Only one-third still see America as a great place for immigrants, while many report changing behaviour amid Trump’s crackdown
2-MIN READ2-MIN ListenLucy Quagginin New YorkPublished: 5:31am, 16 Jun 2026Most Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) adults believe the United States used to be a great place for immigrants but no longer is, according to a survey released on Monday ahead of the 250th anniversary of American independence next month.
“Forty-one per cent of AAPI adults say they have started carrying proof of immigration status or citizenship, or know someone who has, and 34 per cent say the same about changing travel plans because of immigration status,” according to the Associated Press-NORC Centre for Public Affairs Research.
Only one in three surveyed still sees the US as a great place for immigrants. Meanwhile, 64 per cent say that it used to be but is not any more.
The findings come as US President Donald Trump has targeted legal and illegal immigration in his second term, with policies affecting everyone from undocumented immigrants to students and highly skilled workers. Since Trump’s return to office, ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement) has conducted operations in several US cities as part of the government’s sweeping immigration blitz.
“AAPI adults value core elements of American identity like the American dream, democratically elected government and cultural diversity,” said Jennifer Benz, director of the AP-NORC Centre.
