PAAIA Unveils 2025 National Public Opinion Survey of Iranian Americans
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Arya Javidi, Communications Manager
Email: info@paaia.org
Phone: (202) 921-6379
Date: November 20, 2025
The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) today released the findings of a new nationwide survey conducted by SurveyUSA, revealing that Iranian Americans remain deeply connected to their families in Iran but face persistent barriers in communication and travel. Respondents overwhelmingly report widespread disruption caused by the Iranian regime’s internet censorship and nearly three-quarters say relatives face substantial challenges in obtaining visas. Support for the Temporary Family Visitation Act (TFVA) is strong. The survey also shows strong emphasis on human rights and democratic values in Iranian Americans’ views on U.S.–Iran policy and Iran’s future.
Key Findings:
Family Ties and Communication
Despite obstacles, most Iranian Americans remain highly engaged with family in Iran:
- 61% communicate at least several times a year; 43% do so monthly or more.
- Top communication tools include WhatsApp or Telegram (67%), video calls (38%), and social media (36%).
- 40% say Iran’s internet restrictions have very negatively affected their ability to communicate, with another 33% reporting somewhat negative effects.
Travel and Visitation Challenges
Visa restrictions remain a core obstacle to maintaining family connections:
- 59% of respondents with family in Iran say their relatives have faced major visa difficulties—43% could not obtain visas at all. Only 15% report that relatives were able to secure visas easily.
- 75% of Iranian Americans support the Temporary Family Visitation Act (TFVA), which would create a new visa category for short-term family visits.
- Just 27% support President Trump’s broad travel ban, while two-thirds favor a narrower version targeting Iranian regime officials and their families but allowing ordinary Iranians to visit the United States
Discrimination in the United States
A majority continue to report discrimination based on ethnicity or national origin:
- More than half (53%) of Iranian Americans say they or someone close to them has experienced discrimination due to their ethnicity or national origin.
- 77% report social discrimination.
- 54% cite bias from airlines or airport security.
- 35% report workplace or business discrimination.
U.S.–Iran Relations and Policy Priorities
Iranian Americans identify democracy and human rights as top foreign policy preferences:
- 44% cite promoting regime change in Iran as a top foreign policy priority.
- 41% cite promoting human rights and democracy.
A plurality (38%) favors a comprehensive, new U.S.–Iran agreement addressing nuclear, regional, and human rights issues, while 32% prefer no deal at all.
When asked how the United States should support Iran’s Woman, Life, Freedom movement, respondents prioritize as follows:
- 22% call for recognition of political prisoners and human rights defenders.
- 16% support expanding visas for those fleeing persecution.
- 13% favor measures to expand internet access in Iran.
Divided Views on U.S. Airstrikes and Iran’s Future
Respondents are divided on the June 2025 U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and hold varied perspectives on Iran’s political future:
- On the June 2025 U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, 45% agree and 44% disagree with the action.
- 55% believe a parliamentary democracy or republic would be the best form of government for Iran, while 17% favor a constitutional monarchy.
“These findings reaffirm how essential it is for Iranian Americans to stay connected with their loved ones in Iran, and how significant the barriers to communication and travel have become,” said Neda Bolourchi, PAAIA’s Executive Director. “From internet censorship that disrupts daily contact to visa obstacles that keep families apart, the challenges are real. The strong bipartisan support for the Temporary Family Visitation Act underscores the community’s desire for policies that preserve these connections and make family visits more feasible.”
About PAAIA
The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization advancing the interests of Iranian Americans through civic engagement, education, and advocacy. For more information, visit www.paaia.org.
