Key facts
- A majority of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) adults believe the U.S. is no longer a great country for immigrants.
- Sixty-four percent of AAPI adults believe the U.S. used to be a great place for immigrants but is not anymore.
- Thirty-four percent of AAPI adults report carrying proof of immigration status or citizenship, or know someone who does.
- Thirty-four percent of AAPI adults report changing travel plans due to immigration status, or know someone who has.
- Half of AAPI adults have personally experienced or witnessed actions related to immigration enforcement.
A new poll indicates that a significant majority of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) adults perceive the United States as no longer being a welcoming country for immigrants. The survey, conducted by AAPI Data and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, found that approximately 64% of AAPI adults believe the U.S. has transitioned from being a great country for immigrants to one that is not.
The poll also revealed that about half of AAPI adults have personally experienced or witnessed actions related to heightened immigration enforcement. These actions include detentions, deportations, carrying proof of immigration status, disrupted travel plans, or significant changes to daily routines due to immigration status. Thirty-four percent of AAPI adults reported carrying proof of immigration status or citizenship, or know someone who does, and the same percentage reported changing travel plans because of immigration status.
Experts suggest that the administration's aggressive immigration policies may be altering the perception of the U.S. as a land of opportunity within immigrant-heavy communities. Karthick Ramakrishnan, founder and executive director of AAPI Data, stated that when long-term residents express doubt about the U.S. being the best country, it serves as a warning sign.
Even immigrants with legal status are reportedly taking precautions, such as consistently carrying documentation like green cards, due to concerns stemming from immigration policies. International students are also reportedly delaying visits to their home countries due to worries about their visa status.
Furthermore, the survey highlighted that AAPI adults tend to place a higher importance on their family's ancestry or country of origin for their personal identity compared to their American identity. This sentiment holds true even for U.S.-born AAPI adults. Conversely, AAPI adults are more likely than the general U.S. population to view the blending of global cultures and values as a crucial element of the nation's identity.