Biden Signs Executive Order to Prevent Discrimination Against Asians

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] On the 28th (local time), U.S. President Joe Biden signed an executive order to promote equity, justice, and opportunities for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.

This comes in response to the significant increase in violence and discrimination against Asians following the COVID-19 pandemic, which has emerged as a social issue in the United States.

In the executive order, President Biden pointed out that although Asian Americans have greatly contributed to American society, systemic barriers to equity, justice, and opportunity have prevented them from achieving the "American Dream" for far too long.

He also emphasized that anti-Asian bias, xenophobia, and racism are deeply rooted in the United States, and addressing and confronting these issues is a key policy of the Biden administration.

The executive order, led by the Department of Health and Human Services, includes measures to mitigate anti-Asian bias related to COVID-19 and improve health equity.

Additionally, it addresses the lack of data on Asian Americans and others in the federal statistical system and expands language support programs that have been obstacles in health, job mobility, and voting.

President Biden has shown significant interest in issues of Asian discrimination and violence since taking office, including signing the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act on the 20th, which strengthens reporting and investigation of hate crimes against Asians.

After the shooting incident in March that took the lives of six Asians, including four Korean Americans, he visited Atlanta, where the incident occurred, and held a meeting with Asian American leaders.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.