ISSUE GUIDES: Immigration

PUBLIC VIEW: BILLS & PROPOSALS
  • Support for decreasing immigration has fluctuated, but has been substantially higher since 9/11
  • Half of Americans believe illegal immigration should be solved both by halting the flow of immigrants and by dealing with...
  • Half of Americans say tighter controls on immigration to the U.S. would enhance the nation's security "a great deal"
  • Majorities of voters say they favor fingerprinting foreigners entering the U.S.
  • Majorities of Americans say illegal immigrants should be allowed to remain in the U.S. if they have lived in the U.S for...
  • Majorities of Americans support a guest worker program for illegal immigrants, but results vary based on question wording
  • Most voters oppose open borders for immigrants to the U.S., but people are divided when specifically asked about immigrants...
  • Majorities of Americans say government interviews of young Middle Eastern men are a good idea, but are divided on whether...
  • Large majorities of voters favor imposing stricter penalties on illegal immigrants
  • Americans are less willing to grant rights to immigrants who are here illegally
  • More than half of Americans say immigrants who are caught trying to enter the U.S. illegally should be immediately sent back...
  • Opinion on the rights of citizens and non-citizens varies depending on question wording
  • Americans are divided on whether the U.S. should encourage minorities to blend into American culture or maintain their...
  • Two-thirds of Americans say children of illegal immigrants should be allowed to attend U.S. public schools
  • Eight in 10 Americans believe tighter control over foreign students allowed in the U.S. will enhance our security at least...
  • Most immigrants say the U.S. should expect all immigrants to learn English
  • Both immigrants and the general public agree that public school classes should be taught in English