The AP-NORC/AAPI Data poll is a regular survey that measures opinions, priorities, and experiences of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander adults in the U.S. And according to the latest survey, most AAPI adults (six out of ten) believe the U.S. was once a wonderful country for immigrants, but no longer is. Conversely, three out of ten believe it remains a good destination for immigrants.
Why?
They are critical of how recent administrations, particularly Trump’s, have approached immigration and border enforcement. Many report upheaval or anxiety linked to heightened immigration policies, which helps explain why a majority now say the U.S. is failing immigrants rather than welcoming them.
Second, many see racism as a serious problem and seem even more concerned with tariff and recession risks than the general public.
NBC News: “America’s success story has depended critically on the role of Asian Americans, but also immigrants in general,” said Karthick Ramakrishnan, founder and executive director of AAPI Data. “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.”
The fact that less than a third of Asian Americans believe the U.S. is great for immigrants may seem a bit shocking. Asian Americans are commonly referred to as the “model minority,” and many who move here legally use family unification or highly skilled migrant programs that allow them entry via employment-based visas and family sponsorships. Moreover, Asian men represent the highest earning demographic in the U.S., outpacing their black, white and Hispanic counterparts in U.S.
The AAPI demographic group has experienced significant growth in the United States; therefore, this survey offers an opportunity to gather additional data at the subgroup level that may aid in forecasting elections and developing policies through use of less broad national samples.
