Chong "Seth" Yu

Mr. Yu came to the United States from Shanghai, China to study social work. He believes that education is the key to empowering individuals and communities to achieve their goals. He will pursue a law degree specializing in immigration and human rights at the University of Michigan in the fall.

• Asian immigrants started to come to Washington, D.C. in the 1970s and 1980s after wars in their home countries. Most of the Vietnamese immigrants to D.C. came as refugees. 
• Asian immigrants to D.C. are mostly Vietnamese and Chinese. These immigrants speak Vietnamese, Mandarin Chinese, and Cantonese Chinese. (Asian American LEAD mainly serves Chinese and Vietnamese immigrants.)
   
• Many Asians who come are not well educated and have difficulties supporting their children financially, educationally and emotionally. The overwhelming problem for Asians is being unable to speak English.
   
• Asian immigrants come for better jobs and more opportunities that are not available in their home country. Immigrants who call their office for help often need help with finding jobs, health care, language interpretation, and even emotional support.
   
• It is not uncommon for Asian immigrants to work long hours. He had one client who was a carry-out delivery person who worked 13 hour days for 6 days a week in order to make a living.
   
• Undocumented Asian immigrants will pay approximately $70,000 for a chance to enter the United States. One route that these immigrants take is to take a boat to South America, a trip that can last up to two months, then cross the border through Mexico. There are many new Chinatowns growing in Arizona because Chinese immigrants are crossing the border along Mexico.