A recent survey reveals that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) are significantly more likely than the general American population to view legal immigration as a valuable asset to the United States economy and workforce. However, their stance on illegal immigration aligns more closely with the broader public, highlighting a nuanced perspective within this growing demographic group.
The poll, conducted jointly by AAPI Data and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, found that around 8 in 10 AAPI adults believe legal immigration provides substantial benefits to the country’s economic growth. By comparison, only 4 in 10 Americans shared this view in a similar survey conducted in March.
Additionally, approximately 75% of AAPI respondents cited science and technology skills brought by legal immigrants as a major advantage, compared to just 40% of the general population. These findings underscore the importance many AAPIs place on skilled immigration and its contributions to the nation.
The poll surveyed 1,123 AAPI adults between September 3 and 9, using both telephone and online interviews in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, and Korean. The results carry a margin of error of 4.7 percentage points.
Immigration’s role in the political landscape
The survey results come at a pivotal time, with immigration shaping up to be a key issue in the upcoming presidential election. Former President Donald Trump has leaned heavily into criticizing immigration policies, focusing on the perceived risks of illegal immigration. His Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, has taken a different approach, emphasizing pathways to legal immigration and addressing systemic challenges in the process.
Recently, Trump made false claims that federal funds intended for hurricane relief were being diverted to support undocumented immigrants. These statements echo his broader strategy of tying illegal immigration to economic strain and public safety concerns. Trump also repeated debunked rumors about Haitian immigrants, further fueling anti-immigrant rhetoric that has long been a feature of his political messaging.
Such claims have sparked backlash, including from members of the AAPI community. Aldrin Villahermosa II, a 25-year-old independent voter from Tacoma, Washington, expressed frustration over Trump’s comments about Haitians. “Immigrants are always criticized for their non-traditional foods, but now bringing domestic animals into it is just a new level of depravity,” he said. Villahermosa also rejected the stereotype that undocumented immigrants take jobs from Americans, pointing to a friend who is an undocumented public school teacher making a meaningful contribution to society.
Diverging views on illegal immigration
While AAPIs overwhelmingly support legal immigration, their views on illegal immigration reflect a more cautious perspective. Only about 4 in 10 AAPI adults believe undocumented immigrants contribute to economic growth, a sentiment shared by a similar proportion of the general population. Additionally, just one-third of AAPI respondents see undocumented immigrants as providing valuable job skills, mirroring broader public opinion.
Concerns about border security are also prominent among AAPIs. Nearly half of those surveyed said enhancing security along the U.S.-Mexico border should be a high priority for the federal government. At the same time, an equal proportion called for reducing wait times for processing green card and permanent residency applications, indicating a desire for balanced immigration reforms that address both legal entry pathways and border enforcement.
“This shows that AAPIs are looking for practical solutions to immigration issues,” said Karthik Ramakrishnan, founder and CEO of AAPI Data. “They want to see both border issues addressed and more opportunities for legal migration.”
A “follow the rules” mentality
For many AAPIs, immigration is a deeply personal issue. Immigrant communities from countries like China, India, and the Philippines often face years-long waits to sponsor family members or secure work visas. This firsthand experience with the complexities of the legal immigration system shapes their views on the importance of following established rules.
Guan Su, a 45-year-old Republican from Freeport, New York, immigrated legally from Taiwan as a child and became a U.S. citizen in 1999. She believes it’s essential for all immigrants to follow the same process. “I’m not saying all illegal immigrants cheat, but we all have to play by the rules,” Su said. “When exceptions are made, that’s when problems start.”
Su also expressed concerns about undocumented immigrants overburdening welfare systems and contributing to crime in urban areas. About half of AAPI respondents and the general population share the view that undocumented immigrants place a strain on public assistance programs. Similarly, around 4 in 10 believe there is a high risk of undocumented immigrants contributing to crime, despite studies showing that immigrants, documented or undocumented, are no more likely to commit crimes than U.S.-born citizens.
Political divides within the AAPI community
Political affiliation plays a significant role in shaping AAPI perspectives on immigration. For instance, AAPI Democrats are more likely than Democrats overall to view legal immigration as a major economic benefit. Approximately 90% of AAPI Democrats see legal immigration as contributing to economic growth, compared to just 60% of Democrats in the general population.
Similarly, AAPI Republicans are more supportive of legal immigration than their non-AAPI counterparts. Two-thirds of AAPI Republicans believe legal immigration benefits the economy, compared to only 3 in 10 Republicans overall. This suggests that the AAPI community’s lived experiences with immigration may influence their views, even within partisan lines.
Sophia Cole, a 38-year-old Republican from St. Louis, Missouri, plans to vote for Trump but acknowledges the immense contributions of legal immigrants. “Growing up, I saw how hard immigrants worked, how they helped build our cities,” she said. “They truly embody the American Dream more than many Americans themselves.”
Trust in leadership on immigration issues
Among AAPI respondents, Harris holds a slight edge over Trump in terms of trust on immigration issues. This may be due to the Democratic Party’s broader support among AAPIs, with just over half of respondents identifying as Democrats. However, Su remains skeptical of Harris and President Joe Biden’s administration, accusing them of prioritizing illegal immigration only recently.
Villahermosa, on the other hand, sees the lack of progress on immigration reform as a failure of Congress as a whole. “It’s about the will of lawmakers to allocate funding and resources to address immigration comprehensively,” he said.
Moving forward
The survey highlights the complexity of AAPI views on immigration, showcasing strong support for legal pathways while reflecting broader concerns about illegal immigration. As the 2024 presidential election approaches, immigration will remain a key issue, shaping not only political strategies but also the future of America’s workforce and communities. AAPIs, as one of the fastest-growing voting blocs in the U.S., are poised to play an influential role in shaping the national dialogue on this critical issue.
