Poll: Majority of Americans sour on immigration
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Some 55% of U.S. adults want to see immigration levels reduced, according to a recent Gallup poll.
Why it matters: It's the first time in nearly two decades that a majority of Americans have wanted there to be less immigration, per the poll.
- It's also the largest percentage of people to hold that view since a 58% reading in 2001.
By the numbers: The share of U.S. adults who said they would like to see immigration to the U.S. decrease jumped from 41% a year ago to 55% in June.
- The record high was 65%, recorded in 1993 and 1995.
Zoom in: Although Republicans and Independents are much more likely to say immigration should be reduced, Democrats also expressed a desire for a decline.
- Compared to last year, there was a 15-point increase in the view among Republicans (to 88%), an 11-point increase among independents (to 50%) and a 10-point increase among Democrats (to 28%).
The big picture: The attitude shift comes as border crossings reached a record number late last year.
- Immigration has consistently ranked as a top issue for Americans this year, and 42% describe the situation at the U.S. border with Mexico as a crisis, according to Gallup data.
- Immigration is also a central issue for the 2024 presidential campaign, prompting President Biden's executive order designed to respond to border surges.
Reality check: The poll shows that while Americans favor proposals that would attempt to restrict immigration, they also favor policies that would allow some immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally to remain.
- 70% of adults support allowing immigrants who entered the country illegally a chance to become citizens if they meet certain requirements.
- Support is even higher — at 81% — for those who entered the country as children.
Methodology: The results are based on phone interviews conducted June 3-23, with a random sample of 1,005 adults in 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.
- For results based on the sample of national adults, the margin of sampling error is ±4 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
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