A new poll from AAPI Data and the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that about 6 in 10 Asian American and Pacific Islander adults believe the United States used to be a great country for immigrants but is no longer. The survey of 1,075 AAPI adults conducted April 20-28 also found that roughly half report personal disruption from immigration enforcement policies over the past year.
The findings arrive after more than a year of heightened immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, which has resulted in multiple confrontations between protesters and federal officers and led to the shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis earlier this year. AAPI adults are one of the country's fastest-growing demographics, with most having been born outside the United States.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic lawmakers and immigrant advocates say the poll reflects the harmful effects of aggressive enforcement policies on communities that have long called America home. Karthick Ramakrishnan, founder and executive director of AAPI Data, described the sentiment as a warning sign. "America's success story has depended critically on the role of Asian Americans, but also immigrants in general," Ramakrishnan said. "When you have people who are already in this country, have been here for decades saying, 'I'm not really sure that this is the best country anymore,' that's a warning sign."
Progressive activists argue that even legal permanent residents and naturalized citizens feel their status is under question. The poll found that about half of South Asian adults know someone who started carrying proof of legal status over the last year. "Many of those immigrants may have green cards or be naturalized citizens, yet feel like their presence and their status in this country is under question," Ramakrishnan said.
Abigail Jeyaraj, 22, of South Hadley, Massachusetts, who was born in Texas to Indian parents, said restrictions on immigration and diversity initiatives leave her conflicted about celebrating the country's anniversary. "You have recent actors who are trying to undo that progress," Jeyaraj said. "They maybe view it as restoring an ideal, but it's removing so much work that powerful and influential people made to bring us toward an ideal of equality and justice."
What the Right Is Saying
Immigration enforcement advocates argue that the Trump administration's policies prioritize legal immigration and public safety. A federal judge this month struck down a Department of Homeland Security rule that would have raised fees for certain visa categories, ruling it exceeded executive authority. Another judge blocked a policy that temporarily barred immigrants from 39 countries from receiving decisions on asylum, work permit, green card and citizenship applications.
Conservative commentators note that the poll's findings reflect fear rather than direct harm experienced by most respondents. The survey found that roughly half of AAPI adults reported personal disruption, but this includes those who changed routines or travel plans due to concern, not necessarily those directly targeted by enforcement.
Supporters of current immigration policies contend that robust border security and enforcement are necessary to maintain the rule of law. They argue that America remains a destination for legal immigrants who follow established procedures and that these policies aim to protect the integrity of the immigration system rather than target any particular community.
What the Numbers Show
The poll reveals significant shifts in how AAPI adults view their place in American society. Key findings include: 60% say the U.S. used to be a great country for immigrants but is not anymore; only 30% say America is currently a great place for immigrants; and 5% say it was never a great country for immigrants.
On personal impact, roughly half of AAPI adults report that they or someone they know have been detained or deported, started carrying proof of immigration status, changed travel plans, or significantly altered routines over the past year. South Asian adults were more likely than East Asian or Southeast Asian American adults to know someone who began carrying documentation.
Regarding national identity, 73% of AAPI adults say the mixing of cultures and values from around the world is "extremely" or "very" important to America's identity, compared with 55% of U.S. adults overall in a separate April AP-NORC poll. About half of AAPI adults say their family's ancestry or country of origin is important to their personal identity, while 44% say this about being American. Among U.S.-born AAPI adults specifically, 59% say heritage is important compared with 47% who say the same about being American.
The survey was conducted April 20-28 using NORC's Amplify AAPI Panel and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points for all respondents.
The Bottom Line
This poll signals a notable shift in how one of America's fastest-growing demographic groups views the nation's identity as an immigrant destination. While previous generations of Asian Americans may have viewed the U.S. as land of opportunity, many now express uncertainty about whether that characterization still applies.
The findings suggest that current immigration enforcement policies are creating ripple effects beyond those directly targeted by deportation proceedings. Carrying documentation has become more common among legal permanent residents and naturalized citizens who previously did not consider it necessary. International students and others on temporary visas report heightened anxiety about travel and status maintenance.
What remains unclear is whether these attitudes will translate into political engagement or shifts in voting patterns. The poll captures a moment in time during an active policy debate, and future surveys will show whether sentiment stabilizes as enforcement priorities become more settled.