Americans living abroad are still viewed as fully American
Core finding
In a Verasight survey of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted September 25 to 30, 2026, 72.1% say a citizen who has lived abroad for five years is just as American as someone who has always lived in the U.S. The other 27.9% say they are not.
Feelings toward Americans who live abroad are mostly neutral (55.3%) or positive (38.3%). Just 6.4% feel negatively.
Five years away doesn't change much
The question offered only yes or no, and describes a citizen who has lived abroad for five years.
It measures views on identity, not support for any policy toward citizens abroad.
Topline
72.1% of Americans say a citizen who has lived abroad for five years is just as American.
n = 1,000 · Sep 25–30, 2026 · MoE ±3.4%
Few feel negatively
Very positive feelings account for 21.2% and somewhat positive for 17.1%.
Somewhat negative feelings account for 5.4% and very negative for 1.0%.
Over half, 55.3%, feel neither positive nor negative.
Topline
55.3% feel neither positive nor negative about Americans who live abroad, and 38.3% feel positive.
n = 1,000 · Sep 25–30, 2026 · MoE ±3.4%
Two separate questions
Views on identity and feelings toward Americans abroad were asked separately. Neither question measures support for any policy toward citizens abroad.
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | US adults age 18+ |
| Field dates | Sep 25–30, 2026 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.4% |
| Module | Technology, Security, and Global Affairs |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- reports.verasight.io/r/2026-153-apsa-omnibus-report
Do you think that an American citizen who has lived abroad for 5 years is as American as someone who has lived in the US all their lives?
- reports.verasight.io/r/2026-153-apsa-omnibus-report
In general, how positive or negative are your feelings towards Americans who live abroad?
Cite this topic
APSA Omnibus Survey #2026-153, fielded September 25-30, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.4%.