A recent poll conducted by AAPI Data and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander adults are more likely than the overall U.S. population to view legal immigration as a major benefit contributing to economic growth. About 8 in 10 AAPI adults see legal immigration as a positive asset for the country’s economy and workforce. This stands in contrast to the views of Americans overall, where only around 4 in 10 felt the same way in a previous poll. Additionally, AAPI voters believe that skilled expertise in science and technology is a major benefit of legal immigration.
The polling results come at a time when former President Donald Trump has been focusing on the threat of immigration in his presidential campaign against Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump has made false claims regarding FEMA funds being spent on undocumented immigrants and spread misinformation about legal Haitian immigrants in Ohio. These narratives have led to bomb threats and aimed at maligning immigrant communities through food. Aldrin Villahermosa II, a registered independent from Washington, expressed anger at the targeting of Haitians and disagrees with the narrative that immigrants living illegally do not contribute to society.
While AAPI adults view legal immigration favorably, their views on illegal immigration differ. Only about 4 in 10 AAPI adults believe that immigrants in the country without legal permission contribute to economic growth, similar to the general adult population. About one-third of AAPI adults see immigrants living illegally as providing skilled expertise, and just under half believe that increasing security at the U.S.-Mexico border should be a high priority. Many members of Asian American groups are invested in the U.S. immigration system due to lengthy waits for family sponsorships or special visas.
On the issue of illegal immigration, AAPI adults express concerns about overloading welfare and safety net programs and increasing crime in big cities. About half of AAPI adults and Americans overall believe that immigrants who are not in the country legally pose a risk to these programs. However, studies have shown that immigrants are not more likely to commit crimes than U.S.-born individuals. AAPI adults affiliated with political parties are more likely to see legal immigration as a major benefit for economic growth. Democrats and Republicans within the AAPI population differ in their views on immigration, with varying degrees of trust in President Trump and Vice President Harris to address the issue.
The poll also found that over half of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander respondents identified as Democrats, giving Vice President Harris a slight edge over President Trump on who should be trusted to address immigration issues. However, individuals like Guann Su, a naturalized citizen from Taiwan, trust Trump to handle immigration concerns better. Su believes in following the rules for immigration and is concerned about welfare programs and crime in relation to illegal immigration. Overall, the poll highlights the diverse perspectives within the AAPI community on legal and illegal immigration, and the importance of addressing these issues through both border security and legal migration pathways.
