University of Michigan student Shuyan Tang, known for his work in immigration reform and LGBTQ+ rights, has been honored as a 2025 Truman Scholar. This prestigious scholarship is awarded to students dedicated to public service careers. Tang stands out as U-M’s 31st recipient, selected from 54 students across 49 U.S. colleges and universities, based on his personal journey as a former asylum seeker and impactful contributions in politics.
Tang, a political science major, stated, “I know the U.S. immigration system is broken because I lived it,” and is committed to reforming it through public service and legal education. “Public service gave me purpose,” he emphasized, aiming to bring about fairness and compassion through policymaking.
The Truman Scholarship, managed by The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, offers $30,000 for graduate study, leadership training, and access to federal government internships and fellowships. Since 1977, 3,618 scholars have been honored.
Tang’s journey from a rural Chinese working-class family to U.S. citizenship is marked by resilience. After experiencing domestic violence and poverty, he became a first-generation college student in Beijing and advocated for LGBTQ+ rights. In the U.S., he navigated a challenging immigration process, served in congressional offices, and joined the Air Force Reserve.
While interning for U.S. Reps. Mark Takano and Katherine Clark, he addressed more than 2,000 constituent cases and highlighted immigration issues in his memos. At U-M, he led a local school board campaign and founded Students Against Domestic Abuse, organizing support groups for survivors.
His future plans include using the Truman award for a law degree, interning with the Senate Judiciary Committee, and advocating for immigrant rights. Tang remarked, “I realized advocacy alone isn’t enough — real change requires legal authority and elected leadership.”
“Reports suggest even asylum seekers still awaiting a decision are at risk of deportation,” he noted. As a U.S. citizen, Tang is committed to defending immigrant rights and combating xenophobia through policy oversight and hearings.
—
Read More Michigan News
