Asians, many out of shame, not seeking deportation protection
South Korean-born Hyun Kim feels American to his bones, but the undocumented immigrant has failed to seek protection from deportation under a program launched by President Barack Obama to shield young people brought to the United States as children.
The 20-year-old Kim, who dreams of attending a US college and works as a barista in the Virginia town where he grew up, is like many of the more than 100,000 Asian immigrants who are eligible for Obama's program but have not applied. Many cite shame over their unauthorized status as well as trouble locating documents as reasons they are not applying.
"I'm doing nothing with my life, just working these small-time jobs," said Kim, who believes he is eligible but has been delayed by difficulties obtaining the required paperwork. "All I do when I go home is sleep and pay rent."
