Most Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) express concerns regarding the impact of President Donald Trump’s immigration policies during his second term, according to a recent survey conducted by AAPI Data and the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The poll reveals significant disapproval among AAPI adults who believe Trump’s approach has overall been detrimental to immigration and border security.
### AAPI Perspectives on Trump’s Immigration Policies
The survey indicates that approximately 60% of AAPI adults perceive Trump’s policies as having caused considerable harm to immigration and border security. This sentiment contrasts with a prior poll taken in January 2026, where about 40% of U.S. adults held similar views. Notably, nearly two-thirds of AAPI adults believe that the Trump administration has “gone too far” in its efforts to deport immigrants residing in the United States without legal status, while only half of the general American adult population shares this sentiment.
### Context of Immigration Measures
Since taking office, Trump’s administration has implemented sweeping immigration regulations, with notable intensification in recent months. For instance, the administration suspended the processing of immigrant visas for citizens from 75 countries in January 2026. Despite a dramatic decrease in arrests at the U.S.-Mexico border, arrests and detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have surged significantly, from an average of around 40,000 daily detentions in December 2024 to about 70,000 recently.
The timing of the survey coincides with heightened scrutiny surrounding the actions of ICE, including recent incidents that resulted in the deaths of two U.S. citizens during enforcement operations. Such events have compounded community concerns about the agency’s practices.
### Individual Experiences Reflect Community Sentiment
Personal stories from AAPI individuals underline the survey findings. Jeff Ugai, a resident of Kauai, Hawaii, described local immigration raids that resulted in numerous arrests, stating, “It seems like the current administration’s efforts have been more about cruelty rather than establishing a sensible immigration system.” As a Democrat, Ugai’s experience reflects a broader concern that resonates within the AAPI community regarding the administration’s tactics.
The increasing discontent regarding Trump’s strategies is further confirmed by a separate survey conducted by AAPI Data last fall, which noted a rise in negativity toward his administration’s handling of immigration issues since the beginning of his second term.
### Opinions on Enforcement Practices
The recent poll also highlights significant opposition among AAPI adults toward several immigration enforcement practices, underscoring a preference for more humane approaches. Approximately 73% hold an unfavorable view of ICE, while opposition is strong against large-scale enforcement operations in immigrant-rich neighborhoods. Additionally, about 70% of respondents argue against allowing immigration enforcement agents to conceal their identities, emphasizing accountability in such operations.
Conversely, the survey shows a divergence among AAPI Republicans, with only about one-third expressing negative views of ICE—less than the general sentiment among AAPI adults. This distinction suggests varying perspectives on immigration among different political affiliations within the AAPI community.
### Mixed Views on Immigration and Crime
Public opinion is mixed regarding the perceived impact of undocumented immigrants on social welfare resources and crime rates. Approximately 40% of AAPI adults believe that undocumented immigrants pose a “major risk” to welfare systems, while a similar proportion views this as a “minor risk.” When questioned about crime, roughly one-third see undocumented immigrants as a significant threat, with half considering them to be a minor risk.
Opinions on individual cases also vary, with some members of the AAPI community, such as Fran Peace, advocating for a path to citizenship for long-term undocumented residents who have no criminal history. Peace, a 75-year-old retiree from California, imagines a more lenient approach than the current stringent measures.
### Conclusion and Context of the Poll
The poll was conducted from February 2 to 9, 2026, and sampled 1,197 AAPI adults. With a margin of error of plus or minus 4.6 percentage points, the survey is part of a broader initiative aimed at amplifying the voices of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders—a demographic often underrepresented in national surveys due to linguistic and sample size constraints.
As the national conversation around immigration continues, these insights from the AAPI community provide valuable context to the ongoing debate over immigration policy and its implications for diverse populations across the United States.
Source: Original Reporting
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