FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2024
Media Contact: Melissa Stek, media@aasforum.org
Washington, DC—In a significant victory this week, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals has reversed the conviction of Dr. Feng “Franklin” Tao for making a materially false statement regarding his relationship with a university in China. AASF celebrates Dr. Tao’s relief and views this court decision as a crucial step toward rectifying the unjust treatment of Chinese American and immigrant scientists under the now-defunct “China Initiative”—a program that sparked concerns about racial profiling and targeting of Asian Americans and immigrants, particularly of Chinese descent.
Dr. Tao was arrested in August 2019 and charged by the federal government under the “China Initiative” for allegedly concealing ties with a university in China during his tenure at the University of Kansas (KU).
In April 2022, Dr. Tao was convicted of four counts, but a district court overturned three of the four convictions later that year due to a lack of evidence. Four years ago, in her prior role, AASF Executive Director Gisela Kusakawa led the drafting of an amicus brief in support of Dr. Tao. In January 2023, AASF encouraged media attention, community turn-out, and public attention reaching over 36,000 on Twitter alone. AASF also submitted a letter on behalf of the Asian American scientific and academic community to Judge Julie Robinson, providing additional context for consideration. In September 2023, the 10th Circuit Court heard Dr. Tao’s appeal on the remaining conviction, and AASF encouraged additional community support and advocacy.
Said Gisela Perez Kusakawa, AASF Executive Director: “We welcome the court’s decision in favor of Dr. Franklin Tao. AASF remains steadfast in supporting those affected by unjust allegations under the ‘China Initiative’ and ensuring that the Initiative never returns again. For over four years, Dr. Tao and his family endured significant hardship. We applaud this landmark victory for recognizing that the legacy of the outdated China Initiative continues to impact Asian Americans today.”
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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.