On Dec. 13, a female Fujian immigrant hung herself in front of her ex-husband’s apartment. The incident has drawn much sympathy in the Chinese community. The community worries this tragedy may be part of a larger problem: the family structure of Fujian immigrants and the potential trouble it brings.
The woman, 39-year-old Lihua Chen, only joined her husband in the United States four months ago from her hometown in Fujian, with their two teenage children. She found the reunion was fatal. Her dream of a happy family in land full of freedom was destroyed by the husband’s excessive freedom in his private life.
The husband, who would like be identified only by his last name Jiang, came to this country 10 years ago. He applied for a green card, but during the process he was not allowed to leave the United States and go back to China to visit his family. Eventually he got the permanent residency and was able to bring his wife and children to the United States. However, when wife and teens arrived, they found out that they were not his only family. Mr. Jiang had found another woman in America and the two have lived together as husband and wife for many years. Not able to accept the fact, Ms. Chen chose to end her life to show Mr. Jiang how much he had hurt her.
For the Fujian immigrant community, the Chen’s case is only the tip of the iceberg. People who are familiar with the community say that many Fujian families have the same problem; this has caused a rise in the suicide rate within the community. “At least one third of the Fujian immigrant families have this problem,” said Henry Ye, the director of immigrant services at the New Life Center, a social organization that helps Fujian immigrants. “The issue cannot be ignored any more.”
“All Fujian immigrants follow the same pattern of immigration,” Ye explained. “The husband comes to the States first, most likely smuggled in. He applies for a green card based on political asylum. After he gets the green card, he is allowed to bring his family from China to the United States. This process can take at least five years. In most cases, it can take up to 10 years or longer.” It is not surprising that during this period, characterized by hard work, immense pressure and great physical need, the husband will find a lover. “For many families,” Ye continues, “when the wives and children arrive here, they have nowhere to go. They end up living under the same roof with the husband and his new wife.”
It’s not hard to imagine the tension in the house. The problem is not a secret for the community. However, Ye said, “the Fujian community is very close. Because of the language barrier as well as their pending immigration status, people in this community are less likely to talk to an ‘outsider’ about their problem. This makes it difficult for social organizations to help them.
Tracy Luo, the coordinator of Asian LifeNet, a mental health service organization affiliated with the Mental Health Association of New York City, agrees with Ye. “We have paid attention to this issue for a while,” said Luo. “But it’s not easy to provide them with consulting help.” Luo uses “war time couples, ” a Chinese phrase originally referred to the loose relationship among soldiers during the Sino-Japanese war era, to describe the prevailing family structure of Fujian immigrants. “It increases domestic violence, even suicide incidents in the community,” said Luo. Her organization tries to provide consulting services to people who are facing this problem, but it’s not easy. “Fujian immigrants work too hard,” said Luo. “Sometimes they work 12 hours per day and don’t even have time to talk to each other, let alone to talk to us.” Luo suggests that community organizations work together to remind new immigrants of their original America dream—not only about the money, but to share a happy life with their family in this beautiful land. “Only when they remember that, will they pay more attention to their own spiritual world,” said Luo.
