Beyond the Model Minority: South Asian New Yorkers Confront Poverty

Author

• MIZUKI UCHIYAMA, Craig Newmark Graduate School of JournalismFollow

Graduation Date

Fall 12-13-2025

Grading Professor

Alia Malek

Subject Concentration

International

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Abstract

This capstone project examines poverty among South Asian immigrants in New York City, challenging the “model minority” myth that portrays Asian Americans as uniformly successful. Through a reported NY1 television news package and accompanying written narrative, the project highlights how language barriers, economic insecurity and limited access to public benefits shape daily life for many immigrant families in Queens.

Reporting from the South Asian Council for Social Services (SACSS) in Flushing, the story connects individual experiences in workforce and sewing programs to broader data showing that Asian New Yorkers experience poverty at rates comparable to Black and Latino residents, with sharp variation across Asian communities. Expert analysis from the Pew Research Center underscores how limited English proficiency, underfunding of Asian-serving organizations and credential recognition gaps deepen these disparities.

By combining broadcast journalism, data and community-based reporting, this capstone illustrates the critical role grassroots organizations play as lifelines for marginalized communities, while calling for more nuanced public narratives around immigrant poverty in New York City.

Full project:
https://kokusaimonndai.com/2520

NY1 TV package:
https://vimeo.com/1144674298/307364e3d9

Recommended Citation

UCHIYAMA, MIZUKI, "Beyond the Model Minority: South Asian New Yorkers Confront Poverty" (2025). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gj_etds/858