Trump's Asian American support plummets
President Donald Trump’s favorability rating among Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander adults has dropped sharply since late 2024, according to a new AAPI Data and AP-NORC Center for
The Rebel Yellow - Issue #99
President Donald Trump’s favorability rating among Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander adults has declined significantly, with 71% now viewing him unfavorably, according to a new AAPI Data and AP-NORC poll. The shift follows rising concerns over tariffs, economic instability, and immigration enforcement. Meanwhile, Trump unveiled new trade deals with Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia ahead of his tariff deadline, and federal authorities are investigating the second death of a Vietnamese man in ICE custody this year.
Trump’s favorability among Asian Americans plummets
President Donald Trump’s favorability rating among Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander adults has dropped sharply since late 2024, according to a new AAPI Data and AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll.
The survey, conducted June 3 to June 11, interviewed 1,130 AAPI adults in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese and Korean. The poll found that 71% of AAPI adults now view Trump unfavorably, up from 60% in December 2024.
Economic anxieties
About 80% of AAPI adults expect Trump’s tariff policies to increase consumer prices and fewer than 40% believe tariffs will benefit U.S. manufacturing. Only 25% expect more jobs as a result, while nearly half of those polled actually anticipate job losses.
Two thirds of respondents said they are extremely or very concerned about a possible recession, compared to 53% of adults nationally. A majority of AAPI adults also disapprove of Trump’s policy priorities, with 55% saying he is focusing on the wrong issues and most criticizing his handling of the economy, trade negotiations and government spending.
Immigration enforcement
Most respondents oppose eliminating agencies such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Department of Education, and a majority support continued investment in health care, education and economic stability. Previous polling by AAPI Data and AP-NORC in late 2024 showed nearly as many AAPI adults opposed mass deportation proposals as supported stricter enforcement.
A recent CBS News/YouGov poll found a majority of Americans now oppose Trump’s mass deportation plan, with 54% describing it as too aggressive and most saying it would affect mostly nonviolent individuals.
Political outlook
Independent voters within the AAPI community have shown the sharpest decline in support for Trump, with nearly 70% now holding an unfavorable view, a jump of about 20 percentage points since December. This figure is significantly higher than the 52% unfavorable rating among all independents nationwide. The drop in Trump’s favorability comes as attitudes toward government priorities and immigration continue to shift ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Trump unveils major Asia trade deals as deadline approaches
President Donald Trump announced new trade agreements with Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia this week as the Trump-imposed August 1 tariff deadline approaches.
Japan
The U.S.–Japan agreement reduces planned tariffs on Japanese exports from 25% to 15% in exchange for a $550 billion Japanese investment in U.S. infrastructure and expanded market access for American vehicles and farm products. While Japanese financial markets rallied following the announcement, reaction from political and business leaders was mixed.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba described the deal as a turning point, though some leaders in Japan raised concerns about long-term effects on domestic industries. Earlier this month, Trump drew attention by sending a blunt warning letter addressed to “Mr. Japan,” threatening 25% tariffs unless a deal was reached by his self-imposed deadline.
Philippines, Indonesia
The agreement with the Philippines sets a 19% tariff on Philippine exports to the U.S., a modest 1% reduction from Trump’s previous 20% threat. As part of the deal, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed the Philippines will eliminate tariffs on imported American automobiles, a move expected to open up the domestic auto market to more U.S. brands. Marcos noted that “there’s still a lot of detail that needs to be worked out,” indicating further negotiation may be needed.
Indonesia will also face a 19% tariff, reduced from the 32% rate Trump had previously proposed. Indonesia has agreed to eliminate nearly all trade barriers for imports of U.S. goods, a move that government officials say will benefit both countries, while some industry leaders in Indonesia await more specifics.
Regional context
These latest deals follow previously announced tariff changes with Vietnam and several Southeast Asian countries. Vietnam’s exports are set to face a 20% tariff, with double that rate for goods identified as being transshipped from China.
Southeast Asian countries such as Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia will see tariffs ranging from 25% to 40% after Trump announced new rounds of “reciprocal” tariffs earlier this month.
Negotiations with China are ongoing, while talks with South Korea and the European Union are expected to continue as the August deadlines approach.
U.S. migration may go negative for the 1st time in over 60 years
Net migration to the United States may plunge to its lowest level in decades this year, according to a new report from D.C. think tanks American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and the Brookings Institution.
Researchers estimate that the nation could see anywhere from a net loss of 525,000 people to a modest net gain of 115,000 by the end of 2025. This sharp drop stands in contrast to 2024, when net migration was nearly 1.3 million, and to 2020, when pandemic-related travel restrictions pushed the figure down to 330,000.
AEI researchers cite “a dramatic decrease in inflows and somewhat higher outflows” as the main drivers behind the decline. The report points to stricter immigration enforcement, reduced visa issuances and a rise in deportations and voluntary departures as significant factors. It also highlights the continued impact of policies introduced under President Donald Trump.
Stan Veuger, a senior fellow at AEI and co-author of the study, said, “The range we have is about 600,000 people wide, but … the mid-point estimate is definitely negative,” noting this could be the first net outflow since before 1960.
The projected drop in migration is expected to reverberate through the U.S. labor market, with JPMorgan economists suggesting that approximately 150,000 fewer legal workers may enter the country each month by year-end. AEI and Brookings researchers estimate that the reduction in net migration could shave 0.3 to 0.4 percentage points off GDP growth in 2025 while potentially pushing monthly job gains close to zero. While AEI experts note that migration figures could shift if policies change or global conditions improve, the current trajectory points to an unprecedented contraction in net migration.
Second Vietnamese man dies in ICE custody this year
A federal investigation has been launched after Tien Xuan Phan, a 55-year-old Vietnamese national, died while being held at the ICE Processing Center in Karnes County, Texas.
What happened: Phan had been detained for seven weeks after being arrested on June 2 for failing to comply with a 2012 removal order. According to ICE, Phan began experiencing seizures, vomiting and unresponsiveness on July 18. He was first taken to Otto Kaiser Memorial Hospital, then airlifted to Methodist Hospital Northeast in San Antonio, where he died the next day.
Medical details and review: ICE officials stated that Phan died of natural causes, but the official cause has not been confirmed. Authorities said all required notifications were made to the Department of Homeland Security and other federal oversight agencies. A formal review is ongoing, including an examination of Phan’s medical care and the circumstances leading up to his death.
Among many: Earlier this year, another Vietnamese national, Nhon Ngoc Nguyen, also 55, died in ICE custody at a hospital in El Paso. Nguyen had dementia and was found by autopsy to have died of acute pneumonia. ICE has reported eight deaths in its custody so far this year compared to 12 deaths last year. Advocacy groups and former officials say the true number could be higher and continue to call for stronger medical safeguards and more transparency for detainees with serious health conditions.
Woman in deadly Chinatown crash was previously charged in Brooklyn hit-and-run
A 23-year-old woman is facing mounting legal trouble after being charged in two major New York City incidents within months. Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero was first arrested for leaving the scene of an accident and driving without a license after an April 13 crash in Brooklyn that left a 22-year-old pedestrian with serious injuries. Weeks later, she was named as the driver in a deadly crash in Manhattan’s Chinatown, which killed two people and injured several others.
Brooklyn crash details: The Brooklyn crash happened when Romero allegedly struck a woman as she was exiting an Uber in the early morning hours. The pedestrian suffered injuries to her face, neck, shoulder and collarbone. Police say Romero fled the scene and was arrested the next day. She was charged with leaving the scene of an accident causing serious injury and aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle. In line with New York’s bail reform laws, Romero was released pending trial.
Fatal Chinatown collision: On July 19, Romero was identified as the driver in a high-speed crash in Chinatown after a stolen rental car exited the Manhattan Bridge and struck multiple people on Canal Street. The collision killed cyclist Kevin Scott Cruickshank, 55, and pedestrian May Kwok, 63. Authorities say Romero and her passenger fled the scene but were quickly apprehended. Police recovered alcohol, firearms and illegal substances from the vehicle. Romero now faces felony charges including second-degree murder, manslaughter, aggravated vehicular homicide and multiple counts of weapon and property offenses.
Legal response, next steps: Romero’s defense attorney has argued that a struggle over the steering wheel with her passenger may have contributed to the Chinatown crash and suggested Romero did not intend to cause harm. She is now being held without bail and is scheduled for additional court appearances. Meanwhile, city officials are facing calls for stricter enforcement of driving laws and accountability for those involved in serious traffic crimes.
Honduran national allegedly kidnapped, tortured Chinese woman in Houston
A Honduran man has been charged in Harris County, Texas, after investigators say he kidnapped a Chinese woman and held her captive for days, in a case authorities believe is connected to a larger human smuggling and sex trafficking ring.
The man, identified as 22-year-old Jose Armando Carcamo-Perdomo, allegedly lured the woman from New York with the promise of work as a masseuse, then confiscated her Chinese passport and locked her inside a trailer home in Houston.
According to law enforcement, the victim was restrained, beaten and sexually assaulted during her five-day confinement. She was eventually discovered locked in a closet after neighbors saw her fleeing and called 911, prompting a swift response by Harris County deputies. Disturbing camera footage from Ring doorbell emerged online apparently showing Carcamo-Perdomo snatching the woman off the street and carrying her away as she kicked frantically in an attempt to escape. The woman is now receiving medical and psychological care and is being supported by victim services.
Carcamo-Perdomo, who faces charges of aggravated kidnapping, assault and related offenses, entered the U.S. illegally in 2020 and had a deportation case dismissed in 2023. He remains in custody after his arrest on July 14, and federal immigration authorities have placed a detainer to prevent his release. The investigation is ongoing as officials seek more information about possible connections to other victims and trafficking networks in the area.
Registered sex offender accused of killing Asian spa owner in Florida
A 69-year-old man identified as Chris Luchenburg has been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Cuiyun Fu, 54, at her Asian spa in Oakland Park, Florida. Authorities say Luchenburg, who is a registered sex offender with a listed address in Fort Lauderdale, entered Health Spa One on July 16 and fatally shot Fu inside Suite 20. Fu was found dead at the scene when deputies responded that morning.
Court records show Luchenburg had a prior conviction for sexual battery of a minor in Coral Springs and had previously faced domestic violence allegations. Investigators believe he knew Fu for several months before the shooting. He was arrested by the Broward County Sheriff’s Office two days after the incident and is being held without bond following a judge’s order for a mental health evaluation.
Luchenburg appeared before a Broward County judge for a bond hearing, where the court found probable cause to proceed with the murder charge. The case remains under investigation, and authorities have not yet disclosed further details about the events leading up to the fatal shooting.
Singapore, Japan, South Korea have the world’s most powerful passports
Singapore has once again secured the top spot in the 2024 Henley Passport Index, with its passport granting visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 194 destinations worldwide.
This marks the second year in a row that Singapore holds the No. 1 position. The annual index, which ranks passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa, highlights continued strong global mobility for Singaporean citizens.
Japan and South Korea remain close behind, tied for second place with access to 193 destinations each. Malaysia ranks highest in Southeast Asia outside Singapore, coming in at 11th, while Hong Kong holds the 19th spot. China’s passport is ranked 62nd, allowing holders visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to 85 destinations. At the bottom end among Asian countries are Myanmar and North Korea, ranked 91st and 101st, offering considerably fewer travel options.
The U.S. passport ranked seventh, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 188 destinations. While still among the world’s most powerful, the U.S. has slipped from the top tier in recent years.
Banh mi: The “colonial sandwich” that became a global icon
This is the first installment of a three-part series exploring the banh mi’s remarkable evolution and journey to global renown.
Banh mi, Vietnam’s globally renowned sandwich, is a culinary testament to the country’s colonial history, cultural adaptability and diaspora. Originally introduced through French colonization in the 19th century, the baguette evolved from a European luxury to a Vietnamese staple, ultimately transforming into the distinct and flavorful sandwich known today.
Blend of Vietnamese, French cuisine
The roots of banh mi trace back to the mid-1800s when the French brought baguettes, dairy products and charcuterie to Vietnam as part of their colonial rule. Initially considered a luxury, baguettes became more accessible when Vietnamese bakers adapted them by incorporating rice flour, making the bread lighter and airier while maintaining a crisp crust.
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