The State of Chinese Americans Survey reports stark data on the pervasive impact of the perpetual foreigner stereotype.
New York, NY — Committee of 100, a nonprofit membership organization of prominent Chinese Americans, and NORC at the University of Chicago, one of the largest independent social research organizations in the United States, today released new findings in their ongoing State of Chinese Americans research. The data reveals that Asian Americans are far more likely than other racial groups to be considered foreigners, with measurable consequences for mental health and feelings of belonging.
“This data demonstrates what many Asian Americans have been feeling, especially after the surge of anti-Asian hate during the COVID pandemic,” said Committee of 100 president, Paul Cheung. “Discrimination has a tangible, demonstrable impact on our lives, our mental health, and our feelings of belonging as Americans living in this country.”
The report, the second of several that will be released this year, outlines the pervasive impact of the “perpetual foreigner” stereotype, or the perception of a racial or ethnic group as outsiders. Conclusions include: most Asian Americans regularly encounter assumed foreignness (55%); U.S. and foreign-born Asian Americans are perceived as outsiders at nearly equal rates, unlike other racial or ethnic groups; and this perception creates severe psychological distress.
“We can now quantify the impact of the perpetual foreigner stereotype,” said Alex Chew, NORC AmeriSpeak Director and head of Amplify AAPI. “The role of concrete data in shaping perception, policy direction, and culture on timely issues like this one cannot be overstated.”
Download the full report on Committee of 100’s website.
Notes
Recommend citation for media: Vivien Leung, Sam Collitt (2026). State of Chinese Americans Survey 2025. Committee of 100 and NORC at the University of Chicago.
Any of the individual charts are available as separate files. Please contact media@committee100.org with your request.
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About Committee of 100
Committee of 100 empowers Chinese Americans and bridges America and China, leading with vision and purpose. For over 30 years, we have been the preeminent non-profit leadership organization of distinguished Chinese Americans, advancing full participation in American society and constructive U.S.-China relations through groundbreaking research, policy analysis, leadership development and civic engagement. Learn more at committee100.org.
About NORC at the University of Chicago
NORC at the University of Chicago conducts research and analysis that decision-makers trust. As a nonpartisan research organization and a pioneer in measuring and understanding the world, we have studied almost every aspect of the human experience and every major news event for more than eight decades. Today, we partner with government, corporate, and nonprofit clients around the world to provide the objectivity and expertise necessary to inform the critical decisions facing society.
Media Contacts:
Committee of 100
Sam Jones, Public Relations Manager, sjones@committee100.org
NORC at the University of Chicago
Fernando Agudelo, Sr. Communications Manager, agudelo-fernando@norc.org
