Question

What is the "problem" with the way the u.s. census bureau defines "asian"?

Answer 1

The way the United States census bureau defines Asians is problematic because "Asian" is considered a distinct race by the census bureau and Asian American is seen as an ethnicity. Both of these terms include the same people, making it seem as though there is no difference between Asians and Asian Americans. 

Answer 2

The main problem with the way the United States Census Bureau defines "Asian" is because Asian is a group recognized as a very distinct race within the United States Census Bureau, so having Asian as a race and Asian American as an- ethnicity both serve the same purpose and describe the same group of people in the country.