ICE on a rampage, arresting, detaining, deporting Asian American veterans

'We expect to see a dramatic increase in the number of Asians arrested in the latter half of 2025'

SEARAC

Southeast Asian Americans protest deportations targeting their community.

Its crazy. US military veterans who fought for their country are not immune from the out-of-control agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement trying to meet a "quota" mandated by Donald Trump officials.

A recent report from UCLA Asian American and Pacific Islander Policy Initiative. found that arrests of Asian immigrants by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) more than tripled between 2024 and mid-2025. Enforcement actions have included workplace raids, such as one at a Hyundai plant in Georgia where over 300 Korean nationals were arrested.

Recent news from ICE raises concerns regarding non-citizen military veterans and Southeast Asian refugees who served with US forces during the Vietnam War, or as the Vietnamese government calls the "American War."

The situation is worse for some AAPI than others. Hmong and Laotian allies, who aided US forces during that conflict, have come under scrutiny. 

Reports indicate detentions for deportation, with 16 individuals arrested in Michigan in July and August 2025 based on older criminal records. Advocacy groups and state legislators have highlighted their service, but the federal government's focus on immigration enforcement, no matter how harsh, appears to continue.

State Representative Mai Xiong, Michigan's first Hmong American legislator, said in a Facebook video that many of the detainees had never been to Laos, having been born in refugee camps in other countries, or had been brought to the US as children.

        RELATED: 

• Hundreds of highly-skilled South Koreans arrested by ICE
• Man hangs himself while in ICE detention
• Immigration is the wedge; ending democracy is the goal

Xiong is the wife of Wa Kong Lor, one of the detained immigrants, read a statement during a press conference: "This appeared to be a targeted operation, an easy way for ICE officers to detain people without going to their homes."

"My husband, like many others that day, was taken without warning," she said.

This issue is not new. Earlier this year, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) rescinded a policy that generally allowed pre-1995 immigrants to remain in the country, leading to a significant increase in deportations. The Trump administration previously increased deportations of Southeast Asian refugees, sometimes for offenses committed years prior.

With policies indicating military service does not automatically prevent deportation, ICE has continued to act on these cases. Many have lived with final removal orders for years, in uncertainty because their countries of origin initially did not accept them back. However, US pressure is reportedly leading these nations to change their policies, increasing vulnerability for these refugees.

Concerns also extend to non-citizen military veterans and their families, with increased detentions by ICE reported since 2025. Examples provided include:

• A veteran reportedly detained without a warrant during a raid.

• An Army veteran and U.S. citizen allegedly subjected to tear gas and pepper spray during a raid despite identifying himself.

• A disabled veteran with a green card reportedly detained during a routine citizenship interview.

The Department of Homeland Security highlighted an individual who falsely claimed US military service, which some view as an attempt to justify enforcement actions.

Advocates suggest that many veterans facing deportation are being targeted for long-past offenses, sometimes linked to untreated service-related trauma.

For now, groups like the Asian Law Caucus and the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC) are fighting on the front lines, and legislation like the Southeast Asian Deportation Relief Act (SEADRA) is in the works. It's a small spark of hope in an otherwise dark time. But it's not enough. We need to do more. And we need to hold our leaders accountable for this disgraceful treatment of those who once served this nation.

And it appears that the situation will get worse  for AAPI communities as the Trump administration feels emboldened on the issue. In the first half of 2025, nationals from China, India, Vietnam, Laos, and Nepal accounted for 80% of Asian arrests.

"We expect to see a dramatic increase in the number of Asians arrested in the latter half of 2025. This will be driven by the Trump administration’s e�fort to ramp up the number of ICE arrests exponentially to reach its target of one million deportations per year," concludes the UCLA study.

"So far, ICE arrests have disproportionately impacted and harmed Latino communities, who have been subjected to extensive racial profiling. This will likely change because Asians are 16% of the estimated number of undocumented immigrants and 25% of the non-citizen immigrants, but they made up less than 3% of those arrested during the first few months of the Trump Administration," the UCLA analysis concludes. "The predicted increase may very well be accompanied by a resurgence in anti-Asian xenophobia."

News reports say the Trump administration has set a quota system for ICE detentions and deportations. Initially Trump explained that his administration would target violent criminals for deportation but as in order to meet the reported quota, federal agents have been arresting legal residents as they report to immigration courts, rounding up suspects in church, schools and at their jobs. 

The recent Supreme Court ruling allowing racial profiling so that federal agents to arrest anyone that looks like, sounds like or suspected of being an illegal immigrant broadens ICE powers will broaden the pool of people that can be arrested.

Any belief by conservative Asians and Asian Americans who voted for Trump that they are immune to his administration's racist immigration policies is a fantasy and should be put to rest.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. 

Coca-Cola and Pepsi battle it out over DEI

One of my earliest memories was when my family made that fateful journey by ship from the Philippines to the United States. I was 3-years old.

My father was in the US Army and  he was already in the United States. It was up to my mother to pack up three kids and the clothes we would need, do all the necessary paperwork and settle us in our cabine so we could make the journey by sesa to join my father who would be waiting for us in San Francisco.

The ship was not a fancy luxery cruise ship but a US transport vessel. it had staterooms, a dining room that served three meals a day and even a day-care facility that kept us youngsters busy with games, movies and other activities.

My favorite part of the day was the afternoon when my mom would allow my older brother and I to have a treat. At the ship's stern there was a lone red and white Coca-Cola machine where my brother and I  would buy a cup of Coca-Cola.

For only a dime, a paper cup would drop and the syrup and soda would pour into it mixing together.

To a little Filipino kid, that no drink tasted as good as that dark, sweet concoction from that machine. It was my introduction to America. 

Later, I learned that Coke had a rival soft drink. That would be Pepsi.

Pepsi and Coke have have this ongoing intense rivalry as to which of the two sodas is the most popular.

We're not here to argue which soda tastes better. This is about corporate responsibility and what big companies value. You've heard about the so-called "Cola Wars" before, right? Well, there's a new front in the rivalry, and it's all about DEI—Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Encouraged by the Donald Trump administration's attempts to do away with DEI programs meant to provide opportunities for people who historically been ignored or denied the same opportunities enjoyed by White males, Pepsi has too eagerly dropped its DEI program raising the question if it was ever committed to opening its corporate doors.

They're removing specific goals for minority hiring and shifting the focus. This comes after some noisy anti-affirmative action campaigns in the US. The company is basically bowing to pressure, moving away from concrete targets and toward, what they call, "broader" programs.

But wait. What does that really mean? When you water down your promises and remove your targets, aren't you just paving the way for inaction? It's easy for companies to talk the talk about inclusion, but when it’s time to walk the walk, suddenly the metrics disappear. It's like promising to fix our country's problems without a clear plan.

Compare Pepsi's decision with Coca-Cola. It appears that the international corporation is trying to live up to that classic "Hilltop" commericial in which a diverse group of young people sang that song that still lingers in my head:

"I'd like to buy the world a home / And furnish it with love / Grow apple trees and honey bees / And snow white turtle doves / I'd like to teach the world to sing / In perfect harmony / I'd like to buy the world a Coke / And keep it company / That's the real thing"

Ahh, the world seemed so simple then in the 1970s and everything was so promising and possible. But that was then and today the Republicans have turned DEI into a dirty word. 

        RELATED:The Coke commercial hits home

Today, Coca-Coal is doubling down on their commitment to DEI. They're setting hard goals, like having women in half of their senior leadership roles by 2030. They're making sure their workforce reflects the national census. They’ve even said that not having a culture of inclusion could hurt their business.

Coca-Cola supports these initiatives through employee inclusion networks, equity audits, and the integration of DEI principles into human resources and business policies to foster an inclusive environment where all employees feel valued and can thrive. 

Watch Coca-Cola's "Hilltop" commercial

What's the lesson here? One company, Pepsi, is seemingly prioritizing a smoother public relations path, bending the knee to Trump. The other, Coca-Cola, is saying that inclusion isn't just a feel-good thing—it's good for the business. They see that diversity isn't a quota to be met and then forgotten but also a strategic business advantage, enhancing innovation, attracting talent, and improving decision-making.

So next time you reach for a soda, ask yourself: which company's actions do you stand behind? It's a small choice, but it speaks volumes about what we, as a society, demand from the powerful.

For me, the answer is clear. I decided to boycott Pepsi. You're free to join me if you want.

I still get the fuzzies thinking about that little kid enjoying that first sip of Coke on that ship taking me to a new land and changing my life forever. Its true: things go better with Coke.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. 

Rightwing influencer Charlie Kirk died in the America he helped shape

Ultra-conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, RIP.

OPINION

Thoughts and prayers for the family of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk who was slain Sept. 10. 

No one should be killed for his or her  political views, but this is what today's America  that he helped shape is like these days. With the recent murders of Minnesota politicians, the attempted kidnapping of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and not to mention the suspicious attempted shooting that nipped Donald Trump, we're getting too use to political violence. Do you like it?

The assassination of Kirk was horrible .... but, honestly, is he someone who deserves having the American flag placed on half-staff? or, as proposed by Donald Trump, posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom?

No one can argue that he had a huge influence on you people and White House staff. Instead of using his communication talent and intelligence to advance society, he helped foment the hate and division that blankets our society today. That was his power and his legacy.

Ironically, at an event for his followers in 2023, Kirk argued against gun control. “We must also be real," he said. "We must be honest with the population. Having an armed citizenry comes with a price, and that is part of liberty... But I think it’s worth it. I think it’s worth to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year, so that we can have the Second Amendment.”

Numerous quotes by radical conservative activist Kirk have been widely condemned for being hateful, inflammatory, or false by his critics and praised and hailed by his followers. His controversial comments often targeted racial minorities including Asians and Asian Americans, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals. Here's a sampling:

• In March 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the right-wing activist posted about the "China virus" - a phrase that was later adopted and spread by Donald  Trump in his first term that Asian Americans said contributed to the surge of hate crimes against Asians.
• On his radio show, Kirk dismissed empathy as a harmful idea. “I can’t stand the word empathy, actually. I think empathy is a made-up, new age term that does a lot of damage.”
• At a December 2023 political conference hosted by his Turning Points USA group, he said, "We made a huge mistake when we passed the Civil Rights Act in the 1960s." He claimed that the law ushered in a "permanent" bureaucracy meant to promote diversity, equity and inclusion.
• During a heated exchange on Jubilee’s Surrounded, he claimed Black people were “better” in the 1940s. “They were actually better in the 1940s. It was bad. It was evil. But what happened? Something changed. They committed less crimes… Black America is worse than it has been in the last 80 years.”
• On child pregnancy after rape? When asked how he would advise his daughter in a disturbing scenario, he said, “The answer is yes. The baby would be delivered.”
• Kirk called Islam a "threat to America" that is incompatible with Western civilization. In September 2025, he posted on social media that "Islam is the sword the left is using to slit the throat of America".
• At a TPUSA event, he compared trans identity to blackface. “A man who calls himself trans is wearing ‘woman face,’ no different than I would wear Black face trying to be a Black person. It’s assuming an identity that isn’t yours.”
• On his radio show, he claimed Joy Reid, Michelle Obama, Sheila Jackson Lee, and Ketanji Brown Jackson were “affirmative action picks” and went further, “Black women do not have the brain processing power to otherwise be taken really seriously. You had to go steal a white person’s slot to go be taken somewhat seriously.”
• During a 2024 podcast episode with fellow rightwing activist Jack Posobeic, he said: "I'm sorry. If I see a Black pilot, I'm going to be like, 'Boy, I hope he's qualified,."
• After Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement, he fantasized about her becoming more conservative. “Submit to your husband, Taylor. You’re not in charge.”
• On X, he once commented, “Gun control, like vaccines and masks, is focused on making people feel ‘safe’ by taking freedoms away from others. Don’t fall for it.”
• Kirk often railed against retirement. “For future retirees, people under the age of 45, we should absolutely raise the retirement age. I’m not a fan of retirement. I don’t think retirement is biblical… I think, what a waste of the gifts that God has given you.”

Days before his death, Kirk was in Asia trying to spread his divisive message among disaffected and alienated young men.

"The phenomenon of young people, especially men, turning conservative is occurring simultaneously across multiple continents," Kirk told a South Korean audience.

"It is not unique to the US, which is why it deserves more attention. That is why I chose South Korea as my first Asian destination," while not mentioning his white supremacist views.

Today, an alleged suspect has been arrested, 22-year old Tyler Robinson, of St. George, Utah, a few hours away from. Utah Valley University, where the Kirk was spreading his views in front of thousands of college students before he was fatally shot.

While I condemn the killing of Charlie Kirk, he should not be lionized. He is not a martyr. He is not a hero. Ultimately, he paid the price he espoused for his warped interpretation of the Second Amendment. 

Nevertheless, may Charlile Kirk rest in peace. Thoughts and prayers.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. 

ICE raid on Hyundai plant alarms South Korea and Asian American communities

SCREEN CAPTURE

Hundreds of Hyundai workers were rounded up by ICE

The ICE raidd last week on the Hyundai plant in Georgia is a punch to the gut for Asian Americans. Hundreds of workers, many of them Korean, were rounded up like criminals. 

This is not just a story for the evening news. This is a cold, hard slap in the face to those Asian Americans who believed that Donald Trump's harsh immigration policies applied to Latinos, not the so-called "model minority."

“Militarized enforcement actions disguised as workplace investigations raise serious legal and moral concerns,” Meredyth Yoon, Litigation Director at Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta. “This raid is among the largest worksite actions in U.S. history, and it cannot come at the expense of individual rights. We have concerns for the impacted individuals, families, and their rights and are committed to understanding the extent to which the U.S. Government and employers have violated rights.”

Georgia House Minority Whip Sam Park called the September 2025 ICE raid on a Hyundai plant a "politically motivated attack" and expressed a sense of "betrayal" shared by Korean Americans.

For so long, Asian Americans have been told to keep our heads down, work hard, and the system will reward us. The lie we believed was simple: "You're not like those other immigrants. The law works for you."

        RELATED: Fear on social media

ICE agents, armed with military-grade weapons, sealed off the site, blocked roads, and surrounded the area with helicopters, drones, and armored vehicles. Witnesses reported that workers were loaded onto buses, had their phones confiscated, and many were pressured to sign documents without legal counsel. Accounts also describe the use of physical force, tear gas, and intimidation tactics. Advocates stressed that these were not workplace checks but military-style operations carried out against civilian workers.

The raid in Georgia shatters that illusion. It exposes the ugly truth: we, too, are vulnerable. The same immigration system that brutalizes others will come for us when it is politically convenient. This isn't an isolated incident; it's a pattern, a tool of a system that promises fairness but delivers abuse. 

The stories coming out of the raid are horrific: heavily armed agents, tear gas, shackled workers, and a climate of fear deliberately created to intimidate and break spirits. Images of the South Koreans shackled at the wrists and ankles shocked and angered South Koreans in the US and in their home country.

“It’s not like these are long-term workers,” said South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. “When you build a factory or install equipment at a factory, you need technicians, but the United States doesn’t have that workforce and yet they won’t issue visas to let our people stay and do the work.”

Lee said a deal had been reached with the US so the South Korean government  chartered an airliner to bring the workers back to South Korea.

Apparently, the angry reaction of the South Korean government was unexpected by the Trump administration as Trump officials realized many of the workers were in the US legally with B-1 visas because of their specialized skills necessary to operate the high-tech battery plant being constructed 

The chartered flight for the South Korean workers was scheduled to depart the US on Wednesday, however, Trump delayed the flight in an effort to defuse the  apparent anger  of the South Korean government. He proposed allowing the Korean workers to remain in the US to continue their work. The South Korean government believed it would be better for the workers to return to South Korea in order to destress from their harrowing experience. The flight is now scheduled for Friday (Sept. 12).

If the US doesn't improve its immigration policies “Establishing a local factory in the United States will either come with severe disadvantages or become very difficult for our companies,” President Lee  continued. “They will wonder whether they should even do it.”

The entire episode was meant to be a PR stunt for positive headlines as the "biggest ICE operation" and distract from the negative headlines generated by the Epstein files. The ICE raid may turn into an embarassing guffaw for the Trump administration as it tries to save the over 8,000 jobs the battery plant was going to hire. 

Meanwhile, Hyundai's corporate leaders are left confused and questioning the billions of dollars invested, the promises made. It’s a betrayal of trust on a grand, international scale.

Besides the promised jobs, ICE's overzealous raid might adversely affect Hyundai's plans to invest $26 billion through 2028 to expand its manufacturing footprint in the US,  including a new steel mill and a robotics facility, as well as to enhance its auto production. 

For the rest of us Asian Americans, this moment is a reminder that our liberation is intertwined with that of all marginalized communities. The struggle against a broken system is not an "other people's" issue—it is ours.

“We are deeply alarmed by the recent immigration raid at a battery plant in Georgia. Hundreds of immigrants—many of whom are of Korean descent—have been detained, reportedly including US citizens and lawful permanent residents," said members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and Georgia's Congressional delegation.

"Instead of targeting violent criminals, the Trump administration is going after immigrants at work and in communities of color to meet its mass deportation quotas. These senseless actions rip apart families, hurt the economy, and undermine the trust of our global partners. We are closely monitoring the situation and demanding the administration uphold due process for the workers impacted.”

The fight is far from over. It's on us to stand up and say, "Not on our watch." Let the image of those shackled workers be a permanent reminder: an injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. The path forward is not to stay silent but to demand a system that honors human dignity, not one that exploits and discards it.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. 

Chelsea soccer team breaks up the 'inseparable' Thompson sisters

Filipino American soccer stars Alyssa (left) and Giselle Thompson seek separate career paths.

One of the best soccer teams in the world, the  Chelsea Football Club, gave Alyssa Thompson an offer she couldn't refuse. But that means leaving her sister Giselle and the Angel City Football Club, her hometown team.

The Los Angeles women's soccer team announced Friday that its star forward and US women's national team winger, 20-year old Alyssa Thompson has officially signed with Chelsea FC, an elite British team with a championship tradition.. 

A few hours after ACFC announced Alyssa Thompson's departure, the team announced a contract extension for her sister, 19-year old Gisell,e up to 2029.

After a protracted negotiation between the California and British teams, multiple reports put the transfer costing Chelsea somewhere between $1.3 million and $2 million. The fee marks a new transfer record for both clubs. Alysssa Thompson will be with Chelsea until 2030.

There were so many considerations beyond the business side of the sport for Alyssa Thompson.  “I love LA,” Thompson told Chelsea’s official website. “I love playing there. I love being with my sister. I love my family. But what I also know is that I want more for myself, and I want to experience different things. I feel like Chelsea is such an amazing club.

“It was definitely a difficult decision to make to leave my family, my friends, and my home,” said the Filipino/Peruvian American. “I’ve never left home before, but once I heard about the offer, I really wanted to do it. I knew it would be so good for me. I felt like I’d be able to grow not just as a player, but also as a person.

“I decided now was the right time because I felt in my gut that I wanted to go, and I’ve never felt like that before about other hard decisions that I’ve made in the past.”

Both Thompson sisters had signed contract extensions with Angel City in January that were meant to keep the pair at their hometown professional club through 2028, but apparently, everything, even allowing their star forward leave, has a price, a price salary-rich Chelsea was eagar to pay.

Chelsea admitted that the chmpionship calibre team scouted both Alyssa and Giselle Thompson prior to making an offer.

“I love LA and signing this new contract makes sense for me and my career," said Giselle Thompson. "Everyone at Angel City has been so supportive of me since I joined the club. My teammates are like family, the coaches and staff have my back, the fans are incredible. I love being able to play in front of my friends and family."

“We are thrilled that Gisele will be home in Los Angeles through 2029,” said ACFC Sporting Director Mark Parsons. “At age 19, she is already one of the most exciting players in the world. We will continue to support her as she develops as a pro and elevates her game."

Right after high school, Alyssa Thompson was drafted No. 1 in 2023 by Angel City and even signed a deal with Nike. A year later, ACFC signed Giselle.

The Thompsons scored the first-ever sister-to-sister goal in NWSL history against Washington Spirit in May of this year when Alyssa, a forward, passed the ball to Giselle, a defender, who kicked it into the net.

During her time with the L.A. club, Alyssa Thompson made 62 regular season appearances, scoring 15 goals with 11 assists. She made her first appearance with the US Women’s National Team in 2022 against England and has 22 total caps with three goals. Due to an injury, she was not on the US team at the Paris Olympics.

Undoubtedly, she was LAFC's best player and face of the franchise judged as a middle-of- the-pack team even though they are in the playoffs. Arguably, she was the best forward in the league. 

At Chelsea, she will not be the best player and will compete with established veterans  for playing time and position in the Blues' system.

"I hope I develop a lot as a player, learn from the veterans on the team, and get their insight on things so that I can grow each year and become a better player," said the youthful Alyssa Thompson, who is not even in her peak years.

"Chelsea is such an amazing club, one of the best in the world. Being able to play with players that are the best in the world is an amazing opportunity at such a young age," Alyssa Thompson said in a statement. "I want to learn, grow and develop a lot. I feel like Chelsea is such an amazing environment to do that in."

In their young careers, the Thompsons have been teammates in high school, youth teams and, of course, on Angel City. Alyssa's move to Chelsea will mark the first time they won't be on the same team. Although they will be in different leagues in the near future, the Thompsons will still be teammates on the women's national team and they have another goal coming up quickly

“It’s like an unspoken (dream)," Alyssa said.

“That is the dream of ours: to play together in LA, at the Olympics, in front of all of our family… that would be so cool.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. 

Pegula and Osaka end their runs at the US Open

Jessica Pegula and Naomi Osaka made it close to playing each other in the US Open finals.

The dream match for Asian and Asian American tennis fans won't be happening at the US Open. Not this year, at least.

Both Jessica Pegula and Naomi Osaka lost their games in the US Open semi-finals Thursday. But they didn't go down without a fight. Both of their matches went three sets.

In a rematch of last year's finals, defending US Open champion Anna Sabalenka overcame fourth seed Pegula in a thrilling three-set semifinal, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“I don't know how I didn't break back in the third,” said Korean American Pegula. “I didn't feel like I did much wrong.

“I'm one of the top players in the world. I always feel I can go out, and I can beat these girls. Even though I maybe don't have the massive weapons that some of them have or the flashiness that some of them have, I feel like I'm always right there every time I play them."

Playing some of her best tennis, Japan's Naomi Osaka, the No. 23 US Open seed, battled the world's No. 1 ranked Amanda Anisinova in the tightly fought semifinals, 6-7(4), 7-6(3), 6-3.

Osaka, a single mother, gave birth to her child in 2023 and is just returning to the form that won her four Grand Slam titles. Her showing at this year's US Open was her best performance since taking time off to have her baby.

In her post-match press conference, an upbeat the American-raised Osaka said: “I don’t feel sad, it’s really weird.

“Well, it’s not weird because I just feel that I did the best that I could,” explained the two-time US Open champion.

“And honestly, it’s kind of inspiring for me because it makes me just want to train and try to get better and hopefully just give it my best shot again and see what happens.

“I think I can’t be mad or upset at myself. I am happy that I lost in the semis instead of the first round or the third round, which is where I usually get to!”

Both Pegula and Osaka are playing some of their best tennis and their performance at the US Open and the tennis world will undoubtedly hear a lot more of them in the coming year.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. 

US Open: Osaka's victory setting up a possible all-Asian final against Pegula

 Naomi Osaka makes it to the semi-finals of the US Open.

The possibility that two Asian women will be playing in the uS Open finals took another step to reality when Naomi Osaka won her quarter-final match against Karolina Muchova, 6-4, 7-6(3).

Osaka's victory Wednesday comes after Korean American Jessica Pegula won her quarter-final match on Tuesday against Barbora Krejcikova, 6-3, 6-3.

With a strong ground game and power serve, Osaka looked like the player that won the US Open in 2018 and 2020.

"It was an incredibly difficult match," Osaka said in her on-court interview immediately after the contest. "She's one of the best players in the world, and every time I play her it's so, so difficult. Last year she beat me here when I had one of my best outfits, so I was really upset," she added, drawing laughs from the crowd.

"I'm just really grateful to be here. It's my first time in a semi now (as a mom) I was sitting up there watching and hoping that I can have the opportunity to play on the court again, so this is like my dream is coming true," said the Japan-born Osaka. She immigrated with her family when she was 3-years old.

Osaka doesn't have time to celebrate and the road to the finals will be a challenge.  Her semi-final match will be today against Wimbledon finalist Amanda Anismova of the US. Anisimova has beaten Osaka in their two other meetings in 2022.

Pegula's match will not be easy either. She plays a familiar foe Thursday, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who beat Pegula in last year's classic hard fought US Open finals.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. 

Gap answers American Eagle's Sydney Sweeney ad with Katseye's diversity

K-pop group Katseye members team up with  Gap emphasizing diversity.

Rival jean-makers have been sucked into the culture wars dividing America with contrasting messages in their advertising. 

Gap's new ad is in response to American Eagle's Sydney Sweeney campaign is titled "Better in Denim" and features the global girl group Katseye dancing to Kelis's "Milkshake". 

The ad was released on August 19, 2025, and is praised for its diversity, individuality, and a positive message of self-expression. Its inclusive approach and inclusion of the iconic song are seen by many as a direct, yet subtle, contrast to the American Eagle campaign, which faced criticism for its perceived lack of diversity.

Critics accused the ad of evoking eugenics, a discredited theory that the human race can be improved by breeding out less desirable traits.

American Eagle's ad slogan, "It's in the jeans," is a play on words of a common quote: It's in the genes." Featuring actress Sydney Sweeney, who is white, plays into white nationalists message of the alleged superiority of those of European descent.

Although it takes months to launch an advertising campaign, the Gap ad campaign was interpreted as a direct response to Sweeney's "all-American" (Read: "white") look. Katseye's Sophia, who is the sextet’s leader, is Filipino; Lara is Asian Indian; Manon is Swiss/Italian/Ghanaian; Daniela is Venezuelan Cuban; Yoonchae is Korean and Megan is Chinese/Singaporean American.

“Gap didn’t ask us to fit in — they invited us to show up as we are,” said Katseye.
“The denim moved with us, and every look felt like our own. We got to perform as ourselves, bringing our style and culture to every frame. That’s what makes this moment so powerful.”

Gap unveiled “Better in Denim,” its Fall 2025 campaign starring thel girl group Katseye. Set to the iconic early-2000s anthem “Milkshake” by Kelis, the campaign reintroduces low rise denim into the cultural conversation through a genre-blending dance choreographed by Robbie Blu,. directed by Bethany Vargas and shot by Bjorn Iooss.According to a Gap press release, the campaign captures the spirit of individuality — championing denim as a canvas for self-expression, unity, and style that transcends generations.

Even though Katseye conjures up comparisons to K-pop girl groups, the sextet is based in Los Angeles.With over 22 million followers, a growing global fandom, and Billboard-charting singles, Katseye is one of the most buzzed-about new acts in music. 

The six-member group blends individuality, cultural diversity, and pop innovation—styled head-to-toe in denim, including a reimagined Long & Lean jean designed to reflect their personal identities. Their multicultural point of view, combined with bold self-expression, has earned them a powerful voice within global youth culture. That same energy and authenticity bring new meaning to Gap’s roots in music, movement, and style.

“Gap continues to build on its legacy of bridging generations by spotlighting global talent and celebrating self-expression through music, dance, and denim” said Mark Breitbard, President and CEO, Gap brand. “Partnering with Katseye was a natural fit, we share a bold, expressive and inclusive point of view. ‘Better in Denim’ is the best expression of who the brand is today — fresh, relevant, original, and undeniably Gap.”

        FYI: View Katseye in denim looks

Though American Eagle tried to emphasize the word "jeans" with "genes," to cloths maker argument is weak when in the ad, Sweeney, says: "Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair colour, personality and even eye colour. My jeans are blue."

American Eagle tried to defend itheir campaign as an ad about jeans which debutd in late July. But the underlying message, intentional or not, sparked a debate over race and beauty standards raising societal memories of Adolf Hitler's ideal of Aryan perfection: blond, blue eyes and white skin.

The comparison of the two ad campaigns grew more heated when Donald Trump weighed in his preference: "Sydney Sweeney, a registered Republican, has the HOTTEST ad out there," he posted on  Truth Social. "Go get 'em Sydney!"

Even before Trump added his 2-cents, and before the debut of the Gap ad, the AE ad had been the focus of conservative media with some suggesting the ad had been not only a great promotion for American Eagle - but also for the political party.

With over 22 million followers, a growing global fandom, and Billboard-charting singles, Katseye is one of the most buzzed-about new acts in music. The six-member group blends individuality, cultural diversity, and pop innovation—styled head-to-toe in denim, including a reimagined Long & Lean jean designed to reflect their personal identities, states a Gap press release.

"Their multicultural point of view, combined with bold self-expression, has earned them a powerful voice within global youth culture. That same energy and authenticity bring new meaning to Gap’s roots in music, movement, and style," says The Gap.

“Partnering with Katseye was a natural fit, we share a bold, expressive and inclusive point of view," said The Gap's Breitbard. "‘Better in Denim’ is the best expression of who the brand is today — fresh, relevant, original, and undeniably Gap.”

The six-member Katseye debuted in June of this year, with their track "Debut." The tongue-in-cheek pop song is part of their first EP SIS which stands for “Soft Is Strong”. Touch, the track that has gone viral on Tiktok, can also be found on SIS, along with three other songs that give us an opening peek into what Katseye has to offer.

In addition, the women of Katseye are the stars of the new Netflix documentary Pop Star Academy: Katseye, which has gotten global attention on the group.

Here's American Experience's controversial ad:

Now, watch the Gap's ad with Katseye:

American Eagle got more than expected with the Sweeney ad. The jean maker's stock got a significant boost after Trump's endorsement.

The Gap ad went viral giving that clothing manufacturer a big boost and the attention of a younger demographic.

Perhaps the biggest winner of the jean controversy is Katseye. Though Katseye is  just getting started, it’s safe to say that they’re on to bigger, better things in their future.

The denim war is just another front for the ongoing cultural debate around representation, beauty standards, and the intersection of advertising and politics.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. 

Korean American tennis player moves to US Open semi-finals

Jessica Pegula enroute to the US Open semi-finals.

One dream continues as another dream comes to an end at the US Open.

Korean American Jessica Pegula makes it to the quarter-rfinals but crowd favorite 45-year old Venus Williams and Filipino Canadian teammate Leylah Fernandez

Taking care of business Tuesday morning, No. 4 seed and last year's US Open finalist Jessica Pegula avoided any potential drama and eased past Barbora Krejcikova, 6-3, 6-3 to advance to the semifinals in Flushing Meadows for the second straight year.

No. 4 seed Pegula,whose mother is from Korea, was born in Buffalo, NY. Her parents are  the owners of the NFL's Buffalo Bills and NHL's Buffalo Sabres, showed exactly why she’s made eight Grand Slam quarterfinal appearances in just the last four years.

“I think I’ve been playing some really good tennis,” Pegula said on-court after the bout. “I’ve just been playing very solid, I’ve been having very good, quick starts, so I really wanted to do that today, especially against someone like her who’s very dangerous. And even at the end there it got really tight. She hit a couple really good returns when I was serving up 4-1 and then we all saw what she did against Taylor, so yeah, I was happy that we’re done [with the match].”

The results were not as favorable for Fernandez  and Williams who played Tuesday afternoon against  the No. 1 seed of Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend. The latter team has been together a little less than two years but the pair has already collected Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon in 2024 and the Australian Open this year.

Fernandez and Williams

In contrast, the Fernandez-Williams pair was put together onlly two days before the start of this year's US Open and not even seeded.

Teamwork developed over time was an advantage for Siniakova and Townsend who went on to win the contest, 6-1. 6-2, in only 55 minutes.

Thw team of Venus Williams, left and Leylah Fernandez was the surprise of the US Open.

Siniakova and Townsend were in control throughout the game. Townsend was extremely effective at the net and neither Williams or Fernandez could handle her serve, hitting the return out-of bounds, into the net or right to their opponent.

"Seeing Venus playing on court for joy just kind of brought me back as to why I started playing tennis," said the 22-year old Fernandez.

Even Townsend, who usually has the crowd on her side, had to step aside for Williams, who has won four US Open titles, two in singles and two in doubles.

"Growing up watching Venus and Serena, for me and my sister, we wanted to be like them. It was an honour to share the court with her," said the US's Townsend.

Crowd favorite Williams, who was visibly emotional after exiting the singles competition in the first round, was all smiles as she soaked up the standing ovation from the crowd.

"I'm really happy with the way that we played today," said Townsend. "Especially playing opponents that are that tough and are able to kind of make adjustments on the fly, and Venus is a legend and understands and knows how to win and figure things out when things aren't going her way. And Leylah the same. She always is a fighter.

"It really made me very proud, and I'm sure Kat as well, of the way we were able to stay solid from start to finish."

Tomorrow (Sept. 3) Japan's Naomi Osaka, who holds dual citiznship for Japan and the US, will face off against Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk. 

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge.