A recent survey conducted by AP-NORC, released this Wednesday, indicates that nearly 60% of American adults believe the United States is no longer an ideal destination for immigrants, although they acknowledge it once was.
The poll, which surveyed over 2,500 adults, emerges in the context of extensive deportation operations under the Trump administration and the ongoing debate in the Supreme Court concerning birthright citizenship.
Only about 30% of respondents maintain that the U.S. remains a favorable place for immigrants, while 10% argue it never was.
Approximately a third of Americans report that they or someone they know have been impacted by immigration law enforcement in the past year. This includes carrying proof of their status, being detained or deported, altering travel plans, or changing routines to avoid work, school, or leaving home.
Hispanic Community Faces Heightened Challenges
The Hispanic community bears the brunt of these challenges: around 60% of Hispanic adults report experiencing such impacts, a significantly higher figure than among Black or white adults.
Reid Gibson, a 72-year-old retiree from Missouri who identifies as an independent, exemplifies these experiences. His stepdaughter began carrying her passport out of fear of being targeted in raids because of her skin color.
“This is simply wrong. This is no longer a good country for immigrants,” Gibson stated, warning that “it may take years to reverse the damage inflicted by the Trump administration’s policies.”
Everyday Life Altered by Fear
Kathy Bailey, a 79-year-old Democrat from Illinois, shared how two women in her swimming class—both naturalized citizens—started taking their passports whenever they leave home. One woman, originally from Latin America, fears standing out in a predominantly white community.
“She’s an American citizen, but she’s so scared she feels she has to carry her passport. She’s just a sweet grandma swimming at five in the morning,” Bailey explained.
Increasing Deportation Goals and Legal Debates
This atmosphere of fear coincides with a 1,000% increase in public migrant detentions under the Trump administration, according to an analysis by the University of California, Berkeley. The government has set a target of one million deportations annually by the fiscal year 2026, up from approximately 442,000 the previous year, with expected changes in enforcement methods in the coming months.
The survey also delves into the issue of birthright citizenship, which the Supreme Court examined on April 1st following Trump’s executive order aiming to deny this right to children of undocumented or temporarily-stayed individuals.
About two-thirds of American adults support automatic citizenship for all children born in the U.S., though only 44% of Republicans agree. Nuances are evident: 75% endorse citizenship for children of parents with legal work visas, 60% for those with tourist visas, and only about 50% for children of undocumented parents.
Nick Grivas, a 40-year-old Democrat from Massachusetts whose grandfather emigrated from Greece, expressed a sentiment shared by many: “We can see how we’re treating children and the offspring of immigrants, and we’re not viewing them as potential future Americans.”
The anxiety among immigrants has steadily increased since the start of Trump’s second term, with presidential approval on immigration issues among independent voters dropping from 37% in March 2025 to 23% in February 2026, according to previous AP-NORC data.
Understanding the Impact of Immigration Policies in the U.S.
How have recent U.S. immigration policies affected immigrants?
Recent policies have led to increased deportations, changes in travel and daily routines, and heightened fear among immigrant communities, particularly impacting Hispanic individuals.
What is the public opinion on birthright citizenship in the U.S.?
About two-thirds of Americans support automatic citizenship for children born in the U.S., though support varies significantly depending on the parents' immigration status.
What are the future goals for deportation under current U.S. policies?
The current goal is to reach one million deportations annually by the fiscal year 2026, indicating a significant increase from previous years.