Woman deported to Laos despite never having been there
A Hmong American woman who has lived in the Milwaukee area since she was 8 months old was deported to Laos last week — a country she has never visited.
The Rebel Yellow Issue #44
House Republicans just introduced a bill to ban Chinese students from U.S. schools, sparking outrage and comparisons to past exclusionary laws. Meanwhile, Rep. Brandon Gill calls multiculturalism a threat—even as he’s married to an Indian American. And did Taiwan just pay Trump a $100 billion "protection fee" for U.S. support?
Plus: A Milwaukee woman deported to Laos despite never having been there, Michelle Yeoh’s social media post stirs controversy, and we say goodbye to K.W. Lee, the godfather of Asian American journalism.
House Republicans introduce bill to ban Chinese students from the U.S.
A group of House Republicans on Friday introduced legislation seeking to prevent Chinese nationals from studying in American schools, citing national security concerns.
About the bill
Rep. Riley Moore (R-W.Va.) is leading the “Stop Chinese Communist Prying by Vindicating Intellectual Safeguards in Academia Act” (Stop CCP VISAs Act) with five Republican co-sponsors, including Reps. Brandon Gill (R-Texas), Addison McDowell (R-N.C.), Troy Nehls (R-Texas), Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) and Scott Perry (R-Pa.).
“Every year we allow nearly 300,000 Chinese nationals to come to the U.S. on student visas. We’ve literally invited the CCP to spy on our military, steal our intellectual property and threaten national security,” Moore said in a statement, citing five Chinese nationals charged by the FBI last year for allegedly photographing joint military exercises between the U.S. and Taiwan. “This cannot continue.”
What critics are saying
The bill has quickly drawn criticism. Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, told the Associated Press that China “expresses strong concern and firmly opposes such practices,” adding that educational exchanges have long facilitated the development of China-U.S. relations.
In a statement, John C. Yang, president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC), highlighted the harm such legislation can cause. “We have seen this play out many times before, from the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, Japanese American incarceration during World War II, and continued overblown fearmongering ‘invasion’ rhetoric,” Yang said. “History has shown us time and again that exclusionary policies based on stereotyping rarely address actual national security concerns – instead they fuel prejudice, division and unfair targeting of Asian immigrants and the Asian American community more broadly.”
The big picture
A total of 277,398 students from China attended U.S. universities during 2023-24, making up 25% of the international student population. This represents a continuing downward trend as India has now surpassed China as the leading country sending students to the U.S.
The bill also comes amid growing tensions between the U.S. and China. Republican lawmakers’ concerns have already prompted numerous American universities to terminate their collaborative relationships with academic institutions in China. In 2023, Florida passed a law prohibiting state universities from hiring students from China for graduate assistant and postdoc positions, a measure that has been challenged in court.
GOP rep with Indian American wife declares “multiculturalism will tear our country apart”
Freshman Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) has sparked controversy with a March 13 X post declaring that “multiculturalism will tear our country apart.”
Gill’s statement drew swift criticism given his marriage to Danielle D’Souza Gill, daughter of the Indian American conservative commentator Dinesh D’Souza. The couple tied the knot in 2017 and now have a daughter.
Immediate backlash
Far-right influencer Stew Peters amplified the backlash on X by sharing a family photo of Gill with his wife and in-laws, including D’Souza. “This poser is literally married to an Indian. Wtf,” Peters noted.
D’Souza, however, swiftly countered: “I’m the Indian in the photo, and I’ve written against multiculturalism and in defense of Western civilization for 30 years. My daughter was born in Virginia, grew up in San Diego and met Brandon at Dartmouth. He is now the youngest GOP congressman and endorsed by Trump.”
Controversial positions
Since beginning his term in Congress, Gill has established himself as an outspoken critic of immigration policies. His social media posts have highlighted declarations about border security, with recurring themes characterizing migration as an existential threat to American sovereignty and describing the situation at the southern border in militaristic terms.
In February, he launched a deportation petition targeting Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), a naturalized U.S. citizen who fled Somalia as a refugee. The petition claimed that Omar — who is the first Somali American member and one of the first two Muslim women elected to Congress — is “more loyal to illegal Somalians than she is to the United States.”
The big picture
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), who represents one of the most diverse districts in the country, countered Gill’s anti-multiculturalism stance by citing American history. “Read Frederick Douglass's Composite Nation in 1869. People of all races and cultures coming together as one is what built America. Fear is what will tear us apart,” Khanna wrote on X.
Gill is representing Texas’ 26th district, home to 93,422 Asian Americans or nearly 11% of its total population. This substantial Asian American presence includes diverse communities with varied cultural backgrounds, religions, languages and histories — the very multicultural fabric that Gill claims will “tear our country apart” even as he benefits from their votes and represents their interests in Congress.
Poll: Asian Americans reject agency cuts, demand action on rising costs
AAPI communities are firmly opposing federal agency eliminations while prioritizing government action on everyday expenses, according to a new poll of 1,170 adults surveyed from Feb. 4-11.
Key findings
Six in 10 AAPI respondents oppose dismantling federal agencies, according to the joint AAPI Data and AP-NORC poll released on Wednesday, with only one in 10 favoring such measures. Meanwhile, about half stand against large-scale federal workforce reductions. Respondents ranked healthcare affordability as their top priority (79%), with food costs (67%) and housing expenses (61%) following closely, far exceeding concerns about childcare (43%) and higher education (42%).
The survey found substantial backing for increased investment across policy areas. Education funding topped the list at 64%, with healthcare (59%), homelessness programs (57%) and environmental initiatives (57%) receiving similar support. Military spending was identified as the sole area where most respondents (52%) believe current funding is excessive.
What researchers are saying
Karthick Ramakrishnan of AAPI Data and UC Berkeley observed that AAPI communities value practical results over political divisions. AAPI adults “tend to be focused on solutions and less so on partisanship,” Ramakrishnan said.
He also highlighted November’s modest rightward shift among traditionally Democratic-leaning AAPI voters, indicating some found Republican economic proposals compelling. This suggests potential willingness to consider alternative efficiency measures despite clear opposition to institutional dismantling.
The big picture
While rejecting DOGE’s most sweeping proposals, survey participants recognized underlying systemic challenges. Approximately 72% identified corruption as a significant problem, with 68% pointing to inefficiency concerns.
The findings paint a picture of a constituency seeking balanced approaches — supporting targeted improvements while preserving essential services. As budget discussions continue, AAPI voters appear focused on meaningful reforms that address affordability without sacrificing programs they consider underfunded in education, healthcare, housing assistance and environmental protection.
Milwaukee woman deported to Laos despite never having been there
A Hmong American woman who has lived in the Milwaukee area since she was 8 months old was deported to Laos last week — a country she has never visited. Ma Yang, 37, says she is stranded in a rooming house under military guard, without family, friends or the ability to speak the local language. "The United States sent me back to die," tells the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "I don't even know where to go."
“I served the time for it”: Yang, a mother of five, was born in Thailand to Hmong refugees after the Vietnam War and was a legal permanent U.S. resident. In 2020, she pleaded guilty to helping package and count cash in a federal marijuana trafficking case and served 2.5 years in prison. She says her attorney misinformed her that the plea deal would not affect her immigration statuas. "I made a mistake, and I know that it was wrong," Yang said. "But I served the time for it already."
From prison to deportation: After her release, she was transferred to an ICE detention center in Minnesota, where, on the advice of a second attorney, she signed a document agreeing to deportation in exchange for her release. Despite Laos historically refusing to accept deportees, Yang was detained at a routine check-in appointment in Milwaukee, sent to an Indiana jail, and then deported via commercial flights. Yang sees her deportation as a betrayal of the Hmong people, who were recruited by the CIA during the Vietnam War. "How do you send us back when we fought for you guys?" she asked.
Isolated and struggling to survive: Since arriving in the Laotian capital, Vientiane, on March 6, Yang says she has been confined to a rooming house guarded by military personnel. She lacks identification, insulin for her diabetes and has limited blood pressure medication. Her longtime partner, Michael Bub, who is partially paralyzed, now cares for their children alone.
Did the “world’s most powerful company” pay the U.S. a $100 billion “protection fee”?
On March 3, President Donald Trump announced a $100 billion investment from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), which he called the “most powerful company in the world,” in a surprise ceremony at the White House. The Trump administration hailed the move as “historic,” considering TSMC produces over 90% of the world’s advanced microchips, essential for smartphones, artificial intelligence and military applications.
Historic investment
Trump has framed the TSMC deal, the largest U.S. investment ever made by a non-American firm, as part of a broader effort to bring critical manufacturing back to American soil. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick indicated that the threat of tariffs played a major role in TSMC’s decision to expand in the U.S. The Trump administration has previously threatened to impose 25% tariffs on semiconductors, automobiles and pharmaceuticals.
The $100 billion investment will fund three additional fabrication plants, two chip packaging facilities and a research and development center in Arizona. This move follows substantial pledges from other major corporations, including Apple’s $500 billion U.S. expansion and a $500 billion AI infrastructure project from Oracle, OpenAI and SoftBank.
“Major crisis” for Taiwan?
Taiwan depends on U.S. military and political backing to counter potential threats from China. Under the Taiwan Relations Act, the United States is required to ensure Taiwan has the means to defend itself against possible Chinese aggression.
Recent statements from Trump, however, have raised doubts about the stability of U.S.-Taiwan relations. He has accused Taiwan of undermining the U.S. semiconductor industry — a claim widely contested by experts — and has suggested that Taiwan should compensate the U.S. for its military support. This rhetoric has fueled concerns in Taiwan about whether American assistance will remain dependable in the future.
Former Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) swiftly condemned the deal, accusing the ruling Democratic Progressive Party of "selling TSMC" to Trump as a "protection fee." "This is a major national security crisis," Ma wrote on Facebook just hours after the White House ceremony. "It will have a significant negative impact on people’s confidence, cross-strait relations and Taiwan’s future geopolitical position."
Members of the KMT warned that the deal compromises Taiwan’s so-called "silicon shield" — a metaphor for how the global dependence on Taiwanese semiconductors is seen as a deterrent against potential Chinese aggression. "If TSMC turns into 'American Semiconductor Manufacturing Company,' where will Taiwan's security be then?" questioned KMT lawmaker Fu Kun-chi.
Taiwan's leadership responds
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te, seeking to allay public fears, appeared alongside TSMC CEO CC Wei at Taipei's presidential office and emphasized that the investment would not compromise the company’s commitment to Taiwan. Wei echoed the sentiment, stating that the most advanced chip-making technologies would remain in Taiwan and be 10 times larger than their U.S. operations.
Wei attributed the increased U.S. investment to "strong demand" from American clients like Apple, Nvidia and Qualcomm, who seek to reduce supply chain risks by localizing chip production. He asserted that the company remains "not afraid" of Trump reversing the subsidies provided under the bipartisan CHIPS Act, which granted TSMC $6.5 billion for its initial U.S. plants.
Michelle Yeoh sparks controversy over “Taipei, China” social media caption
Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh has sparked controversy after referring to "Taipei, China" in a social media post following her visit to Taiwan for the opening of Tiffany & Co.'s flagship store at Taipei 101. While the post has received nearly 40,000 likes, over 7,000 comments reflect the divided reactions.
Straddling a political fault line: The 62-year-old Malaysian star had earlier expressed her gratitude in an interview with the local press, saying, "I do love this country very much," a comment that drew criticism from Chinese netizens for implying Taiwan’s independence. While Taiwan operates as a self-governed democracy with its own government, military and currency, China views the island as a breakaway province under its "one China" policy.
Speculation on Yeoh’s choice of words: In a later Instagram post, she thanked Tiffany & Co. for their hospitality in "Taipei, China," a phrasing that many pro-Taiwan supporters view as an attempt to appease Beijing. One commenter wrote, "You can just say 'Taipei,' no need to mention China," while another questioned, "What is your purpose in saying 'Taipei China'?" Some interpreted her phrasing as a move to maintain favor with Chinese audiences as she is set to star in the Chinese film “Lady R" alongside Turbo Liu and Bai Ke in May. Yeoh has not publicly addressed the controversy.
K.W. Lee, the “godfather of Asian American journalism,” dies at 96
K.W. Lee, a trailblazing journalist whose investigative reporting exposed corruption and gave voice to marginalized communities, died in Sacramento, California, on March 8 at age 96. Known as the “godfather of Asian American journalism,” Lee’s relentless pursuit of truth not only freed a wrongfully convicted Korean immigrant from death row but also inspired generations of journalists and activists. Over a career spanning five decades, Lee became the first Korean immigrant to work for a mainstream U.S. newspaper and left an indelible mark on both the media landscape and the Asian American community.
A life well lived
Born Kyung Won Lee on June 1, 1928, in Kaesong, Korea (now North Korea), Lee arrived in the U.S. in 1950 to study journalism. After earning degrees from West Virginia University and the University of Illinois, he began his career at the Kingsport Times-News in Tennessee in 1956. It was in West Virginia’s coal country, however, where Lee’s journalism found its soul. Reporting for the Charleston Gazette, he embedded himself in the lives of disenfranchised coal miners, documenting poverty and corruption during the civil rights era. His investigations became a beacon of hope for communities long ignored by mainstream media.
In the 1970s, Lee brought the same fierce dedication to Sacramento as the chief investigative reporter for the Sacramento Union. His reporting exposed corruption in the California State Legislature, including a scandal in which lawmakers secretly awarded themselves lavish pensions. His work forced politicians to repeal the decision, reinforcing his reputation as a journalist who held power to account.
Championing the voiceless
Lee’s most enduring legacy emerged from his investigation into the wrongful conviction of Chol Soo Lee, a Korean immigrant sentenced to death for a 1973 Chinatown gang murder. Over six years and more than 100 articles, K.W. Lee uncovered critical flaws in the case, including inadequate legal defense and racial bias in the courtroom. His reporting sparked a nationwide movement and led to the formation of the Chol Soo Lee Defense Committee. In 1982, Chol Soo Lee was acquitted and freed.
“There are an awful lot of unlucky people. Especially Asians,” K.W. Lee remarked while reflecting on the case years later. “They have no language. They couldn’t tell their story.”
A legacy that lives on
K.W. Lee also founded the Koreatown Weekly, the first English-language Korean American newspaper and co-founded the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA), which honored him with its inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award in 1987. On Thursday, the AAJA paid tribute to Lee’s transformative influence, describing him as "a trailblazer and activist" whose life’s work elevated the voices of those too often left unheard.
Even in his later years, Lee’s dedication to truth and justice never wavered. He mentored generations of young journalists and co-founded the K.W. Lee Center for Leadership in Los Angeles, which continues to train Korean American youth in civic engagement. K.W. Lee is survived by his three children, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. His wife, Peggy, preceded him in death.
