WASHINGTON (AP) — A recent poll reveals that colleges and universities are retracting their diversity practices. The survey found widespread opposition among young Asian Americans, Indigenous peoples, and Pacific Islanders to the federal funding cuts for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in higher education, as well as to the deportation of students participating in campus protests.
Despite a high regard for university education among most AAPI adults across ages, older demographics show less opposition to these measures.
According to new research from AAPI Data and the Associated Press Civil Service Research Center, approximately 60% of AAPI adults oppose cuts to federal funding for DEI programs, while a similar percentage is opposed to arresting or deporting students involved in protests.
Younger AAPI adults are particularly against these policies, with around 90% of those under 30 “somewhat” or “strongly” opposing cuts to federal funds and deportation of protesting students.
Older AAPI adults also exhibit dissent toward these measures, though their resistance is less pronounced. About half of AAPI adults over 60 would “somewhat” or “strongly” oppose federal funding cuts to DEI programs or the arrest of students for protests, while nearly a third express a neutral stance.
The survey highlights that AAPI adults believe university degrees are crucial for achieving significant life milestones. A significant majority regard these degrees as “essential” or “important” for securing well-paying jobs that support families, irrespective of age.
This poll is part of ongoing projects examining the perspectives of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, a viewpoint often underrepresented in other studies due to small sample sizes and insufficient linguistic representation.
The Trump administration has threatened to cut federal funds, prompting various universities to rollback support systems for students of color related to DEI programs.
Currently, the White House has cut billions of dollars in federal research grants to universities, accusing them of inadequate measures against anti-Semitism, especially during protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. There are also moves to expel foreign students involved in pro-Palestinian protests, including students from Columbia University, like Mahmoud Khalil.
Iris Chiou, a 28-year-old Taiwanese American medical student in Madison, Illinois, expressed concern for foreign students facing deportation. She wonders how long it will be before students and academics can speak freely.
“The reality of people disappearing and facing deportation genuinely frightens individuals; it likely deters them from discussing issues that matter,” remarked a Democrat emphasizing the chilling effect on dialogue.
In response to these funding threats, some universities have revised their protest policies. For instance, Columbia University now forbids students from wearing masks to conceal their identities and requires protesters to show identification upon request. Meanwhile, Harvard has resisted the administration’s demands and filed a lawsuit in April against the funding cuts.
Rowena Tomaneng, Chair of the Asia-Pacific American Board in Higher Education, noted that many students feel vulnerable. “International students undoubtedly feel that the U.S. is becoming unwelcoming for pursuing research,” Tomaneng stated.
However, young AAPI adults are more worried about campus impacts. About 70% of AAPI adults under 30 are “very” or “extremely” concerned about limitations on free speech at campuses and federal research, contrasting with about half of AAPI adults over 60.
Tarun Puri, a 59-year-old from Clearwater, Florida, supports the arrest or deportation of international students who engage in campus protests. “You’re investing a lot to study here. What’s the point of protesting?” said Puri, a registered Republican born in India who attended university there. “We should respect the laws of the country we’re studying in.”
If he had children in college today considering protests, he would advise them, “Ignore the protests and focus on your studies instead.”
The disparity in attitudes may reflect the different life experiences of older AAPI adults.
“Younger individuals are likely attending universities in the U.S.,” explained Karthick Ramakrishnan, executive director of AAPI Data and a researcher at UC Berkeley. “Those over 60 likely studied at Asian universities, which operate quite differently.”
___Tang reported from Phoenix.
___
This poll surveyed 1,094 U.S. adults, including Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, between April 7-14, 2025, using samples from NORC’s probability-based AAPI panels. Interviews were conducted online and via telephone in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, and Korean. The margin of sampling error is ±4.8 percentage points.
Source: apnews.com