Legendary Ichiro / Asian Americans Divided / Chinese Migrants
Asian Americans are split on Trump’s mass deportation plan, according to a new poll, highlighting just how complex immigration is for our community.
The Rebel Yellow #21: Where Do We Stand?
Asian Americans are split on Trump’s mass deportation plan, according to a new poll, highlighting just how complex immigration is for our community. Meanwhile, former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao is facing federal corruption charges, Ichiro Suzuki makes history with a near-unanimous Hall of Fame vote, and Michelle Yeoh shares how Quentin Tarantino reignited her passion for action films.
We’re also looking at AI’s growing role in tackling loneliness in Asia, a dramatic human smuggling bust in Florida, and an all-female, all-Asian American take on Shakespeare’s Cymbeline.
Asian Americans are divided on mass deportations, poll finds
Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders are prioritizing immigration for the federal government in 2025, but a recent AAPI Data/AP-NORC survey reveals sharp divisions over President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed mass deportations.
The poll, which was conducted from Dec. 9 to Dec. 17, 2024, reveals that about 4 in 10 (38%) Asian American adults support deporting all immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, while a similar share oppose the measure, with the remaining respondents neutral. Immigration and border issues rose as a concern, with 42% naming it among their top five priorities, an increase from 29% in 2024. Other frequently mentioned priorities include foreign policy issues (33%), inflation (32%) and the economy (31%).
Trump’s favorability remains low
The majority of Asian American voters supported Kamala Harris in the last presidential election. While Trump’s favorability among the group has increased by 10 percentage points since November, approximately 6 in 10 still view him unfavorably. Nearly 40% of respondents described feeling “fearful” about his second term, while about one-third expressed anger. Notably, even among Asian American Republicans, about 20% reported fear about Trump’s return.
Karthick Ramakrishnan, executive director of AAPI Data, noted the community’s evolving priorities. “An important aspect of Asian American public opinion to watch out for in the next four years is to see if we will start seeing shifts in terms of these issue priorities and commitments,” Ramakrishnan told AP News, noting a potential shift on immigration.
A bigger picture
A separate Axios-Ipsos poll conducted from Jan. 10 to Jan. 12 underscores the complexity of implementing mass deportations. While two-thirds of all Americans — and 93% of Republicans — support deporting immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, enthusiasm wanes when the logistics and consequences are examined:
Only 38% support using active-duty military to detain undocumented immigrants in cities.
Just 28% back diverting military funds for deportations.
A mere 33% endorse separating families or deporting individuals brought to the U.S. as children.
“Immigration, in reality, is complicated, messy, and difficult,” Chris Jackson, Ipsos pollster and senior vice president, told Axios. “The real question is going to be... does that level of support maintain or fragment as they confront the reality of what it means.”
What’s next
The upcoming months will reveal whether immigration remains a top concern for Asian Americans. Our community’s focus on the issue, coupled with nuanced views, underscores the diversity of opinions within our growing demographic. As the Trump administration prepares its contentious immigration agenda, Asian American voices will play a critical role in shaping public discourse and policy outcomes.
Ex-Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao fights federal corruption charges
Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, alongside three others, is facing federal corruption charges. The allegations, which include bribery, conspiracy and fraud, come just two months after her historic recall, shedding light on what prosecutors describe as a sprawling pay-to-play scheme that influenced her rise to power.
The allegations
Federal prosecutors unsealed a 22-page indictment against Thao, her boyfriend Andre Jones and father-and-son business executives David and Andy Duong on Friday. The indictment alleges that in exchange for campaign support and financial kickbacks, Thao — whose home was raided by the FBI last June — extended city contracts and provided political favors to the Duong family’s companies.
In a news conference, Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Robbins said the charges describe “a corrupt scheme in which the defendants used bribes, wire fraud, mail fraud and other illegal practices to manipulate and corruptly influence the levers of local government.” Below are key details in the indictment:
Illegal campaign support: The Duongs allegedly funneled $75,000 toward negative mailers targeting Thao’s political opponent, Loren Taylor, during her 2022 mayoral campaign.
“No-show” jobs: After Thao’s election, Jones reportedly received $95,000 from the Duongs for a no-show job.
Influence in City Hall: Thao allegedly favored Duong-backed candidates for city positions, such as the Port of Oakland Board, and negotiated housing deals benefiting the Duongs’ company, Evolutionary Homes.
Fraudulent housing deals: Thao allegedly proposed a $3 million payment to Jones if the city purchased 300 housing units from the Duongs.
Prosecutors highlighted a chilling exchange between the Duongs and an unnamed co-conspirator after Thao’s election win. “So we may go to jail … but we are $100 million dollars richer,” the co-conspirator allegedly quipped. To this, Andy Duong allegedly replied, “Money buys everything.”
Fall from grace
Thao, 39, achieved prominence as the first Hmong American mayor of a major U.S. city, rising from a background of adversity as the daughter of Hmong refugees and a domestic abuse survivor. But her tenure was marred by controversy, including rising crime rates, a budget deficit and a contentious decision to fire Oakland’s police chief.
Supported by over 60% of voters, Thao’s recall last November marked the first such event for a major U.S. city mayor in over a decade. “This is ridiculous that democracy has been trampled on here in Oakland,” Taylor, who lost to Thao by just 677 votes, told ABC7 News on Friday. His name is back on the ballot for a special election for mayor on April 15.
Former U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, another prominent candidate in the upcoming election, told the San Francisco Chronicle, “There should be no tolerance whatsoever for secret pay to play schemes that erode the public trust.” Renia Webb, Thao’s former aide who is also vying for mayor, called the indictment a “turning point” for Oakland. “We did the right thing in recalling our previous mayor. She was only going to make it worse for us,” Webb told the New York Times.
What the defense is saying
Thao’s attorney, Jeffrey Tsai, declared the charges baseless. “The indictment itself is chock-full of allegations,” Tsai told reporters outside the Oakland courthouse Friday. “But it is not chock-full of evidence — and that’s what we’re going to prove in the course of our defense in this case.”
Similarly, the Duongs’ legal teams maintain their innocence. Andy Duong’s lawyers specifically described the allegations as politically motivated, telling the NY Times, “Disappointingly, Andy instead is today the most recent in a long line of Asian Americans who unfairly are singled out and forced to pay a price for daring to be active in the political sphere.”
What’s next
All four defendants pleaded not guilty and are due back in court on Feb. 6. Thao and Jones remain on $50,000 bonds, while the Duongs posted $100,000 bonds secured by property.
The case shakes confidence in Oakland’s leadership and raises questions about the integrity of its political institutions. “This is an indictment of the Oakland power structure that adamantly supported her into a position of power,” Justin Berton, a former communications chief for ex-Mayor Libby Schaaf, told the Chronicle.
Whoever wins April’s special election will serve the remainder of Thao’s term until January 2027.
Florida police find 31 Chinese migrants packed inside U-Haul truck
Authorities in Coral Gables, Florida, uncovered a group of over 30 migrants — mostly Chinese nationals — inside a U-Haul truck on Friday in what is believed to be a human smuggling operation.
The discovery followed a report of an alleged abduction by an alert security guard near the Snapper Creek Canal, according to Coral Gables Police Chief Edward James Hudak Jr. The guard’s report of suspicious activity involving a Toyota and a U-Haul truck prompted officers to issue a BOLO (be-on-the-lookout) alert, leading to the vehicles’ interception. Police found a Cuban man, an Ecuadorian woman and a Brazilian woman in the Toyota, while the U-Haul held 16 Chinese females, 15 Chinese males, one Cuban male and one Ecuadorian female, Fox News reported.
Investigators believe the migrants were transported by boat and dropped off near southern Coral Gables before being loaded into the U-Haul. The individuals, described as “tired but in good condition,” were evaluated by the Coral Gables Fire Department and transferred to U.S. Border Patrol custody. Authorities are working to determine whether the operation involved human trafficking. Four suspects, including a woman who appeared to be abducted, were detained for questioning. “This was not intelligence-driven. It started as a citizen's report of a crime and I believe lives may have been saved because of that alert individual,” Hudak said, as per CBS News Miami.
How Asia is fighting loneliness with AI
As loneliness surges in Asia — exacerbated by declining birth rates, aging populations and the aftermath of COVID-19 — artificial intelligence is stepping in to fill the emotional void. Across the region, AI-powered companion robots are redefining how humans interact with technology, offering solace to groups at high risk of social isolation.
The emotional appeal
Social isolation is particularly alarming in countries like Japan, where many individuals live alone. AI companions are designed to provide emotional support through interactions that mimic real-life relationships.
“There are many people who maybe come home after work and they have no one to talk to at all. So they can go an entire day without saying anything,” a spokesperson for Japanese company Mixi, which showcased its emotional support robot Romi at CES 2025, told Nikkei Asia. “Romi can be there and say ‘good morning’ to them, ‘welcome home,’ and if they need to vent about something, Romi could be there to be angry with them.”
AI companions can take on the form of pets, leveraging humans’ affinity for touch and emotional connections with animals. Among them is China-based Ropet, a fluffy round robot with touch-responsive ears and eyes that adapts to its owner’s personality. Marketed to Asian women, Ropet has raised over $220,000 on Kickstarter since December.
Meanwhile, Casio’s Moflins are soft, AI-driven companions that evolve from “baby-like” behavior to expressing nine distinct emotions, such as happiness and anxiety. Then there’s LOVOT, a penguin-like robot that “gets jealous” and sings songs, offering a lively presence in its owner’s home.
A tailored market
Cultural and demographic factors make Asia an ideal market for AI companions.
Women are seen as key consumers. “Many women feel they don’t need men but are interested in having pets, so they are seeking new forms of companionship,” Ropet co-founder He Jiabin told Nikkei Asia.
Elderly individuals and students are also huge markets. These groups are particularly vulnerable to social isolation, as highlighted by market research in China.
Cultural fit plays a critical role. Japan’s long-standing acceptance of robots as societal companions accelerates adoption.
Advances and challenges
Smaller, more efficient AI chips and edge computing have made companion robots faster and more personalized. These devices now analyze tone, recognize emotions and adapt dynamically.
While AI companions offer meaningful interactions, they also raise critical issues:
Privacy risks: Companion robots rely on cameras and microphones to collect data, which companies like TCL say can be stored locally or in the cloud. While this flexibility gives users some control, it also raises concerns about potential breaches or misuse of sensitive information, such as emotional states and daily routines.
Ethical treatment: At present, there are no regulations governing how humans should treat robots. “In my mind that is enormously problematic, because we teach children you can't mistreat animals, you can't mistreat people,” robotics expert Belinda Dunstan told ABC News. “But yet we can do whatever we want with robots, who are becoming increasingly more lifelike.”
Human connection: Ultimately, robots may not be able to replace human connection. “There is a risk of forgetting that interactions with real people and real animals are complex, will not always be perfect, but they are necessary, worthwhile and valuable,” Dunstan added.
A new way to connect
Whether one chooses an AI-powered robot for a companion is entirely a matter of personal choice, shaped by individual needs and comfort with technology. While these robots offer meaningful connections and emotional support, they also come with considerations such as privacy risks and a need to balance AI interaction with real human relationships.
Still, for those grappling with loneliness, these robots offer more than just daily companionship — they provide a sense of long-needed connection. In their presence, many may find not only comfort but also a renewed sense of hope.
Ichiro Suzuki elected to Baseball Hall of Fame in near-unanimous vote

Legendary Japanese outfielder Ichiro Suzuki was elected to the U.S. National Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday, becoming the first Asian-born player to receive the honor. The Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2025 was unveiled just days after the 51-year-old baseball star was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame.
One vote shy of unanimous: Suzuki, who retired in 2019 after a 19-year Major League Baseball career, received 393 votes, which accounted for 99.746 percent of the vote from eligible members of the Baseball Writers Association of America. He is second only to shortstop Derek Jeter, who received 99.748% (396 of 397 ballots cast) in 2020 as the highest plurality for a position player in Hall of Fame voting. His former New York Yankees teammate, Mariano Rivera, remains the only player to be unanimously elected to the Hall of Fame.
Among the greats: Suzuki joins pitcher CC Sabathia and reliever Billy Wagner in the 2025 class. The inductees will participate in an induction ceremony at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown, New York, on July 27.
Legendary career: Suzuki began his MLB career with the Seattle Mariners in 2001 at the age of 27, after nine seasons with the Orix BlueWave in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He made an immediate impact, winning both the American League MVP and Rookie of the Year awards in his debut season. Over his career, Suzuki amassed 3,089 hits in MLB and 1,278 hits in Japan, giving him a combined total of 4,367 hits – more than Pete Rose's MLB record of 4,256. He won two batting titles, 10 Gold Glove Awards and was a 10-time All-Star. In 2004, Suzuki broke George Sisler's 84-year-old single-season hit record with 262 hits. He led the majors in hits seven times and consistently demonstrated exceptional speed, base running and defensive skills.
Japanese baseball phenom Roki Sasaki joins Shohei-led Dodgers
Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki has agreed to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, announcing his decision on Instagram on Friday. The 23-year-old right-hander, widely regarded as one of the most talented young pitchers in the world, finalized the move within his 45-day posting window after being made available by the Chiba Lotte Marines in December.
“Very difficult decision”: Sasaki’s choice came after extensive meetings with at least eight MLB teams, including the Padres, Blue Jays, Yankees and Mets. While the Dodgers haven't confirmed the deal, multiple reports indicate he will earn a rookie salary in 2025 and receive a $6.5 million signing bonus, significantly less than the reported $8.5 million offered by the Toronto Blue Jays. "This was a very difficult decision, but I will do my best to make it the right decision when I look back after my baseball career," Sasaki wrote.
Pre-agreement allegations: Speculation arose regarding a potential pre-agreement between the Dodgers and Sasaki prior to his posting, fueled by the Dodgers' significant 2024 international bonus pool and their strong interest in the pitcher. To address these concerns, MLB conducted an investigation, interviewing relevant parties and ultimately found no evidence to support the claims of a predetermined deal.
Joining Dodgers rotation: Sasaki joins a star-studded roster that includes fellow Japanese players Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The Dodgers are expected to utilize a six-man rotation to start the season, allowing Sasaki to acclimate to MLB.
Destined for stardom: Sasaki, whose arsenal includes a 100-plus mph fastball and a devastating splitter, compiled a 29-15 record with a 2.10 ERA and 505 strikeouts in 394 2/3 innings over four NPB seasons. His dominance peaked on April 10, 2022, when he threw a 19-strikeout perfect game, setting an NPB record with 13 consecutive strikeouts. Sasaki also showcased his talent on the international stage during the 2023 World Baseball Classic, helping teammates Yamamoto, Ohtani, Shota Imanaga and Yu Darvish lead Japan to the title.
Michelle Yeoh says Quentin Tarantino helped her stay in action films
Michelle Yeoh has credited Quentin Tarantino with reigniting her passion for action films during a challenging period in her life. Speaking on “The Graham Norton Show” on Friday, the 62-year-old Academy Award winner revealed that a stunt accident left her physically and emotionally drained. “I had a really bad accident. … We made a movie called ‘The Stunt Woman’ and in shooting that, I was pushed off a flyover,” Yeoh said, recalling her subsequent hospitalization. “When you get injured that’s the most depressing time of your life. … At that point I was thinking maybe I should just rethink this whole action thing. Maybe it’s time to take a step back.”
An encounter with an enthusiastic Tarantino, however, shifted Yeoh’s perspective. During a meeting in Hong Kong, she said the director started talking about her movies, going into detail about her action sequences. “As I spoke with him, I started getting very excited. … I realized it’s true: when you love something, you can’t just give up on it. So I have Quentin to thank for that,” she said.
Yeoh has also been candid about personal struggles, including infertility. She told the BBC Radio 4’s “Woman’s Hour” last November: “I think the worst moment to go through is every month you feel like such a failure. And then you go, why? And I think at some point you stop blaming yourself. … You just have to let go and move on.” Now married to French motor racing executive Jean Todt, the “Star Trek: Section 31” star finds joy as a grandmother through her stepson.
Shakespeare's “Cymbeline” gets all-femme, all-Asian American revival
An all-female, all-Asian American production of William Shakespeare’s “Cymbeline” began performances on Jan. 18 at the Lynn F. Angelson Theater in New York City. Produced by the National Asian American Theatre Company, the revival is set to officially open on Jan. 23 and run for a limited engagement.
All-star cast: The production stars acclaimed actress Amy Hill, who has appeared in numerous films and Broadway productions, including “The King and I” and “Pacific Overtures.” The 71-year-old joins a talented cast of Asian American women, including Purva Bedi, Annie Fang, Anna Ishida, Narea Kang, Jennifer Lim, KK Moggie, Maria-Christina Oliveras, Julyanna Soelistyo, Sarah Suzuki and Jeena Yi.
Bold reimagining: Directed by Stephen Brown-Fried, the play features a modern verse translation by Andrea Thome, reimagining the late-career Shakespearean drama with a contemporary linguistic approach and a cast that challenges traditional expectations. “This casting hews closer to the conventions of Shakespeare’s time, in which actors were all of a similar gender identity and characters' genders were communicated through costume,” Brown-Fried explained. The creative team also includes an all-Asian American design team.