Asian Americans are more than just bi-coastal these days(Photo by Justin Brockie).
They are expanding beyond the coasts and into America’s heartland.
According to a report by Bobby Calvan for The Heartland Project via NBC News, Vietnamese represent the first wave of refugees in Nebraska that now includes immigrants from Iraq, Sudan, Bhutan and the nation formerly known as Burma.
There are 9,000 Vietnamese in the state. The population of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders has increased 70 percent since the 2000 census.
The Lincoln Police Department includes two Vietnamese American officers, one who is bilingual.
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Officer Tu Tran says he is someone that members of their community can relate to and turn to for help.
“They don’t want anyone else to know about their problems,” said Tran. ”
“But I can speak their language, so they trust me.”
You can read more about Tran and the life in Nebraska on NBC News.