{"id":43622,"date":"2025-11-18T14:26:13","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T14:26:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/43622\/"},"modified":"2025-11-18T14:26:13","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T14:26:13","slug":"kff-new-york-times-2025-survey-of-immigrants-political-implications-of-immigrant-voters-views-on-immigration-enforcement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/43622\/","title":{"rendered":"KFF\/New York Times 2025 Survey of Immigrants: Political Implications of Immigrant Voters\u2019 Views on Immigration Enforcement"},"content":{"rendered":"

Over half of all U.S. immigrants are naturalized citizens who are eligible to vote, representing nearly 24 million Americans and one in ten eligible U.S. voters<\/a> overall. While many polls look at how U.S. voters overall view issues of immigration policy and enforcement, few look at the views of foreign-born voters themselves. Drawing on the KFF\/New York Times 2025 Survey of Immigrants, this report examines how immigrant voters view President Trump and his immigration policies, including how those views are affected by \u2013 and have affected \u2013 their partisan alignment. Separate reports examine immigrants\u2019 worries and experiences amid increased immigration enforcement<\/a> and their health and health care experiences<\/a> during the second Trump administration.<\/p>\n

Key Takeaways<\/p>\n

The partisan identity of immigrant voters is mixed, with one quarter (25%) identifying as Republicans, just over a third (36%) identifying as Democrats, and four in ten saying they are either independent (34%) or don\u2019t identify with either major U.S. political party (5%).<\/p>\n

Like the broader public, most immigrant voters disapprove of President Trump\u2019s job performance, particularly when it comes to economic issues. While a majority of immigrant voters approve of the president\u2019s efforts to secure the southern border, most disapprove of his handling of immigration policy more broadly. In fact, large majorities disapprove of specific policies such as \u201cthird country\u201d deportations (80%), efforts to end birthright citizenship (69%), and the use of masked and plainclothes agents in immigration enforcement activities (67%). These views reflect immigrant voters\u2019 own partisan alignment, but even large shares of Republican immigrant voters disapprove of deporting immigrants to countries they are not from (52%) and ending birthright citizenship (44%). While views of Trump\u2019s immigration policies are not vastly different between immigrant voters and the broader public, immigrant voters are somewhat more likely to disapprove of efforts to end birthright citizenship.<\/p>\n

Four in ten immigrant voters say the U.S. is too tough in enforcing immigration laws, and most disapprove of how Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is handling its job. While close to half (46%) feel that current immigration enforcement \u201cis necessary,\u201d large shares also say they feel \u201cangry\u201d (49%) and \u201cafraid\u201d (39%) about what is happening, while fewer feel \u201csatisfied\u201d (28%) or \u201cproud\u201d (19%).<\/p>\n

These views may have implications for future elections, as nearly six in ten immigrant voters say the Trump administration\u2019s immigration enforcement actions have had an impact on which political party they support, including over four in ten who say they\u2019ve had a \u201cmajor\u201d impact. A larger share of this group says these policies have made them feel less supportive rather than more supportive of the Republican Party, though many express generally negative sentiments or frustration with both parties.<\/p>\n

Immigrants\u2019 feelings of safety and their confidence in the U.S. justice system are also shaped by partisanship. At least half of Republican immigrants (including those who are registered to vote) say they feel safer since President Trump took office and are confident they or a family member would be treated fairly by the justice system if detained for immigration-related reasons. At the same time, majorities of immigrants and immigrant voters who align with the Democratic Party say they feel less safe under President Trump and are not confident they would get fair treatment if detained.<\/p>\n

Who Are Immigrant Voters?<\/p>\n

Six in ten immigrant adults are U.S. citizens, and 89% of this group (53% of all immigrant adults) report that they are registered to vote. While precise estimates of how naturalized citizens voted in the 2024 presidential election are not readily available, several<\/a> analyses<\/a> suggest that Hispanic and Asian voters overall have been shifting away from the Democratic Party and towards Republicans in recent elections.<\/p>\n

When it comes to partisan identity, a larger share of immigrants say they consider themselves Democrats than Republicans, but about half of all immigrants, including about four in ten registered immigrant voters, say they are either independent or that they don\u2019t identify with either major U.S. political party.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"More<\/p>\n

Views of President Trump\u2019s Job Performance Among Immigrant Voters<\/p>\n

Six in ten immigrant voters disapprove of President Trump\u2019s handling of his job as president, including four in ten (42%) who strongly disapprove. Views of the president\u2019s performance vary by partisan identification among immigrant voters, with eight in ten (81%) Republicans approving and nine in ten Democrats disapproving. Disapproval is stronger than approval among partisans; seven in ten (71%) Democratic immigrant voters strongly disapprove of Trump\u2019s performance while fewer than half (45%) of Republicans strongly approve.<\/p>\n

These results are similar to views of the broader public, with recent polling averages<\/a> finding over half the public disapproves of the president\u2019s performance while about four in ten approve.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"A<\/p>\n

President Trump\u2019s worst ratings are for his handling of economic issues, while views of his handling of immigration and border security are more mixed among immigrant voters. Seven in ten immigrant voters disapprove of the way President Trump is handling inflation (72%) and tariffs (69%), including about half who \u201cstrongly disapprove\u201d of his handling of each of these areas. On the other hand, most immigrant voters (62%) approve of the president\u2019s handling of security at the southern border, while nearly four in ten (37%) disapprove.<\/p>\n

A majority (56%) of immigrant voters disapprove of the president\u2019s handling of immigration policy more broadly, though a substantial 44% approve. Views of the president\u2019s handling of immigration are similar among immigrant voters as they are among registered voters overall in a recent New York Times\/Sienna Poll<\/a> (52% disapprove, 46% approve). However, a smaller share of immigrant voters strongly approve of Trump\u2019s handling of immigration compared to voters overall (22% vs. 35%).<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"Most<\/p>\n

Republican immigrant voters largely approve of President Trump\u2019s handling of immigration, while a large share of Democrats disapprove and independents are split. President Trump\u2019s lowest ratings across partisan groups are on handling of the economy. For example, large shares of Republican immigrant voters approve of how President Trump is handling border security (93%) and immigration (81%), but smaller majorities approve of how he is handling tariffs (63%) and inflation (61%). Large majorities of Democratic immigrant voters disapprove of the president\u2019s performance in each of these areas, though nearly four in ten (37%) approve of how Trump is handling border security.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"Most<\/p>\n

Despite being mixed on President Trump\u2019s handling of immigration and border security generally, most immigrant voters disapprove of many of the administration\u2019s immigration enforcement actions. This includes large majorities who disapprove of the Trump administration deporting immigrants to countries they are not from (80%), efforts to end birthright citizenship (69%), and having federal immigration agents wearing masks or plainclothes during immigration enforcement activities (67%). Fewer, though still about half (53%), disapprove of the administration increasing efforts to deport more people living in the U.S. illegally.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"Majorities<\/p>\n

Immigrant voters\u2019 views of the Trump administration\u2019s immigration enforcement actions diverge by partisanship, though approval among Republican immigrant voters is not universal. While majorities of Republican immigrant voters support many of the administration\u2019s actions, half (52%) disapprove of deporting immigrants to countries they are not from, and more than four in ten (44%) disapprove of efforts to end birthright citizenship. Republican immigrant voters are about four times as likely as Democrats to say they approve of efforts deport more people living in the U.S. illegally (80% vs. 17%) and eight times as likely to approve of federal immigration agents wearing plainclothes or masks during enforcement activities (69% vs. 8%). Majorities of independent and Democratic immigrant voters disapprove of each of these actions by the administration (with the exception of increasing deportations of undocumented immigrants, on which independents are narrowly divided).<\/p>\n

For the most part, immigrant voters\u2019 views of President Trump\u2019s immigration policies are not vastly different from those of the general population. For example, a June 2025 Pew Research Center survey<\/a> found two-thirds of the public said it was \u201cunacceptable\u201d to \u201cdeport immigrants in the U.S. illegally to a different country if they cannot return to their home country,\u201d with most Democrats finding this unacceptable and Republicans more evenly divided.<\/p>\n

Immigrant voters\u2019 views diverge somewhat from the broader public on the question of birthright citizenship. Seven in ten (69%) immigrant voters disapprove of efforts to end birthright citizenship, compared to 56% of U.S. adults overall in a February 2025 Pew Research Center survey<\/a>. Notably, while 72% of Republicans overall approve of efforts to end birthright citizenship, this is lower (55%) among Republican immigrant voters.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"Immigrant<\/p>\n

Views of Immigration Enforcement<\/p>\n

Four in ten (41%) immigrant voters say the U.S. is \u201ctoo tough\u201d in enforcing immigration laws, though these views are largely divided by partisanship.\u00a0 Most immigrant voters who identify as Democrats say U.S. immigration enforcement is \u201ctoo tough\u201d (63%), while most Republicans say it is \u201cnot tough enough\u201d (37%) or \u201cabout right\u201d (35%). Among independent immigrant voters, one-third (34%) view U.S. immigration enforcement as too tough, but four in ten see it as either about right (21%) or not tough enough (21%). Notably, about one in five (19%) immigrant voters say they are not sure how to answer this question.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"Four<\/p>\n

While most immigrant voters across partisanship feel positively toward their local police, approval of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) divide sharply by partisanship. Overall, six in ten (59%) immigrant voters disapprove of how ICE is handling their job, while a similar share (58%) approve of the performance of Customs and Border Protection (CBP). These views diverge by partisanship, with majorities of Democratic immigrant voters disapproving of both agencies and majorities of Republicans approving. Across party identification, majorities of immigrants say they approve of how their local police are handling their job.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"Approval<\/p>\n

About half (49%) of immigrant voters say they are \u201cangry\u201d about what is happening with immigration enforcement in the U.S. and about four in ten (39%) say they are \u201cafraid,\u201d but nearly half (46%) say they feel the current immigration enforcement \u201cis necessary,\u201d including eight in ten Republican immigrant voters.\u00a0 Despite the large share saying they feel enforcement is necessary, far fewer immigrant voters say they feel \u201csatisfied\u201d (28% overall, 59% among Republicans) or \u201cproud\u201d (19% overall, 42% of Republicans) when it comes to what is happening with immigration enforcement in the U.S. today.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"About<\/p>\n

Immigrant voters\u2019 views on the Trump administration\u2019s immigration enforcement policies may be related to their broader views on undocumented immigrants, including whether they view such immigrants as a strength or a burden. Two-thirds (64%) of immigrant voters say immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally \u201cstrengthen our country because of their hard work and talents,\u201d while about a third (35%) say \u201cthey are a burden on our country because they take our jobs, housing, and health care.\u201d While nine in ten (89%) immigrant voters who are Democrats and six in ten who are independents say immigrants living in the U.S. illegally are a strength, most Republican immigrant voters (62%) view them as a burden.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"Among<\/p>\n

Political Implications<\/p>\n

Nearly six in ten (57%) immigrant voters say their views on the Trump administration\u2019s immigration policies have had an impact on which political party they support, including over four in ten (44%) who say they have had a \u201cmajor impact.\u201d Similar shares of those who identify as Democrats (65%) and Republicans (62%) say the Trump administration\u2019s immigration policies have had either a \u201cmajor\u201d or \u201cminor\u201d impact on the political party they support, while fewer (45%) independents say so.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"Half<\/p>\n

When immigrant voters are asked to describe how the Trump administration\u2019s immigration policies have impacted which political party they support, a larger share express views that reflect negative views of these policies or a shift away from Republicans (36%) than express views in support of these policies or the Republican party (19%). Others who say immigration policies have affected which party they support offer generally negative (6%) or generally positive comments (3%) or express negative views of both the Republican and Democratic parties (3%).<\/p>\n

In Their Own Words: Please describe how the Trump administration\u2019s immigration policies impacted which political party you support.<\/p>\n

Shift away from Trump\/Republicans or towards Democrats:<\/p>\n

\u201cI used to consider candidates from both parties, especially for local elections, and focused on the individual candidate\u2019s merits. Now I would never vote GOP for any reason, that party is gone.\u201d \u2014 58-year-old Costa Rican immigrant man in New York<\/p>\n

\u201cI used to think Republican and Democratic parties were not too dissimilar but now, there is a clear divide because Republican party is one now catering to an autocrat and want to punish free speech, constitutional rights.\u201d \u2014 50-year-old Korean immigrant woman in California<\/p>\n

\u201cI, myself, am a registered Republican. However, that does not mean that I agree with Trump\u2019s stance and actions on immigration. Because of his actions, I find myself leaning more towards the Democratic side.\u201d\u00a0 \u2014 67-year-old Filipino immigrant man in California<\/p>\n

\u201cI was born in a country that was taken over by a violent revolution by an authoritarian party.\u00a0 I now see the Trump administration doing things equally revolutionary and evil.\u00a0 I was once proud to vote for Republicans.\u00a0 Now I will never vote for another Republican ever again.\u201d\u00a0 \u2014 66-year-old Nicaraguan immigrant woman in Texas<\/p>\n

\u201cI used to be a registered Republican before Trump first term. I\u2019m an independent now because of his immigration talk and policies.\u201d\u00a0 \u2014 59-year-old Mexican immigrant man in California<\/p>\n

\u201cThe policies seem unnecessarily dehumanizing and heavy handed and have led me to question whether the Republican Party cares about people, American or otherwise.\u201d\u00a0 \u2014 45-year-old German immigrant man in Washington D.C.<\/p>\n

\u201cI used to align more with conservative views but it seems they are more concerned with cruelty than security.\u201d\u00a0 \u2014 21-year-old Iranian immigrant in Washington<\/p>\n

\u201cThey made me support Democrats more.\u201d \u2014 32-year-old Indian immigrant woman in New York<\/p>\n

\u201cI consider myself a democrat however prior to the immigration stuff I was leaning toward the Republican Party but since I have withdrawn completely.\u201d\u00a0 \u2014 36-year-old Canadian immigrant man in California<\/p>\n

Shift away from Democrats or toward Trump\/Republicans:<\/p>\n

\u201cI supported Democrats until they left the border wide open. I worked very hard to get my citizenship and it\u2019s sad to see people cut the line and get more support as illegal immigrants over me as a tax paying citizen.\u201d\u00a0 \u2014 43-year-old Mexican immigrant man in California<\/p>\n

\u201cI am strongly against illegal immigration, thus I support the Republican party in their efforts to fight it.\u201d\u00a0 \u2014 60-year-old Vietnamese immigrant woman in California<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving a safer environment and more job opportunities due to Trump administration\u2019s immigration policies made me stand more with the Republican Party.\u201d\u00a0 \u2014 87-year-old Filipino immigrant man in Texas<\/p>\n

\u201cProtecting our nation is very important, so I support Republican Party. Prior administration let in a lot of undocumented immigrants so I do not support Democratic party.\u201d\u00a0 \u2014 49-year-old Indian immigrant man in New Jersey<\/p>\n

\u201cI was independent but when I saw Trump\u2019s policies, I went to the Republican party.\u201d\u00a0 \u2014 77-year-old Cuban immigrant woman in Florida<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Democratic open borders changed my mind on who they were.\u00a0 I became a Republican, what they did was a crime against this country.\u201d\u00a0 \u2014 71-year-old German immigrant woman in Oregon<\/p>\n

Increased frustration with both parties:<\/p>\n

\u201cIncreased my anger [at] both parties. Republicans for supporting clear illegal decisions. Democrats for being wet noodles.\u201d\u00a0 \u2014 42-year-old Chinese immigrant man in Maryland<\/p>\n

\u201cHis [Trump\u2019s] complete disregard for the Constitution and the rule of law and the \u201cyes men\u201d of the Republican Party have not made me any more fond of the Democratic Party but have simply made me stop voting for the Republicans as well.\u00a0 We need a new party.\u201d\u00a0 \u2014 55-year-old Thai immigrant man in Texas<\/p>\n

\u201cI have been traditionally conservative, but the current polices are too far to the right whereas the Democrats are too far to the left.\u00a0 It seems there is no room left for moderates.\u201d\u00a0 \u2014 46-year-old Vietnamese immigrant woman in California<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve become unaffiliated as his nuisances have led me to be more cautious of political options. I can\u2019t strongly favor any party with the current political situation we\u2019re in.\u201d\u00a0 \u2014 45-year-old Peruvian immigrant woman in New Jersey<\/p>\n

Note: Responses are lightly edited for length and spelling, but reflect respondents\u2019 own language and do not represent the views of KFF.<\/p>\n

Feelings of Safety and Future Outlook<\/p>\n

Immigrants who identify as Republican are much more likely to report feeling safe in the U.S. and to be confident they would receive fair treatment by the U.S. justice system. As reported in another report examining immigrants\u2019 worries and experiences amid increased immigration enforcement<\/a>, about half of immigrants overall say they feel less safe since President Trump took office, and most are not confident they or a family member would receive fair treatment by the U.S. legal system if arrested or detained on immigration-related charges. Looking by partisanship, immigrants who identify as Democrats are much more likely to report feeling less safe and to lack confidence they would be treated fairly by the justice system compared to those who identify as Republicans. This pattern holds among immigrants overall as well as among those who are registered to vote.<\/p>\n

For example, over half (55%) of Republican immigrant voters say they feel safer since President Trump took office and three-quarters are \u201cvery\u201d or \u201csomewhat confident\u201d they would get fair treatment by the U.S. justice system. In contrast, nearly three-quarters (73%) of Democratic immigrant voters report feeling less safe under the Trump administration and seven in ten (72%) are \u201cnot very\u201d or \u201cnot at all confident they would be treated fairly by the justice system. Among immigrant voters who identify as independents, about four in ten (39%) report feeling less safe since Trump took office while a similar share (41%) say they feel \u201cabout the same\u201d in terms of safety. Independent immigrant voters are also split on whether they would receive fair treatment, with about half (54%) very or somewhat confident and the other half (46%) not confident.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"Feelings<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"Immigrant<\/p>\n

Amid negative views of current immigration policies, a larger share now than in 2023 say immigrants were better off under President Biden than President Trump. Half (49%) of immigrants overall now say immigrants in the U.S. were better off under President Biden than President Trump, up from a third who said the same in 2023. While the share saying immigrants are better off under President Trump hasn\u2019t changed (16%), the share who say it makes no difference for immigrants who is president declined from about half (47%) in 2023 to one third (34%) in 2025.<\/p>\n

These views diverge predictably by partisanship among immigrant voters, but a notable 22% of Republican immigrant voters in 2025 say immigrants were better off under President Biden and another quarter say it makes no difference.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"Half<\/p>\n

The question of whether the U.S. is still a great place for immigrants is viewed largely through a partisan lens. While seven in ten Republican immigrant voters say the U.S. is a great place for immigrants, eight in ten (78%) immigrant voters who are Democrats say the U.S. used to be a great place for immigrants but that is no longer the case. Independent immigrant voters are more divided, with close to half (45%) viewing the U.S. as a great place for immigrants and slightly more than half (54%) saying that used to be true but is no longer the case.<\/p>\n

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