Since the beginning of Biden’s term as president, he has implemented numerous plans that benefit the AAPI community. Prior to his presidential term, he helped the AAPI community in several ways as Obama’s vice president. The Obama Administration passed the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which provided health insurance to millions of Americans. Not only did this provide health insurance to 20 million more people, but it also provided insurance to two million people who are a part of the AAPI community. By the time Obama and Biden left office, the ACA was in full swing. In addition, the White House Initiative on AAPIs was reestablished by the Obama-Biden Administration, which aimed to improve the lives of AAPIs through federal programs, inter-agency coordination, and outreach to AAPI stakeholders. In addition, Biden contributed to securing the votes to finally deliver compensation payments to Filipino-American veterans that participated in World War II.

During the Obama-Biden Administration, AAPI representation increased in the government. More AAPI judges were appointed compared to other previous administrations, and with the employment of AAPIs in senior staff positions. As president, Biden will continue to nominate and appoint AAPI federal officials and judges. He plans to continue to build on the Initiative on AAPIs from the Obama-Biden Administration and the President’s Advisory Commission on AAPIs; he intends on ensuring that the AAPI community is considered and included by federal agencies when implementing federal programs. These commissions and initiatives also ensure that leaders from the AAPI community have their voices heard in the Biden Administration.

*President Joe Biden Speaking at the Agenda for the Asian American & Pacific Islander Community*

Although many AAPIs have access to education, many still also do not have the resources and support to achieve success. Biden will plan on improving the education system through increased funding, which will primarily be given to Title IX and low-income-serving schools. Needless to say, this would benefit those belonging to the AAPI community that are from low-income families.

Furthermore, regarding education, students, especially AAPIs, will benefit from Biden providing two years of free community college without having to be in debt afterward. As for middle-class AAPIs, Biden will double the maximum value of Pell grants, which will increase the number of AAPIs who can participate in the program. Additionally, this would increase the grant value for those who are already eligible for Pell. He will also address and deal with the issues of funding disparities that negatively impact institutions serving minorities, such as Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions.

More recently, with COVID-19, AAPIs have been facing a surge in racism and discrimination, most commonly associated with hate crimes. In order to address the rise of hate crimes, Biden has signed executive actions which openly condemned anti-Asian violence. In April 2021, the Senate passed legislation that aims to combat the rise of anti-Asian hate crimes due to COVID-19. This bill would deal with speeding up the process of reviewing hate crimes related to COVID-19 by establishing a new Justice Department position. Support would be provided to local law enforcement agencies when it comes to responding to anti-Asian violence as well. An amendment would also be included in this bill, which will improve data collection of hate crimes and establish telephone hotlines to report hate crimes.

*Stop Asian Hate rally at Times Square in New York City*

When it comes to voting, there are approximately 33 percent of AAPIs who are not proficient in English. This forms a barrier, making it difficult for them to go through the voting process. Because of this barrier and the elimination of the Voting Rights Act, communities of color, especially the AAPI community, have substantially lower participation in the democratic process. Wanting to strengthen America’s democracy, Biden will reinstate the Voting Rights Act, along with ensuring that the Justice Department intervenes with state laws that are suppressing the right to vote.

Many AAPI lawmakers have expressed their frustration over the lack of representation of the AAPI community in Biden’s cabinet. In response to this, Biden wants to increase representation in his cabinet, and the White House confirmed the new position of AAPI liaison. The White House stated that this would ensure that “the community’s voice is further represented and heard.” By appointing an AAPI to the liaison position, it would ensure that there is sufficient representation and participation in Biden’s administration. Increasing AAPI representation would further reflect the diversity of the U.S., which severely lacked in previous administrations.