On National Immigrants Day, New Survey Reveals Chilling Effect of Immigration Enforcement Across Immigrant Communities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 28, 2026

CONTACT
Adrian Escárate, NILC, 202-609-9976, [email protected]
Edward D. Vargas, BSP Research, [email protected]

On National Immigrants Day, New Survey Reveals Chilling Effect of Immigration Enforcement Across Immigrant Communities

WASHINGTON — The National Immigration Law Center (NILC) and BSP Research today released the 2026 Behavior and Attitudinal Immigrant National Survey findings showing the impact of the Trump administration’s mass detention and deportation agenda on Latino, Black, and Asian immigrant communities. These findings will help the wider American public better understand how their immigrant neighbors, colleagues, and classmates are experiencing this unprecedented period of cruel enforcement.

“As we reflect on National Immigrants Day, we are reminded of the extreme anti-immigrant sentiment that has taken hold in our nation,” said Kica Matos, NILC president. “The administration’s mass detention and deportation agenda has affected hundreds of thousands of immigrants and their families, whether they are naturalized citizens or not. Our democracy is being undermined by repeated efforts to advance unlawful and unconstitutional policies targeting immigrants – from revoking birthright citizenship to the deployment of the national guard against Americans protesting immigration enforcement. Despite the deep shadow of fear, however, many immigrants continue to resiliently believe in the American Dream and in the due process rights of everyone living in this country, no matter their immigration status.”

“The findings of this research provide important insight and a snapshot of the demanding pressures facing the immigrant community during uncertain times,” said Edward D. Vargas, BSP Research senior analyst. “While we take time to celebrate the contributions of immigrants on National Immigrants Day, it is also crucial that we amplify immigrant voices and concerns to help advance their opportunities and wellbeing.”

The survey findings, conducted by BSP Research, show the fear and “chilling effect” that Latino, Black, and Asian immigrant communities are feeling because of the Trump administration’s enforcement. Despite this difficult reality, these immigrant communities still believe in the pursuit of the American Dream and the importance of every person’s due process rights. Key findings include:

• 42% of Latino and 31% of Black immigrants report that there has been an ICE operation or raid in the area in which they live, with an additional 32% of Latino and 28% of Black immigrants reporting that this has occurred in a nearby city.

• Just over a third of all immigrants surveyed express worry that they themselves may be detained or deported.

• Nearly half of Latino (51%) and Black (46%) immigrants worry a great deal that a close friend or family member may be deported, with one in four AAPI immigrants similarly being worried someone in their network will be deported.

• Roughly one-in-five Latino (20%) and Black (18%) immigrants in the sample have avoided calling the police when they needed help or to report a crime.

• Roughly a third of Latino (31%) and Black (29%) immigrants in the sample report that they have avoided attending any political rallies or protests.

• Over 40% of all immigrants in the survey report that they feel like they belong in the United States “a great deal”

• Nearly half of each represented racial group report that they would still choose to migrate to the United States if they had to make the decision again today.

View survey findings: The Behavior and Attitudinal Immigrant National Survey – NILC

View recording of press call: The Behavior and Attitudinal Immigrant National Survey

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