A large majority of Americans now say the U.S. is no longer a great place for immigrants, reflecting shifting public attitudes during a period of heightened immigration enforcement, legal challenges over citizenship and broader political debate over the matter, according to a new poll.
Only 27% of U.S. respondents said the country is currently a great place for immigrants, while 61% say it used to be a great place but is not anymore. 10% said it was never a great place for immigrants to begin with, according to a nationwide survey conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research between April 16–20, 2026.
The poll asked respondents a series of structured questions about immigration perception, personal experience and citizenship rules, using a probability-based sample of 2,596 adults. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 2.6 percentage points, based on the AP-NORC methodology report.
One of the central questions asked respondents to assess the statement: "The United States is a great place for immigrants today." Responses show a clear split between those who believe the country has changed and those who still view it positively.
Another key question asked whether the U.S. "used to be a great place for immigrants but is not anymore," a view supported by 61% of adults. This framing reflects a broader perception shift captured in the survey results.
The poll also tested views on birthright citizenship through multiple scenarios. When asked whether children born in the U.S. should automatically receive citizenship, regardless of circumstances, 65% said yes.
However, support changed depending on parental status. Respondents were asked whether citizenship should be granted to children born to parents in three specific situations: Parents legally in the U.S. on work visas, parents legally in the U.S. on tourist visas and parents in the U.S. illegally.
Three-quarters of respondents supported automatic citizenship for children of parents on work visas. Support fell to 58% for children of parents on tourist visas. Opinions were evenly divided when parents were in the country illegally, according to the AP-NORC topline data.
The survey also examined personal exposure to immigration enforcement. One question asked whether respondents or someone they know had taken specific actions in the past year due to immigration concerns. These included carrying proof of citizenship or immigration status, changing travel plans or significantly altering daily routines such as avoiding work, school or public spaces.
About one-quarter of adults said they had either done so themselves or knew someone who had. The figure rises sharply among Hispanic adults, where more than half reported such experiences, according to reporting from AP News.
The poll further found that about one-third of Americans say they personally know someone affected by immigration enforcement actions such as detention, deportation, or significant lifestyle changes. That includes adjusting routines or avoiding public spaces.
