POLL: The American dream more like a nightmare for AANHPI adults

As America's 250th anniversary approaches, the American dream for AANHPI communities looks vastly different than it does from the mainstream center.

While cable news pundits bicker over the border as if it’s a monolith, a massive—and growing—demographic is quietly pulling the emergency brake on the current administration's hardline policies. A blistering new AAPI Data/AP-NORC poll reveals a stark reality: 73% of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) adults hold an unfavorable view of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

        FYI: Read the entire AP-NORC/AAPI Data report

Compare that to 60% of the general population. The gap isn't just a statistical fluke; it’s a profound ideological rift driven by a community watching mass deportation efforts sweep the country — including terrifying, highly publicized instances of ICE mistakenly detaining actual US citizens.

The Red vs. Blue divide (with a twist)

Unsurprisingly, partisan lines dictate much of how Americans view ICE, but dig a little deeper and you'll find a fascinating nuance witth the AANHPI data:

• Democrats: It's a unified front. Roughly 9 in 10 Democrats—both within the AAPI community and the general population—view ICE unfavorably.

• Republicans: Here’s where the cracks show. While 71% of Republicans nationwide hold a favorable view of ICE, that number drops to 61% among AAPI Republicans. Even on the right, the appetite for heavy-handed enforcement is noticeably softer.

As Karthick Ramakrishnan, executive director of AAPI Data, puts it:

"AAPI adults are significantly more likely than the general public to hold unfavorable views of ICE, reflecting broader concerns about recent enforcement actions and their potential impacts on communities."

The negative sentiment towards the Trump regime's immigration policies is driven by the aggressive enforcement by Border Patrocl and ICE agents. At least 10 deaths of AANHPI deetainees have died in ICE custody.  Federal data obtained by Stop AAPI Hate and the Deportation Data Project revealed that 13,455 Asian and Pacific Islander (A/PI) individuals were detained by ICE between January 2025 and mid-March 2026. This included 7,069 detentions of Asian immigrants over a shorter tracking period from January to mid-October 2025.

Federal data obtained by Stop AAPI Hate and the Deportation Data Project revealed that 13,455 Asian and Pacific Islander (A/PI) individuals were detained by ICE between January 2025 and mid-March 2026. 

Low tolerance for risk

The poll underscores a fundamental truth: AAPI adults see legal immigration as an absolute win for America. They are vastly more likely than the general public to see major benefits in the system, citing:

• The crucial influx of skilled worker expertise for American companies.

• The cultural enrichment of American values.

• Robust contributions to overall economic growth.

Even when looking at undocumented immigration, 58% of AAPI adults acknowledge the economic benefit of immigrants taking jobs Americans don't want, and 54% note their positive impact on economic growth. When risks are mentioned—like strains on the social safety net or crime—the majority of the AAPI community categorizes them as minor risks.

The verdict on current border enforcement? Trump's approach is overwhelmingly viewed as a step too far. Sixty-one percent say his policies have actively hurt immigration and border security, 67% say he has gone too far with mass deportations, and 63% oppose his strict entries on legal immigration.

Furthermore, securing the US-Mexico border has plummeted as a priority. Only 31% of AANHPI adults view it as a high priority now, down from 42% just last year. For AANHPI Democrats, that number drops to a minuscule 9%.

STOP AAPI HATE

The real stressor: The economy

If the border isn't keeping the AAPI community up at night, what is? Look no further than the grocery aisle, the landlord, and the hospital bill.

The confidence gap is staggering. Only 25% of AAPI adults feel secure about keeping up with regular expenses. A meager 21% are confident they could handle an unexpected medical bill or save enough for retirement, and a dismal 29% believe the next generation will have a better standard of living than their parents.

When looking at the political landscape, the community isn't seeing a savior in the current administration's economic playbook. A commanding majority say Trump’s economic tariff-dependant policies have actively worsened the cost of living (73%), health care costs (69%), and job creation (62%).

View from the edge

While Washington remains obsessed with optics at the border, AANHPI voters are watching their bank accounts shrink and their communities get targeted. 

While many report their personal finances are holding steady, everyday cost-of-living pressures are creating a pressure cooker of stress:

Source of Stress	AAPI Adults Citing as a Major Stressor
Cost of Groceries	~50%
Cost of Health Care	~50%
Cost of Housing	~50%

“The findings show that cost of living pressures continue to weigh heavily on AAPI adults,” says Jennifer Benz, director of The AP-NORC Center. “While many describe their financial situation as stable, major expenses like groceries, health care, and housing remain significant sources of stress, and few express strong confidence in their ability to handle unexpected costs or plan for the future.”

Ultimately, the data shows an AANHPI community that feels deeply alienated by aggressive immigration enforcement and is far more preoccupied with economic survival. If politicians want to win over the AANHPI vote, they need to stop weaponizing ICE and start fixing the grocery bill.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. If you find this perspective interesting, please repost.