5.17.2006

The State of American Public Opinion on Immigration in Spring 2006: A Review of Major Surveys

This fact sheet reviews findings on attitudes towards immigration and immigration policy options from a variety of major surveys of the American public taken this spring by several different media and research organizations. Looking at this body of data as a whole indicates that the American public has generally consistent views. The polls do not suggest major shifts in public opinion over the spring as a result of either the immigrant marches or the policy debate with one important exception: The share of Americans who see immigration as a major problem has been increasing rapidly, and the growing concern is especially notable among Republicans.

Some of the other major findings include:

The public appears almost evenly divided on whether immigration overall is good for the country or not.

Americans are split over levels of legal immigration. Significant minorities of roughly a third or more favor the opposite approaches of keeping legal immigration at its present levels or decreasing it. A smaller share favors increasing legal immigration.

A significant majority of Americans see illegal immigration as a very serious problem and most others see it at least as a serious problem.

A majority of Americans believes that illegal immigrants are taking jobs Americans do not want.

A majority of Americans appears to favor measures that would allow illegal immigrants currently in the U.S. to remain in the country either as permanent residents and eventual citizens or as temporary workers who will have to go home eventually. When those options are presented, only a minority favors deporting all illegal migrants or otherwise forcing them to go home.

Americans generally express greater confidence in Democrats on immigration issues than Republicans.

A majority of Americans disapprove of the way that President Bush is handling immigration issues.

Other Immigration Fact Sheets

June 7, 2006: Hispanic Attitudes Toward Learning English

May 22, 2006: Modes of Entry for the Unauthorized Migrant Population

April 26, 2006: Estimates of the Unauthorized Migrant Population for States based on the March 2005 CPS

April 13, 2006: The Labor Force Status of Short-Term Unauthorized Workers

April 5, 2006: Recently Arrived Migrants and the Congressional Debate on Immigration