Poll Reveals AAPI Discontent with Trump's Immigration Policies

Mon Mar 23 2026 06:05:07 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A recent survey highlights the discontent among Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) regarding President Trump’s immigration and border security measures, indicating that a significant majority perceive them as harmful.

According to an AAPI Data/AP-NORC poll, a substantial 60% of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders believe President Trump's immigration policies have negatively impacted immigration and border security during his second term. The survey also reveals that about two-thirds of the respondents feel Trump has exceeded appropriate boundaries in deporting undocumented immigrants. This disapproval is reflected in the local protests and personal testimonies that emphasize the perceived cruelty of recent immigration enforcement actions, crucially affecting affected communities.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A new poll shows that a significant majority of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) believe President Donald Trump has caused more harm than good in the realm of immigration and border security during his second term.

According to the recent AAPI Data/AP-NORC survey, approximately 60% of AAPI adults feel that Trump has negatively impacted immigration and border security, a sentiment echoed by nearly 40% of the general American adult population. Furthermore, about two-thirds of AAPI respondents indicate that Trump’s deportation practices have gone too far.

The Trump administration has implemented extensive immigration policies since taking office, with the last two months marked by particularly contentious measures. For instance, the suspension of immigrant visa processing for citizens from 75 countries significantly impacts affected communities.

Moreover, while arrests at the U.S.-Mexico border have decreased, arrests by ICE have surged, with daily detentions almost doubling over the past month. These statistics have fostered a growing sense of unease within the AAPI community, as evidenced by local reactions in places like Kauai, where recent immigration raids led to numerous arrests.

This survey was conducted following recent tragic incidents involving ICE agents, contributing to the growing dissatisfaction with current immigration policies. AAPI adults express a widespread discontent towards ICE, with 73% reporting a negative opinion about the agency.

While there is a divide over the impact of illegal immigration on crime and welfare, many AAPI adults are inclined to favor a more empathetic approach, considering pathways to citizenship for long-term residents, regardless of legal status.

The polling data highlights an ongoing trend of opposition to Trump's immigration policies within AAPI communities, reflecting a broader criticism of enforcement tactics that many perceive as unnecessarily harsh and unjust.