FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 8, 2023
Media Contact: Melissa Stek, media@aasforum.org
Washington, DC—Yesterday, Congress introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Government Surveillance Reform Act, or GSRA—a bill that would reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) with critical new provisions to protect Americans’ constitutional rights and add accountability for government surveillance abuses. Earlier this fall, the Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) co-led a letter signed by over 60 organizations calling on Congress for comprehensive reforms to Section 702. Along with many civil society and Asian American groups, AASF endorses the GSRA.
Led by Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Representatives Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) and Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), the bill would provide much-needed reforms to the expiring Section 702 of FISA, which has given intelligence agencies sweeping authority to collect the communications of foreigners abroad who use U.S. communications platforms—which has enabled warrantless and discriminatory surveillance that has disproportionately targeted Asian American immigrants and citizens.
“The Asian American and scholar community are all too familiar with the surveillance abuses of Section 702. AASF welcomes the introduction and encourages final passage of the Government Surveillance Reform Act,” said Gisela Perez Kusakawa, AASF Executive Director. “AASF member and internationally recognized expert in superconducting technology Dr. Xiaoxing Xi was subjected to this overreach when wrongfully investigated and prosecuted by the FBI in 2015. Over eight years later, he continues to fight for justice for himself and his family. Dr. Xi is not alone—Americans across the country have been negatively impacted by the broad authority of Section 702. The reforms that the GSRA would provide are a necessary step to rebuilding trust and preventing future harm to the Asian American, immigrant, and scientific community—and all Americans deserving of the constitutional right to privacy.”
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Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) is a national non-profit that promotes academic belonging, openness, freedom, and equality for all. In response to heightened anti-Asian sentiments and profiling in the U.S., AASF has been a leading national voice fighting for the rights of Asian American and immigrant scientists, researchers, and scholars. AASF membership includes members from the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Medicine, the National Academy of Science and the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, in addition to past and current university presidents, provost, vice provosts, deans, associate deans and past and current department chairs.