Rasmussen Reports Weekly Immigration Index - Week Ending January 30, 2020

The Rasmussen Reports Immigration Index for the week of January 26-30, 2020 is at 99.7, down from 102.7 the week before.

The Index is based on a series of questions designed to determine whether voters are moving toward an immigration system that encourages more immigration to the United States or a one that reduces the level of immigration here. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

All surveys are compared to a baseline – set the week of December 2-6, 2019 - which has been given an Index of 100. A weekly finding moving up over 100 indicates growing support for a more expansive immigration system. A weekly index number falling below 100 indicates increased support for a more restrictive immigration system.

Crosstabs, topline responses and historical data are also available to the public.

(More Below)

The Immigration Index will be updated every Tuesday at noon Eastern.

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Among the findings in the latest survey, 42% of Likely U.S. Voters say the government is doing too little to reduce illegal border crossings and visitor overstays, while 33% think it’s doing too much. Eighteen percent (18%) rate the level of action as about right.

In an effort to control illegal immigration, 68% believe the government should mandate that all employers use the electronic E-Verify system to help ensure they hire only legal workers for U.S. jobs. Twenty percent (20%) disagree, while 12% are undecided.

Fifty-eight percent (58%) favor giving lifetime work permits to most of the approximately two million illegal residents who came to this country when they were minors, with 36% who Strongly Favor it. Thirty-five percent (35%) oppose lifetime work permits for these illegal immigrants, including 16% who are Strongly Opposed.

When it comes to the estimated 12 million illegal residents of all ages who currently reside in the United States, 44% of voters favor giving most of them lifetime work permits, including 22% who Strongly Favor such action. Forty-nine percent (49%) are opposed, with 30% who are Strongly Opposed.

Legal immigration has averaged around a million annually in recent years, but 48% say the government should be adding no more than 750,000 new immigrants each year, with 33% who say it should be fewer than 500,000. Thirty-six percent (36%) favor adding one million or more legal newcomers per year, including 11% who say the figure should be higher than 1.5 million. Sixteen percent (16%) are undecided.

The Census Bureau projects that current immigration policies are responsible for most U.S. population growth and will add 75 million people over the next 40 years. In terms of the effect on the overall quality of life in the United States, only 34% want to continue immigration-driven population growth at the current levels. Forty-four percent (44%) favor slowing down immigration-driven population growth, while 13% want to have no such population growth at all.