I would bet that these poor Asian Americans are highly educated. I know that my dad, after arriving here in 90s and having to feed 6 mouths, worked odd jobs for the first 10 years despite having gotten a masters in chemical engineering in Asia, never topped more than 40k. But the five of us now each make 6-figures.

I know many stories like this. But I also know a couple folks who were poor, but not educated -- their kids are not doing well financially.