The Asian American Research and Engagement Organization (AAIRE) has recently unveiled a study that highlights the significant impact of language barriers on social participation and voting rights within the Asian community. With the rapid growth of the Asian population and the increasing challenges they face, elected officials and public figures are stressing the urgent need for concrete actions from government entities and candidates to effectively serve this community and earn their trust.

The study revealed that 52% of Asian respondents indicated that language barriers directly affect their willingness to vote, and 19% cited that these issues hindered their family members’ understanding of the electoral process.

To address these challenges, the researchers have put forth several policy recommendations, urging local governments and public service agencies to improve language support services, especially in critical fields such as emergency medical services, law enforcement, and legal aid. Additionally, the study advocates for more language and cultural adaptation programs to assist new immigrant families, enabling quicker integration and encouraging active participation in public life. Furthermore, the researchers call for increased Asian representation in government and other public sectors to help bridge cultural and linguistic divides and enhance accessibility and equity in public services.

Chien-Hsu Chih, a seasoned political campaigner, underscored the study’s potential benefits for the Asian community in accessing government resources and informing candidates’ campaign strategies. “More than a decade ago, it was rare for non-Asian candidates to translate even a few campaign materials into Chinese or engage with the Chinese community before elections. Today, candidates must not only employ staff who are attuned to the community’s languages and cultures, but they also need to deeply engage with community members to uncover the issues that truly matter and adopt appropriate positions. Having Chinese language materials has become nearly essential, underscoring the considerable influence of the Chinese community,” Chih emphasized.

North Hempstead Councilwoman Laura Schaefer also spoke to the significance of the survey in advocating for necessary resources. “Data holds incredible power. Without specific data, we struggle to secure the resources our community rightfully deserves. That’s why I wholeheartedly support this organization—they are compiling invaluable data on the needs of the Asian community.” She further expressed her intention to leverage the insights from the report to provide relevant support to the Asian community.