Asian enrollment, Trump’s Tariffs, Sports Legends
Welcome to Issue #6 of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter!
This week, we’re spotlighting a historic rise in Asian law school enrollment following the end of race-conscious admissions, plus groundbreaking wins in sports that shatter barriers. We’re also unpacking a viral rice hack that’s changing the way we think about food.
Asians see biggest jump in law school enrollees after end of race-conscious admissions
The Supreme Court’s decision to end race-based affirmative action in college admissions in June 2023 has significantly impacted law school demographics. According to data released on Monday by the American Bar Association (ABA), Asian students saw the largest increase in enrollment, rising from 7.76% in 2023 to 9.76% in 2024. This contrasts with declines in Black enrollment (from 7.84% to 7.71%) and steady Hispanic enrollment at 14.2%.
Total first-year law students increased by 4.5%, driven by a 6% spike in applicants. Let’s take a closer look.
Nationwide:
Asian enrollment surged at some schools, with Columbia University seeing a notable spike from 57 to 139 (roughly 144%). The University of Pennsylvania and New York University also saw huge increases in Asian students.
Stanford nearly doubled its Black enrollment from 12 to 23 students, though its Asian student increase was modest. Yale saw a small increase in Black students, from 23 to 25, while Hispanic enrollment dropped from 33 to 27.
The ABA’s data includes admission figures from 196 law schools. Its updated reporting method, which now includes non-U.S. residents in racial categories, may have influenced the significant swings.
The SCOTUS’s decision came in response to lawsuits filed by Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) against Harvard University and the University of North Carolina.
At Harvard Law School:
Asian enrollment: Increased from 103 to 132 students
Black enrollment: Dropped from 43 to 19 students (down 3.4%, the lowest since the 1960s)
Hispanic enrollment: Dropped from 63 to 32 students
At UNC School of Law:
Asian enrollment: Decreased from 18 to 15 students
Black enrollment: Dropped from 13 to 9 students
Hispanic enrollment: Dropped from 21 to 13 students
In a statement to the Rebel Yellow, UC Davis law professor Gabriel “Jack” Chin — a scholar of immigration law, criminal procedure and race and law — highlights the “fascinating” data’s broader implications. “The long-term trend of the entry of APA [Asian Pacific American] college graduates into the legal profession shows no signs of slowing — the old days in which Asian parents encouraged their kids to go into STEM where they could get a fair shot may, mercifully, be largely behind us,” he says. “Asians are now clearly overrepresented in law schools compared to their share of college graduates (around 6.6%).”
Chin points out that aggregate enrollment figures don’t tell the full story, noting that a quick, unscientific review shows that the number of Asian first-year students at elite institutions like Harvard, Stanford and Yale is lower than the number of second-year students. He emphasizes the importance of analyzing enrollment distribution across all law schools, as reported by the ABA, alongside the overall figures. He also notes that Black enrollment decreased at Harvard but increased at other schools, speculating that students who might have been admitted to Harvard opted for strong alternative options.
“I also suspect that the full implications of the end of affirmative action will take a few admissions cycles to play out,” Chin adds. “My prediction is that at the end of the day, there will be substantial changes in the demographics of law school enrollment — maybe more consideration of socio-economic factors as race and legacy status go away — but it will not mean that tons more places will open up for APA applicants at the most competitive schools.”
Changes in admissions processes, such as Harvard’s new “Statement of Perspective,” aim to assess candidates without explicitly considering race. Experts remain divided on the ruling’s long-term effects, with concerns about reduced Black and Hispanic enrollment but optimism about resilient recruitment strategies.
For Asian Americans, these trends signal a growing foothold in legal education, challenging narratives about affirmative action and reshaping the pipeline to the legal profession.
Trump’s tariffs, simplified
Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs targeting China, Mexico and Canada in late November. As his new administration approaches, we look into what tariffs actually are and how they could impact Asian Americans.
What are tariffs? Tariffs are taxes on imports. They are paid by U.S. companies that purchase foreign goods.
Why it matters: You’re most likely to pay the price.
Companies typically pass on costs to consumers through higher prices. Analysts at Yale say that the new tariffs could add between $1,900 and $7,600 annually to household costs, increasing inflation by 1.4% to 5.1%.
Asian American businesses, particularly those reliant on imported goods, could see operational costs spike. This could affect their pricing and competitiveness.
What’s the fuss about China? As stated above, China is one of Trump’s key targets. Chinese imports include electronics, machinery and textiles — sectors critical to many entrepreneurs. Electronics like laptops and tablets, in particular, could see price increases of up to 46%, according to the Consumer Technology Association.
What happened in Trump’s first term: Studies from Harvard and Brookings reveal that Trump’s 2018 tariffs neither revived manufacturing jobs nor significantly reduced trade deficits. China, in retaliation, imposed counter-tariffs on American soybeans and pork, hurting U.S. farmers.
How can the Asian American community adapt? We see three possible ways:
Research. Businesses might consider sourcing goods from countries such as Vietnam or South Korea to avoid higher tariffs (compared to China, for instance). The goal is to research and remain open to more sustainable options.
Innovate. Higher costs could spur entrepreneurs to innovate. This means leveraging technology to reduce dependency on traditional supply chains.
Advocate. Communities play a vital role in pushing for balanced trade policies that protect small businesses and consumers. This means rallying behind organizations that lobby for those goals, including chambers of commerce and other advocacy groups. As the country’s fastest-growing electorate, Asian Americans can also work to dialogue with government officials, ensuring trade policies reflect their diverse needs.
Trump said his tariffs would take effect immediately upon his inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025.
SoCal man sentenced to prison for birth tourism business that netted up to $40K per customer
A San Bernardino, California, man has been sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for helping pregnant Chinese women give birth in the U.S. so their children could obtain American citizenship, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California announced on Monday.
Michael Wei Yueh Liu, 59, of Rancho Cucamonga, and his now-separated wife, Jing Dong, 47, were found guilty of conspiracy and international money laundering. Dong is scheduled for sentencing in early 2025.
In court on Monday, Liu pleaded for a lighter sentence, citing his role as caretaker for his 95-year-old father, 82-year-old mother and 13-year-old son, all of whom depend on him. “I am not here to deflect responsibility, but to seek mercy,” Liu said, according to the Associated Press. U.S. District Judge R. Gary Klausner reduced Liu’s sentence due to his family circumstances.
“USA Happy Baby”
Liu and Dong operated a birth tourism business called “USA Happy Baby” in Rancho Cucamonga between January 2012 and March 2015. They were arrested in 2019 following federal raids in 2015 that targeted their business and others like it during undercover operations.
The ex-couple, convicted in September 2024, assisted pregnant Chinese women with visas, housing, transportation and legal documentation for their newborns. While working with overseas entities, they allegedly advised clients on how to hide their pregnancies from immigration authorities by telling them to wear loose clothing upon arriving in the U.S. They reportedly earned up to $40,000 per customer. Most clients returned to China two to three months after giving birth.
Renewed calls to end birth tourism
Liu’s sentencing coincides with President-elect Donald Trump’s renewed calls to end birthright citizenship, a move aimed at curbing birth tourism. Trump’s proposal would override the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to those born in the U.S. Nearly all countries offering unrestricted birthright citizenship are in the Americas, including the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Other nations, such as Australia, India and the U.K., have restricted or eliminated such policies.
Although it is not illegal for pregnant foreign nationals to enter the U.S. as tourists, the Department of State implemented a rule on Jan. 24, 2020, allowing overseas consular officers to deny B-1/B-2 non-immigrant visas to women suspected of traveling for birth tourism. “Closing this glaring immigration loophole will combat these endemic abuses and ultimately protect the United States from the national security risks created by this practice,” said Stephanie Grisham, Trump’s press secretary at the time.
In 2017, around 10,000 babies were born to foreign residents, the last year for which data was available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The report also noted that the federal government does not track statistics on pregnant foreign nationals involved in birth tourism.
Asian athletes ink groundbreaking contracts in December
Female pitcher Ayami Sato, teen hockey sensation Kevin He and baseball legend Tomoyuki Sugano signed landmark contracts this month.
Ayami Sato breaks baseball's gender barrier: Japanese pitching star Ayami Sato signed a contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) in Canada on Dec. 3, becoming the first woman to ever play in the men’s pro league. “It is a dream come true for me to play at this competitive level with former major leaguers and top minor league players,” said the 34-year-old right-hander.
Sato is widely considered one of the best pitchers in the world, having led Japan to six consecutive Women's Baseball World Cup titles from 2010 to 2024. She was named tournament MVP three times (2014, 2016, 2018) and led Japan's Women's Baseball League in strikeouts in three of the four seasons before the league ceased operations in 2021. Sato is renowned for her impressive pitching speed, reaching 80 miles per hour, and a curveball with a spin rate comparable to many MLB players.
Kevin He becomes first Chinese-born NHL player: Hockey rising star Kevin He made history on Tuesday by becoming the first Chinese-born player to sign a National Hockey League (NHL) contract. He, drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL Draft in June, inked a three-year, entry-level deal with the team worth $975,000 per season.
Born in Beijing in 2006, He began skating at the age of 4 and developed his passion for hockey after moving to Montreal at age 6. He recently served as captain of the Niagara IceDogs in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), where he recorded an impressive 130 points in 159 games. In China, He is already being hailed online as the "Beacon of Chinese Pride." “Growing up in China, it means a lot to me and my family," He said. "It's incredible, a huge honor. I had a lot of fans texting me right before the draft, wishing me good luck and showing me support."
Tomoyuki Sugano brings star power to Baltimore: Japanese star Tomoyuki Sugano is finally making the leap to Major League Baseball (MLB), signing a one-year, $13 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles on Monday. The 35-year-old right-hander brings a wealth of experience to Baltimore, having spent the past 12 seasons with the Yomiuri Giants in Nippon Professional Baseball's Central League, where he most recently earned his third Central League MVP award.
Sugano, a three-time Central League MVP (2014, 2020, 2024) and two-time Sawamura Award winner (Japan's equivalent of the Cy Young Award), boasts a career 2.45 ERA in 281 games with the Giants. Known for his impressive command and diverse six-pitch arsenal, Sugano posted a dominant 1.67 ERA with 111 strikeouts in 156 2/3 innings during his 2024 MVP season. He previously showcased his skills against Major League competition in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, holding the United States to one unearned run over six innings in a semifinal matchup.
Does this calorie-cutting “rice hack” actually live up to the hype?
A viral rice-cooking hack is sweeping TikTok, with proponents claiming it can cut calories and boost overall health. The technique, which has sparked widespread curiosity, involves cooking white rice, refrigerating it overnight and reheating it before eating.
Science behind the hack
The key lies in the transformation of digestible starch into resistant starch. This type of carbohydrate, unlike its readily digestible counterpart, resists digestion in the small intestine and ferments in the colon, acting more like fiber.
A 2015 study in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that cooling and reheating rice increased its resistant starch content by up to 2.5 times. This translated to a significantly lower glycemic index compared to freshly cooked rice. In 2022, a separate study in Nutrition & Diabetes observed lower blood glucose responses in individuals with diabetes who consumed retrograded starch from rice, further confirming this effect. Last year, a meta-analysis of studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition similarly concluded that resistant starch does improve insulin sensitivity and reduces blood sugar levels after meals.
"When starches are digested, they typically break down into glucose," explains Christine McKinney, senior nutritionist at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. "Because resistant starch is not digested in the small intestine, it doesn’t raise glucose."
In addition to enhanced insulin sensitivity, other findings report that consuming resistant starch also resulted in improved gut health, appetite management and a potential reduction in the risk of colorectal cancer and Type 2 diabetes.
Getting the most out of resistant starch
To maximize the formation of resistant starch, experts recommend refrigerating cooked rice for at least 12 hours before reheating. McKinney suggests trying this with other starches as well: "Try cooking rice, potatoes, beans, and pasta a day in advance and cool in the refrigerator overnight. It’s OK to reheat the starch before eating. Reheating doesn’t decrease the amount of resistant starch."
Experts warn that improper handling of cooled rice can lead to food safety risks, such as bacterial contamination. The USDA advises refrigerating cooked rice within two hours, ensuring the fridge is set to 40°F or below, and reheating to an internal temperature of 165°F before consumption. Experts also warn against storing rice for more than four days to prevent spoilage.
More holistic approach
While Manila-based fitness expert and dietitian Armia Villahermosa acknowledges that the viral "rice hack" offers potential benefits, she cautions against oversimplifying the role of rice in a healthy diet.
"The rice hack for increasing resistant starch indeed has benefits, but people must understand that it is not a one-time solution to your digestion and overall health," she tells Rebel Yellow.
Villahermosa highlights the crucial role of a balanced diet rich in whole foods: ”People are very obsessed with calorie deficit, lowering calories, etc., without realizing that it is not about calories,” she adds. “Your gut, your digestion and metabolism mess up because of imbalanced nutrition.”
She also reminds us that overall dietary patterns matter more than any single food or hack. "People always make rice a problem to health when, in fact, it is actually an overconsumption of processed food, meat and dairy that's killing your good bacteria in your gut and even causing a lot of diseases," Villahermosa explains. "No matter how much you do that rice hack, it won't make you healthier unless you eat a lot of veggies."