Immigrants are a numerous group who play a big position in our nation’s workforce and communities. As of June 2025, there have been 51.9 million immigrants residing within the U.S., and roughly one in four children within the U.S. dwell with a minimum of one immigrant dad or mum. Throughout his second time period, President Trump has applied an array of immigration coverage adjustments targeted on proscribing immigration and growing inside immigration enforcement efforts. KFF carried out this survey in partnership with The New York Occasions to improve understanding of immigrant experiences amid this coverage setting. It builds on the 2023 KFF/LA Times Survey of Immigrants and two extra surveys carried out by KFF in 2024 and 2025. That is one among three stories from this survey. Different stories give attention to the health and health care experiences of immigrants and the political views of immigrant voters.
Key Takeaways
- Because the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration continues, an growing share of immigrants know somebody who has been detained or deported. A couple of in 5 (22%) immigrants say they personally know somebody who has been arrested, detained, or deported on immigration-related fees since President Trump took workplace in January, almost 3 times the share who stated so in April (8%). A big majority of those that know somebody who was arrested, detained, or deported say that individual had by no means dedicated a critical crime.
- Amid this setting, worries have elevated amongst immigrants throughout immigration statuses, main many to keep away from actions outdoors the house, together with searching for well being care or going to work. 4 in ten (41%) immigrants say they personally fear they or a member of the family could possibly be detained or deported, way more than the 26% who stated so in 2023. Whereas worries are most pronounced amongst doubtless undocumented immigrants (75%), they’ve elevated probably the most amongst lawfully current immigrants (from 33% to 50%) and naturalized residents (from 12% to 31%). Greater than half of immigrants (53%), together with majorities of naturalized residents and lawfully current immigrants, should not assured they or a member of the family would obtain honest remedy by the U.S. authorized system if detained on immigration-related fees. Dwelling with these fears, three in ten immigrants, together with about three in 4 doubtless undocumented immigrants and about one-third of lawfully current immigrants, report avoiding touring, searching for medical care, or going to work or different public areas.
- An growing share of immigrants maintain a destructive view of U.S. immigration enforcement, and plenty of say they really feel much less secure since President Trump took workplace. 4 in ten (41%) immigrants now say the U.S. is just too robust in imposing immigration legal guidelines, double the share who stated so in 2023 (19%). About half of immigrants say they really feel “much less secure” since President Trump took workplace, together with roughly half of naturalized residents and lawfully current immigrants. As well as, a few third (35%) of immigrants say the administration’s immigration enforcement actions have had a direct destructive impression on their households, citing issues like avoiding on a regular basis actions, elevated racism, and worries about immigration enforcement.
- Immigrants’ monetary struggles have elevated considerably since 2023. About half of immigrants say they’ve had issues paying for necessities like housing, meals, and well being care prior to now 12 months, up from three in ten who stated the identical in 2023. As well as, about half of all immigrants, together with naturalized residents and people who are lawfully current, say it has been more durable for them to earn a residing since January.
- Whereas most nonetheless really feel positively about their very own determination to immigrate, many not view the U.S. as a great vacation spot for immigrants. Reflecting the resilience and optimism of immigrant communities, most immigrants proceed to say their lives are higher on account of transferring to the U.S., and most would select to come back once more. However whereas one-third say the U.S. is a superb place for immigrants, almost twice as many (60%) say the U.S. was once an excellent place for immigrants, however that’s not true.
Key Phrases and Teams
Immigrants: On this report, immigrants are outlined as adults residing within the U.S. who had been born outdoors the U.S. and its territories. This consists of naturalized residents, lawfully current immigrants, and immigrants who’re doubtless undocumented.
Naturalized citizen: Immigrants who stated they’re a U.S. citizen.
Lawfully current immigrant: Immigrants who stated they aren’t a U.S. citizen, however presently have a inexperienced card (lawful everlasting standing) or a sound work or scholar visa.
Doubtless undocumented immigrant: Immigrants who stated they aren’t a U.S. citizen and don’t presently have a inexperienced card (lawful everlasting standing) or a sound work or scholar visa. These immigrants are categorised as “doubtless undocumented” since they haven’t affirmatively recognized themselves as undocumented.
Immigration-Associated Worries
A couple of in 5 (22%) immigrants say they personally know somebody who has been arrested, detained, or deported since President Trump took workplace, rising to half (52%) of doubtless undocumented immigrants and a few third of (36%) Hispanic immigrants. The share of immigrants who know somebody who has been arrested, detained, or deported since President Trump took workplace has almost tripled (22% vs. 8%) because the query was last asked in April. About one in 4 (24%) lawfully current immigrants say they personally know somebody who has been arrested, detained, or deported since January, as do about one in six (16%) naturalized residents.
Amongst those that know somebody who has been arrested, detained, or deported since January, most (71%) say that individual had by no means dedicated a critical crime. About one in ten (8%) say that individual had dedicated a critical crime, and one in 5 (20%) stated they weren’t certain. Sixteen % of immigrants general say they know somebody who was arrested, detained, or deported with out committing a critical crime, rising to one-quarter of Hispanic immigrants and one-third of those that are doubtless undocumented.
Amid the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, 4 in ten (41%) immigrants say they fear that they or a member of the family could possibly be detained or deported, up from 26% in 2023, together with substantial will increase amongst naturalized residents and lawfully current immigrants. Worries about detention or deportation amongst doubtless undocumented immigrants stay excessive reaching 75% as of 2025, whereas worries have elevated probably the most amongst naturalized residents and lawfully current immigrants. Greater than twice as many naturalized residents now say they fear that they or a member of the family could possibly be detained or deported in comparison with 2023 (31% vs. 12%). Equally, half (50%) of lawfully current immigrants now say they fear about this, a lot larger than the share (33%) who stated this in 2023.
Hispanic immigrants usually tend to specific worries about detention and deportation than immigrants of different backgrounds, however worries have elevated considerably amongst immigrants of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. About half (53%) of Hispanic immigrants say they fear they or a member of the family could possibly be detained or deported, up from 41% in 2023. Fear has additionally elevated amongst Black immigrants (39% vs. 19%), Asian immigrants (29% vs. 14%) and White immigrants (29% vs. 13%). In comparison with different teams, the comparatively bigger shares of Hispanic immigrants who say they fear about detention or deportation doubtless displays the truth that a bigger share of Hispanic immigrants are noncitizens in addition to racial-profiling of Hispanic adults by federal immigration brokers.
In the event that they had been to be arrested or detained on immigration-related fees, greater than half (53%) of immigrants say they aren’t assured they or a member of the family would obtain honest remedy by the U.S. authorized system. At the very least half of immigrants really feel this manner throughout immigration statuses, together with 51% of naturalized residents and 54% of lawfully current immigrants. About six in ten Black (61%) and Hispanic (57%) immigrants say they aren’t assured they might obtain honest remedy.
About 4 in ten immigrants specific different immigration-related worries, resembling that they or a member of the family may need their authorized immigration standing revoked (43%), be separated from youngsters or members of the family (43%), or be deported to a rustic they aren’t from (39%). General, about half (53%) of immigrants say they fear about a minimum of one among this stuff, rising to about six in ten (63%) lawfully current immigrants and greater than eight in ten (87%) doubtless undocumented immigrants. About six in ten or extra Hispanic immigrants (66%), Black immigrants (60%), and immigrant dad and mom (60%) additionally say they fear about a minimum of one among this stuff occurring to them and their households.
Immigration-related fears lengthen to youngsters in immigrant households, with a few quarter (27%) of immigrant dad and mom saying their youngsters have expressed worries or considerations about one thing unhealthy occurring to somebody of their household as a result of they’re an immigrant. The share who say this rises to 6 in ten (60%) doubtless undocumented immigrant dad and mom and about 4 in ten (39%) Hispanic immigrant dad and mom.
Habits Adjustments On account of Immigration-Associated Fears
Throughout immigration statuses, bigger shares of immigrants now than in 2023 say they’ve averted issues like speaking to the police, making use of for a job, or touring resulting from their or a member of the family’s immigration standing. One in 5 (20%) immigrants general say they’ve ever averted this stuff, rising to about six in ten (59%) doubtless undocumented immigrants, up from 14% and 42% respectively in 2023. Notably, one-quarter (26%) of lawfully current immigrants and one in ten (11%) naturalized residents report avoiding these actions, each roughly double the shares who stated so in 2023. Immigrants who personally know somebody who has been arrested, detained or deported since January are particularly more likely to say they’ve ever averted one among these actions in comparison with those that don’t know somebody (44% vs. 14%).
Three in ten (30%) immigrants general, rising to three-quarters (74%) of doubtless undocumented immigrants, say they or a member of the family have restricted their participation in actions outdoors the house since January resulting from considerations about drawing consideration to somebody’s immigration standing. This consists of about three in ten immigrants who say they or a member of the family have averted touring (27%), one in seven who’ve avoided seeking health care (14%), going to church or group occasions (14%), or going to work (13%), and one in ten (10%) who report not taking their youngsters to highschool or attending faculty occasions. Amongst doubtless undocumented immigrants, six in ten (63%) say they or a member of the family have averted touring since January, about half (48%) say they’ve averted searching for medical care, and 4 in ten (40%) report not going to work due to immigration-related considerations. As well as, about one in 5 (21%) naturalized residents and one-third (35%) of lawfully current immigrants say they or a member of the family have averted actions outdoors the house resulting from considerations about immigration standing.
Hispanic immigrants are extra doubtless than immigrants of different backgrounds to report avoiding these actions, with about 4 in ten (41%) saying they’ve averted a minimum of one. Immigrants’ avoidance of actions outdoors the house are doubtless pushed partially by heightened immigration enforcement actions, resembling ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raids in workplaces, in addition to policy changes which have allowed immigration enforcement exercise in beforehand protected areas together with locations of worship, faculties, and well being care services and to permit ICE to pursue arrests without a warrant.
Some immigrants additionally report taking precautionary measures resembling carrying proof of standing (43%) or making household plans in case of detention or deportation (21%). Notably, six in ten (62%) lawfully current immigrants and three in ten (31%) naturalized residents say they’ve began carrying proof of immigration standing since January and about one in 4 (27%) lawfully current immigrants say they’ve made a plan in case somebody within the household was detained or deported.
Views of the Trump Administration’s Immigration Insurance policies and Enforcement
Giant majorities of immigrants disapprove of the Trump administration deporting immigrants to nations they aren’t from (83%), efforts to finish birthright citizenship (73%) and federal immigration brokers carrying masks or plainclothes throughout immigration enforcement actions (71%). Fewer, although nonetheless a majority (57%), disapprove of the administration growing efforts to deport extra folks residing within the U.S. illegally. Views of the Trump administration’s insurance policies diverge sharply by partisanship; for extra, see the companion report focused on immigrant voters.
About 4 in ten (41%) immigrants now say the U.S. is just too robust in imposing immigration legal guidelines, greater than double the share who stated so in 2023 (19%). In 2025, one in 5 (20%) say enforcement is “about proper” and one in six (15%) say it’s “not robust sufficient.” An extra one in 4 (24%) say they’re “unsure.” About half of doubtless undocumented immigrants (47%) say the U.S. is just too robust in imposing immigration legal guidelines, as do a minimum of 4 in ten naturalized residents (41%) and lawfully current immigrants (41%).
About half of immigrants, together with about half of naturalized residents and lawfully current immigrants, say they and their households really feel “much less secure” since President Trump took workplace. General, about three in ten (32%) immigrants say they and their household really feel “about the identical when it comes to security,” whereas 19% report feeling “safer” since President Trump took workplace. Doubtless undocumented immigrants report the best considerations, with two-thirds saying they really feel “much less secure” since President Trump took workplace.
About one-third (35%) of immigrants say the Trump administration’s actions have had a destructive impression on them and their household, together with six in ten (60%) doubtless undocumented immigrants and about 4 in ten (38%) of those that are lawfully current. About half (53%) immigrants general say immigration enforcement has not affected their household whereas about one in ten (11%) report a “constructive impression.” 4 in ten (40%) immigrant dad and mom additionally say their household has been negatively affected.
In Their Personal Phrases: How Immigrants Have Been Impacted by the Trump Administration’s Immigration Enforcement Actions
Amongst those that stated destructive impression:
“Family and friends round us who’re legally within the US. are getting deported with out due course of.” —20-year-old Japanese immigrant in New Jersey
“Trump’s immigration enforcement actions have made it troublesome to afford fundamental requirements resembling meals and water. On account of his tariff placements, the price of residing has risen considerably inside the final 5 years which is impacts my household since we cross the border to Mexico to afford fundamental requirements which are unaffordable in the USA. My household fears the chances of not having the ability to return house in the USA due to racial prejudice moderately than the native Mexican cartel getting right into a firefight.” —50-year-old Mexican immigrant man in Texas
“Even being a lawful everlasting resident who has by no means been arrested, I worry touring in a foreign country” —35-year-old Jamaican immigrant girl in New Jersey
“My household, buddies, and colleagues are anxious, careworn, and scared each single time we step out of our properties as we don’t need to be the subsequent household to be deported. Though we’re naturalized residents and have been for years, now we have seen and skim that harmless immigrants with no historical past of delinquency are additionally being deported simply due to the place they had been born. Whether or not that’s true or not, we’re all frightened and careworn due to all this.” —40-year-old Nicaraguan immigrant girl in Illinois
“Mr. Trump have made issues troublesome for immigrants. USCIS has even made it more durable to have the ability to get hold of a citizenship by introducing extra guidelines and regulation to in reality, those who’ve been legally residing in United States on everlasting standing for very long time.” —46-year-old Pakistani immigrant man in Illinois
“Now, we should carry our passports on our our bodies once we step out of the home. By no means did that earlier than.” —50-year-old Korean immigrant girl in California
“…For years, now we have held on to the hope that gaining U.S. citizenship would open the doorways to stability, alternative, and a way of belonging. Nevertheless, the truth has been far harder than we imagined. Even after reaching citizenship, many people proceed to face systemic limitations — from restricted entry to good jobs and reasonably priced housing to advanced social and financial challenges that make it onerous to really really feel at house. As an alternative of the brighter future we hoped for, many people dwell in uncertainty and worry. … Whereas we’re grateful to be right here, we additionally battle with the sensation that America has but to grow to be the house we dreamed it could be.” —27-year-old Tanzanian immigrant man in Iowa
Amongst those that stated constructive impression:
“They’re making our nation safer by sending away illegals, particularly ones with the felony background.” —44-year-old Estonian immigrant girl in Virgina
“We really feel higher and safer realizing that unlawful immigrants, particularly these with felony background, have been drastically decreased.” —87-year-old Filipino immigrant man in Texas
“Each nation needs folks to come back to their nation legally. We got here right here pretty and legally. Everybody ought to come right here legally as properly.” —61-year-old Indian immigrant girl in California
“Paying much less taxes to assist illegals with housing, medical wants, and meals providers, is essential to my survival in order that I can take higher care of myself and afford to dwell. Paying much less for insurance coverage as a result of so many illegals don’t hassle to, may also be good for my funds.” —67-year-old Portuguese immigrant girl in Arizona
Word: Responses are flippantly edited for size and spelling, however replicate respondents’ personal language and don’t characterize the views of KFF.
Financial Issues Below the Second Trump Administration
Past their considerations about immigration enforcement, about half (48%) of immigrants throughout immigration standing say it has been more durable for them and their households to earn a residing since January. An extra 4 in ten (40%) say there was “no change,” whereas about one in ten (12%) say it has been simpler to earn a residing since January. Whereas substantial shares throughout immigration standing and race and ethnicity say it has been more durable to earn a residing since January, doubtless undocumented immigrants (62%), immigrants who dwell in low-income households (these incomes lower than $40,000 yearly, 58%), Hispanic immigrants (55%), and immigrant dad and mom (52%) are almost definitely to say this.
About half (47%) of immigrants report problem paying for fundamental wants like meals, housing, or well being care prior to now 12 months, up from about three in ten (31%) who stated the identical in 2023. Giant shares of immigrants say their family has had issues paying for a minimum of one of many following requirements prior to now 12 months: well being care (36%), their lease or mortgage (30%), or meals (27%). Seven in ten (68%) doubtless undocumented immigrants and 6 in ten (62%) of these residing in households incomes lower than $40,000 yearly and greater than half (55%) of immigrant dad and mom report issues paying for a minimum of one among these requirements since January.
Views on the U.S. as a Good Place for Immigrants and Their Households
Most immigrants say the U.S. is not a great place for immigrants. Six in ten (60%) immigrants say “the U.S. was once an excellent place for immigrants, however that’s not true,” about one-third (36%) say “the U.S. is a superb place for immigrants,” and simply 4% say “the U.S. was by no means an excellent place for immigrants.” This varies vastly by partisanship; most immigrants who’re Democrats (80%) and independents (61%) say the U.S. was once an excellent place for immigrants, however that’s not true, whereas most Republican immigrants (66%) say the U.S. is an excellent place for immigrants. For extra info on the political opinions of immigrant voters see a companion report focused on immigrants’ political views. Whereas naturalized residents are extra doubtless than noncitizen immigrants to view the U.S. as an excellent place for immigrants, a majority (56%) of naturalized residents say the U.S. is not such a spot.
Regardless of these combined views on whether or not the U.S. is a superb place for immigrants, a majority of immigrants imagine they’ve both already achieved the “American Dream” (36%) or that they’re on their technique to reaching it (42%). Half (49%) of naturalized residents say they’ve already achieved the American Dream, in comparison with only one in 5 (19%) lawfully current immigrants and one in ten (9%) doubtless undocumented immigrants. Notably, about one-third (36%) of doubtless undocumented immigrants say the American Dream is totally out of attain for them. Immigrants’ views on the American Dream additionally differ by age. About half of immigrants ages 50 and older (53%) say they’ve already achieved the American Dream, in comparison with about one in 5 (20%) of immigrants between ages 18 and 49.
Whereas most immigrants say many points of their lives are “higher” on account of transferring to the U.S., fewer immigrants now say they really feel safer within the U.S. than stated so in 2023. About two-thirds or extra immigrants say the tutorial alternatives for themselves or their youngsters (74%), their monetary scenario (70%), and their employment scenario (65%) are higher on account of transferring to the U.S. About half (52%) of immigrants general now say their security is healthier on account of transferring to the U.S. in comparison with about two-thirds who stated the identical in 2023. This drop in notion of security has occurred amongst immigrants throughout immigration statuses.
Most immigrants say they might select to maneuver to the U.S. once more if they might return in time, although fewer noncitizen immigrants say this now than in 2023. When requested what they might do if they might return in time, realizing what they know now, seven in ten (70%) immigrants say they might nonetheless select to maneuver to the U.S., together with majorities throughout race, ethnicity, and immigration standing. One in ten (9%) say they might not select to maneuver to the U.S. if they might return in time, and one in 5 (21%) say they aren’t certain. Whereas a majority of immigrants say they might nonetheless transfer to the U.S., this share dropped 16 share factors amongst doubtless undocumented immigrants (from 72% to 56%) and 10 share factors since 2023 amongst lawfully current immigrants (from 78% to 68%).
