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Four in 10 AAPI adults support expanding Green Cards, visas: Survey
While immigration policy is a key issue for AAPI adults, healthcare and inflation were also found to be major concerns for the community.
FILE PHOTO: People stand on the steps of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services offices in New York, August 15, 2012. / REUTERS/Keith Bedford
About 4 in 10 Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) adults support expanding green cards for backlogged countries, worker visas, and family-sponsored green cards, according to a new report by AAPI Data.
The survey in collaboration with the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, finds that 44 percent support increasing green cards for backlogged countries, 43 percent favor expanding worker visas, and 40 percent back more family-sponsored green cards.
Also Read: One in 9 Asian Americans in US live in poverty: AAPI report
However, nearly as many prefer to keep current levels unchanged, reflecting a divided stance on U.S. immigration policies within AAPI communities.
The report highlights immigration as a key issue for AAPI adults, though views vary on border security, deportations, and visa programs. While 42 percent consider increasing security at the U.S.-Mexico border a top federal priority, only 29 percent say the same about deporting undocumented immigrants. Meanwhile, 33 percent support expanding guest worker programs, and 19 percent see allowing refugees to enter the U.S. as an important policy priority.
NEW SURVEY: #AAPI adults are less likely than the general population to support cooperation with federal #immigration authorities on #deportations (31% vs. 42%).
— AAPI Data (@AAPIData) March 13, 2025
Learn more about the latest survey insights from AP-NORC/AAPI Data at: https://t.co/4jLY2AgFaA pic.twitter.com/vkQzPG39bi
AAPI adults also differ from the general public on local law enforcement’s role in immigration enforcement. Only 31 percent believe local police should always cooperate with federal deportation efforts, compared to 42 percent of the overall U.S. population. A majority (56 percent) support cooperation in some cases, while 13 percent oppose any local police involvement in deportations.
Economic concerns take center stage
Beyond immigration, the survey underscores deep concerns over the rising cost of living. Healthcare (79 percent), food (67 percent), and housing (61 percent) are the top three issues AAPI adults want the federal government to prioritize.
Many also feel the government spends too little on education (64 percent) and healthcare (59 percent), with similar concerns over homelessness (57 percent), environmental protection (57 percent), childcare (56 percent), and crime (54 percent).
Lack of support for federal government
The report also examines AAPI attitudes toward government efficiency initiatives under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). While many AAPI adults acknowledge problems like corruption (72 percent), inefficiency (68 percent), and red tape (61 percent), they do not support drastic changes. Only 12 percent favor eliminating federal agencies, a significantly lower percentage than the 23 percent of the general public who back such measures.
Trust in Healthcare, but not in its costs
Most AAPI adults trust doctors (74 percent) and nurses (72 percent), but trust drops sharply for health insurance providers (23 percent) and hospital executives (19 percent). Many hold pharmaceutical companies (77 percent) and private insurers (73 percent) responsible for high healthcare costs.
Health policies under ‘Make America Healthy Again’ (MAHA)
Health policy remains a significant issue for AAPI adults, particularly as the country grapples with a measles outbreak. About 64 percent express concern that declining vaccination rates could lead to more disease outbreaks, while 61 percent worry about increased deaths due to preventable illnesses.
“The survey reveals that the frustration AAPI communities have with government bureaucracy does not equate to support for drastic cuts,” executive director of AAPI Data and researcher at UC Berkeley, Karthick Ramakrishnan said.
“AAPI communities want the federal government to do more and deliver effectively on key issues like education, health care, homelessness, and environmental protection," he added.
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