AP-NORC Poll: One-Third of Americans Know Someone Affected by Immigration Enforcement

A new AP-NORC poll finds that about one-third of Americans know someone who has been detained or deported, had their citizenship questioned, changed travel plans or altered daily routines because of immigration enforcement actions under President Trump. The poll of 2,596 adults was conducted April 16-20, 2026.

More than half of Hispanic adults reported such personal or second-hand impacts, with about 6 in 10 saying they or someone they know has been affected. Democrats are more likely than independents or Republicans to report knowing someone affected by the enforcement.

The survey asked respondents whether the United States remains a great place for immigrants. Roughly half said it used to be but is no longer, while about one-third said it remains a great place and about 1 in 10 said it never was.

The poll was released as the Supreme Court heard arguments on whether the Trump administration may restrict birthright citizenship. Overall, 6 in 10 adults said automatic citizenship should be granted to all children born in the country. Support stood at 44 percent among Republicans.

About half of adults supported automatic citizenship for children born to parents living in the country illegally, while support was higher for children born to parents on legal work visas.

The AP-NORC poll did not include questions on overall levels of illegal immigration, public support for deportation policy, or whether current enforcement reflects prior voter preferences on border security.

Missouri retiree Reid Gibson, 72, an independent, told the AP his stepdaughter has begun carrying her passport because of concerns her darker skin would make her a target. “It’s just plain wrong,” Gibson said. A swim instructor named Bailey in an overwhelmingly white community reported that several U.S. citizen women in her class, including one from Latin America, have started carrying passports when they leave home.

Nick Grivas, a 40-year-old Democrat from Massachusetts, said his grandfather’s immigration from Greece has made him sensitive to current policies. “We can see how we’re treating children and the children of the immigrants, and we’re not viewing them as potential future Americans,” Grivas said.

Linda Steele, a 70-year-old Republican from Florida, said citizenship should be granted only to children born to American citizens. “That shouldn’t be allowed,” Steele said of automatic citizenship for children of non-citizens. Kevin Craig, a 57-year-old from Wilmington, North Carolina who leans conservative, said there should be opportunity for some human judgment on birthright citizenship cases but added he could not think of a situation in which it would not be granted.

A separate poll of U.S. voters conducted April 27-29, 2026, found that 60 percent believe negative media coverage of President Trump likely contributed to the latest assassination attempt. Forty-one percent said it is very likely the media’s coverage influenced the attack.

Cole Allen, 31, a California teacher, faces charges of attempting to assassinate the president and cabinet members after firing a gun at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in April 2026.