Survey: 40% of Americans say Asian Americans more loyal to other countries than US

A new report released at the beginning of AANHPI Heritage Month points to the enduring gap between the recognition and inclusion of Asian Americans.

The Asian American Foundation’s fifth annual STAATUS Index reveals troubling trends: 40% of Americans now believe Asian Americans are more loyal to their countries of origin than to the United States — a perception that has doubled since 2021.

The nationally representative survey of 4,909 Americans found that more than 1 in 4 Americans are concerned Chinese Americans could pose a national security threat. Meanwhile, public opinion remains divided on past injustices: only 44% of Americans strongly agree that the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II was wrong.

While nearly half of Americans (48%) believe Asian Americans are treated fairly — a five-year high — Asian American respondents reported a very different reality. Sixty-three percent said they feel unsafe in everyday spaces and nearly half said they had been insulted or called a derogatory name within the past year. Physical assaults were reported by 15% of respondents.

Despite being the fastest-growing racial group in the U.S., only 23% of Asian Americans said they feel fully accepted and just 40% reported a strong sense of belonging. Many cited underrepresentation in leadership and media, as well as experiences with discrimination, as reasons for this disconnect.

“Our communities continue to be viewed through the lens of toxic stereotypes that invisibilize our lived realities like the model minority, yellow peril and perpetual foreigner myths,” Chen tells The Rebel Yellow.

The perception that Asian Americans are not fully loyal Americans has historically led to exclusion, surveillance and incarceration. Today, 41% of Americans support proposals to ban land ownership by foreign nationals from countries like China — even when those individuals live in the U.S. Political rhetoric and media narratives appear to be contributing factors, particularly as 1 in 4 Americans report having no personal relationships with Asian Americans.