A recent poll by AAPI Data and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reveals that many Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) adults have felt the impact of the Trump administration’s immigration policies. The survey shows that about half of the AAPI adults report personal experiences or connections to incidents involving detention, deportation, or significant alterations to daily life due to immigration status.
The heightened immigration clampdowns of the past year appear to shape views within immigrant-heavy communities. The data indicates a shift in how these communities perceive the U.S., with many questioning its status as a land of opportunity. Around six in ten AAPI adults believe the U.S. was once great for immigrants, but not anymore. Only three in ten still see it as welcoming to immigrants, and 5% assert it never was.
“America’s success story has depended critically on the role of Asian Americans, but also immigrants in general,” said Karthick Ramakrishnan, founder of AAPI Data. “When you have people saying, ‘I’m not really sure that this is the best country anymore,’ that’s a warning sign.”
Heightened Caution Among Legal Immigrants
The Trump administration’s policies also affected legal immigrants. Efforts to increase visa fees and restrict decisions on asylum and citizenship applications have created unease. Although some policies were blocked by courts, concerns remain. For instance, Khoa Tran, who immigrated from Vietnam in 2015 and later gained U.S. citizenship, notes increased attention to carrying documentation.
Tran observes growing caution among international students, worried about the implications of travel on student visas. This uncertainty leads many to avoid trips out of the country due to visa concerns.
About half of South Asian adults are familiar with others who have begun carrying proof of legal status over the past year. This tendency is more pronounced among South Asians compared to East and Southeast Asian Americans, with many immigrants feeling their legal status is under scrutiny.
Blending Cultural and American Identities
AAPI adults place a high value on their family’s ancestry and country of origin in defining their identity, more so than their American identity. Fifty-nine percent of U.S.-born AAPI adults find their heritage significant, compared to 47% who feel this way about being American.
Abigail Jeyaraj, born in Texas to Indian parents, identifies as South Asian American, emphasizing the unique opportunities her heritage affords her. She strives to maintain strong ties to her roots and family in India.
Similarly, Soonho Kwon, who moved to the U.S. from Korea at age eight, feels more Korean despite his American citizenship. He acknowledges his commitment to living in the U.S. but notes that personal identity is separate from citizenship.
Perspective on America’s Anniversary
A majority of AAPI adults, 73%, see the global mix of cultures and values as vital to the U.S. identity, compared to 55% of the general U.S. population. Experiences in diverse cities foster empathy and understanding, but national restrictions on immigration and inclusivity provoke mixed feelings about America’s 250th anniversary.
Jeyaraj expresses pride in the nation’s endurance but is concerned about recent actions that threaten progress toward equality and justice. Tran views the anniversary with skepticism, reflecting on the continuous evolution of the country’s identity.
The poll surveyed 1,075 Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander adults from April 20-28, reflecting a sample representative of these communities. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.4 percentage points. This initiative aims to spotlight emerging views in these usually underrepresented groups.
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