Chinese community organizations in New York City say they will continue providing information to immigrants on their legal rights and available resources, despite recent accusations against the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) of thwarting law enforcement.
In an April 3 article by independent media company Blaze Media, the publication accused CPC, the largest Asian American social services nonprofit in the country, of being part of “a conspiracy of individuals and organizations to thwart law enforcement” by offering “Know Your Rights” trainings aimed at educating community members on how to interact with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
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According to Blaze Media, Oversight Project President Mike Howell claimed he had alerted the Trump campaign and New York City Mayor Eric Adams about the matter. This Wednesday, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN), and Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability Chairman Josh Brecheen (R-OK) sent a letter to the CPC requesting the organization to respond by April 30, 2025, with detailed records related to its immigration-related seminars since Nov. 4, 2024 — including the March 8 event shown in a recently circulated video. The lawmakers also asked for information on all federal grant applications, a breakdown of government fund usage since January 2021, any communications with Biden-Harris political appointees, and details on foreign funding.
In the letter, Green wrote, “The Committee is deeply concerned that CPC and other NGOs that receive taxpayer dollars may be advising or training illegal aliens on strategies to avoid cooperation with immigration officials.”
He also noted that approximately 55% of CPC’s revenue comes from federal and state government grants. Since 2022, the organization has received more than $1.4 million in direct federal funding from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and suggested it may have received additional federal support distributed through the state of New York.
Last month, Rep. Dale Strong (R-AL), Chair of the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology, joined Chairmen Mark Green and Josh Brecheen in sending letters to the mayors of New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. The letters seek to investigate whether federal funds were allocated to organizations allegedly involved in or facilitating unlawful activities amid what the lawmakers call the Biden-Harris administration’s ongoing border crisis.
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Blaze Media’s article, citing footage obtained by Muckraker and published by the Oversight Project — an independent 501(c)(4) organization of the Heritage Foundation — alleges that Carlyn Cowen, CPC’s chief policy and public affairs officer, shared an example of how a restaurant she works at on weekends helped undocumented immigrants avoid ICE agents.
The article described CPC as a “leftist group” and accused it of misusing taxpayer funds by receiving millions in government grants while engaging in what it called “anti-law, pro-illegal immigration activism.”
In a statement shared with Documented, Alice Du, director of communications at CPC, firmly rejected the allegations and said CPC, a 60-year-old non-partisan organization, offers social services and legal rights education to help New Yorkers better understand areas like education, healthcare, employment, housing, and immigration.
“CPC fully adheres to all laws,” said Du in the statement. “Our trainings do not direct anyone to do anything or to evade the law, but rather to inform participants of their constitutional rights, which they may choose to exercise.”
The accusations have drawn the attention of other leaders in the Chinese community who defended CPC’s efforts and emphasized their continued commitment to serving immigrants, as they have seen a citywide uptick in demand for resources, including informational workshops.
Justin Yu, president of the Chinatown East Neighborhood Council, emphasized that the U.S. legal system protects the rights of all people — regardless of immigration status.
“Even undocumented immigrants have legal protections,” Yu said in Mandarin. “For example, crime victims can report offenses, and patients with infectious diseases can seek medical care. Failing to do so would harm the broader society.”
As a Manhattan-based organization that advocates for Chinatown residents, Chinatown East Neighborhood Council has also hosted a “Know Your Rights” workshop in February, but Yu said that the information they share focuses strictly on legal rights under U.S. law. “The purpose is to help immigrants understand their legal protections and respond to ICE using lawful means, not to resist or confront ICE unlawfully,” he said. “We will continue to provide briefings on legal rights and legal protections so people know how to navigate these situations within the boundaries of the law.”
Yiping Wu, president of the Queens-based nonprofit Asian-American Cohesion, echoed Yu’s comments and criticized the Oversight Project report. His organization promotes community safety, cultural exchange, and harmony among diverse ethnic groups, and he has also recently shared “Know Your Rights” information with community members.
“Nonprofits exist to serve vulnerable communities. Reporting on another nonprofit in this way undermines neutrality and the moral foundation of social service,” said Wu in Mandarin.
He believes the Trump administration’s enforcement policies primarily target undocumented immigrants with criminal records or those seen as abusing public benefits. However, he emphasized that undocumented immigrants who work hard and have no criminal history deserve equal treatment, as they are an integral part of society.
“We’ll continue to host events and offer services to those in need,” he said. “To stop now would mean abandoning our mission and becoming selective in who we help. That’s not what we stand for,” he added. “We don’t get involved in politics—we’re here to serve the community, and we welcome everyone.”
Huazhao Liang, founder of the Brooklyn-based nonprofit United Cultural Association, suggested the attack on CPC may be politically motivated.
“There’s always a motive behind these kinds of accusations,” he said in Mandarin.
UCA, a community organization committed to empowering individuals, families, and neighborhoods through access to essential resources, hosted a “Know Your Rights” workshop in partnership with Council Member Alexa Avilés’ office in late February. While Liang said his organization will continue its work, he noted a chilling effect on undocumented immigrants. He said his organization has also hosted multiple IDNYC enrollment workshops with city agencies, but turnout has dropped significantly recently.
“Last year, we’d have 20 to 30 people a day come in to apply. This year, some days we don’t see a single person. I guess many are afraid that applying could expose their immigration status and lead to deportation,” said Liang.
Despite the climate of fear, Liang said his organization remains committed to its mission. “All we want to do is serve those in need and help them improve their lives.”
