By André Averion, Communications Chair

Published February 7, 2025.

With the installation of Donald Trump as the 47th elected president, Trump has signed a record-breaking 54 executive orders in just over two weeks back in office. Many of which FIlipino Amercians in DFW should keep an eye out for. 

Limiting Birthright Citizenship
Executive Order 14160, titled “Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship” was signed by Trump aimed at ending birthright citizenship, which has ignited legal challenges and concerns amongst the nation. The order, signed on Jan. 20, seeks to prevent automatic citizenship for children born in the U.S. to non-citizen parents.

The order reinterprets the 14th Amendment's Citizenship Clause, specifying that individuals born in the U.S. are not citizens if their mother was unlawfully present or in a temporary status, and their father was neither a U.S. citizen nor a lawful permanent resident at the time of birth.

Birthright citizenship is the legal principle that grants automatic citizenship to individuals born within a country’s territory, regardless of their parents’ nationality or immigration status. In the United States, this right is established by the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which states that all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. are citizens. 

Legal experts and civil rights organizations swiftly responded to the order. A federal judge in Maryland, Deborah Boardman, issued a nationwide injunction blocking the order, emphasizing that citizenship is a vital right protected by the 14th Amendment. This injunction ensures the order remains suspended pending a full legal review, as 22 states sue federal powers. 

"Citizenship is a most precious right, expressly granted by the 14th Amendment to the Constitution," Judge Boardman said. 

The Trump administration defends the policy as a necessary measure to curb unauthorized immigration and what it calls “birth tourism.” According to the US census Bureau, there were around 22.9 million immigrants who were not naturalized citizens as of 2023, which included green card holders, those on temporary student or work visas and unauthorized migrants.
“It is long overdue for the United States to change its policy on birthright citizenship because it is being abused in so many ways,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham. 

To help Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) navigate these uncertain politics, The National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) created a list of resources to help guide AAPI citizens. Concerned citizens can also reach out to the National Immigration Law Center, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the Immigrant Legal Resource Center for more information.

Revoking Workplace Diversity Initiatives Affects Filipino American Professionals

In a move affecting workplace diversity, President Trump rescinded Executive Order 14031, titled "Advancing Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders” originally signed in by former President Joe Biden. This action has raised concerns among Filipino American professionals in DFW who have benefited from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

The Asian American Justice Center (AAJC) condemned the rescission, stating that it attempts to "sow chaos, disparage, and attack the communities we serve." The organization emphasized the importance of DEI initiatives in promoting fair treatment and career advancement opportunities for Asian American communities.

This comes with Executive Order 14151, titled “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing” signed on Jan. 20th. This order mandates the termination of all federal government programs, policies, and activities related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. This is not only limited to individuals of color, but also directly impacts veterans, women, elderly, low-income families, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ Individuals; which are all considered groups affected by DEI hires. 

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce criticized the rollback, warning that it could negatively affect workforce diversity and inclusion efforts nationwide. However, conservative organizations have praised the move, calling DEI initiatives “divisive” and unnecessary. 

In DFW, Filipino American employees are reassessing their career prospects and seeking alternative support networks. Groups like the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, National Women’s Law Center, National Organization on Disability, and the Human Rights Campaign can provide legal guidance and advocacy efforts for affected workers to navigate the changing landscape of workplace diversity policies.

Withdrawal from WHO Raises Health Concerns in Filipino Community

President Trump’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO) has sparked concerns amongst healthcare and public health initiatives. The move, announced Jan. 20 with Executive Order 14155, follows Trump’s long-standing criticism of the WHO, which he claims failed to handle the COVID-19 pandemic effectively. 

Public health experts warn that the withdrawal could affect international disease monitoring and response coordination. The decision could weaken global health initiatives and limit U.S. access to critical disease data, which is already taking place as the Center for Disease Control (CDC) is having information purged from its sites.

For Filipino Americans, the withdrawal raises concerns about potential disruptions to healthcare access, particularly for those relying on international aid programs. Filipino American healthcare workers in DFW have voiced their worries, citing potential negative impacts on medical research, vaccine distribution, and collaborative health programs.

Given how instrumental these organizations are in disease prevention, health promotion, and providing health information, it’s important to stay aware. Information can be found through Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum, and Asian American Health Initiative. The Wayback machine can also still be used on the CDC website to find redacted information.