Evolving Activism in an Anti-Immigrant Administration: Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Nonprofit Experiences after the 2016 Elections

Abstract

ABSTRACT Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI)-serving nonprofits were at the forefront of pro-immigrant advocacy during the Trump Administration in the midst of sudden changes in policy that caused extreme turmoil for AANHPIs. This study examines how these federal sociopolitical factors shaped nonprofit activism and finances for Los Angeles AANHPI organizations in 2017. Using interviews, I found that nonprofits could innovate in small ways to support AANHPIs, but were also limited in their advocacy because of funding and political constraints. These findings demonstrate the challenges and persistence required for AANHPI activism in a xenophobic and restrictive landscape.