January 26th marked the beginning of the Lunar New Year. Members of Washington's Asian community came together to celebrate.

But as Jessica Forres reports... Asian immigrants living in the region still face many challenges...



Dragon dancers and drummers are parading down H Street in the District's Chinatown neighborhood. Members of the Asian Community, such as Grace Weuya, are celebrating the Chinese or Lunar New Year. She moved to the area from China eight years ago.

AT FIRST IT WAS VERY HARD TO ADAPT TO THE AMERICAN LIFE BUT AFTER AWHILE YOU KNOW THE PEOPLE SURROUNDING US ARE VERY HELPFUL AND SO YOU GRADUALLY FEEL LIKE YOU ARE FITTING INTO THE SOCIETY.

Lilly Qi is also taking part in the festivities. She wears a blue and gold silk jacket.

MADE IN CHINA JUST LIKE ME

Now she lives in Maryland and works as the Asian-American liasion for Montgomery County's Executive Isaiah Leggett. She says underemployment is a huge issue in the Asian immigrant community.

BECAUSE YOU WERE EITHER EDUCATED WITH PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS BEFORE YOU CAME TO THIS COUNTRY OR YOU END UP STAYING IN SCHOOL FOR TOO LONG. IMMIGRANTS TEND TO BE OVERLY EDUCATED FOR WHAT THEY ARE DOING WHICH MEANS THEY ARE SEVERLY UNDER-EMPLOYED.

Qi says underemployment is one of many issues County Executive Isaiah Leggett is trying to addresss with the New American Initiative.

THEY ARE LOOKING AT RETRAINING OR RELICENSING PROFESSIONALS WHO CAME TO THIS COUNTRY. THEY ARE LOOKING AT BREAKING DOWN LANGUAGE BARRIERS TO GOVERNMENT SERVICES AND PUBLIC SERVICES. OR HELPING PEOPLE TO QUICKLY GAIN CITIZENSHIP.

She says Asian-Americans make up 14 percent of the county's population.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News