WASHINGTON (AP) — A new AAPI Data/AP-NORC poll shows that after months of aggressive immigration enforcement by the Trump administration, a significant majority of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander adults feel negatively toward Trump’s handling of immigration policies.
According to the survey, around 7 in 10 AAPI adults express disapproval of Trump’s immigration strategy, which marks an increase from 58% earlier in the year. Moreover, the poll reveals that many AAPI adults believe the President has overstepped bounds regarding the deportation of undocumented immigrants. Specific tactics such as utilizing the military and National Guard for enforcement actions have also been met with significant opposition.
The uptick in dissent coincides with federal immigration agents intensifying operations in areas like Chicago, where over a thousand immigrants were apprehended recently. This crackdown is part of a larger strategy prioritized by President Trump since taking office, aimed at increasing deportations. Such actions may alienate segments of the AAPI community, a diverse group that includes many individuals born outside the U.S.
Disapproval extends even into subsets of the community that are typically considered conservative; among foreign-born AAPI adults, the majority still disapprove of the President’s immigration policies. The survey highlights a potential shift in perspectives, showing concern among AAPI adults regarding punitive measures.
One participant, Joie Meyer from Miami, who was adopted from China, expressed her worries regarding her citizenship status due to Trump's strict immigration policies, stating, It's just heartbreaking to think about losing her home and everything she knows over bureaucratic issues.
Increasing Concerns About Trump's Immigration Enforcement
The poll suggests that approximately two-thirds of AAPI adults feel Trump has gone too far with enforcement, a sentiment echoed by nearly 60% of Black and Hispanic adults in a separate AP-NORC survey. Such statistics indicate a profound unease with current immigration tactics.
Comments from AAPI community members highlight their concerns that Trump's approach lacks compassion and reliance on facts, instead prioritizing quotas and numbers. Some community members, particularly foreign-born AAPI adults, remain more divided over illegal immigration issues, showing more support for deportations under certain circumstances.
Opposition to Specific Tactics
The survey further reveals significant opposition among AAPI adults to strategies like workplace raids and the use of the National Guard in immigration operations. The emotional toll of these policies resonates deeply within the community, with respondents fearing a repetition of historical injustices similar to past experiences of Japanese Americans during World War II.
As the AAPI community navigates these challenging times, the findings from this poll offer crucial insights into their perspectives on immigration enforcement and their ongoing struggle for humane policies that reflect their diverse experiences and histories.
The poll was conducted with 1,027 respondents from September 2-9, 2025, representing a broad spectrum of the AAPI population, and carries a margin of error of approximately 5 percentage points.
