Iowa City Area Chinese Association

03/17/2026

We strongly oppose HF2513. This bill could have significant consequences for international students, scholars, and the academic community in Iowa.

Chinese students, researchers, and faculty have long contributed to the strength, innovation, and global reputation of Iowa’s public universities. It is important that our community understands what this bill proposes and the real impact it could have.

The website below explains the details of HF2513 and highlights the important contributions Chinese scholars and students make to Iowa’s public colleges and universities.

Learn more and stay informed:
https://stophf2513.org/funding

Website information compiled and shared by Emily Guo

With solidarity,

Iowa City Area Chinese Association爱城华人协会 Central Iowa Chinese Faculty and Staff Association 爱荷华中部华人教职工协会
Chinese Association of Iowa 爱荷华州华人协会
United Chinese Americans 美国华人联盟

Chinese faculty and researchers make significant contributions to Iowa’s research ecosystem, helping bring major federal investment into the state. The two categories below (NIH awards and NSF awards) show examples of this impact. These are only sample highlights, and there are more funding awards...

03/16/2026

Due to severe weather, the gathering to protest HF2513 at the Iowa State Capitol has been postponed to 4:00 PM on Saturday, March 21.

03/15/2026

Dear friends,

Over the past two days, many of you have learned about House File 2513 (HF2513). This bill has already passed the Iowa State House and received Senate committee approval — it is now just one Senate floor vote away from becoming law. If passed, HF2513 would prohibit all public universities, community colleges, and other higher education institutions in Iowa from hiring H-1B visa holders from countries designated as foreign adversaries by the federal government. This list explicitly includes China, as well as Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria, and Venezuela.

This means that Chinese scholars, researchers, doctors, and professionals currently working at the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and other institutions — or those hoping to work here in the future — could be turned away solely because of their nationality. This is not just a policy issue. It is a matter of fairness, dignity, and the future of our community.

The Board of the Iowa City Area Chinese Association held an emergency meeting today and unanimously decided that, as the representative Chinese organization of the Iowa City area, we firmly oppose this discriminatory bill targeting the Chinese community. The Association will sign the petition open letter on behalf of our collective membership. This decision is grounded in the facts that of the 117 H-1B visa holders currently employed at Iowa universities from all seven listed countries, 104 are Chinese. These 104 individuals — and all others who will be affected by this bill — are our family members, friends, and neighbors. The injustice done to them is an injustice done to all of us. The Iowa City Chinese Association stands with each and every one of you.

Therefore, we will be actively supporting and participating in the petition against HF2513 this coming Saturday , March 21st. We sincerely invite every member of our community — students, faculty, families, and friends — to add your voice alongside ours.

📋 Action 1: Join us at 4pm on Saturday, 3/21 in front of the Iowa State Capitol to protest against this bill.

📋 Action 2: Contact your legislator and tell them to vote NO on HF 2513. Identify your legislator here: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find

📋 Action 3: Sign the petition opposing HF2513 through the link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScPZt1N8l20NS1ZmjM7XNFwyUe0ZOVPZ3VAti7sizr-3J9yCQ/viewform

Please share this announcement widely. Let Iowa see that our community is united, resilient, and here to stay.

With solidarity,

Iowa City Area Chinese Association爱城华人协会 Central Iowa Chinese Faculty and Staff Association 爱荷华中部华人教职工协会
Chinese Association of Iowa 爱荷华州华人协会
United Chinese Americans 美国华人联盟

03/01/2026

This weekend, members of the Iowa City Area Chinese Association (ICACA) visited the Feather Stone Senior Community to share the vibrant history and traditions of Chinese New Year. The visit aimed to foster cultural exchange and bring the festive spirit of the "Year of the Fire Horse" to the local resident community.

The presentation took residents on a journey through time, tracing the holiday’s origins back 3,500 years to the Shang Dynasty. ICACA volunteers highlighted the evolution of the festival, comparing ancient customs with modern-day celebrations found in China today and similarities found in the Western traditions like Christmas and Thanksgiving.

To make history come alive, ICACA provided a sensory experience featuring traditional holiday items. The interaction allowed residents to engage directly with Chinese culture, asking questions and sharing in the universal joy of the Spring Festival. Community is what the New Year is all about! 🧧✨🐴🧧

02/19/2026

Join us for a vibrant and joyful Chinese New Year Celebration, co-hosted by the Iowa City Area Chinese Association and the University of Iowa Chinese Students & Scholars Association!

This festive event will feature:
✨ Delicious traditional foods
🎶 Cultural performances
🎨 Activities showcasing Intangible Cutural Heritage
🎊 And so much more!

Come experience the rich traditions, culture, and community spirit of the Lunar New Year. It’s a wonderful opportunity to gather with friends, meet new people, and celebrate together as we welcome the new year with joy and good fortune.

02/17/2026

On behalf of the Iowa City Area Chinese Association, we wish everyone a prosperous and joyful Year of the Horse 🧧🐴🧧

May this year bring you good health, happiness, and success. Thank you to our amazing community for your continued support and celebration of our rich cultural traditions. Let’s make this year brighter together! 🏮🐎🏮

02/16/2026

We are so glad to co-host this Lunar New Year celebration with the Coralville Public Library. Thank you for your continued support of our community and for providing a welcoming space where we can gather, share traditions, and celebrate together. Wishing everyone a joyful and prosperous Lunar New Year! 🐴🧧🎉

Join us to celebrate and learn about the Chinese New Year at Chat 'n' Chai on Tuesday morning with special guests from the Iowa City Area Chinese Assocation. Have a Happy Lunar New Year!

06/20/2025

06/17/2025

🎉 Another successful year of hosting our most well-attended “High School and Beyond” seminar!

This event brings together high school graduates from local schools to share their college application experiences, insights, and tips — helping the next class navigate their own journeys with confidence.

06/16/2025

Sugar painting, a traditional Chinese folk art, was showcased at the Coralville Asian Festival this year, brought to life by talented volunteers from our association. It was a wonderful opportunity to share a piece of our rich culture with the community and celebrate our heritage together.

06/16/2025

We are so proud of the local Chinese community’s huge role in making the annual Coralville Asian Festival a success. This year’s dragon dance team was made up entirely of high schoolers and younger — many of them busy with multiple extracurricular activities alongside a hectic end-of-semester schedule — yet they still managed to pull it off. Kudos to all of them for their hard work, talent, and dedication!

02/12/2025

What an incredible Lunar New Year celebration co-hosted by the University of Iowa Chinese Students and Scholars Association! Over 700 attendees came together for a night filled with delicious food, engaging activities, and amazing performances. A fantastic way to welcome the new year!