TAAF Statement on Federal Immigration Raids
TAAF is deeply disturbed by the immigration raids across the country and alarmed by the treatment of community members including ChongLy Scott Thao, a U.S. citizen who was wrongly and forcibly removed from his home in St. Paul, Minnesota. We are extremely concerned by the impact of these detainments on individuals, their families, and the broader Asian American and immigrant communities.
Incidents like these have become all too familiar and are eroding the public’s trust in the very institutions meant to protect the personal safety of members of our communities. It has created a climate of fear and anxiety—resulting in students missing school, small businesses closing, and families too scared to leave their homes for fear of being detained.
We believe public safety and the fair enforcement of laws must go hand in hand with respect for civil rights and due process. Federal agents’ conduct towards Mr. Thao and others underscores the need for law enforcement that is transparent and accountable, and we expect a swift and thorough investigation of this case. Public safety cannot be achieved by violating constitutional protections or targeting people based on race, ethnicity, language, or perceived immigration status. These inflammatory actions further a dangerous narrative that immigrants are not American.
In Minnesota, TAAF is supporting the work of several Safety National Network Partners and will be providing additional rapid response funding to our safety grantees on the ground. We stand in solidarity with the Hmong community and all other immigrant and refugee communities during these challenging times. As we have said previously, history has shown us that the consequences of racism and anti-immigrant sentiment are all too real, and when allowed to spread unchecked, no one is truly safe.
About The Asian American Foundation (TAAF)
TAAF serves the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community by promoting safety, fostering belonging, and advancing prosperity. Launched in 2021 in response to the rise in anti-Asian hate and to address the long-standing underinvestment in AAPI communities, we invest in initiatives to combat anti-Asian hate, integrate AAPI studies into school curricula, elevate authentic AAPI storytelling, and expand resources and representation for our communities. Through our high-impact initiatives, events, and investments in national and local nonprofits, we’re creating a permanent and irrevocable sense of belonging for millions of AAPIs in the United States. For additional information about TAAF, please visit www.taaf.org or follow @TAAForg on Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, or Facebook.