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Most Americans Say U.S. No Longer Welcoming to Immigrants, Poll Finds
Most U.S. adults believe the United States is no longer a great place for immigrants, according to a new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, which also reveals widespread impacts from the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies.
The comprehensive survey of more than 2,500 adults found approximately 60% of Americans feel the country, once a welcoming destination for immigrants, has lost that status. Only about 30% consider the U.S. still great for immigrants, while roughly 10% believe it never was.
The findings come at a pivotal moment, with the Supreme Court currently considering the Trump administration’s attempt to restrict birthright citizenship and following months of aggressive immigration enforcement that has resulted in mass deportations.
Perhaps most striking is that about one-third of Americans—and more than half of Hispanic adults—report that they or someone they know has been forced to adapt their behavior due to immigration concerns. These adaptations include carrying proof of immigration status or citizenship, changing travel plans, or significantly altering daily routines such as avoiding work, school, or leaving home altogether.
“It’s just plain wrong,” said Reid Gibson, a 72-year-old independent from Missouri whose stepdaughter now carries her passport due to concerns her darker skin might make her a target during immigration crackdowns. “This is not a good country for immigrants anymore.”
The poll reveals stark demographic differences in personal experiences. Hispanic Americans are far more likely to report connections to someone affected by immigration enforcement than their Black or white counterparts. Democrats also report higher rates of knowing someone impacted than independents or Republicans.
These personal connections appear to influence perspectives. Those who know someone affected by immigration enforcement are more likely to believe the U.S. is no longer welcoming to immigrants.
Kathy Bailey, a 79-year-old Democrat from Illinois, described how immigration policies have affected her small-town swim class. Two women—both naturalized U.S. citizens—now carry their passports whenever they leave home. One woman, originally from Latin America, fears standing out in their predominantly white community.
“She’s an American citizen now, but she’s so scared that she has to carry her passport,” Bailey explained. “She’s just another sweet old grandmother swimming at 5 in the morning.”
The psychological impact extends beyond those directly targeted by enforcement. Nick Grivas, a 40-year-old Massachusetts Democrat whose grandfather immigrated from Greece, sees the administration’s approach as undermining America’s tradition of welcoming newcomers.
“We can see how we’re treating children and the children of the immigrants, and we’re not viewing them as potential future Americans,” Grivas said. He worries these policies could have long-term economic consequences as immigrants become hesitant to invest in communities where they may not be allowed to remain.
On the contentious issue of birthright citizenship, which grants automatic citizenship to all children born on U.S. soil, Americans hold nuanced views. About two-thirds support the principle overall, with stronger backing among Democrats and independents. Republicans are more divided, with just 44% expressing support.
However, when presented with specific scenarios, opinions become more complex. Approximately 75% of Americans support automatic citizenship for children born to parents legally in the country on work visas. This drops to about 60% for children of parents on tourist visas, and only about half support birthright citizenship for children born to parents who are in the country illegally.
Linda Steele, a 70-year-old Republican from Florida, believes citizenship should only be granted to children of American citizens. “They’re just here visiting or going to school,” she said of foreigners living legally in the U.S.
Kevin Craig, a 57-year-old conservative-leaning respondent from North Carolina, doesn’t support automatic citizenship but acknowledges the complexity of the issue. “I think my personal opinion is that I can’t think of a situation where it would not be granted,” he said.
The AP-NORC poll was conducted from April 16-20 using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 2.6 percentage points.
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8 Comments
Interesting to see how immigration concerns are affecting so many Americans and Hispanic adults in particular. It’s an important issue with significant personal impacts that deserves thoughtful discourse.
Yes, this poll highlights the complex realities and human impacts of immigration policies. Nuanced discussions are needed to find balanced solutions.
This poll underscores the widespread personal effects of immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. It’s a sobering reminder of the real human impacts of these policies.
Yes, the findings about behavior changes due to immigration concerns are quite striking. It highlights the need for empathetic, nuanced policymaking in this area.
The poll results suggest immigration remains a highly contentious issue with real personal impacts on many Americans. Careful, balanced analysis is needed to find constructive solutions.
Immigration is a sensitive and divisive topic. While the findings seem concerning, I’d want to understand the poll methodology and broader context before drawing firm conclusions.
Good point. Polls can sometimes oversimplify complex issues. Careful analysis of the data and diverse perspectives is important on this topic.
Immigration is a critical issue facing the country. While the poll results are thought-provoking, I’d want to see more details before forming firm opinions on this complex topic.