As the Trump administration seeks to remake the immigration system and deports tens of thousands of people, many immigrants are more scared about living in the United States, and yet their resolve to remain here is largely unchanged.
A new national survey of immigrants in the country — both documented and undocumented, and varying widely in how and when they arrived — found that about half of all immigrants say they feel less safe since President Trump took office. The survey was done by The New York Times and KFF, a nonprofit that conducts polling and research about health policy.
Among the immigrants surveyed — whether they are here legally or not, or have been naturalized as citizens — concern that they or a family member could be detained or deported has risen significantly since before Mr. Trump’s return to power.
Still, large majorities also tell their own future, and that of their children, remains bright, with the concept of the American dream retaining its powerful appeal. About 70 percent said that if they could go back in time, they would still make the choice to migrate to the United States.
The survey, of 1,805 immigrants across the country, is a broad look at a group for which there is often very little data to understand their views and experiences, given that the U.S. Census Bureau does not ask specifics about immigration status. The group is also a small share of the population and too difficult to reach to be measured with accuracy by most surveys.
The poll reflected the breadth of immigrants in the United States, including a significant share who find Mr. Trump’s immigration policies “necessary” and some who are “proud” of increased enforcement. For many Americans, the archetype of an immigrant may be someone who has recently arrived in the country. But a vast majority of immigrants living in the United States — more than 70 percent — have been in the country for 10 or more years, according to the data available from the Census Bureau. A little more than half are U.S. citizens, and 53 percent say they speak English exclusively or at least very well.
The survey found that 60 percent of immigrants, including a majority of those with legal status, say that the United States used to be a “great place” for immigrants but no longer is — a view that is especially common among those from Latin America and Asia. European immigrants were likelier to say that the United States was a great place for immigrants.
For most, especially those who escaped violence, poverty and repression, their view appears to be a matter of perspective.
Large majorities say that their financial situation is better in the United States than the country they left (70 percent), their employment situation is better (65 percent) and educational opportunities are better for themselves and their children (74 percent). Slightly fewer, though still about half, say that their safety is better because they came to the United States.
Most immigrants expressed optimism about their future in the United States, regardless of Mr. Trump’s approach to immigration enforcement. Nearly 80 percent, including a majority of those who are undocumented, said that they were on their way to achieving the American dream or had achieved it already.
