Advocating for Equity, Safety, and Representation for Ohio’s AAPI Communities

The Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community is one of the fastest-growing and most diverse populations in Ohio. As this community continues to grow, so does the need for equitable access to services, protection from exploitation, and full participation in the democratic process. This advocacy page highlights key issues impacting AAPI individuals and families across Ohio, including language access, human trafficking, and civic engagement and outlines actionable steps to help create a more just and inclusive future for all.

Breaking Barriers: Ensuring Language Access and Cultural Competency in Ohio

Access to education, legal services, healthcare, and mental health care is essential for the success and wellbeing of individuals and families. Yet for many with limited English proficiency (LEP), language and cultural barriers can make accessing these services nearly impossible.

Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, discrimination based on race, color, or national origin is prohibited in any program receiving federal financial assistance. Title VI mandates that federally funded services must provide meaningful language access for LEP individuals—this includes language interpretation in hospitals, nursing homes, health service providers, and human service agencies.

Interpreting and translation services play a vital role in breaking down these barriers. These services include in-person interpretation, translated documents, and multilingual phone and video options across hospitals, courts, schools, businesses, and social service agencies. States can promote equity by passing legislation that encourages cultural competency training and allocates resources for interpretation and translation services.

What’s Happening in Ohio:

  • Ohio is home to 477,337 immigrants, accounting for just over 4% of the state’s population.

  • The foreign-born population increased from 2.4% in 1990 to 4.1% in 2013. During the same period, the foreign-born Asian and Pacific Islander (API) population in Ohio grew from 0.8% to 1.8% (212,547 individuals). (Source: U.S. Census Bureau)

  • While many immigrants speak English, approximately 41% (25.1 million nationwide) are considered LEP.

We urge Ohio legislators to:

  • Require cultural competency training for healthcare professionals as a condition for obtaining or renewing professional licenses.

  • Mandate healthcare licensing boards to establish a minimum number of hours for cultural competency instruction.

Protecting the Vulnerable: Combating Human Trafficking and Supporting Survivors

Human trafficking involves the recruitment, transportation, and exploitation of individuals through force, fraud, or coercion for purposes such as forced labor, sexual exploitation, organ trafficking, and slavery. It remains a pervasive global issue fueled by the demand for cheap, exploitable labor.

Impact on the AAPI Community:

Asian and Pacific Islander (API) women represent the largest segment of foreign-born individuals trafficked into the U.S. Undocumented immigrants, in particular, are vulnerable to extreme labor trafficking and sexual exploitation in industries such as restaurants, factories, nail salons, strip clubs, and domestic servitude.

Sex trafficking often occurs through illicit massage businesses and international marriage brokers. In 2015, Asian American Community Services (AACS) in Columbus, Ohio provided crisis services to 18 Chinese women with no English proficiency who were rescued from a central Ohio sex trafficking ring.

Any effective anti-trafficking legislation in Ohio must include protections and tailored services for API survivors, ensuring that interventions are culturally sensitive and survivor-centered.

We urge Ohio legislators to:

  • Expand human trafficking-related convictions and allow intervention in place of conviction for victims.

  • Increase penalties for traffickers and those who compel or promote prostitution.

  • Allow trafficking survivors to apply for expungement of prostitution-related offenses.

  • Increase fair housing options for survivors of trafficking.

Empowering Voices: Advancing Civic Engagement and Voting Rights for AAPI Communities

Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy, shaping everything from schools to healthcare to public safety. Ensuring access to the ballot box is critical for every community.

However, recent voting restrictions in Ohio have made it harder for citizens to vote. In 2014, lawmakers cut six days of early voting and changed absentee and provisional ballot rules. Additional restrictions on weekend and evening voting were introduced, with some modest restorations in 2015. The 2016 election marked the first use of these new restrictive schedules, underscoring the importance of voter education.

Impact on the AAPI Community:

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are the fastest-growing racial groups in the United States, increasing by 46% and 40% respectively between 2000 and 2010. In Ohio, the AAPI voting population grew 18.6% between 2008 and 2012, compared to 1.5% statewide.

As this community continues to grow, it is essential to ensure AAPI voices are heard and that voting remains accessible and equitable. Being informed about changes in voting procedures protects the right to vote and strengthens civic participation for future generations.