Our Policy Platform

OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates is dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of AAPIs.

President Trump's Executive Order Tracker

This tracker monitors and provides updates on executive orders issued by President Trump that directly impact the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community, highlighting key policies and their implications.

As the new federal administration takes office, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities face renewed and mounting threats — from attacks on voting rights to anti-immigrant policies and cuts to essential federal programs. In response, OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates will continue the fight we began in 1973 to uphold civil rights and ensure our communities are heard, represented, and protected.  

OCA will champion five key policy areas in 2025 through federal advocacy, grassroots organizing, and coordination across our 35 regional chapters:

1. Defend Constitutional Protections

Constitutional protections must apply equally to all, but recent months have seen executive overreach threatening the rights of immigrant communities, international students, and others. OCA will fight to ensure that fundamental rights such as citizenship, due process, free speech, and privacy are protected.  

Key Issues & Actions: OCA joins high-impact litigation and leads public education campaigns to defend the rights of AANHPI communities against constitutional violations.  

  • Monitor and challenge executive orders that violate constitutional protections, while amplifying public awareness and advocacy. 

  • Lawsuits: OCA is a plaintiff in litigation countering constitutional overreach from executive actions, including birthright citizenship and voting access. 

2. Safeguard Voting Rights

Since the gutting of the Voting Rights Act in Shelby v. Holder, the right to vote has been under attack. From restrictive ID laws to shortening registration windows to racist gerrymandering, the AANHPI community has much to lose through disenfranchisement.  

Key Issues & Actions: OCA works with national coalition partners to defend the fundamental right to vote while reducing barriers to engaging in our democracy. 

  • Oppose the SAVE Act and other restrictive voter ID proposals. 

  • Protect language access under Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act.

  • Bill sign ons: John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, Freedom to Vote Act 

3. Protect Federal Programs that Serve AAPI Communities

Federal programs in areas like healthcare, education, and housing are under threat — yet they are critical lifelines that our communities rely on.  

4. Bridge the Digital Divide for Immigrant and Elder Communities

In an increasingly digital society, access to the internet is a civil right. OCA will continue to advocate for the community by expanding internet access for vulnerable populations, combating misinformation and disinformation, and ensuring that our elders are protected from emerging technological threats. 

Key Issues & Actions: OCA mobilizes national and state-level advocacy to protect and strengthen federal programs vital to the well-being of AANHPI communities.  

  • Healthcare: Protect Medicaid, Medicare, and ACA programs from cuts that disproportionately harm AANHPI seniors and low-income families. 

  • Education: Protect funding for ESL programs, Title VI civil rights enforcement, and federal student aid. 

  • Policy advocacy: Fight against harmful budget proposals, hold Congress accountable to protecting these programs.

  • Lawsuits: OCA’s ongoing DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) lawsuit

5. Advance Health Equity and Intergenerational Care

The COVID-19 pandemic deepened health disparities and caregiving burdens in AANHPI communities. OCA champions policies that address the critical issues of aging/caregiving, mental health, and women's health, exacerbated by cultural and language barriers. 

Key Issues & Actions: OCA advocates for policies that promote digital literacy and infrastructure to expand internet access. 

  • Broadband expansion: Advocate for policies expanding affordable broadband access in underserved AANHPI communities.  

  • Digital literacy: Promote funding for community-based digital literacy programs.  

  • Protect privacy/security: Advocate for stronger protections against scams and fraud targeting elders and immigrants online.  

Key Issues & Actions: OCA advocates for legislation to support caregiving and language access to healthcare systems.  

  • Support for caregivers: Advocate for the Alleviating Barriers to Caregiving Act (ABC Act) and legislation supporting caregivers. 

  • Mental health equity: Promote culturally and language-competent mental health services and community-based support. 

  • Language access in healthcare: Expand language access requirements across federal and state healthcare systems. 

  • Elder care: Advocate for policies supporting community-based elder care services, combating isolation, and improving access to care.  

  • Women’s health: Advance policies addressing health disparities affecting AANHPI women, including maternal care and reproductive health.