Asian Americans now 25-million strong
The Asian American population has reached a record high of 24.8 million, more than doubling since 2000, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data.
The Asian American population has reached a historic high of 24.8 million — a milestone marked by shifting identities, new challenges and renewed urgency as Trump’s China tariffs threaten businesses across Chinatowns. In California, a baseball game turns ugly with alleged racial taunts, while in Washington, tensions flare between India and Pakistan. But amid the chaos, stories of resilience shine through — from Lisa Lu’s Walk of Fame star at 98 to a 13-year-old Vietnamese American accepted to over 100 colleges.
The Asian American population is now 25-million strong
The Asian American population has reached a record high of 24.8 million, more than doubling since 2000, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data. Asian Americans now make up 7.4% of the national U.S. population, up from 4.2% two decades ago. The substantial growth is accompanied by significant demographic shifts in origin, immigration status and racial identification that reflect a population in transition.
Six largest groups
Despite the diversity of the U.S. Asian population — which includes more than 20 distinct origin groups — the majority is concentrated in six communities. Chinese Americans are the largest, with 5.5 million people making up 22% of all Asian Americans. They are followed by Indian Americans (5.2 million, 21%), Filipino Americans (4.6 million, 19%), Vietnamese Americans (2.3 million, 9%), Korean Americans (2.0 million, 8%) and Japanese Americans (1.6 million, 7%). Combined, these six groups represent 86% of the U.S. Asian population.
Fewer immigrants, more U.S.-born Asians
Immigrants still make up a majority of Asian Americans, but their share has declined notably — from 63% in 2000 to 54% in 2023. Most Asian origin groups have experienced this shift. Hmong Americans saw the steepest drop, from 55% immigrant in 2000 to just 31% in 2023. Thai Americans had the smallest change, with immigrant representation falling slightly from 78% to 74%. These patterns indicate a growing share of second- and third-generation Asian Americans born in the U.S.
Identities continue to diversify
As of 2023, 80% of Asian Americans identified their race as Asian alone and not Hispanic. Another 16% identified as multiracial and non-Hispanic, while 4% identified as Asian and Hispanic. Multiracial identity is more common among Japanese (38%), Filipino (21%) and Korean (17%) Americans. Among those who identify as Hispanic, Filipinos (7%) and Japanese (6%) have the highest shares within the six largest origin groups.
Majority live in five states, but Hawaii is unique
More than half (54%) of Asian Americans reside in five states: California (7.1 million), New York (2 million), Texas (2 million), New Jersey (1 million) and Washington (990,000). Hawaii remains the only U.S. state where a majority of residents — 57% — are Asian. Other states with high proportions include California (18%), Washington (13%), Nevada (12%) and New Jersey (11%).
A growing, changing population
The Pew report paints a picture of a population that is not only increasing in size but also evolving in character. As U.S.-born generations expand, multiracial identity becomes more common and geographic patterns shift, Asian Americans continue to shape — and be shaped by — the broader American experience.
Chinatown businesses from coast to coast sound alarm over Trump’s China tariff
President Donald Trump’s tariff on Chinese imports continues to impact small businesses in Chinatowns across major cities, threatening their survival and the cultural fabric of communities that have persevered for generations.
Catch up: Trump has slapped sweeping tariffs on all Chinese imports since “Liberation Day” on April 2, with the latest levy at 145%. The effects have been palpable: in New York City’s Chinatown, a 40-pound bag of rice that once cost $25 now sells for over $60, while restaurants in San Francisco’s Chinatown report supply cost increases of up to 20%.
For its part, Beijing responded with 125% retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, escalating tensions before this weekend’s talks between U.S. and Chinese economic officials in Switzerland. Just two weeks after saying his China tariff would “come down substantially,” Trump rejected the idea on Wednesday, telling reporters “no.”
Higher costs, fewer customers: Cory Ng, who owns Phoenix Palace in New York City, explained the Chinese tariff’s impact to CBS News: “The rice, the soy sauce, our entire menu is built off that! We’re not importing fresh ingredients like vegetables, but everything else around it — spices, seasonings, even our beers. Now it’s double.”
In Austin’s Chinatown, shoppers report both panic buying and “putting things back.” “We’ve seen a significant surge of Asian companies keen to invest here due to the tariffs, and we’ve also heard from small local companies planning to shut down,” Mark Duval, president of the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce, told KXAN.
In San Francisco, Lucas Li, whose family runs spirituality supply store Lion Trading, told KALW that they paused all imports “because we wouldn’t know how to make those profits come back.” Meanwhile, San Francisco Chinese Chamber of Commerce President Donald Luu said restaurants are seeing about 20% less customers while merchants face 30% less sales since the tariff was enacted.
13-year-old Vietnamese American accepted to over 100 U.S. colleges
Sunny Nguyen, a 13-year-old Vietnamese American boy from San Jose, California, has been accepted to more than 100 universities across the U.S., receiving scholarship offers totaling around $3 million.
The teen, who has been homeschooled for most of his life, credited his parents for shaping his early education. “They not only supported my education but also taught me various subjects, fostering my growth and ensuring that I had access to a well-rounded and challenging curriculum,” he writes on his personal website.
His father, Tommy Nguyen, told KTVU that Sunny’s passion for math was evident from a young age. “He studied math everywhere he went. He could see math in everything, everywhere,” he said.
Sunny began receiving college acceptances and scholarship offers earlier this year from prestigious schools such as the University of California, Berkeley, and UC San Diego.
He previously ran a YouTube channel that amassed nearly 60,000 subscribers, though he has since shifted focus to his academic interests, particularly in computer science and artificial intelligence.
“I’m deeply grateful for the incredible support I’ve received from all the universities,” he said. “Their recognition of my hard work and dedication is an honor, and their support has made it possible for me to continue pursuing my dreams without financial barriers.”
East Bay high school coaches suspended amid probe into racist taunts at baseball game
Pinole Valley High School in the East Bay has suspended its varsity baseball head coach and an assistant coach as the West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) investigates allegations of racist taunts directed at Asian American players during a match against Albany High School on April 23.
The incident, captured on video and described in formal complaints, has prompted calls for the cancellation of Pinole Valley’s season and a deeper reckoning with racial harassment in school sports.
Allegations of racist taunts
Eugene Lee, an Albany High School parent and the team’s volunteer scorekeeper, told the SF Gate that players from Pinole Valley targeted two Albany pitchers with racist remarks — first a student of South Asian descent, followed by Lee’s son, who is East Asian.
Lee reported that when the South Asian pitcher took the mound, chants of “Baljeet” were heard, referencing an Indian character from the animated series “Phineas and Ferb.” When Lee’s son began pitching, someone allegedly shouted, “P.F. Chang, is that you?” and “He can’t see through those eyes.” He also documented a social media post by Pinole Valley players that included hashtags he believed to be mocking the incident.
Lee submitted the footage to the WCCUSD alongside a formal complaint urging the district to send a clear message against racism by canceling Pinole Valley’s remaining baseball season and conducting a public investigation.
Suspended coach says he's being scapegoated
T’won Blake, Pinole Valley’s head coach, said he received a letter of suspension on April 30. He told the San Francisco Chronicle he was not aware of the taunts until the day after the game and later addressed the issue with players. Blake said the comments came from spectators, not his team, and added, “But without being given the opportunity to correct it in the moment, I’m not guilty of anything. I am absolutely the scapegoat.”
District spokesperson Raechelle Forrest said officials are working to identify those involved in the incidents and emphasized that the district does not tolerate racism, hate speech or harassment in its schools or athletic programs.
District pledges reforms
In a letter to families, WCCUSD Interim Superintendent Dr. Kim Moses said a formal investigation remains ongoing into both reported incidents to determine which individuals should be held accountable. Moses added that the district will begin distributing a Fan Code of Conduct guide at sporting events to reinforce appropriate behavior.
The letter acknowledged the impact of the incidents, particularly on the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, stating, “To those who have been impacted, please know you are seen, heard, and valued in our school communities.”
India-Pakistan conflict intensifies as both nuclear powers exchange strikes
India and Pakistan find themselves locked in their most serious military confrontation in more than two decades this week, with dozens of casualties reported after India launched “Operation Sindoor” against what it claims are terrorist facilities inside Pakistani territory.
Catch up
Tensions significantly heightened Thursday night when residents of Jammu city in Indian-administered Kashmir witnessed sirens and explosions during what India’s Defense Ministry described as “Pakistani-origin drones and missiles” targeting military stations, with witnesses reporting red flashes and projectiles lasting up to 2.5 hours. Indian officials said they successfully “neutralized” attempted strikes on military bases in Jammu, Udhampur and Pathankot, while Pakistan’s government categorically denied involvement, calling the accusations “entirely unfounded” and “politically motivated.” The ongoing conflict has resulted in multiple casualties since Wednesday, with Pakistan reporting 31 deaths from Indian strikes, while India has confirmed 16 civilian deaths from cross-border fire.
The current crisis erupted when India conducted extensive airstrikes early Wednesday morning, striking targets in Pakistan’s Punjab province — reportedly the deepest military incursion into Pakistani territory since the 1971 war. India claimed it hit nine locations housing “terrorist infrastructure” of militant groups Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed in response to an April 22 attack that killed 26 people, primarily Indian tourists, in Kashmir’s Pahalgam region. Pakistani officials said they shot down five Indian aircraft on Wednesday and intercepted 29 drones on Thursday, while India acknowledged conducting strikes against Pakistani air defense systems, calling it a response to attempted attacks on Indian military targets.
How the world is responding
International reaction has been swift and largely focused on de-escalation. The U.S. has urged restraint from both nations, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio conducting separate diplomatic calls with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday. However, Vice President J.D. Vance, who had just visited India, took a more hands-off stance in a Fox News interview, describing the conflict as “fundamentally none of our business” while acknowledging the administration would “try to encourage these folks to deescalate.” Earlier, President Donald Trump expressed willingness to help reduce tensions, saying, “I get along with both. I know both very well, and I want to see them work it out.”
Others such as China, Russia, Japan, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates have also called for restraint from both countries. Two exceptions to this unified message came from Israel, whose ambassador to India publicly stated that Israel “supports India's right for self defense” in a May 7 social media post, and Armenia, whose foreign minister expressed similar sentiments regarding India’s actions.
What’s next
Military analysts say the confrontation could potentially escalate into the fifth full-scale war between the nuclear-armed neighbors, who have fought three previous wars — two of which focused on the disputed Kashmir region.
Pakistan’s response strategy will likely be determined by its influential military establishment, particularly Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir, who observers note has historically taken a firm position on India-related matters. Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his first public remarks since the hostilities intensified, emphasized the need for “continued alertness” and “clear communication” during a high-level security meeting on Thursday.
Mark Zuckerberg wants you to have more friends … but AI
Could talking to AI chatbots help alleviate America’s loneliness?
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has embarked on a media blitz promoting his vision of artificial intelligence companions as a solution to the U.S.’ loneliness epidemic, claiming the average American has “fewer than three friends” but desires “meaningfully more.”
What he’s saying: Zuckerberg believes AI will transform social interactions, with chatbots functioning as friends, therapists and business agents. “I think people are going to want a system that knows them well and that kind of understands them in the way that their feed algorithms do,” he said at Stripe’s annual conference on Tuesday.
In a podcast with Dwarkesh Patel last week, he insisted AI will not replace in-person connections, but argued that “people just don’t have the connections” and “feel more alone a lot of the time than they would like.” Zuckerberg further elaborated that future social media feeds will become interactive: “You’ll be scrolling through your feed, and there will be content that maybe looks like a Reel to start, but you can talk to it, or interact with it and it talks back.” Meta AI, currently accessible via Facebook, Instagram, Ray-Ban smart glasses and a standalone app, has nearly a billion monthly users, he said.
Could it help? Within Asian American communities, loneliness presents to be a more pressing concern for older members who face risk factors such as low income, limited English proficiency and diminished social support networks. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated their situation, particularly for those who experienced hate incidents, who reported higher stress (65.5%) from social isolation compared to those who did not (43.4%), according to a 2022 study by Stop AAPI Hae. While AI companions already show promise in reducing loneliness, it remains to be seen whether they are competent to do so through culturally relevant means.
Points of concern: For now, concerns over AI companions focus on privacy implications and psychological impact. “The more time you spend chatting with an AI ‘friend,’ the more of your personal information you’re giving away,” Robbie Torney, senior director of AI programs at Common Sense Media, told Axios. University of Sydney business information systems professor Uri Gal warned in The Conversation, “When Meta AI says it is ‘built to get to know you,’ we should take it at its word and proceed with appropriate caution.” Zuckerberg’s push toward AI companions also comes amid troubling reports that Meta’s chatbots allegedly engaged in “romantic role-play” with minors.
University of Arizona philosophy professor Hannah Kim told Business Insider that AI personas, ultimately, are “just like fictional characters” that cannot replace human relationships. Despite lingering concerns, Meta appears keen on monetizing these interactions, with Zuckerberg telling analyst Ben Thompson that AI-driven advertising marks a “redefinition” of the category.
Lisa Lu, 98, becomes oldest Walk of Fame star recipient
Veteran actress Lisa Lu was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Monday, making history as the oldest recipient of the prestigious accolade at age 98.
The ceremony took place on May 5 at 1708 Vine Street, near stars belonging to film icons Anna May Wong and James Stewart. Lu’s star is the 2,811th addition to the famous walkway.
“I’m so delighted to be honored on the Hollywood Walk of Fame with my own star,” Lu said during her speech. “Acting in movies is my life and love. I love all the people I work with and they inspire me with their creativity.”
The Beijing-born actress began her career in traditional Kunqu opera before moving to the United States in the late 1940s. She studied acting at the Pasadena Playhouse and launched her Hollywood career in the 1950s, eventually starring in acclaimed films like “The Last Emperor,” “The Joy Luck Club” and “Crazy Rich Asians.” She has also won three Golden Horse Awards, the highest honor in Taiwanese cinema.
Lu was joined at the ceremony by actress Awkwafina and Janet Yang, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Ming-Na Wen, who co-starred with Lu in “The Joy Luck Club,” also attended and later praised Lu online as a trailblazer for Asian American actors.
Lu previously turned down a Walk of Fame star in 1960, saying she didn’t want people walking on her name. “Today, at 98 years old, I embrace the star as a testament to resilience and perseverance,” she said.
That wasn’t Rosa Parks on Lisa’s Met Gala underwear
Artist Henry Taylor has denied claims that civil rights icon Rosa Parks was depicted on Blackpink member Lisa’s Met Gala underwear, saying that the embroidered faces were of family, friends and neighbors from his life.
Controversy explained: Social media erupted with speculation after Lisa’s Met Gala debut on Monday, when her lingerie-style Louis Vuitton ensemble featuring embroidered faces prompted claims that Parks’ image appeared on her underwear. “The figure featured in Lisa’s Louis Vuitton look is not Rosa Parks, but one of Henry’s neighbors,” a representative for Taylor clarified in a statement to Vulture. The rep also emphasized that “none of the individuals depicted in any of the garments are Rosa Parks or other well-known figures from Black cultural history.”
The controversy intensified against the backdrop of this year’s Met Gala theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” with Pharrell Williams serving as co-chair and telling Lisa in a behind-the-scenes clip for Vogue that her outfit — which he also collaborated with Taylor for the occasion — was a moment to “highlight the taste level and the taste buds of Black people.”
What’s next for Lisa (and Blackpink): Lisa, who recently made her acting debut with HBO’s “The White Lotus,” and the rest of Blackpink are moving forward with exciting plans, including their fourth concert tour starting July 5 in South Korea. Lisa recently confirmed that new music from Blackpink is imminent, telling Variety, “We were in the studio a few days ago. We’re all so super excited to get back together and go on tour.” When asked about a new album, Lisa teased fans to “be patient about it,” promising it’s “coming soon.”
Jackie Chan’s estranged daughter, now homeless, says mom abused her
Etta Ng, the estranged daughter of action star Jackie Chan, has accused her mother, former beauty queen Elaine Ng, of abuse and claimed her same-sex partner later abandoned her, according to recent reports in Chinese media.
Now 24, Ng has reportedly been living in a homeless shelter in Ontario, Canada, for more than 400 days. Local sources say she is often seen lining up for free meals and works part-time at a restaurant. Ng moved to Canada under an LGBTQ+ asylum program and says she has no intention of returning to Hong Kong.
Ng was raised solely by Elaine after the end of her relationship with Chan, who has never publicly acknowledged or met his daughter. Ng described her upbringing as harsh and isolating, alleging that her mother subjected her to physical punishment and forced kneeling as discipline. She also reported bullying at school and attempted to seek help from authorities during her teenage years.
In 2018, Ng and her partner Andi Autumn posted a viral video claiming they were homeless due to “homophobic parents.” Their relationship has since ended, and Ng now lives independently.
Jackie Chan admitted to an extramarital affair with Elaine Ng in 1999 and later expressed regret in his memoir. He remains married to Taiwanese actress Joan Lin, with whom he shares a son, Jaycee Chan.
“Umbrella Academy” star, Go legend face off in intense Korean reality competition
Netflix’s cerebral reality show returns with “The Devil’s Plan: Death Room,” featuring Go legend Lee Se-dol and actor Justin H. Min among its standout new contestants — and the mind games are already in full swing.
The show’s first season became a word-of-mouth hit for its mix of puzzle-solving and social strategy, landing in Netflix’s top 10 across multiple countries. Season 2, with a grand prize of 500 million won ($350,000), raises the stakes with more players, more twists and an even sharper edge.
The new season opens with 14 contestants and wastes no time throwing them into complex strategic games and psychological traps. Early episodes feature secret chambers, surprise eliminations and some clever betrayals that set the tone for what’s ahead. It’s tense, smart and perfect to binge before the next episodes drop.