A major new survey has revealed a climate of heightened fear and uncertainty among immigrants in the United States, driven by stricter enforcement and policy changes under the Trump administration. The 2025 Survey of Immigrants, conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) in collaboration with The New York Times, found that a significant portion of the immigrant community is directly or indirectly affected by the government's intensified immigration crackdown.
Survey Highlights Widespread Fear and Personal Impact
The data paints a stark picture of personal experience with the immigration system. 22% of immigrants report personally knowing someone who has been arrested, detained, or deported on immigration-related grounds since President Trump took office in January 2025. Crucially, most of those affected were not accused of serious crimes, indicating a broad enforcement approach.
This personal connection to enforcement actions has fueled widespread anxiety. The survey found that 41% of immigrants now worry that they or a family member could be detained or deported. This marks a sharp increase from just 26% who expressed similar concerns in 2023.
While fear remains most acute among likely undocumented immigrants, with 75% expressing worry, the most dramatic spikes in concern have occurred among other groups. Anxiety among lawfully present immigrants surged from 33% to 50%, and among naturalised citizens, it jumped from 12% to 31%.
Loss of Confidence and Altered Behavior
The survey also uncovered a deep-seated lack of trust in the U.S. legal system when it comes to immigration matters. More than half of all immigrants (53%) lack confidence that they or a family member would be treated fairly if detained on immigration-related charges. This sentiment is shared by majorities of both naturalised citizens and lawfully present immigrants.
This pervasive fear has led to significant changes in daily behavior, particularly around travel. Nearly three in ten immigrants (30%) cancelled travel plans to avoid scrutiny from immigration authorities. As expected, this fear was most pronounced among undocumented immigrants, with 63% avoiding both domestic and international travel.
However, the caution extended far beyond that group. A notable 32% of H-1B visa holders said they refrained from travelling, and even 15% of naturalised citizens reported altering their travel plans due to immigration fears.
H-1B Visa Overhaul Adds to Uncertainty for Indians
The anxiety among immigrants comes amid significant changes to the H-1B visa program, a key pillar of employment-based immigration used by U.S. companies to hire foreign professionals for specialised roles. In December 2025, the Department of Homeland Security announced it would replace the traditional random lottery with a weighted selection system favouring higher-paid and more highly skilled applicants. This final rule from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is set to take effect on 27 February 2026.
Furthermore, in September 2025, President Trump signed a proclamation raising H-1B application fees, arguing the move was intended to curb program abuses that disadvantage American workers. This policy shift marks a departure from the United States' traditional role as a destination for global talent.
These changes hit Indian professionals and companies particularly hard, as Indians have been the largest beneficiaries of the H-1B program. Major tech employers like Amazon, Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., Microsoft, Meta Platforms Inc., and Apple Inc. are among the top users of these visas. Beyond the extra financial burden on Indian IT firms, the ongoing unpredictability has unnerved thousands of Indian professionals working in U.S. tech, finance, healthcare, and other industries. This unease was exacerbated by the recent mass postponement of work-visa appointments.
The combined effect of stricter enforcement, rising fees, and procedural overhauls has created an environment where even immigrants with legal status are rethinking their security and future in the United States, according to the comprehensive KFF survey findings.
