Amid rising anti-Asian hate in the United States, new data suggests that funding cuts at the federal level could undermine crucial support for AA/PI communities. The second annual State of Anti-Asian American and Pacific Islander (AA/PI) Hate report, released by Stop AAPI Hate, reveals that 53 percent of AA/PI adults faced hate incidents during the heated 2024 election cycle, up from 49 percent the previous year.
Young adults have been hit hard. The survey of nearly 1,600 AA/PI adults, conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago, found that 74 percent of those aged 18 to 29 experienced hate acts in 2024. Harassment and institutional discrimination accounted for 48 percent and 24 percent of reported incidents, respectively.
The human toll extends beyond immediate fear. According to the report, 70 percent of survivors reported frequent stress, and 59 percent experienced regular anxiety. Meanwhile, 83 percent expressed concern about the nation’s racial climate. Yet many incidents go unseen: 40 percent of those who faced hate did not share their experiences, and 77 percent never reported to formal authorities.
At the same time, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has cut over $810 million in public safety grants, including a $2 million award for Stop AAPI Hate allocated by Congress two years ago. Community groups warn that these reductions will hamper efforts to prevent violence and support victims.
Stop AAPI Hate co-founder Manjusha Kulkarni emphasized the stakes: "Our new data makes clear that public institutions are failing to meet AA/PI communities' needs. And rather than supporting the very organizations that provide vital resources to fight hate and safeguard our communities, we are seeing federal institutions like the DOJ pulling back and reducing critical funding that has already helped make a difference."
In its press release, the San Francisco-based coalition added, "Stop AAPI Hate's report illustrates the ongoing threat of racism and xenophobia to AA/PIs' safety and well-being \u0013 making the Trump administration's illegal funding cuts not only unjust but also dangerously counterproductive in the fight against hate and violence."
The findings underscore an urgent call to action: as hate incidents climb, restoring and expanding federal support could be a critical step in building safer, more resilient communities across the United States.
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Anti-Asian hate persists in U.S. as federal support funding slashed
cgtn.com
