America has been inundated with scenes of the crisis at the southern border, where record numbers of undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers are straining the immigration system. However, polling shows Americans’ sentiments towards immigration are complex and multifaceted.
Here are Five Facts on how Americans feel about the immigration crisis.
- Only 31 percent of Americans are satisfied with the current level of immigration in the U.S.
This marks the lowest satisfaction level tallied by Gallup since 2005. Conversely, 41 percent of Americans believe there’s too much immigration – the highest percentage since 2014.
2. Almost 70 percent of Americans view immigration as good for the country.
Despite varying opinions on the ideal level of immigration, a significant majority of Americans, nearly 7 in 10, believe that immigration is a good thing for the country according to Gallup. This sentiment has remained relatively stable over the years, indicating a generally positive view of immigration despite concerns about its scale and management.
3. Most Americans support stronger border security and legal status for the Dreamers.
About three-quarters of Americans believe that increasing security along the U.S.-Mexico border to reduce illegal crossings should be a priority. This sentiment is nearly universal among Republicans (91 percent) and is also held by a majority of Democrats (59 percent). Additionally, there's notable support across both parties for accepting civilian refugees from countries experiencing violence and for allowing immigrants who came to the U.S. illegally as children, known as Dreamers, to remain and apply for legal status.
4. One in five Americans believe neither party handles immigration well.
This includes one in three independent voters, according to PBS Newshour polling. Among those who favored one party over the other, Republicans hold a 12-point advantage over Democrats.
5. In six out of seven key swing states surveyed, an increased number of voters identified immigration as their top concern, according to a Bloomberg poll.
Among those polled, 61 percent hold President Biden accountable for the surge in migration at the U.S.-Mexico border. Additionally, 30 percent attribute the issue to the Trump administration, while 38 percent blame congressional Republicans. Nine months from the presidential election, trust in handling immigration leans towards Trump over Biden, 52 percent to 30 percent.
