Across Political Affiliations, 80% Want Reforms
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As challenges at the border grab headlines, Americans stand strong behind targeted immigration reforms and the need to protect people fleeing persecution.
In a survey the National Immigration Forum and the Bullfinch Group fielded May 12-17, just after the pandemic-era Title 42 health policy ended, more than 80% of respondents agreed with the statement, “As the U.S. works to restore order at the border, it is important that Republicans and Democrats work together to pass immigration reforms that address labor shortages and inflation, and protect people already here and contributing.”
Among registered voters, support among self-identified conservatives was 81%, with 16% opposed. White evangelical Protestants also supported the statement by an 81%-16% margin.
Meanwhile, nearly two-thirds overall said they agree that “While America currently faces major challenges at the border, it is important that the U.S. welcome and preserve essential protections for people fleeing persecution.” Support was 57%-36% among conservative voters and 54%-32% among white evangelical Protestants, with the remainder saying they were unsure.
Full crosstabs are available for the survey of 1,200 American adults, including 1,000 registered voters.
“Americans want solutions, and they want to honor and continue our tradition as a place of refuge,” said Jennie Murray, President and CEO of the National Immigration Forum. “Yes, we need order at the border, but support is incredibly strong for immigration solutions at the same time.
“Republicans, Independents and Democrats are making it clear that the United States must be compassionate as well as secure, and that our conversations about the border and immigration must focus on longer-term solutions that will benefit all Americans.”
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The National Immigration Forum, in conjunction with The Bullfinch Group, conducted a nationwide online survey fielded May 12-17, 2023, among 1,200 adults, of whom 1,000 respondents were registered voters. Sampling controls were used to ensure that a proportional and representative number of respondents were interviewed from demographic groups such as age, gender, political affiliation, race, and geographic region. The margin of error for registered voters is ±3.1% at the 95% confidence interval. The margin of error for adults is ± 2.83% at the 95% confidence interval.