A new poll finds many Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) adults say they or someone they know has been directly affected by the Trump administration’s tougher immigration policies, with most now believing the United States is no longer a land of opportunity for immigrants.
The survey from AAPI Data and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found roughly half of AAPI adults report that they — or someone they know — have been detained or deported, begun carrying proof of citizenship or immigration status, changed travel plans, or altered daily routines because of immigration concerns over the past year.
The findings come after months of intensified immigration enforcement that has reshaped attitudes in many immigrant communities.
About 6 in 10 AAPI adults said the U.S. once offered great opportunities for immigrants but no longer does. Only about 3 in 10 still view America as a great place for immigrants, while 5% said it never was.
"America’s success story has depended critically on immigrants," said Karthick Ramakrishnan, founder and executive director of AAPI Data.
"When people who have been here for decades say, ‘I’m not really sure this is the best country anymore,’ that’s a warning sign."
Even immigrants with legal status have felt the effects of recent policies.
Federal courts have blocked several immigration measures, including one that would have increased some visa fees and another that would have restricted immigration applications from dozens of countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.
Khoa Tran, a 27-year-old naturalized citizen from San Antonio who immigrated from Vietnam, said concerns about immigration enforcement prompted him and his wife to carry immigration documents more regularly.
He has also seen international students postpone trips abroad because of visa concerns.
The poll found that about half of South Asian adults know someone who began carrying proof of legal status or citizenship during the past year, a higher share than among AAPI adults overall.
Ramakrishnan said many legal immigrants and naturalized citizens nevertheless feel their status is being questioned.
The survey also found AAPI adults are more likely to identify strongly with their family’s ancestry or country of origin than with being American.
Just over half said their heritage is extremely or very important to their identity, compared with 44% who said the same about being American.
Abigail Jeyaraj, a 22-year-old from Massachusetts whose parents immigrated from India, said she identifies as South Asian American and values the opportunities her family gained by coming to the United States.
Soonho Kwon, a naturalized citizen who moved from South Korea as a child, said he remains deeply connected to his Korean identity while remaining committed to life in America.
The poll also found 73% of AAPI adults believe the mixing of cultures and values from around the world is important to America's identity, compared with 55% of U.S. adults in an earlier AP-NORC survey.
For some respondents, debates over immigration and diversity policies have complicated their feelings about the nation's future, even as they continue to value the opportunities the United States has provided.
