By The Numbers: Voices of Community

Key Facts You Need to Know: AAPI Public Opinion

• In our February 2026 poll, a majority of AAPIs felt that Trump has gone too far in using the U.S. military to intervene in foreign countries. 71% of adults say that Trump has gone too far and only 4% say he has not gone far enough. 
• Additionally, AAPI adults are more likely to have unfavorable views of ICE: 73% have unfavorable views compared to 60% of the general population.
• Cost of living is a large source of stress. 8 in 10 AAPI adults cite the cost of groceries, cost of health care, and cost of housing as sources of stress, including half who say each as a major source. Very few say these financial concerns are not sources of stress at all.
• In September 2025, cost of living was the top issue on the minds of AAPI adults (58%), while only 25% mentioned immigration as the most important issue facing the country.
• AAPI adults are more concerned about the possibility of a U.S. recession compared to the general population (65% v. 53%).
• Three-quarters of AAPI adults believe Elon Musk has too much influence over the federal government, and strong majorities oppose efforts to dismantle key federal agencies like the Department of Education, USAID, and the CFPB.
• 8 in 10 AAPI adults have experienced extreme weather in the past five years, and 3 in 4 believe climate change is happening and will affect their health or daily life.
• 79% of AAPI adults say lowering healthcare costs should be a top federal priority, and majorities blame pharmaceutical companies, private insurers, and the federal government for high medical expenses.
• 64% of AAPI adults believe the federal government spends too little on education, and most say state and federal governments—not families—should bear the primary responsibility for financing college.
• 8 in 10 AAPI adults say abortion should be legal in all or most cases—and a similar portion also believe abortion and reproductive rights face a threat in 2025, with over half calling it a major threat.
• AAPI adults are more likely than the general public to say rights like free speech, freedom of the press, and freedom from unreasonable search and seizure are under threat in 2025.

Top Policy Priorities

The economy is the top issue for AAPIs, overtaking immigration

Over the last two years, AAPI Data has surveyed Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) adults on their top policy priorities at the start of each year—offering a unique window into how concerns are shifting over time.

In January 2025, immigration surged to the top, with 42% of AAPI adults naming it as a key issue—a sharp rise from 29% in 2024. However, in the 2025 AAPI Policy Priorities Survey, conducted in August 2025, cost of living and the economy was overwhelmingly the top issue, with 58% citing cost of living and 36% citing jobs and the economy as the most important issues facing the nation. Only 25% mentioned immigration as the most important issue facing the country. This signals that AAPI adults are preoccupied with affordability and the rising costs of goods and that Trump’s approach to immigration may have alienated AAPIs.

In March 2026, similar to 2025, AAPI respondents overwhelmingly identify affordability among their top concerns, with 58% citing cost of living and inflation and 34% pointing to jobs and the economy as the most important problems facing the country. Concerns about global events also predominate, with 46% identifying war and foreign policy as a major issue.

In 2026, AAPI spending priorities were at odds with the priorities of the current administration: the vast majority believe the government spends too much on military and defense (69%) and immigration enforcement (72%), and spends too little on healthcare (68%) and education (70%).

Learn more about our 2025 Policy Priorities Survey and 2026 Policy Priorities Survey with NCAPA.

Trump’s Policy Agenda

Mixed support and deep partisan divides mark AAPI reactions to Trump’s second-term proposals and performance

Early in 2025, AAPI adults expressed limited and selective support for policies proposed by Donald Trump during his campaign. While nearly half of AAPI adults (48%) backed eliminating taxes on tipped earnings, support for various other proposals was far lower—including mass deportations (38%), cuts to the federal workforce (35%), and expanded oil drilling (30%). Pardoning January 6 participants drew support from just 14% (see figure below).

Partisan divides within AAPI communities were stark: 70% of AAPI Republicans supported mass deportations compared to just 18% of Democrats, with similar gaps on expanding oil drilling and shrinking the federal workforce. Views on these proposals also correlated with respondents’ top issue priorities (see previous section)—those focused on immigration were more likely to back deportation policies, while climate-focused individuals opposed oil expansion and clean energy cuts.

By April, disapproval had solidified across the broader Trump agenda. Majorities of AAPI adults disapprove of the president’s handling of the economy (71%), trade (71%), managing the federal government (68%), and government spending (63%)—with disapproval rates higher than those among the general public. Over half (55%) say Trump is focused on the wrong policies, including 4 in 5 AAPI Democrats.

In June, after Trump has resided in the White House for nearly half a year, more than 7 in 10 AAPI adults have unfavorable views of Trump (71%), a significant jump from December 2025 before he took office (60%). More broadly, 54% of U.S. adults have unfavorable views of Trump and 43% have a favorable view, with 3% not knowing enough to say. Additionally among AAPI adults, 85% expect an increase in cost for consumer goods in the U.S. due to Trump’s tariffs, 58% favor DEI programs, and only about 1 in 10 are very confident in the government’s ability to handle racial and ethnic minority discrimination.

In February 2026, after U.S. intervention in Venezuela but before the beginning of the war in Iran, a majority of AAPIs felt that Trump has gone too far in using the U.S. military to intervene in foreign countries. 71% of adults say that Trump has gone too far and only 4% say he has not gone far enough.

To dive deeper into these findings, explore our full survey reports from January 2025, April 2025 and June/July 2025.

Federal Cuts & DOGE

AAPI adults reject federal agency cuts and DOGE proposals, while acknowledging government inefficiencies

As the federal government pushes forward with sweeping plans to shrink and restructure the federal government, AAPI adults are broadly rejecting the most extreme proposals—especially those advanced by the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), helmed by Elon Musk.

DOGE has emerged as a symbol of federal overreach and misplaced priorities, with 3 in 4 AAPI adults saying Musk has too much influence on the federal government. Just 12% of AAPI adults support eliminating entire federal agencies, compared to 23% of the general public (see figure below).

AAPI adults overwhelmingly reject key proposals from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), with majorities opposing the elimination of agencies like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (69%), Department of Education (67%), and USAID (55%). Even more moderate ideas—like relocating federal agencies (25% support), cutting jobs (24%), or enforcing five-day in-office workweeks (about 4 in 10 support)—garner limited support.

Still, concerns about government dysfunction are real: majorities of AAPI adults say corruption (72%), inefficiency (68%), and bureaucratic red tape (61%) are serious problems.

But when it comes to equity-focused programs, the line is clear—two-thirds of AAPI adults oppose rolling back initiatives that support underserved communities or address systemic racism in schools. In short, AAPI communities want meaningful reform—not cuts that weaken public institutions or equity efforts.

To dive deeper into these findings, explore our full survey reports from January 2025, Feb/March 2025, and April 2025.

Immigration

AAPI communities overwhelmingly value legal immigration, yet hold complex and evolving views on enforcement and federal policy direction

Compared to a third of the general population, 51% of AAPIs report they or someone they know has experienced one or more of the following: carrying documentation proving immigration status or citizenship, changing travel plans, significantly altering daily routines, or facing detention or deportation due to immigration status. Carrying proof of immigration or citizenship status is at 41 percent for AAPIs, and is highest among South Asians (53%).

64% percent say the U.S. used to be a great place for immigrants but is not anymore, while 30% feel it still is a great place for immigrants

AAPI adults are far more likely than the general public to view legal immigration as a national asset. Nearly 8 in 10 AAPI adults believe legal immigration fuels economic growth, and 76% highlight the value of skilled immigrants in science and technology sectors—compared to just over 51% among the general U.S. population. Expanding legal pathways remains a priority for many, with around 4 in 10 AAPI adults supporting increasing green cards for workers, families, and backlogged countries, though a similarly sized share prefers maintaining current levels. Few support reductions.

At the same time, half of AAPI adults oppose efforts to cut family-sponsored visas or reduce temporary work programs like H-1B visas—underscoring concern over proposals that would restrict legal channels.

While legal immigration enjoys broad support, AAPI adults express more ambivalence when it comes to enforcement policies. For example, our data finds that support for deporting undocumented immigrants remains divided—66% of AAPI adults overall support deporting immigrants who overstay their visas and have committed a crime, but support drops to just 44% among younger AAPI adults under 30, compared to 75% of those aged 45 and older.

On local enforcement, only 21% of AAPI adults support using the military and national guard to detain and deport immigrants who are in the country illegally.

AAPI adults continue to name practical reforms as key priorities: increasing border security (42–45%), reducing green card wait times (44%), and preventing visa overstays (41%) consistently rank among the most cited federal immigration goals.

Still, proposals from the Trump administration are often met with resistance. For example, only 24% support ending birthright citizenship for children born to parents on temporary visas, and just 32% support eliminating it for children of undocumented immigrants. In both cases, a clear majority opposes the proposed changes.

7 in 10 AAPI adults disapprove of the Trump administration’s approach to immigration. Only about 2 in 10 support targeting neighborhoods with higher immigrant populations, deploying the military or National Guard to carry out arrests and deportations, detaining immigrants at their workplaces, or allowing agents to cover their faces during arrests. Roughly 6 in 10 oppose these tactics.

AAPI adults are more likely than the general public to say Trump has gone too far when it comes to deporting immigrants living in the U.S. illegally (67% vs. 52%).

In September 2025, more AAPI adults disapprove of President Trump’s handling of immigration than six months ago (71% vs. 58%).

To dive deeper into these findings, explore our full survey reports from January 2025, Feb/March 2025, April 2025, September/October 2025, and February/March 2026, and June 2026.

Economy

AAPI adults continue to call for federal action on everyday costs—from health care to housing to food.

Our February/March 2026 survey demonstrated that cost of living is a large source of stress for AAPI adults. 8 in 10 AAPI adults cite the cost of groceries, cost of health care, and cost of housing as sources of stress, including half who say each as a major source of stress. Very few say these financial concerns are not sources of stress at all.

The 2025 Policy Priorities Survey from September 2025 shows that the AAPI community prioritizes financial stability and affordability above other issues. Cost of living and inflation are the universal top issues, regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity.

Our survey from April and May 2025 shows that rising costs and economic uncertainty continue to weigh heavily on AAPI communities.

51% of AAPI adults think their own personal finances will get worse in the next year, compared with just 20% who said the same in December 2023.

AAPI adults are feeling increasingly pessimistic about their economic future. Just 29% of AAPI adults say it is likely that young people today will have a better standard of living than their parents.

A large number of AAPI adults believe Trump has contributed to increasing the cost of living. A majority say that Trump has hurt rather than helped the cost of living (73%), cost of health care (69%), and job creation (62%).

Most AAPI adults want Congress to focus on lowering the costs of health care (79%), food (67%), and housing (61%). Many also say the government is spending too little on education (64%), health care (59%), and tackling homelessness (57%).

Together, these findings offer a clear view of how economic pressures and cost priorities continue to drive the policy landscape for AAPI communities in 2025.

To dive deeper into these findings, explore our full survey reports from the February/March 2026 survey, 2025 AAPI Policy Priorities Survey from September 2025, April/May 2025, Feb/March 2025, and January 2024.

Tariffs

Most AAPI adults say that Trump’s tariffs will increase the price and decrease the availability of goods in the U.S. 

In June, 85% of AAPI adults believed that the price of consumer goods would increase due to Trump’s tariffs, compared to 76% among U.S. adults in general. Similarly, 66% of AAPI adults are extremely or very concerned about the price of groceries, and 65% are extremely or very concerned about the possibility of the U.S. economy going into a recession.

To dive deeper into these findings, explore our full survey report from June/July 2025.

Climate Change & Environment

Most AAPI adults have felt the effects of climate change—and support action to address it.

In both 2024 and 2025, about 8 in 10 AAPI adults reported experiencing extreme weather in the past five years—including heat waves (65%), severe winter storms (46%), and wildfires (32%). 

These firsthand experiences are fueling concern: 3 in 4 AAPI adults believe climate change is happening, and a majority expect it to impact their health and daily lives. 

In response, support for government-led climate action is strong. Most AAPI adults favor federal disaster aid, rebuilding assistance, and even restrictions on new development in high-risk areas. There’s also widespread backing for clean energy policies, including reducing corporate emissions (74%), solar tax credits (70%), and incentives for electric vehicles (60%).

Responsibility for addressing climate change is seen as institutional: majorities of AAPIs point to the federal government, corporations, and high-income nations as key actors. 

While views on policy specifics and climate science vary by party and age, the message is clear: for AAPI communities, climate change is not abstract—it’s personal, immediate, and demands action.

To dive deeper into these findings, explore our full survey reports from April 2025, and April 2024.

Education

AAPI adults prioritize academic rigor, affordability, and inclusion—while calling for stronger investment in education.

Education continues to rank high among AAPI policy priorities, with 64% of AAPI adults saying the federal government spends too little on it. Roughly 4 in 10 identify the cost of higher education as an area Congress should address. 

57% of AAPI adults are concerned about restrictions on free speech on college campuses and 56% are concerned about federal government cuts to university research.

Most AAPI adults believe state (49%) and federal (48%) governments bear primary responsibility for financing college, compared to just 36% who say the same about individuals and 32% about families—underscoring a preference for systemic solutions to affordability.

In terms of higher education goals, AAPI adults overwhelmingly prioritize workplace-relevant skills (83%), critical thinking (80%), and the free exchange of ideas (69%)—with support levels similar to or higher than the general public. Just over half (51%) also view advancing equity and inclusion as a major purpose of universities.

Looking at K–12 education, 7 in 10 AAPI adults support teaching about slavery, racism, and AAPI history, while 56% oppose efforts by school boards to restrict classroom discussions. Many say teachers (48%) and parents (47%) have too little influence over curricula, while 35% believe school boards have too much.

When it comes to school safety, AAPI adults tend to favor supportive strategies: 57% support placing mental health counselors in schools, with similar shares backing bullying prevention programs.Across all education levels, AAPI adults support policies that promote access, academic rigor, and respect for diversity—with strong backing for public investment to make those goals a reality.

To dive deeper into these findings, explore our full survey reports from Feb/March 2025, and May 2024.

Healthcare

AAPI adults are calling for lower costs, stronger public health protections, and greater accountability across the healthcare system.

AAPI adults report the most confidence in doctors and nurses (92%) and scientists and medical researchers (92%) to do what is best for public health, while only 44% are confident in the federal government to do the same. (May 2026 Survey)

When it comes to trusting others to do what is right for them and their families, AAPI adults give high marks for doctors and nurses (80%) and pharmacists (74%), and very low marks for hospital executives (20%), health insurance providers (22%), and public health officials in the federal government (27%). State health officials (45%) and mental health counselors (58%) perform somewhat better. (May 2026 Survey)

Healthcare costs remain a top concern for AAPI communities. As of September 2025, 56% of AAPI adults said that healthcare costs were the most difficult item to afford and a majority (60%) strongly support the government placing limits on costs of prescription medication. 

Concerns around public health are also prominent. Roughly 6 in 10 are worried that declining vaccination rates will lead to more disease outbreaks (64%) and deaths (61%)—an especially timely fear amid ongoing measles outbreaks. Support is strong for certain health-related regulations, such as restricting processed foods (72%), though opinions are more divided on proposals like reconsidering vaccine guidelines or removing fluoride from water.

Trust in healthcare professionals varies. Most AAPI adults trust doctors (74%), nurses (72%), and pharmacists (64%) to act in their best interests, while trust declines for mental health counselors (52%), public health officials (43%), and health insurers (23%). Just 19% trust hospital executives, pointing to broad skepticism toward institutional healthcare leadership.AAPI adults widely view pharmaceutical companies (77%) and private insurers (73%) as responsible for the high cost of care, but many also point to the federal government (58%) and healthcare providers themselves (51%) as part of the problem—suggesting a complex landscape of shared accountability.

To dive deeper into these findings, explore our full survey report from Feb/March 2025 and the 2025 AAPI Policy Priorities Survey.

Abortion & Reproductive Rights

AAPI adults express strong, consistent support for legal abortion and nationwide protections for reproductive rights.

Nearly two years after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, AAPI adults continue to express strong support for abortion access. 

As of early 2024, 8 in 10 AAPI adults say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, and 75% support federal legislation to guarantee access nationwide—both levels higher than those seen in the general population.

These views are also shaped by a sense of urgency: 82% of AAPI adults believe abortion and reproductive rights face a threat in 2025, with over half calling it a major threat.

Support extends across scenarios. Roughly 9 in 10 AAPI adults support legal abortion in cases involving health risks, rape or incest, or fatal fetal abnormalities. 68% support legal abortion for any reason, and 41% back access through 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Access remains uneven: while most say their communities have adequate family planning (59%) and prenatal care (55%), just 44% say the same about abortion services. A majority also support insurance coverage for abortion—for both adults and minors, through public and private plans.Partisan divides persist, but abortion remains a key voting issue across the board: 68% of AAPI adults say they couldn’t vote for a candidate whose abortion views differ from their own.

To dive deeper into these findings, explore our full survey reports from February 2024 and January 2025.

Civil Rights & Freedoms

AAPI adults express growing concern about threats to core rights, especially free speech, the press, and protections from government overreach.

In 2025, many AAPI adults perceive core civil rights and liberties as under threat. Large shares of AAPI adults say foundational rights—enshrined in the Constitution or protected by law—are facing major or minor threats this year:

• Freedom from unreasonable search and seizure tops the list, with 31% viewing it as facing a major threat and 44% citing a minor threat.
• Freedom of the press and freedom of speech are also seen as vulnerable, with 35% and 29% respectively naming them as facing a major threat.
• Nearly 7 in 10 AAPI adults believe the right to peacefully assemble is at least somewhat at risk, as is the right to vote.
• Concerns about religious freedom are present but somewhat lower, with 22% identifying a major threat.

In contrast, the right to bear arms is viewed as the least threatened, with 55% saying it faces no threat at all. While abortion and reproductive rights are also seen as under serious threat, that topic is covered in more detail in the previs section of this. (See more →)

These findings reflect a broader unease about the stability of civil liberties in 2025—and provide insight into how AAPI communities are navigating this pivotal political moment.

To dive deeper into these findings, explore our full survey report from January 2025.