WASHINGTON (AP) – A recent poll conducted by AAPI Data and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reveals that a significant majority of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) adults hold a negative view of President Donald Trump's immigration policies. The survey indicates that approximately 70% of AAPI adults disapprove of Trump's approach to immigration, which marks an increase from 58% in March. The poll also highlights that many AAPI adults believe the president has overstepped his bounds regarding the deportation of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally.
The findings come amid intensified immigration enforcement measures by the Trump administration, particularly noted in the Chicago area, where more than 1,000 arrests were made within a month. As federal immigration agents continue their crackdown, the administration's focus on boosting deportations has not garnered favorable responses from AAPI adults, a diverse group with many members born outside of the U.S. Even among foreign-born AAPI individuals, a demographic typically more conservative, the majority disavows Trump's handling of immigration.
Individuals like Joie Meyer, a 25-year-old adoptee from China living in Miami, express concern over the potential loss of their citizenship due to technicalities in immigration law, which they find disheartening. Meyer describes Trump's tactics as "punitive," highlighting concerns for individuals facing deportation and the impact on their communities. This sentiment is shared among many AAPI adults, with about two-thirds believing that the president has "gone too far" in his immigration enforcement policies.
The poll also illuminates a divide between American-born and foreign-born AAPI adults when it comes to immigration issues. While both groups are likely to view Trump as having overstepped his authority, foreign-born individuals are somewhat more supportive of deporting undocumented immigrants, particularly those with misdemeanor charges. This may suggest that foreign-born AAPI adults are more attuned to the complexities of immigration status compared to their American-born counterparts.
Several tactics employed by the Trump administration face strong opposition among AAPI adults. About 60% disapprove of large-scale immigration enforcement operations in immigrant-populated neighborhoods, the use of military or National Guard for arrests, and workplace raids. Such measures have sparked fear and anxiety, as expressed by individuals like Michael Ida from Honolulu, who sees a troubling reflection of historical injustices faced by AAPI communities.
Conversely, Tyrone Tai, a 65-year-old AAPI resident originally from Jamaica, suggests that restrictions on ICE agents, such as wearing masks during arrests, should be lifted due to safety concerns for those enforcing the law. This indicates a nuanced view within the AAPI community, where opinions can vary significantly regarding immigration enforcement and related policies.
Overall, the survey's findings suggest that the Trump administration's aggressive immigration stance has largely failed to resonate positively with AAPI adults, many of whom are wary of the consequences for themselves and their communities. As discussions around immigration continue to unfold, the poll underscores the complexities of perspectives within the AAPI population and highlights a growing discontent with current immigration policies under Trump.
