Korean Americans: Faith, American Dream & Immigration

Study reveals Korean Americans' views on the American Dream, entrepreneurship, faith, and immigration, highlighting concerns over policy changes and their impact on the community. Key bridge between US & South Korea.

Reactions vary by age, with those in their 40s and very early 50s revealing higher pessimism in the concept of the American Dream. More youthful respondents in their 20s and 30s, and older participants believe that it stays a fact.

Entrepreneurship and Education Success

Among group teams, Oriental Americans have actually continually seen some of the highest prices of entrepreneurship and business possession, in addition to academic success. Census data from 2022 reveals some 60.7% of Korean Americans hold a bachelor’s degree or greater, compared to 35.7% for the overall population.

The casual study was performed earlier this summer by Korean Christian Mission USA, a nationwide faith-based organization with head office in Los Angeles, and supplies a home window into a neighborhood whose effect on American culture, culture and the economy is growing.

Faith and the American Dream

Oriental Americans are among the most spiritual group teams in the U.S., with prices of church association– generally Protestant Christian– topping even the general populace. They also are amongst one of the most devoted followers in the American Dream.

Korean Americans are additionally a key bridge connecting the united state and South Oriental economic situations. South Korea continues to be a significant capitalist in the U.S. and has assured upwards of $350 billion in future investments, though the details continue to be to be bargained.

Immigration Policy Concerns

Respondents pointed out issues that new migration policies have actually made it harder to acquire green cards and go after naturalization, tightening up eligibility needs while extending processing times. New naturalization guidelines provided earlier this summer introduced greater costs, tougher tests, and an extra comprehensive background check, sustaining disappointment amongst legal immigrants that stated the policies unjustly penalize those following appropriate procedures.

“This is a somewhat unusual outcome,” said Rev. Jongkii Min, chairman of KCMUSA. “Personally, as a pastor, I think churches ought to function as a haven to safeguard their members. The searchings for suggest that several priests position better emphasis on complying with legal immigration procedures.”

Church’s Role in Immigration

Still, participants were extra ambivalent on the question of unapproved immigrants and the church’s role in supporting them. Simply 32% agreed that churches should provide sanctuary to undocumented immigrants, while 48% rejected the concept.

“The plans might have been intended to apply immigration legislation,” said Chang Lee, head of state of the LAPD Olympic Terminal Booster Organization, a community company that functions as a bridge between local law enforcement and the Oriental community in Los Angeles, “yet they wound up dividing communities and stigmatizing immigrants that add to American society.”

Pope Leo has remained to champion the cause of migrants worldwide, urging diocesans in the U.S. to be extra active in sustaining immigrants, continuing the heritage of his predecessor, Pope Francis, that promoted the cause of travelers during much of his papacy.

ICE Raid Impact

The study was performed prior to the September 4 ICE raid at a Hyundai/LG plant in Atlanta, Georgia, where greater than 300 South Koreans were arrested and later on deported. The case attracted protests southern Oriental government and strengthened issue amongst Koreans on both sides of the Pacific over connections in between the longtime allies.

American Dream Still Obtainable?

Fifty-four percent of participants said they believe the American Dream, the idea that one can advance in life through effort and value, is still obtainable, while 46% said that might have held true in the past yet that it is now “no longer legitimate.”