The Legendary Son Heung-min
Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min was celebrated by his club as a “certified Tottenham legend” after leading the Spurs to a 1-0 victory over Manchester United.
The Rebel Yellow - Issue #73
Wisconsin marked 50 years since the arrival of the first Hmong refugees following the Vietnam War, now home to over 55,000 Hmong residents. A new national study found that most Americans — and 82% of Asian Americans — believe Asians face discrimination in the U.S. Meanwhile, tests revealed that nearly all rice sold in the U.S. contains arsenic and cadmium, with one-quarter of samples exceeding federal safety limits for infants. In immigration news, a federal raid in Hawaii targeting a former resident detained several Filipino teachers, drawing criticism from lawmakers and stoking fear in the local AAPI community.
Most Americans say Asians face discrimination in U.S.
A majority of Americans say Asian people face at least some discrimination in the U.S., according to a new Pew Research Center survey released Tuesday. Asian American respondents were even more likely to perceive bias, with over four in five reporting some or a lot of discrimination against their group.
The nationally representative survey of 3,589 U.S. adults, conducted in April, found that 66% of Americans believe Asians face discrimination. Among Asian American respondents, 82% said their group encounters either some or a lot of discrimination — a higher proportion than reported by Black (69%), Hispanic (66%) or White (64%) respondents about their own groups.
Partisan divide on discrimination
Perceptions of anti-Asian discrimination vary sharply by political affiliation. Among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, 83% said Asian people face at least some discrimination — a figure that has remained largely unchanged since 2024.
The share of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents who say Asian people face discrimination dropped from 66% in 2024 to 51% in 2025 — a notable year-over-year decline.
Across both parties, Asian respondents were more likely than their White or Hispanic peers to say Asian people face discrimination.
How other groups compare
When asked about other groups, 74% of Americans said Black people face at least some discrimination, followed by 72% for Hispanic people and 77% for transgender individuals. By contrast, fewer than half — 45% — said White people face discrimination.
The survey also found that younger adults were more likely than older Americans to perceive discrimination against Asian people. Among those ages 18 to 29, 77% said Asians face at least some discrimination, compared to 57% of adults 65 and older. This generational gap mirrors broader trends in perceptions of race and inequality, suggesting that younger Americans may be more attuned to issues of racial bias.
Noem denies supporting immigrant reality show, botches “habeas corpus” definition
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem denied supporting a pitch for a reality show competition that would pitch immigrants against each other in the name of becoming a U.S. citizen at a Senate hearing on Tuesday.
Catch up
A Daily Mail report on May 15 claimed that Noem had backed a concept for a show called “The American,” which would feature immigrants competing nationwide for one expedited citizenship. Producer Rob Worsoff (“Duck Dynasty”) reportedly developed a 35-page proposal describing contestants traveling by train between states for regional challenges and culminating in a live finale in Capitol Hill, with the winner being sworn in as an American citizen.
Noem denied having knowledge of such a reality show at the hearing. While she acknowledged that “something” may have been submitted to the DHS, she stressed, “I did not know anything about this reality show until the reporter [of the Daily Mail] reached out.” She then argued that the publication “printed wrong information.”
The Daily Mail, for its part, stands by its reporting, stating it obtained internal DHS communications demonstrating not only Noem’s awareness, but endorsement, of the project. Aide Corey Lewandowski also allegedly supported the pitch.
Defining habeas corpus
At one point in the hearing, Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) asked Noem to define habeas corpus, prompted by White House adviser Stephen Miller saying earlier this month that the Trump administration was “actively looking” at suspending it.
Noem replied, “Well, habeas corpus is a constitutional right that the president has to be able to remove people from this country and suspend their right to —” before Hassan interrupted. “That’s incorrect,” Hassan said, describing habeas corpus as “the legal principle that requires that the government provide a public reason for detaining and imprisoning people” and “the foundational right that separates free societies like America from police states like North Korea.”
Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) then questioned whether she knew which constitutional article addresses habeas corpus. Noem admitted, “No, I do not, sir.”
Deaf Mongolian man faces deportation without due process
A deaf Mongolian man has spent over 80 days detained at California’s Otay Mesa Detention Center without seeing an immigration judge or accessing a Mongolian Sign Language interpreter, raising due process concerns amid President Donald Trump’s expanded deportation enforcement.
About the man and his case: The detainee, identified only as Bay, reportedly entered the U.S. in February and surrendered immediately to Border Patrol agents while carrying a letter translated into English that requested asylum. Agents, however, rejected the document, refusing to accept it or even look at it, his attorney Andrea Montavon-McKillip told KPBS. Officials processed Bay through expedited removal, bypassing the credible fear screening that Trump administration executive orders have eliminated, leaving him able to only write “Mongolia” on a piece of paper and “use body language to indicate that he was afraid” during his assessment. Montavon-McKillip has filed a federal motion to prevent his client’s deportation.
“Trapped in silence”: Bay’s sister, Bema, a U.S. citizen living in Virginia hoping to sponsor him, described her brother’s situation as being “trapped in silence.” “He’s completely cut off from understanding or participating in what’s happening to him, that’s what breaks my heart,” Bema told KPBS. She emphasized that Bay has no criminal record in Mongolia and pleaded, “Just give him a chance to tell his story. All we are asking for is fairness on his part.”
The big picture: Bay’s detention comes amid the Trump administration’s sweeping deportation efforts, including nationwide expansion of expedited removal and termination of protections. Federal enforcement now focuses on individuals described as “the worst of the worst” while authorizing “collateral arrests” of others encountered during operations. The exact number of undocumented illegal migrants from Mongolia is unknown, but census data shows roughly 50,000 Americans identified as Mongolian in 2023, making them the 19th-largest Asian origin group and comprising about 0.2% of the nation’s Asian population.
Judge: Trump admin’s deportation of Asians to South Sudan violated court order
A federal judge ruled Wednesday that the Trump administration breached his court order when it sent immigrants — including from Asian countries — to war-torn South Sudan without providing adequate due process.
What happened: Eight men were flown from Texas to South Sudan on Tuesday despite most of them being protected under a federal court injunction. The deportees had been convicted of serious crimes such as homicide, attempted murder, sexual assault and robbery, according to DHS officials. Two of them, originally from Myanmar and Vietnam, have attorneys who reportedly learned Monday evening about the removal plan and discovered by Tuesday morning that they were already on their way to the African nation. Authorities characterized the mission as having both diplomatic and military components but refused to specify the exact destination, citing security concerns.
Judge responds: U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy said the government’s conduct clearly breached his court directive, noting that the advance notification was inadequate for proper legal challenge. He cautioned that officials could face criminal contempt charges for violating his April order that mandates substantial opportunity to challenge removal to non-origin countries. The judge directed the government to conduct fear assessment interviews for six individuals and provide them no less than 15 days to reopen their immigration cases if their safety concerns are found insufficient.
The big picture: The decision appears to be one of the most forceful judicial criticisms of the second Trump administration’s actions on immigration to date. The matter follows previous blocked removal efforts to Libya, where rival governments both declined the proposal. In response to the matter, the White House labeled Murphy “a far-left activist judge” while DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin described his decision as “deranged,” claiming he was attempting to “dictate the foreign policy and national security” of the U.S.
Fear grips Hawaii’s Filipino teaching community after ICE home raid
A federal immigration raid at a Maui residence housing Filipino teachers has heightened anxiety among educators and drawn sharp criticism from Hawaii lawmakers.
What went down: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents reportedly executed a federal search warrant at a multi-family residence in Kahului on May 6, detaining approximately 10 to 12 teachers and family members for roughly 45 minutes during their search. Among those detained were Filipino nationals working legally on J-1 visas. The operation is said to have targeted a Hispanic man who had previously lived at the address. The warrant, however, was shown to the landlord allegedly only after agents completed their search.
Lawmakers speak out: Sen. Brian Schatz first denounced the operation in a statement, characterizing it as “racial profiling and a shameful abuse of power” designed to create fear. Sen. Mazie Hirono also criticized the administration’s approach to immigration on social media, writing, “Rather than making our communities safer, Trump is focused solely on sowing chaos and instilling fear in vulnerable communities.”
ICE responds: ICE, for its part, defended the operation, saying Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents conduct themselves professionally and do not target specific ethnic or professional groups. “Making unsubstantiated comments to suggest otherwise places our agents and our communities at risk and erodes public faith in law enforcement for no reason,” it stated. “HSI will aggressively push back on false accusations to ensure the public has access to the truth and is informed on our mission to support public safety.”
The big picture: The home search was part of a broader four-day enforcement operation from May 5 to 8 that led to 50 arrests across Hawaii’s three main islands, targeting individuals with various immigration violations and criminal histories. Earlier this week, Filipino officials confirmed that no Filipino nationals were arrested in the Kahului raid and that all affected teachers remain safe.
Billionaire Justin Sun says he’s top holder of Trump meme coin
Chinese crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun claimed on X that he is the largest holder of the Donald Trump-themed cryptocurrency, $TRUMP, with a stake reportedly worth $21.9 million. The announcement came as Sun attended an exclusive dinner hosted by President Trump at his golf club in Virginia, reserved for the top 220 investors in the token.
Trump dinner for top investors: In the post, Sun said he was “honored to support @POTUS” and grateful to @GetTrumpMemes for the invitation. As one of the top 25 holders of the meme coin, Sun also gained access to a VIP reception with Trump ahead of the main dinner event.
Rise and fall of $TRUMP: The $TRUMP token, launched in January 2025 just before Trump’s second inauguration, is primarily controlled by entities linked to the Trump Organization, which collectively hold about 80% of its total supply. While the coin initially surged to $75, its value has dropped below $8 as of April. Interest has recently resurged amid high-profile events and endorsements tied to the coin.
Broader ties to Trump ventures: Sun’s financial ties to Trump’s crypto ventures go beyond $TRUMP. He has invested at least $75 million in World Liberty Financial, a decentralized finance platform associated with the Trump family. These links have sparked scrutiny following the dismissal of a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission fraud lawsuit against Sun earlier this year. Sun, who once made headlines for purchasing a duct-taped banana art piece for $6 million, is known for high-profile, unconventional investments in the crypto and art worlds.
Ethics concerns over access: Critics across party lines have raised ethical concerns about the event, particularly regarding the presence of foreign nationals among top $TRUMP holders. Ethics watchdogs have warned that monetizing access to a president poses serious risks. The White House has described the dinner as a private event unrelated to official government business.
China steps up to fill U.S. leadership void with $500 million WHO pledge
China has pledged $500 million to the World Health Organization over five years as the country is set to replace the U.S. as the agency’s top state donor following President Donald Trump’s order for withdrawal in January.
Why it matters: Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong announced the contribution at Tuesday’s World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva. “The world is now facing the impacts of unilateralism and power politics, bringing major challenges to global health security,” Liu said, adding that “only with solidarity and mutual assistance can we create a healthy world together.” Due to the expected loss of its top donor, the WHO has revised its 2026-2027 budget down 21% to $4.2 billion. The new budget will increase countries’ mandatory fees by 20% over two years, making China the largest state contributor.
The big picture: The donation highlights Beijing’s strategy to step into global leadership roles as Washington retreats from international cooperation under Trump’s “America First” policy. On Monday, China alongside Pakistan successfully blocked Taiwan’s participation in the WHA for the ninth consecutive year, with Chinese Ambassador Chen Xu calling the participation proposal an attempt that “openly challenges the authority of the UN and the post-war international order.”
Biotech entrepreneur blocked from China after marriage to gene-editing scientist
Chinese Canadian biotech entrepreneur Cathy Tie remains unable to enter China after authorities blocked her entry during a May 17 layover in Manila as she traveled to reunite with her husband, gene-editing scientist He Jiankui.
What happened: Tie, 29, was flying from Los Angeles to Beijing when Manila immigration officials reportedly told her she could not proceed to China, providing no explanation for the decision. The travel restriction occurred a month after her April wedding to He, who sparked global controversy in 2018 for creating the world’s first gene-edited babies and subsequently received a three-year prison sentence.
“On this day last month, I married the most controversial scientist in the world. Now, we may never see each other again,” Tie wrote on X on May 18. Online supporters have reportedly contributed $2 million toward the couple’s research initiatives and “bringing them together.”
“Collateral damage”: Tie has framed her situation as part of a broader conflict over scientific freedom. “When China denied my entry into the country to be with him, they sent a signal to confirm this to the whole world,” she posted Thursday on X, calling herself “collateral damage” in what she termed “the war on scientific ideas.”
Tie, who earned recognition as a Forbes “30 Under 30” honoree and Thiel Fellow after launching genetic screening company Ranomics as a teenager, maintains her commitment to advancing gene editing research. “My vision for germline gene editing research transcends borders and politics. And I have already begun,” she noted on X.
Families may need 3 children each to avoid extinction, study warns
A new study published April 30 in PLOS ONE finds that families need to have an average of 2.7 children to avoid extinction — far higher than the long-accepted replacement rate of 2.1. The research suggests that under current fertility trends, most family lineages in developed countries may vanish within a few generations.
Fertility threshold redefined
Conducted by researchers from Japan and the Philippines, the study used a “branching process” model to simulate the fate of family lines over generations. The researchers found that when fertility rates fall below 2.7, the vast majority of lineages eventually die out, even in ideal conditions with equal birth sex ratios and low mortality.
Traditional replacement models, based on a rate of 2.1, do not account for demographic randomness — namely, that some individuals will not have children. This variability increases the likelihood of a family line ending, even in large populations. The authors describe this overlooked factor as a critical flaw in how fertility sustainability has long been understood.
Impact on Asian populations
The findings carry particular weight in East Asia, where fertility rates are already among the world’s lowest. South Korea recorded a rate of just 0.69 in 2024, while Japan’s was 1.20. These levels fall not only below the revised threshold but also far beneath the outdated 2.1 standard.
A separate study in 2019 found that Chinese, Japanese and Korean families in the U.S. tend to have children later in life and primarily within marriage, contributing to persistently low fertility rates.
What’s at stake
According to the study, one overlooked factor that can raise the chances of a family’s survival is a higher ratio of female births, which has been observed in humans and other mammals under environmental or psychological stress. While not a solution, this tendency may be nature’s way of preserving lineages during hardship.
The broader implication is that many family names and cultural heritages could disappear — even as overall population numbers remain high. The extinction of a family line, the researchers argue, is not just a rare occurrence but a predictable mathematical outcome when fertility falls below critical thresholds.
Son Heung-min hailed as a “legend” after historic Europa League triumph
Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min was celebrated by his club as a “certified Tottenham legend” after leading the Spurs to a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League final on May 21, ending the club's 17-year trophy drought.
Making history: The club's official social media accounts lauded Son's leadership, marking him as the first South Korean to captain a European club to a major trophy. The win also secured Tottenham's qualification for the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League, providing a significant boost after a challenging domestic season.
World’s happiest man: Son, who joined Tottenham in 2015 and was appointed captain in 2023, lifted his first major club trophy in Bilbao. After the match, he expressed his emotions in an interview with TNT Sports, saying, “Let's say I'm a legend. Why not? Just for today! Seventeen years, nobody has done it — so today, with these amazing players, we're probably legends of the club. This is what I've always dreamed of. Today is the day it happened. I'm the happiest man in the world.”
Michelle Wong McSween’s “Gordon & Li Li” book series help families learn Mandarin
When Michele Wong McSween couldn’t find engaging Mandarin books for her children, she created her own — launching the bilingual “Gordon & Li Li” series to help families connect with language and culture. A fourth-generation Chinese American and former fashion designer, McSween tells The Rebel Yellow that her newest title, “Gordon & Li Li: All About Me,” teaches body part vocabulary through movement and song.
“When I think about the next book to add to ‘Gordon & Li Li’s’ world, I always think of two things: parents and kids,” says McSween. “What will help parents connect with their children? And what will kids be naturally curious about? ‘All About Me’ felt like the perfect fit.”
Creating Gordon & Li Li
McSween says the inspiration came from a lack of resources for non-fluent families. “Back in 2006, there were virtually no appealing or accessible bilingual resources for learning Chinese — especially for young children,” she says. “Most of what I found were old-fashioned, intimidating books tucked away in Chinatown stores, which didn’t reflect or support multicultural families like mine. If I wanted these resources for my kids, I was going to have to create them myself.”
She self-published the first titles in 2008. Scholastic acquired the series in 2017, expanding it to include activity books and a mobile app.
A playful approach to learning
“When my boys were little, they loved any book that let them move — pointing to their belly, wiggling their toes, shaking their arms — classic boy energy!” she shares. “Books about the body became a fun, interactive way for us to bond and learn together. It’s a sweet, silly and educational moment families can share, which is exactly what ‘Gordon & Li Li’ is all about.”
McSween says the series has helped families across generations feel more connected. “Many say they wish something like this had existed when they were growing up,” she says. “Grandparents appreciate how approachable the books are, especially when they’re trying to learn Mandarin because their grandkids are Chinese.”
Advice for families
According to McSween, creating the books has been transformative. “You know the term ‘born-again Christian’? I like to say I’m a ‘born-again Chinese,’” she says. “I went from knowing very little about my heritage to feeling fully immersed in it — all because of ‘Gordon & Li Li.’”
She encourages parents to introduce language and culture through daily activities. “Read bilingual books, cook family recipes together, make simple crafts, watch bilingual children’s shows, or try out language learning apps. Every bit helps and it all adds up to making an impact,” she says. “You don’t have to be fluent or ‘perfect’ to start, take it from a person who just started learning Mandarin after my kids were born. You’re learning and bonding with your kids and that’s something to be proud of.”
BTS biography becomes top Little Golden Book series pre-order
Global K-pop sensation BTS is the subject of the first K-pop biography in the Little Golden Book series, a beloved line of children’s books known for introducing young readers to notable historical and cultural figures. Set for release on Sept. 2, “BTS: A Little Golden Book Biography” is a 24-page hardcover written by Jan Ann and illustrated by Hyesung Park. It traces the group’s rise from their beginnings in South Korea to international stardom, joining previous titles on icons like The Beatles, Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga.
The book highlights major milestones in BTS’s career, including their hit singles “Dynamite” and “Yet to Come,” as well as their address at the United Nations. Fueled by high demand, the biography has become the top-selling yet-to-be-released title in the Little Golden Book Biographies series.
Ken Jeong receives honorary doctorate from Cal State LA
Comedian and actor Ken Jeong received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from California State University, Los Angeles, during its commencement ceremony at the Shrine Auditorium on May 20.
Delivering the keynote address, Jeong said, “I am a student of the game, I am a student for life. Never stop learning, never stop growing. It’s not about being rich and famous. It’s about staying hungry and humble. The goal is not to be the best. The goal is to be your best. And how can you be at your best? Persistence.”