposals.

Travel Bans and Heightened Scrutiny: The administration has implemented full or partial entry suspensions and heightened scrutiny for nationals of several countries, including Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Laos. This can prevent individuals from these countries from entering the U.S. and complicate visa renewals for those already in the country.

Increased Deportation and Enforcement: The administration's push for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants also impacts Asian communities; Asian Americans constitute about 10% of the total undocumented population. There has also been an increase in the detention and deportation of Southeast Asians with existing removal orders.

Termination of Protections: The recent termination of TPS for approximately 4,000 Myanmar nationals, effective January 26, 2026, will leave these individuals vulnerable to deportation unless they can find other legal avenues to remain in the U.S.

"Ideological Screening" and Fear: Trump's declaration to block immigrants "non-compatible with Western civilization" introduces subjective criteria for entry and could lead to ideological or discriminatory screening processes. This, along with general anti-immigrant rhetoric, contributes to a climate of fear and uncertainty, potentially discouraging immigrants from accessing essential services, such as healthcare.

Even before last week's declarations fear and anxiety among Asian Americans has been on the rise.  A November 2025 poll revealed that worries about detention and deportation among Asian immigrants doubled from 14% in 2023 to 29%, a concern extending to many with lawful permanent resident (LPR) status or naturalized citizenship.

White Afrikaners 'prioritized'

Overall, these actions indicate a major shift in US immigration policy that creates significant uncertainty and fear among Asian immigrant communities, even for those with legal status.

Among these proposed policies that generally reduces immigration from "third-world" countries and has severely cut the overall US refugee admission ceiling to a record low, the Trump administration has specifically prioritized members of the white Afrikaner minority. This policy is based on Trump's claims of a "white genocide" and land seizures in South Africa,  

The Trump administration has not provided data or credible evidence to substantiate its claim of "white genocide" in South Africa. The claims have been widely fact-checked and debunked by the South African government, independent experts, human rights organizations, and even the US State Department's own reports.

South African immigrants Elon Musk, left and Peter Thiel are major Donald Trump supporters.

Critics have offered two reasons explaining the apparent emphasis on South Africa white immigrants:

1. Critics argue that the policy is a "dog whistle" appealing to white victimhood and is consistent with Trump's preference for immigrants from predominantly white countries over those from "third world" nations. Some officials suggested the preference was because they would be easier to assimilate.

2. It is payback to two billionaire supporters, both immigrants from South Africa and who have financed Trump's campaign: Elon Musk, the richest person in the world who donated millions of dollars to put Trump in the Oval Office and helped Trump drastically reduce the federal workforce in the opening months of the Trump administration; and Peter Thiel,  a venture capitalist and tech investor known for co-founding PayPal and being an early investor in Facebook. He has been a vocal supporter and advisor for Trump. Although Thiel hasn't donated directly to the Heritage Foundation, the think tank that developed Project 2025, his philanthropic foundation has been a major donor (reportedly $10 million) to the Donor's Trust, a "dark money" group that in turn has funded the Heritage Foundation.

The administration is restricting legal immigration pathways through measures like expanded travel bans targeting specific countries, increased fees for applications, and limits on H-1B and student work visas, impacting the flow of talent into the US.

In essence, experts anticipate that the wide-ranging pronouncements will lead to a smaller population and workforce, a weaker economy in the long run, and profound social and personal costs for immigrant communities and the nation as a whole.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. 

Another Asian American will represent SF's troubled district

Alan Wong steps into new post as San Francisco's newest Supervisor.

Well, the ongoing soap opera in San Francisco's District 4 just got its latest cast member. Mayor Daniel Lurie has tapped Alan Wong, a local guy and City College board member, to be the new interim supervisor for the 4th District.

Wong is the third supervisor representing District 4 this year. After Joel Engardio was recalled after a roadway was converted to a park and Lurie appointee Isabella “Beya” Alcaraz, a Filipino American political neophyte, had to resign due to alleged business irregularities.

        RELATED: Filipino American first, then a farewell

He’s was sworn in on Monday, Dec. 1. It's a temporary gig, serving until a special election next June, but he's stepping into a situation fraught with local drama.

Wong is a San Francisco native, which matters a lot around here. He grew up in D4, went to Lincoln High School, and seems to have his roots firmly planted in the community he's about to represent. He's got a background in education policy and currently works for the Children's Council of San Francisco as their senior director of public policy communications.

On paper, he's got experience: a City College of San Francisco trustee since 2020 (serving as board president, no less), and a former aide to past Supervisor Gordon Mar. He even serves as a first lieutenant in the California National Guard – showing a commitment to both local and national service. And he's been involved with the community safety group Stop Crime SF.

Mayor Lurie is banking on Wong to be a "strong, steady voice" and "build bridges." He’ll need to, given the political turbulence. This is no easy job. The public is fed up with corruption and political games. Wong is stepping into a minefield and has a very short time to prove he's the real deal and not just another political appointee. The community will be watching closely to see if he can navigate the political landscape and deliver without getting caught in the crossfire.

Wong will join three other San Francisco Supervisors who are of Asian descent: Connie Chan, Chyanne Chen, and Bilal Mahmood.

Meanwhile Filipino Americans, who are the second largest Asian ethnicity in the city, must wait for one of their own to make it onto the city's governing board. They  celebrated during Alcaraz's brief appointment, but a week later, their balloons were popped and they are back to square one.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. 

'The Monkey King' wins over US opera fans and critics

The San Francisco Opera staged the world premiere of the Chinese tale of 'The Monkey King.'

San Francisco opera audiences embraced the legend of the Chinese folk tale of The Monkey King whole-heartedly. The world premiere of the opera was a resounding critical and popular success, widely described as a "triumph" and a "spectacular" achievement.

It wasn't just another night at the opera; it was a bona fide event, the kind of thing that makes you proud of the Bay Area's vibrant cultural scene and how Asian Americana has become part of every aspect of life here.

“I’m so proud that San Francisco Opera is bringing this operatic Monkey King to life, continuing our long tradition of building cultural bridges across the Pacific Ocean," said the SF Opera's General Director Matthew Shilvock. 

The opera's reception was overwhelmingly positive, with critics and audiences praising its visual grandeur, innovative fusion of Eastern and Western theatrical elements, and engaging storytelling.

This was a major artistic triumph, period. Forget the stuffy image of opera; this was a production that had critics and audiences alike buzzing with excitement.

The staging was off the charts. We're talking brilliant puppetry by Basil Twist and 4,500 yards of flowing silk that practically became a character itself. The San Francisco Chronicle basically called it one of the most thrilling things the opera house had offered in decades.

Composer Huang Ruo didn't just write music; he mashed up Chinese instruments and Peking opera vocal techniques with a modern orchestra, creating a vibrant, original sound that energized the whole production.

The opera 'The Monkey King' was 'spectacular' deemed critics.

David Henry Hwang's libretto grounded the classic tale of the Monkey King's ego and journey (Journey to the West source material, for those keeping score) in themes that resonate today. It was smart, funny, and surprisingly relevant.

Tenor Kang Wang nailed it as the Monkey King. It was a "jaw-dropping" performance that blended singing with serious physical acting and comedy.

The impact was undeniable. The run was reportedly sold out, and it drew a diverse crowd. It's the kind of production that gets the community talking and opens the door for more Asian American stories on the big stage. People are already hoping this wasn't a one-off, but the start of a "Monkey King" series.

Commissioned by San Francisco Opera in partnership with the Chinese Heritage Foundation of Minnesota, The Monkey King is based on the opening episodes of Journey to the West, the Ming Dynasty novel attributed to Wu Cheng’en and considered one of China’s four greatest literary classics.

“If dreams do come true, creating The Monkey King with my long-time collaborator David Henry Hwang for San Francisco Opera is one of those dreams," said omposer  Ruo.

"The world is full of superheroes—Superwoman, Spider-Man, Batman—and like those we know from American comic books and movies, the Monkey King is every bit an inspirational figure known for his wit, humor, righteousness and power. He is Asia’s supreme superhero, loved and adored not only by Chinese people throughout the centuries but increasingly by people throughout the world," said Ruo.

The artistic success of The Monkey King production is proof that when you mix cultural authenticity with top-tier innovation, you get an instant classic. An artistic win for American culture, which is really a fusion of many diverse sources from around the world.

San Francisco Opera General Director Matthew Shilvock said: “I’m so proud that San Francisco Opera is bringing this operatic Monkey King to life, continuing our long tradition of building cultural bridges across the Pacific Ocean.

"We hope that this will become a beloved and lasting opera for the world and are thrilled about how much excitement there already is for this new opera.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. 

ICE releases Filipino American mother after 8 months in detention

SCREEN CAPTURE

Alma Bowman is released from ICE detention.

After spending most of the year in ICE custody, a Filipino American woman is celebrating  Thanksgiving at home surrounded by family and supporters.

Alma Bowman was released from the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia, and reunited with her family after spending eight months detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”). 

“We are so thrilled that (Bowman) has been released from detention and has regained her freedom,” said Samantha Hamilton, the attorney from Asian American Advancing Justice who represented Bowman..

 "And we are once again inspired by Alma, who fought tirelessly for her release and for the release of dozens of other women who she has met during the last eight months that she has been in Stewart — a place she never should have been in in the first place,” said Filipino American lawyer Hamilton.

On March 26, 2025, Bowman attended her routine yearly check-in at the ICE Atlanta Field Office in a wheelchair, with her two children, legal team, and a crowd of supporters. Inside, ICE officers told her that she needed to be taken downstairs and separated from her attorney to be fingerprinted. But instead of being fingerprinted, she was detained and sent to Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia.

Bowman has lived in Macon, Georgia, for nearly 50 years. Her father was a US citizen serving in the US Navy when he met Alma’s mother in the Philippines, where Alma was born.

“I always thought that I was a citizen of the United States,” Bowman said. She was married to a US citizen, whom she is separated from.

As the daughter of a US-citizen father, she should have acquired citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act (“INA”) of 1952. But the US government has repeatedly refused to recognize Bowman’s citizenship, leading to her being detained by ICE, exposing the ongoing implications of an arcane and racist law according to Advancing Justice-Atlanta.

FYI:Alma Bowman's case could affect thousands of US citizens born overseas.

Bowman was previously detained by ICE from 2017 to 2020 at the Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla, Georgia, a facility known for its documented human rights abuses against people in immigration detention. While detained at Irwin, she helped expose abuse by a doctor who was performing non-consensual gynecological procedures on immigrant women, bringing international spotlight to Georgia. Alma was released on an order of supervision in December 2020. Nevertheless, she was detained again by ICE, highlighting the cruelties of a broken and inhumane system.

Since being re-detained in March, Bowman has tirelessly fought her unjust detention and for the government to recognize her citizenship. On July 30, 2025, she filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus in the US District Court for the Middle District of Georgia arguing that her detention was unconstitutional and seeking her immediate release. She is represented by Advancing Justice-Atlanta and the Center for Constitutional Rights.

Alma’s adult children, Chris and John Mitchell, are eager to welcome their mother back home. “We are super excited that moomin gets to come home. It would have been another sad Thanksgiving without her. The plan is to get her some good home cooking and make sure she's comfortable while catching her up on all she's missed. We are still worried about the status of her ongoing case, but at least she will be with family instead of locked away while in this limbo.”

Bowman’s legal team is also celebrating her long-awaited release. “We are so thrilled that Alma has been released from detention and has regained her freedom,” said AAJA's Hamilton. “And we are once again inspired by Alma, who fought tirelessly for her release and for the release of dozens of other women who she has met during the last eight months that she has been in Stewart—a place she never should have been in in the first place.

"Alma is a drum major for justice," said Kayla Vinson, Staff Attorney for the Center for Constitutional Rights. "We could not be happier that she will get to enjoy the end of the year where she should have been all along, at home with her family."

Bowman's release is tempered because she continues to push for the government to recognize her United States citizenship. 

Bowman secured her release through her tireless advocacy and with the legal representation of Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Atlanta (“Advancing Justice-Atlanta”) and the Center for Constitutional Rights, as well as advocacy by the Malaya Movement USA and Georgia, Tanggol Migrante Movement, GABRIELA USA, and the International Women’s Alliance.

"While this is a major victory for Alma's family and friends, we as Tanggol Migrante, and the Defend Migrants Alliance will continue to fight for the genuine freedom for people like Alma, who see their issues connected to a shared experienced migrants face across the US,” said organizer June Colcol. “We encourage more people to join our movement and take collective action!"

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. 

The American Revolution: Thanksgiving, history and a slap of reality

The 12-hour documentary 'The American Revolution' includes the role of Native Americans.
'

REVIEW

So, PBS dropped a new Ken Burns joint, The American Revolution. I suspect MAGA folks will hate it because it includes the history usually left out of our high sdhool history books and includes the role of Blacks and indigenous peoples and knocks a few of our white Founding Fathers off their pedestals.

If not for the native tribes, there probably would not have been a Thanksgiving observance with the Europeans who migrated to ths continent. The religous zeealots who fled Europe would not have survived if not for original locals.

 If you're a history buff like me, this series is a must watch. It's not your grandpappy's tale of Minutemen and redcoats. This one actually talks about the people largely erased from our textbooks: Indigenous Peoples.

Let me tell you, this is long overdue.

As the series emphasizes, the war was also often a struggle between the refugees from Europe and indigenous nations, between enslavers and the enslaved. Some Americans won their freedom. Others, like Native Americans, lost it.

The doc lays it right out there: this whole "freedom" thing for the colonists was, essentially, a war for Native land. The Brits had that Proclamation of 1763 trying to keep folks contained, but the Americans? They wanted to go west, consequences be damned.

Not just sidekicks

The American Revolution, explores the complexities of the war from a wide range of perspectives, including a significant focus on the role of Native Americans. The series, which premiered on November 16, 2025, examines the conflict through the stories of diverse individuals, revealing the virtues and contradictions of the revolutionary period. Native American nations, caught in the middle, were forced into a struggle over land that led to their displacement, and the series highlights their long-overdue visibility in American history, notes the Lakota Times.

The narrative here isn't the usual white-centric fluff. They bring in Native historians, giving us the real deal. The core message is powerful: The Revolution wasn't just about taxes; it was about real estate and who had sovereignty over it. This is a crucial pivot in how we understand American history.

You had the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, a powerful group, totally split. Some went British, some went American (shoutout to the Oneida Nation for their Continental Army assist!), and others tried to stay neutral. It was a messy, brutal time.

RELATED: 

• The firest Thanksgiving. 
• A different perspective on Thanksgiving

Burns doesn't shy away from the stuff white supremacists don't want to hear about their heroes. While the framers of the Declaration of Indepedence were signing the historic document that espoused "all men created equal" many of them were slave owners. The series also details the significant brutality of the war in "Indian Country," including General George Washington's orders to devastate and burn entire Native towns, orchards, and food stores. That's a piece of history we often gloss over in favor of cherry trees.

Now, there's been some debate about whether the Iroquois Confederacy inspired the US Constitution. It's a talking point, maybe a little romanticized, but the fact remains: these were complex, sovereign nations with sophisticated diplomacy, dealing with the British, French, and Americans as equals, even if the new US government ultimately didn't honor that.

Ken Burns' and PBS's 'The American Revolution' includes the role of indigenous peoples.

A View from the Edge

As an American, I look at our history and think about what my patriotic parents taught me about our adopted land. My folks emphasized English, the language of our new home, so I lost my Tagalog. That's the immigrant experience—trying to fit in while losing a piece of yourself.

This documentary is a good reminder that the "American Dream" was built on the back of Native displacement. It forces us to ask: do our institutions really serve all the people, not just the powerful? It's a test of whether our democracy truly breathes for everyone. The struggle must commence in the field of ideas, as the great Jose W. Diokno used to say, before it can descend into the arena of action.

FYI: How to watch

It's a six-part series, 12 hours total. Plenty of time to get your history fix.Watch the episodes: You can stream it on the PBS website for a limited time.
For the serious viewers: PBS Passport subscribers can stream it for ages.
Bonus Content: Check out the extra resources on PBS LearningMedia.

It’s more than political drama; it’s a vital piece of our national story that we need to hear, understand, and bear witness to. We need closure on our past, or it will continue to haunt us like a political cold case. Go watch it.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge.

FBI report undercounts anti-Asian hate crimes

AAJC PHOTO

Anti-Asian hate crimes in the United States remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels despite a slight decline from 2023, indicating a continuing crisis, says an analysis responding to the FBI's 2024 Hate Crime Statistics report. 

“Current FBI data reporting undercounts the true scope of anti-Asian hate crimes,” said Sim J. Singh Attariwala, Director of the Anti-Hate Program at Advancing Justice – AAJC. “Our report shows that these hate crimes have not significantly declined since the pandemic, and harmful rhetoric is now expanding to the scapegoating of South Asian communities.

AAJC and Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL) released Nov. 20 a new report responding to the FBI’s National Hate Crime Statistics for 2024. The FBI numbers is flawed and tell only part of the story. Underreporting remains a critical challenge, with nearly half of violent hate crimes going unreported. Trust deficits, language barriers, and fear of reprisal continue to silence victims.

The report from the community legal advocates, Anti-Asian Hate in 2024: Analysis and Recommendations, contextualizes the hate crime figures, emphasizing alarming trends and the work left to combat elevated levels of anti-Asian hate. The Asian Resource Hub, a collaborative unique digital platform by the two organizations illustrating anti-Asian hate and uplifting culturally competent support, was updated to include and examine the FBI’s new data.

The report provides insight into national trends, sociopolitical drivers of hate, enduring risks for the future, and recommendations for political and community mobilization. The report found that:

• Anti-Asian hate crimes declined slightly from 2023 – but were still nearly three times higher than pre-pandemic levels. 

• Anti-Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander hate crimes were the highest since recording began in 2013. 

• California, New Jersey, New York, Washington, and Massachusetts were the states with the highest amount of anti-Asian hate crimes and had some of the highest numbers of total hate crime reports overall.  

• Anti-Asian hate, especially for Chinese and South Asian communities, was incited by political rhetoric, disinformation, and online extremism. 

While most of the country showed a slight decline in anti-Asian hate crimes, the West, which is home to vast majority of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, showed a 3% increase, according to the FBI report.

California and Washington continued to lead in reported incidents, reflecting both the size of their Asian American populations and potentially more robust reporting mechanisms.The increase in the West underscores the need for sustained investment in prevention, education, and community support, responds the AAJC analysis.

While the FBI publishes nationwide statistics, the numbers are often just a snapshot of reality. The figures are limited in disaggregation and are vulnerable to underreporting. Advancing Justice – AAJC’s report aims to provide a fuller picture of the numbers by supplementing them with information from community-based platforms and external research.

The primary criticism of undercounting in recent FBI hate crime reports (including the expected 2025 report, which would cover 2024 data) is the voluntary nature of data submission by local law enforcement agencies and past difficulties in transitioning to a new reporting system. This has led to incomplete and potentially misleading national statistics.

A large proportion of participating law enforcement agencies (often 80% or more) report zero hate crimes in their jurisdictions to give a more flattering picture of their localities.  Critics argue this is highly unlikely to be accurate, especially in areas with known extremist group activity, suggesting a failure to identify or correctly record hate crimes.

The missing data prevents a complete and accurate understanding of the extent of the hate crime problem in the U.S., which hampers prevention efforts and makes it difficult to track trends effectively. Data from independent organizations like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) or Stop AAPI Hate often show higher numbers of incidents than the official FBI reports.

In the same vein, the Asian Resource Hub uses data from a combination of sources, including the FBI’s Hate Crime Statistics, to illustrate the scope of hate and inform the direct assistance provided tailored to community members’ needs in eight languages.

"Without corrective action, hate crime statistics risk becoming more invisible as trust in government erodes and funding for anti-hate programs nationwide is cut," says Attariwala. "This report provides context and recommendations to help leaders respond effectively and protect the most marginalized.”

“This report confirms what our communities have long known; anti-Asian hate remains at alarming levels,” said June Lim, Director of the Demographic Research Project at Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California. “With the updated Asian Resource Hub, we’re ensuring survivors and families can access culturally competent support and information in multiple languages. Without investment in prevention and community-based reporting, anti-Asian hate crimes will continue to occur and go underreported.”

"This is not just a data report. It is a call to action. We must equip institutions to recognize and respond to hate in all its forms and build a future rooted in safety, dignity, and equality. To ensure transparency and sustained attention to this issue, concludes Attariwala.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. 

Filipino American is the No. 1 pick in inaugural women's baseball draft

Kelsie Whitmore, the No. 1 pick of the Women's Pro Baseball League, makes history.

Folks, every so often, a story comes along that makes you pause and take notice. And this one is it. Her name is Kelsie Whitmore, and if you haven't heard of her yet, you will.

She's a professional baseball player, a pitcher and an outfielder, and she just made history as the very first overall draft pick in the new Women's Pro Baseball League. That's "baseball," not softball. She was the No. 1 pick by the yet-to-be-named team that will be based in San Francisco.

Whitmore’s name will now forever be linked to the start of the WPBL. Her journey—from the only girl on youth teams, to representing the US on the global stage, to pitching professionally against men—makes her the ideal athlete to be the face of the new league.

Now, that's a great story on its own. But dig a little deeper, and you find something that resonates a little closer to home for many of us. 

Whitmore, 27, is a Filipino American, and her mother, Mirasol, hails from the Philippines. In 2024, when she received an award from Silayan Filipina, she posted on Instagram: "Forever proud to be a Filipino American woman, while representing the sports world through my culture."

In a sport where representation is still evolving, a player like Kelsie stepping into the spotlight is a big deal. She's not just playing for her team; she's carrying her culture with her, a point she makes with pride, from her words to the Filipino imagery tattooed on her left forearm.

Whitmore's success is a familiar story, isn't it? That mix of American opportunity and deep-seated Filipino heritage. It’s the story of so many families who have made a life for themselves here while holding on to their roots.

Before the Women's Pro Baseball League, the San Diego-born Whitmore was already a barrier breaker. She played for independent clubs like the Staten Island FerryHawks and the Oakland Ballers, the latter of which won the Pioneer League's championship this season.

Kelsie Whitmore wears her heritage on her
forearm with a Philippine-inspired tattoo.

Her time with the US women's national baseball team brought home medals, including a gold at the Pan American Games. And don't forget her college days, where she was a star softball player for Cal State Fullerton, even earning the conference's Player of the Year award in 2021.

The startup league had a four-day tryout camp in Washington this summer with more than 600 hopefuls on hand.

The WPBL was co-founded by Justine Siegal, who became the first woman to coach for an MLB team with the Oakland Athletics in 2015. 

It will be the first pro baseball league for women since the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League -- immortalized in the film "A League of Their Own" -- dissolved in 1954.

For the first league's first season, the WPBL is scheduled to play all of its games at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois. Teams will be based there over a seven-week season, split up into a four-week regular season, a week for all-star activities and a two-week playoff.

But what I find most compelling, from my view here on the edge, is that Kelsie Whitmore is more than just a ballplayer. She’s an advocate, and her apparel brand, "BE YOU," carries a powerful message of individuality and self-acceptance. In her career and through her platform, Whitmore is showing a generation of young people that they can be proud of who they are and where they come from. And that, my friends, is a story worth telling.

Whitmore’s name will now forever be linked to the start of the WPBL. Her journey—from the only girl on youth teams, to representing the U.S. on the global stage, to pitching professionally against men—makes her the ideal athlete to carry the league’s first spotlight.

For San Francisco and the WPBL, she becomes the foundation of a franchise.

For the Filiipino American and Asian American communities, she becomes a symbol of what’s possible.

"Oftentimes, we get caught up in chasing who we acturally are and what we do that we forget who are deep down inside," the Silayan Filipina Pamana 'Legacy' awardee said. "I want to encourage you all to chase the version of yourself that you were always meant to be. When you find that version, be the best version of yourself every single damn day."

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. 

Asian American community organizer running for L.A. mayor

As if the Los Angeles mayor's race wasn't crowded enough, a new player has stepped into the ring, and she's not pulling any punches against the "establishment" – that would include Democratic Mayor Karen Bass and the current city hall crowd.

Community organizer and deputy director of the non-profit Housing Now California Rae Huang hopes to ride the recent wave of Democratic Socialists victories, exemplified by Zohran Mamdani's victory for New York mayor which pitted the Indian American against the traditional political "establishment" of both Republicans and Democrats.

If Huang can pull off a victory, she would become the city's first Asian American ayor. She is running for Los Angeles mayor because, in her view, the city is prioritizing the wealthy while the working people struggle. She's critical of Bass's performance, pointing to the ongoing high cost of living, homelessness issues, and even the response to the January 2025 Palisades Fire.

“I am running because I can do the job and because Los Angeles has been ready for real leadership for a long time,” she told supporters as she launched her campaign last Sunday.

“This fight is not my own, but built on years of dedication and commitment of leaders before me who have fought to make LA more affordable, healthier, sustainable and safer for all,” Huang wrote in announcing her candidacy on Instagram. “My platform will be focused on housing for all, building an economy for the people - not billionaires, fast and free metro (mass transit), climate resiliency, and REAL safety through care first models - so that we focus on fighting poverty, not the poor.” 

Although considered a long-shot, Huang is running as a community organizer and an ordained Presbyterian minister, making her a potentially influential, albeit less known, figure in the race who could push the conversation to the left and potentially force the election into a runoff if no candidate achieves a majority vote in the June primary.

Like Mamdani, Huang is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and is running on a truly progressive platform, vowing not to take corporate donations. To traditionalist, some of her platform might appear radical to some, but as Mamdani proved in NYC and Seattle's mayor-elect Katie Wilson, shooting for the moon appeals to voters, especially young voters, tired of the same old thing. Here's a quick rundown of her key issues:

Universal housing: A long-time tenant rights advocate, she argues for "housing for all" and promises real, permanent solutions to the homelessness crisis, not just "band-aid" programs.

Free public transit: To tackle the second-highest expense for families (transportation), she wants to make public transit free, safe, and fast, complete with dedicated bus lanes and improved rail/bus/bike connections.

"Economy for the people": Her campaign is all about economic change that benefits everyone, not just billionaires.

"Real safety": She's pushing for a public safety model focused on prevention and care, fighting poverty at its roots rather than over-policing poor communities.
Huang's entry into the race is a definite challenge to Mayor Bass from the left.

 Political analysts are saying her run could be a game-changer, potentially forcing the June 2, 2026, primary into a costly November runoff if no candidate secures that magic 50% number.

Besides Huang and Bass, the declared and potential candidates for the 2026 Los Angeles mayoral election are:

• Austin Beutner: A businessman and former superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District who has officially announced his campaign.

• Asaad Alnajjar: A Porter Ranch neighborhood councilor and civil engineer who has declared his candidacy.

• Vincent Wali: A musician who has also declared his intention to run.

• Rick Caruso (Potential): The real estate developer and 2022 opponent of Mayor Bass is reportedly considering another run for mayor or potentially for governor..

Huang is running as a long-shot candidate but could draw enough progressive votes to potentially force the current mayor into a runoff election if no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote in the June 2, 2026, primary. If elected, she would be Los Angeles' first Asian-American mayor.

At least two other Asian Americans have run for Mayor of Los Angeles, albeit unsuccessfully: Michael Woo, who ran in 1993 and Andrew Kim in 2022.

As of 2024 population estimates, Asian residents make up approximately  12.0% of the population in the city of Los Angeles but Los Angeles County, which includes the San Gabriel Valley, has the largest Asian population of any county in the United States.

Huang doesn't have the name recognition of Bass so the key for Huang's race will be creating an organization to back her beyond the AAPI voters. But with seven months to go until the June primary, she will have plenty of time to promote herself.

Looks like things are heating up in L.A .politics. Stay tuned!

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. 

Chinese American family files lawsuit for info on relative who died in ICE custody

GE FAMILY

ICE claims that Chaofeng Ge, above, committed suicide during his detention.

The family of Chaofeng Ge, a Chinese man who died while in the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is suing the U.S. government and ICE for a lack of transparency regarding the circumstances of his death.

Chaofeng Ge, a 32-year-old Chinese citizen from Queens, NY, was found dead on August 5, 2025. Authorities say Ge died by suicide by hanging. However, an independent autopsy found that his hands were tied behind him, raising questions  over the claim of suicide.

"I am (devastated) by the loss of my brother and by the knowledge that he was suffering so greatly in that detention center," Ge's brother ,Yanfeng Ge, said in a statement Nov. 12, adding that he wants answers and accountability.

Ge died at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center, a private facility in Pennsylvania operated by the GEO Group. He had been in ICE custody for just five days following a conviction related to credit card fraud.

The lawsuit is the family contends that its  requests for information via the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) were ignored by the detention facility operators and ICE. GEO Group runs the facility as a detention center for ICE. Yanfeng Ge said in the suit that GEO did not reach out to the family to explain what happened.

ICE and the Clearfield County coroner reported the death as a suicide by hanging. However, the family's attorney states that an independent autopsy revealed Ge was found not only hanging, but also with his hands and legs tied behind his back, a detail not included in initial ICE reports. This discrepancy is a central point of concern for the family.

The lawsuit alleges that Ge experienced "significant distress" and was isolated because no staff at the facility spoke Mandarin and refused to attempt communication with him, preventing him from expressing his needs or receiving necessary mental health treatment.

“Mr Ge was isolated because no one in the facility could speak Chinese. MVPC staff refused even to try to communicate with him, much less offer him the mental healthcare that he so urgently needed,” the complaint alleged.

The lawsuit highlights concerns over US immigration detention, noting that record-high numbers of people, including a sharp rise in Asian immigrants, are allegedly being held in overcrowded facilities with limited access to medical and mental healthcare.

The lawsuit comes amidst ongoing criticism of the Moshannon Valley Processing Center, with immigration advocates and former detainees reporting "inhumane" and "punitive" conditions, including inadequate medical care and abuse.

An ICE spokesman stated the agency does not comment on pending litigation. The agency had previously released a statement that all in-custody deaths are tragic and thoroughly investigated, and that it is committed to safe and humane environments.

A report by the UCLA Asian-American Studies Centre published in July found that total Asian immigrant arrests nearly tripled from under 700 in 2024 to almost 2,000 between February and May 2025. A majority of those detained came from China, India, and Vietnam.

The report also found that 21 deaths have occurred in ICE custody. Of the people who died, five were of Asian descent.

David B. Rankin, attorney for the Ge family. stated that the government is willing to violate the law to keep information about these centers from the public, and that the lawsuit aims to bring much-needed transparency.

"People are dying and our government doesn't have the common decency to offer the family any explanation, it's appalling," said Rankin.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge.