Over 50% Of Asian Americans Feel Like They're Seen As Foreigners

Persistent 'perpetual foreigner' bias affects Asian-Americans' sense of belonging and mental health

Mar. 27, 2026 at 7:03am by Ben Kaplan

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A new study found that more than half of Asian-Americans living in the United States experience a form of bias that casts them as outsiders, no matter where they were born or how long their families have lived in the country. This 'perpetual foreigner' stereotype manifests in everyday interactions and subtle assumptions, and has a significant impact on Asian-Americans' feelings of belonging and psychological stress levels.

Why it matters

The 'perpetual foreigner' bias highlights how race, not just birthplace or citizenship, continues to shape perceptions of identity and belonging in the US. This bias affects Asian-Americans across generations, and contributes to a sense of exclusion and dislocation, even for those who are fully integrated into American society.

The details

According to the study by the Committee of 100 and NORC at the University of Chicago, over 50% of Asian-Americans report experiencing this 'perpetual foreigner' bias, which involves being asked questions that reinforce the idea that they don't quite belong, like 'where are you really from?' or 'how did you learn to speak English so well?' These experiences happen routinely for many Asian-Americans, and the bias affects US-born individuals just as much as immigrants. The study found that Asian-Americans who reported being treated like foreigners experienced nearly twice the level of psychological stress compared to those who did not. Among US-born respondents who frequently face these assumptions, 29% say they feel like they belong 'a little' or 'not at all'.

  • The study was published on March 27, 2026.

The players

Committee of 100

A nonprofit organization of prominent Chinese Americans focused on US-China relations and the civic and political participation of the Chinese-American community.

NORC at the University of Chicago

An independent research institution that conducts surveys, data collection, and analysis for government agencies, foundations, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and private businesses.

Tiffany Chin

A 30-something Los Angeles-based manager in the recording industry who has experienced being treated as 'other' or 'foreign' throughout her life, even though she is US-born.

Matt King

A 34-year-old graphic designer in Brooklyn who has encountered the 'perpetual foreigner' bias, especially in the context of online dating.

Sam Collitt

A social scientist at the Committee of 100 and co-author of the study on Asian-Americans' experiences of the 'perpetual foreigner' bias.

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What they’re saying

“Asian-Americans are assumed to be foreign regardless of birthplace, which is not as much the case with other groups.”

— Sam Collitt, Social Scientist, Committee of 100

“Those who regularly encounter assumptions of being foreign-born or unable to speak English feel societally excluded at significantly higher rates.”

— Sam Collitt, Social Scientist, Committee of 100

“I hadn't even visited China in over a year, but I was still treated as if I had personally been the one to bring Covid to the States.”

— Tiffany Chin

“I stopped using online dating apps, it was terrible, people just trolling. But people would say 'I don't date Asians' or 'I don't usually date Bruce Lee types but I could do it with you.'”

— Matt King, Graphic Designer

The takeaway

The persistent 'perpetual foreigner' bias faced by Asian-Americans, regardless of their birthplace or citizenship status, highlights how race continues to shape perceptions of identity and belonging in the US. This bias contributes to a sense of exclusion and dislocation for Asian-Americans, even those who are fully integrated into American society, and underscores the need for greater awareness and understanding around issues of racial identity and inclusion.