American Identity And Values

All Americans, including those who immigrated to this country and their children, deeply agree that freedom is one of the most important values to being an American. Nearly eight-in-10 (78%) first- and second-generation immigrants say freedom is an extremely important American value. 71% say independence is an extremely important value, and 70% say rights are extremely important. 

• “God, capitalism, freedom, making money. People coming from all over the world, living, have a family, raise kids without worrying about oppression like in other countries.” – TX man, second-generation independent lean Democrat

To many however, freedom should also exist within current laws. More than other focus groups, we heard first- and second-generation immigrant Americans speak about freedom within legal boundaries and “law-abiding freedom.” 

• “Freedom of choice, freedom of speech, freedom of doing things that you would like to do. And obviously it means law-abiding freedom, in boundaries, but still there is freedom.” – MI woman, first- generation independent lean Republican
• “On paper, I guess to be an American, I mean, you’re a citizen and you adhere to American laws, I’d say you’re an American.” – PA man, second-generation weak Republican

From our survey data, 51% of first- and second-generation immigrants feel being American is very important to their personal identity and 67% strongly agree that you can question America’s leaders and still love your country. However, while 50% of non-immigrants feel strongly that they are fully accepted as Americans, only 33% of immigrants feel this way.

While attaining American citizenship ranks as one of the most proud moments for immigrants, the actions of the Trump administration have brought on deep feelings of embarrassment or unwelcome. 

• “The day that I was an American citizen, I did my citizenship, I was very, really, really happy, and that was a great day for me and my family.” – GA woman, first-generation independent
• “I was a big supporter at one point of this administration, but now I think it is getting a bit out of hand. I think it’s making me question if we’re really doing things the American way….We’re engaged in war with no congressional approval because of no interest of our own, crashing our gas prices….This is very dictatorial.” – PA man, second-generation weak Republican
• “I would say the embarrassment that we feel from calls back home when they talk about some of the stuff that is said in the news by the president, the roundabout ways of saying things of just not making sense and being at that level and talking and representing the great America, and then talking in circles. So I get calls, and people are like, ‘what’s going on with your country?’ And all that. So it’s very embarrassing.” – MI woman, first-generation independent lean Republican

The American Dream

Many chose to immigrate to America because of opportunity and the American dream. Even if the journey wasn’t easy, people are grateful that they or their parents made the journey. 

• “[My mother] basically had a lot of appreciation for the US, and she, definitely, to me, was kind of almost a hyper-patriot, but that was okay. She loved it here because it gave her and the family the chance to be able to do what they dreamed they had wanted to do.” – NC woman, second-generation independent lean Republican
• “So thinking back to whether I stayed where I was versus being here, it really drills down to the opportunity. The things that I’ve accomplished here, I would not have been able to do it there. I now own a house, I have a proper job, and all those things. I just think America gave it to me. I would’ve not done it elsewhere” – NV man, first-generation independent

However, reactions were more mixed on coming to America the “right way;” while some felt strongly, others acknowledged that not every situation is black and white. 

• “I feel very strongly about coming the right way or the wrong way. So basically, someone who is crossing the borders illegally or those kind of things, that does not sit well with me because being an Indian for us now, the line for a green card is more than 17 or 20 years long….And another person who just has to cross a border to come here and be part of the community without contributing anything, that just does not sit well with me.” – MI woman, first-generation independent lean Republican
• “Back in 1970-probably-7, ’78, my father snuck my cousin across the border in the trunk of car. And it’s terrible, I know, but he turned out to be a really good person….So I can’t say too much about people doing right or wrong because we all have our stories and there’s reasons why things take place. Doesn’t make it right or wrong. It’s just a fact.” – NC woman, second-generation independent lean Republican

While many came in pursuit of the American dream, universally that dream is now seen as something perhaps previous generations had access to, but is now dead or dying.  

• “The quality of life of people, the middle class…[the] American middle class was the statement or the picture of perfection…but that dream is slowly declining…A person cannot even go and afford a house anymore on their beginning salary”. – MI woman, 1st generation independent lean Republican
• “I wish I can say that I own a home at my age, but I do not. I just feel like inflation in general has made that impossible….I have medical stuff that has happened along the way in my own personal life that has prevented that. But my dad, I will say, he’s been able to have the American Dream.” – NV woman, second-generation weak Republican

Less than a quarter (22%) of first- and second-generation immigrants feel that the American dream is still achievable for most Americans today, and 38% feel it is much harder today than it has been. Nearly a third (31%) of immigrants feel that the American dream used to be achievable but it no longer is, compared to 23% of non-immigrants. 

America At 250 And Beyond

The decline of the American dream is also deeply tied to perceived declines of America as a whole. Only 28% of first- and second-generation immigrants, compared to 34% of Americans overall, feel that America’s best days are ahead—53%, compared to 48% of Americans overall, feel that America is in decline. 

• “Everybody wanted to move here in the United States. So there was this big sense of pride….And I mean, they still do, people still come here, but I just feel like over time that sense of pride—or people don’t look at us or view us the same way they once used to. And so that’s why I feel like, as of now, the best days are behind, but hey, who knows?” – TX man, first-generation weak Democrat
• “I definitely will tell you that up to even 10 years ago, our values were so different from what they are now, and we’re totally losing sight of who we’re supposed to be as a nation. That doesn’t mean that the people who work on each day to keep that dream alive isn’t doing what they’re supposed to. I feel like our government is letting us down completely.” – NC woman, second-generation independent lean Republican

Many blame political division and corporate greed as part of the problem. 

• “I think that the last time these two parties were in agreement was when the 9/11 attacks had happened and then those two parties came together, and I think it was on the congressional steps, they were singing ‘God Bless America.’ That’s the only time I’ve seen really unity in my lifetime with these two parties, but they have the complete exact opposite views of each other. And that’s what’s dividing this country.” – TX man, first-generation weak Democrat
• “When I think of being un-American, this country’s made [of] people [who] come here to make a living, and it’s freedom getting to make money, but I don’t like greed, and there’s too much greed going on by corporations. And to me, that’s un-American.” – TX man, second-generation independent lean Democrat

But many are still optimistic, and view celebrating America at 250 as both “fun” and an opportunity to come together rather than to focus on politics. 

• “It’s about celebrating our country. It’s not about politics….Everybody wants to make it political. It’s not about politics. It’s about our country and our Founding Fathers” – TX man, second-generation independent lean Democrat
• “It’s about our country united as one….I’m going to be a rockstar that day. I’m going to wear an American flag, and I’m going to the Freedom Fest and watch Keith Urban and all the concerts and have a good time and watch the fireworks show.” – TX man, second-generation independent lean Democrat