Virginia Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus

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

Delighted to join Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi for Iftar, and so many of us from the Virginia Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus, including Sen. Saddam Salim, Sen. Kannan Srinivasan, Del. Kathy Tran, Del. Irene Shin, and Del. Adele McClure.

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

The Virginia Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus (VAAPIC) commends Attorney General Jay Jones for defending birthright citizenship at the U.S. Supreme Court today.

Issued by the Trump administration, Executive Order 14160 would end birthright citizenship for children born to immigrant parents. This guts the law of the land as it has stood for more than 150 years, when the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted citizenship to all born within our borders, including freed slaves and children born to immigrant parents. In the landmark case United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898), the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed that children born in the U.S. to foreign-born parents are automatic citizens without regard to race or eligibility for naturalization.

Stripping away birthright citizenship opens the alarming possibility that recent immigrant communities could be denied citizenship generation after generation, creating a two-tiered system of second-class status that violates all principles of equal protection.

Attorney General Jones reflects the will of countless Virginians as he protects this critical constitutional right. VAAPIC strongly backs his defense of birthright citizenship, which protects immigrant communities and makes possible the American Dream at the heart of our country.

Attorney General Jay Jones Defends Birthright Citizenship at U.S. Supreme Court News releases from the office of the Attorney General of Virginia

Reminder: This Sunday (2/22) at 12pm, the Virginia Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus will share 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: https://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 joy and peace. 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: https://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: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1GpMComWnt/.

VAAPIC wishes prosperity and happiness to all in this new year!

VAAPIC was honored to meet the venerable monks of Huong Dao Temple on their 2,300-mile 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.