AAPI Poll Reveals Discontent with Trump's Immigration Policies

Mon Mar 23 2026 06:11:47 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A recent poll shows that a significant majority of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders believe President Trump's immigration and border security efforts are doing more harm than good, with many feeling he has overstepped in his approaches.

According to an AAPI Data/AP-NORC survey, 60% of AAPI adults think President Trump has negatively impacted immigration and border security during his second term. The poll highlights widespread disapproval of his tactics, including deportations and immigration raids, sparking discussions on the need for a more humane immigration policy. While views differ on the implications of illegal immigration, a growing number express a desire for comprehensive immigration reform.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A newly released AAPI Data/AP-NORC poll reveals that a large proportion of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) feel that President Donald Trump's approach to immigration during his second term has been detrimental. Approximately 60% of AAPI adults believe Trump's policies have hurt immigration and border security significantly.

The survey, conducted by the AAPI Data and the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, highlights that about two-thirds of AAPI respondents think Trump has taken his measures too far, particularly regarding deportations of undocumented immigrants. In contrast, only about 40% of the general U.S. adult population shares this sentiment.

Trump's administration has implemented extensive immigration measures since he entered office, with the past few months marked by escalated actions. Notably, in January, Trump suspended immigrant visa processing for individuals from 75 countries. Though arrests at the U.S.-Mexico border saw a decrease, arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) surged dramatically, rising from daily averages of under 40,000 to about 70,000.

Additionally, the poll's timing was significant, arriving shortly after tragic incidents, including the shootings of two U.S. citizens by ICE agents and the controversial arrest of a Hmong American man in extreme conditions.

Jeff Ugai, a resident of Hawaii, shared how local communities are directly affected, with nearly 40 individuals arrested in immigration raids in Kauai recently. He expressed concern that the current administration prioritizes tactics that appear more cruel than constructive. “It seems like the current administration’s efforts have been more almost about cruelty than they have about actually establishing an immigration system that makes sense,” he remarked.

The AAPI Perspective on Deportation Policies

The poll indicates that a significant number of AAPI adults—around 40%—believe that deporting undocumented immigrants should be a low priority for the U.S. government. This is an increase from approximately one-third who had similar views after Trump took office. On the other hand, only 20% view deportations as a high priority.

Fran Peace, a California-based retiree, held a varying perspective, supporting deportations but with reservations over discriminatory practices. She advocates for pathways to citizenship for long-term residents without criminal records.

Moreover, a substantial 73% of AAPI adults expressed unfavorable views of ICE, with many opposing hardline immigration policies, advocating for accountability in enforcement tactics.

Concerns Over Illegal Immigration

Respondents were divided regarding the impact of undocumented immigrants on social welfare and crime rates. About 40% of AAPI adults perceive undocumented immigrants as a significant risk to welfare resources, while one-third consider them a considerable threat to public safety.

While views are mixed, the narrative surrounding immigration and border policies is undeniably evolving within the AAPI demographic, increasingly prioritizing humane treatment and due process in immigration enforcement.

The poll reflects broader trends within the U.S., indicating a dramatic shift among AAPI constituents who wish to see a more reasonable approach to immigration and enforcement practices. The survey encompassed 1,197 AAPI adults and was conducted from February 2-9, 2026, with an error margin of ± 4.6 percentage points.