New American Media: Statistics of Asian Americans Living in Poverty Skewed

A new report out has revealed the statistics on Asian Americans living in poverty are skewed by highly educated workers who come to the U.S. on  H1-B visas.

The study from the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development (National CAPACD) found the number of Asian Americans living in poverty has spiked dramatically, reports  New American Media.

Poverty actually increased 50 percent from 2000 -2011, but  those half a million people are being masked by the  H1-B immigrants who came  for high paying jobs and with a strong education and healthy bank accounts.

In 2011 alone, 90,000 people from Asia came to the United States on H1-B visas. Thus statistics show poverty among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders increased by only 3 percent during that period instead of 50 percent.

The 3 percent figure reinforces the model minority stereotype, making it difficult to get the poor in the Asian American community the assistance they really need.

For a closer look at the poor in the AAPI community, you can read the article in New American Media.