What was asked and why it matters
This study asks whether discriminatory U.S. immigration policies shape foreign public opinion about Americans. Prior work on negative international reactions to U.S. actions has focused on military interventions, efforts to influence other countries' economic policies, or U.S. positions on minority representation. The argument here is that immigration policies—especially those perceived as discriminatory—can similarly generate anti-American sentiment.
📋 Who was surveyed and when
- A unique survey of Nigerian expatriates living in Ghana was fielded around a sudden policy event.
- The timing captures responses before and after President Trump’s surprise announcement of a ban on Nigerian immigration to the United States.
🔍 How attitudes were measured
- A conjoint experiment was embedded in the survey to measure respondents' evaluations and preferences related to Americans and U.S. policy.
📈 Key findings
- Comparing respondents surveyed before and after the announcement reveals a substantial decline in favorability toward Americans.
- The estimated effect is a 13 percentage-point drop in Nigerians' favorability following the announced ban.
🌍 Why this matters
- The results show that immigration policy can produce international backlash similar to that associated with military or economic interventions when it is perceived as discriminatory.
- Perceptions of discrimination in immigration policy therefore have tangible consequences for U.S. soft power and foreign public opinion among targeted communities.
