Demonstrators attend a Defend Our Schools rally to protest U.S. President Donald Trump's executive order to shut down the U.S. Department of Education outside its building in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 21, 2025. / REUTERS/Kent Nishimura

A majority of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) adults in the United States are concerned over free speech restrictions on college campuses.

A nationwide survey conducted by AAPI Data and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 57 percent of AAPI adults are worried about restrictions on free speech, while an even higher 62 percent oppose the deportations of students involved with on-campus. 

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There is less opposition to cutting funding to universities accused of allowing antisemitic speech still; more AAPI adults oppose than support these policies. 56 percent expressed concern over federal government cuts to university research funding—issues that many believe could compromise the quality and openness of American higher education.

According to the survey, higher education continues to be seen as a critical tool for upward mobility within AAPI communities. An overwhelming majority consider a college degree essential or important to securing a good job that can support a family (88 percent), increasing wealth and minimizing debt (87 percent), and being an informed and engaged citizen (78 percent).

Support for inclusive public education is strong. Seventy-five percent favor teaching the history of AAPI communities in the U.S., 73 percent support instruction on slavery and racism, and 57 percent back education on sex and sexuality. Most also oppose school board efforts to restrict classroom discussions on these topics.

“Young adults in the AAPI community are especially opposed to punitive federal actions on campuses, such as cutting funding or deporting student protestors,” the report noted, highlighting a generational divide in views on academic freedom and social inclusion.

“Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders remain steadfast in their beliefs about the importance of higher education,” said Karthick Ramakrishnan, executive director of AAPI Data and researcher at the Asian American Research Center, University of California, Berkeley. “AAPIs continue to view a college degree as important for long-term financial success and express significant concerns about cuts to university research and restrictions to free speech on college campuses,” he added.

Rising pessimism 

Despite this strong belief in the value of education, AAPI adults are increasingly pessimistic about the country’s trajectory. Nearly three-quarters believe the national economy (74 percent) and the overall state of the country (73 percent) will worsen in the coming year. More than half (51 percent) expect their personal finances to deteriorate—up sharply from just 20 percent in December 2023.

Just 34 percent believe that young people today are likely to have a better standard of living than their parents, while only 27 percent say people like them can improve their own standard of living—highlighting a sharp decline in optimism. Confidence in personal financial stability remains low, with only about a quarter saying they are very confident in their ability to cover expenses or afford unexpected medical bills. Just 20 percent are very confident they have enough savings for retirement.

“This increased pessimism in the AAPI community over intergenerational progress is notable,” said Jennifer Benz, deputy director of The AP-NORC Center. “Fully two-thirds of AAPI adults feel it’s unlikely that today’s youngest generation will be better off than their parents and half don’t see a pathway to improve their family’s standard of living in this country. These are indicators that speak directly to belief in the American Dream.”

Employment security is also weakening. Half of AAPI adults now say they are not confident they could find another job if needed, a steep increase from a year ago when only one-third reported such uncertainty. Meanwhile, 83 percent say tariffs will hurt them through higher prices, and 62 percent believe tariffs will reduce job opportunities for U.S. workers.

On government policy, 63 percent of AAPI adults favor a larger government that provides more services, compared to 36 percent who prefer a smaller one. However, trust in government remains limited—only 5 percent are very confident that the federal government acts in the best interests of people like them.