Many Americans see themselves as divided on immigration. Disagreements persist about family separation at the southern border, potential criminals entering the country illegally — and even how to describe people who enter the country without authorization.

But despite these perceived divisions, some recent surveys have found that many Republicans and Democrats share significant overlaps on immigration attitudes and policy issues.

Check out these surveys conducted since May 2020:

PRRI annual “American Values Survey” (survey published in October 2020)

  • 76% of Americans opposed the family separation policy, including 91% of Democrats and 53% of Republicans

Common Ground of The American People (survey published in August 2020)

  • 93% of Americans backed increasing personnel to process asylum seekers’ claims faster, including 96% of Democrats and 90% of Republicans
  • 80% of Americans agreed on providing the undocumented immigrants eligible for DACA status with full legal status and a path to citizenship, including 92% of Democrats and 69% of Republicans
  • 80% of Americans supported increasing the number of visas for skilled workers to move to the US, including 86% of Democrats and 72% of Republicans
  • 77% of Americans agreed with increasing the number of visas for low skilled workers to move to the US for industries that need them, like agriculture and services, including 87% of Democrats and 66% of Republicans

From Pew Research center (survey conducted June 4-10, 2020)

  • 75% of Americans said undocumented immigrants should have a way to stay in U.S. legally, if certain requirements are met, including 89% of Democrats and 57% of Republicans
  • 74% of Americans supported granting legal status to immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children, including 91% of Democrats and 54% of Republicans

From Gallup (survey conducted May 28- June 4, 2020)

  • 77% of Americans thought immigration is a good thing for the country on the whole

From CBS News Poll (survey conducted May, 29-June, 2, 2020)

  • 85% of Americans favored allowing immigrants brought to U.S. illegally as children to stay, including 95% of Democrats and 73% of Republicans

From Public Agenda, Where Americans stand on immigration (survey conducted May 15-24, 2020)

  • 85% of Americans agreed on ensuring that people and families who cross the border illegally are treated humanely
  • 83% of Americans supported enforcing rules that make sure people and families who crossed the border illegally are processed quickly and fairly
  • 77% of Americans agreed on creating path to citizenship for people whose parents brought them to U.S. illegally as young children

From Pew Research Center (survey conducted April 29- May 5, 2020)*

  • 77% of Americans said undocumented immigrants mostly fill jobs U.S. citizens do not want, including 87% of Democrats and 66% of Republicans

Hyria Stuart is a college student currently studying in Beijing. He majors in social work and serves as a political research assistant (American/international politics) at Boston College while planning to pursue a graduate degree (Public Administration/Policy) in the U.S. He has been interning as a policy analyst and editor since April 2020, focusing on nonpartisan proposals seeking to bring Americans together. He helped re-elect Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) in 2020 as a campaign intern. Hyria has published in “Raise the Voices.” His political bias is Lean Left.

This piece was edited by AllSides.com Managing Editor Henry A. Brechter (Center bias), and was reviewed by James Coan (Center) of Braver Angels.

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Immigration
United News Roundup
bridging divides
Polarization