As the Trump administration continues to enact its agenda, a new AAPI Data/APNORC Poll finds that many AAPI adults disapprove of how Trump and Elon Musk are handling a host of key policy issues.
AAPI adults are more likely to disapprove each of these issues than the general population. Seventy-one percent of the respondents don't like Trump's handling of the economy and trade, managing the federal government (68%), and government spending (63%).
About half (55%) say Trump is mostly focusing on the wrong policies, while just 18% say he is mostly focusing on the right priorities.
A majority of AAPI adults (76%) agree that Elon Musk, the head of the new Department of Government Efficiency, has too much influence on the US federal government. They are largely opposed to the cuts to federal agencies that DOGE has either implemented or proposed. About 7 in 10 oppose eliminating the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (69%) and the Department of Education (67%), while about half (55%) oppose eliminating the US Agency for International Development.
AAPI adults are opposed to federal cuts to diversity and equity programs. Two-thirds oppose eliminating initiatives that seek to broaden access to federal resources, policies, and programs for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Two-thirds also oppose cuts to federal funding for K-12 schools that teach about the ongoing impact of slavery and racism in America.
AAPI adults are opposed to federal cuts to diversity and equity programs. Two-thirds oppose eliminating initiatives that seek to broaden access to federal resources, policies, and programs for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Two-thirds also oppose cuts to federal funding for K-12 schools that teach about the ongoing impact of slavery and racism in America.
Although Trump and the Republican-dominated Congress are responsible for the extreme measures proposed by Trump, Musk and his Cabinet, in the eyes of the AAPI respondents, Democrats have not been able to make any headway in gaining their confidence.
Democrats are more trusted than Republicans on issues like climate change (56% vs 15%), education (50% vs 19%), health reform (45% vs 18%), and foreign policy (42% vs 25%).
“Many in the AAPI community are concerned about which policies the Trump administration is focusing on,” says Jennifer Benz, deputy director of The AP-NORC Center. “Neither party has the faith of the community to address high-priority issues such as economic issues and inflation.”
“Many in the AAPI community are concerned about which policies the Trump administration is focusing on,” says Jennifer Benz, deputy director of The AP-NORC Center. “Neither party has the faith of the community to address high-priority issues such as economic issues and inflation.”
On immigration, AAPI adults and the general population largely share similar views on policies addressing those living the United States illegally. Forty-three percent of AAPI adults support deporting all immigrants living in the United States illegally. However, just 20% of adults aged 18-29 support this policy, compared to 36% of adults aged 30-44 and about half of those aged 45 and older.
Context also matters for AAPI opinion on deportation policies. Both AAPI (83%) and general populations (82%) support deporting all immigrants living in the United States illegally who have been convicted of a violent crime. About 9 in 10 AAPI adults aged 45 and older support this policy, compared to two-thirds of young adults aged 18-29. Just 27% support these deportations if it means they will be separated from their children who are citizens. About half of AAPI adults oppose arresting people who are in the country illegally while they are in the hospital (60%) or at church or other places of worship (52%). These views are nearly identical to those of the general population.
About half of AAPI adults oppose eliminating birthright citizenship for children born in the United States to parents who are here on a temporary work or student visa (56%) or are in the country illegally (50%). Similarly, half oppose reducing the number of family-sponsored visas available for immigrants living in the U.S. legally to bring their relatives here, as well as cutting the number of temporary work visas, such as H-1B visas, available for foreign workers.
“Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders widely disapprove of the Trump administration’s handling of many issues, including the economy, trade negotiations, government spending, and policies on diversity and inclusion,” says Karthick Ramakrishnan, executive director of AAPI Data and researcher at UC Berkeley. “They also oppose the elimination of federal agencies like the Department of Education and the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau.”
On experiences with climate change, similar to findings from a year ago, about 8 in 10 AAPI adults have experienced an extreme weather event in the last 5 years. Sixty-five percent have experienced extreme heat waves, 46% have experienced severe winter storms, and 32% have experienced wildfires.
Context also matters for AAPI opinion on deportation policies. Both AAPI (83%) and general populations (82%) support deporting all immigrants living in the United States illegally who have been convicted of a violent crime. About 9 in 10 AAPI adults aged 45 and older support this policy, compared to two-thirds of young adults aged 18-29. Just 27% support these deportations if it means they will be separated from their children who are citizens. About half of AAPI adults oppose arresting people who are in the country illegally while they are in the hospital (60%) or at church or other places of worship (52%). These views are nearly identical to those of the general population.
About half of AAPI adults oppose eliminating birthright citizenship for children born in the United States to parents who are here on a temporary work or student visa (56%) or are in the country illegally (50%). Similarly, half oppose reducing the number of family-sponsored visas available for immigrants living in the U.S. legally to bring their relatives here, as well as cutting the number of temporary work visas, such as H-1B visas, available for foreign workers.
“Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders widely disapprove of the Trump administration’s handling of many issues, including the economy, trade negotiations, government spending, and policies on diversity and inclusion,” says Karthick Ramakrishnan, executive director of AAPI Data and researcher at UC Berkeley. “They also oppose the elimination of federal agencies like the Department of Education and the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau.”
On experiences with climate change, similar to findings from a year ago, about 8 in 10 AAPI adults have experienced an extreme weather event in the last 5 years. Sixty-five percent have experienced extreme heat waves, 46% have experienced severe winter storms, and 32% have experienced wildfires.
Compared to a recent poll among the general population, AAPI adults are more likely to say that climate change has had or will have a major impact on their lives or health. For example, 21% of AAPI adults say that climate change has already had a major impact on their health, and 53% say it will have major impact in the future, while just 26% think it will not. Expectations are similar for the impacts of climate change on their lives overall, as well as on air quality and water availability in their communities.
Like recent findings among the general public, there is broad support among AAPI adults for government aid in the aftermath of natural disasters. Most support the federal government providing money to local residents to help them rebuild (58%) or make their property more resistant to natural disasters (62%). Additionally, 60% support providing homeowners’ insurance in at-risk communities for those who cannot obtain private insurance.
Highlights of the AAPI Data/APNORC Poll:
- Immigration surged to the top of AAPI adults’ policy priorities in January 2025, with 42% citing it as a top issue—a sharp rise from 29% the year before.
- 71% of AAPI adults disapprove of President Trump’s handling of the economy, and a majority (55%) say he is focused on the wrong policies.
- Three-quarters of AAPI adults believe Elon Musk has too much influence over the federal government, and strong majorities oppose efforts to dismantle key federal agencies like the Department of Education, USAID, and the CFPB.
- 8 in 10 AAPI adults have experienced extreme weather in the past five years, and 3 in 4 believe climate change is happening and will affect their health or daily life.
- 79% of AAPI adults say lowering healthcare costs should be a top federal priority, and majorities blame pharmaceutical companies, private insurers, and the federal government for high medical expenses.
- 64% of AAPI adults believe the federal government spends too little on education, and most say state and federal governments—not families—should bear the primary responsibility for financing college.
- 8 in 10 AAPI adults say abortion should be legal in all or most cases—and a similar portion also believe abortion and reproductive rights face a threat in 2025, with over half calling it a major threat.
- AAPI adults are more likely than the general public to say rights like free speech, freedom of the press, and freedom from unreasonable search and seizure are under threat in 2025.
EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X or at the blog Views From the Edge.
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