Immigration Update Archive

Illegal Immigration Is Bigger Worry for GOP, Unaffiliateds Than for Democrats

Voters continue to believe illegal immigration is a major problem, and few feel the government is doing enough to handle it.

Most Want Tightly Controlled Borders

Voters have stronger faith in the government’s efforts to tighten border security these days than they did in the past, but  they still believe more can be done - especially Republicans.

Most Voters Believe Immigrants Want the American Dream

As so-called Dreamers rush to renew their applications to stay in the United States, more voters now believe most immigrants work hard to pursue the American Dream. They also have a favorable opinion of those who are working toward that dream.

Most Voters Believe Immigrants Want the American Dream

As so-called Dreamers rush to renew their applications to stay in the United States, more voters now believe most immigrants work hard to pursue the American Dream. They also have a favorable opinion of those who are working toward that dream.

Voters Less Concerned That Providing Citizenship Path Will Lead to More Illegal Immigration

With the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) now a point of contention for Congress, voters have less concern that helping those here illegally become citizens will encourage more illegal immigration...

Voters Give Edge Now to Amnesty Over Border Control

There's been a dramatic shift in attitudes about illegal immigration in recent years, with voters now for the first time ever putting legalizing those here illegally over more border control.

Do Most Immigrants Want the American Dream?

Voters strongly believe in the dreams of newcomers to America but remain more skeptical about whether new immigrants share those dreams.

Support for Amnesty Is Down, Even With Strict Border Control

Voters think the government needs to do more to control the border but still aren’t sure that’s enough to make them support a path to citizenship for those already here illegally.

Support Jumps for Legalizing Those Here Illegally

Voter support for legalizing the millions of illegal immigrants in this country has risen to its highest level in regular polling since 2008.

Border Control Still Top Immigration Priority For Most Voters

Most voters continue to favor stricter border control over granting legal status to those already here illegally and believe amnesty will just encourage more illegal immigration.

Voters Say Deportation Policies Not Aggressive Enough

Most voters continue to believe the government isn’t cracking down enough on illegal immigration and still take issue with a central provision in President Obama’s plan to exempt up to five million illegal immigrants from deportation.

Support Grows for State Enforcement of Immigration Laws

Most voters continue to believe the federal government is not interested in stopping illegal immigration, and support for state rather than federal enforcement of immigration laws is now at its highest level in several years.

Most Still Oppose Obama’s Anti-Deportation Plan

President Obama’s plan to exempt millions of illegal immigrants from deportation still remains on hold courtesy of the federal courts, and that’s fine with most voters. While voters continue to view hard-working newcomers favorably, they aren’t as sure hard work is what they have in mind.

80% Rate Illegal Immigration A Serious Problem

Voters remain seriously worried about illegal immigration and still think stricter border control is the best way to stop it. But slightly fewer voters believe providing a pathway to citizenship will encourage more illegal immigrants to come.

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on August 27 and 30, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Voters Favor Deportation More Than Government Does

President Obama's plan to exempt up to five million illegal immigrants from deportation remains tied up in court, but most voters still don’t think the United States is aggressive enough in deporting those who are here illegally.

Voters Want to Get Tough on Those Who Hire, House Illegal Immigrants

Most voters continue to believe the federal government is a supporter, not an opponent, of illegal immigration, and even more are in favor of imposing tougher sanctions on those who hire or rent property to those who are in this country illegally.

Voters Still Say No to Obama’s Amnesty Plan

President Obama’s plan to exempt up to five million illegal immigrants from deportation continues to run into opposition in the court of public opinion, too. Just last week a federal appeals court continued the hold on Obama’s amnesty plan that was first imposed by a judge in February. The next stop is likely to be the U.S. Supreme Court.

Support for More Border Control Hits Four-Year High

A growing number of voters consider illegal immigration a serious problem and believe controlling the border is the most important thing the government can do, even if using the military is necessary.

Most Voters Want More Aggressive Deportation Policies

More voters than ever feel the United States is not aggressive enough in deporting those who are here illegally, even as President Obama continues to push his plan to make up to five million illegal immigrants safe from deportation.

Just 16% of Likely U.S. Voters think the U.S. government is too aggressive in deporting those who are in the country illegally. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 62% believe the government is not aggressive enough in deporting these illegal immigrants, up from 52% a year ago and 56% in November. Fifteen percent (15%) feel the current number of deportations is about right. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 1-2, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Additional information from this survey and a full demographic breakdown are available to Platinum Members only.

Voters Still Fault Feds For Illegal Immigration

Most voters continue to believe federal government policies encourage illegal immigration, but they still aren’t convinced states should go it alone in enforcing immigration laws. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 4-5, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.