Immigration

Gallup's Pulse of Democracy

Immigration

Guidance for Lawmakers	Americans believe immigration, in the abstract, has been good for the United States, but do not want to see current levels of immigration increased. Americans overwhelmingly oppose efforts to make it easier for illegal immigrants to become citizens. There is no evidence to suggest that immigration, either legal or illegal, is a high-priority issue for the average American today. On the illegal immigration issue, most Americans think it is important to control the flow of illegal immigrants into the United States as well as to address the status of illegal immigrants currently in the United States. At least 6 in 10 Americans favor allowing illegal immigrants a chance to become U.S. citizens if they meet certain requirements.
Fine Print	Polls usually ask about "immigration." Many suspect that the responses would be different (that is, more negative) if they asked about "illegal immigration." Past Gallup wording experiments suggest that respondents answer the question similarly whether it uses the "immigration" or "illegal immigration" wording. Attitudes toward immigration shift in response to the current conditions in the country. During tough economic times, Americans tend to adopt a more critical view of immigration. The public also showed a slight backlash against immigration following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. As the recent controversy about illegal immigration has unfolded, Americans apparently are becoming more favorable toward immigration in general. Gallup's June update found some of the most positive views toward immigration since before 9/11. Americans are more favorable toward immigration from certain parts of the world than others. In 2002, a majority thought there were too many immigrants to the United States from Arab countries. That view has changed, though, and now Americans are more accepting of Arab immigrants. However, Americans -- including a majority of U.S. Hispanics -- are now most likely to believe there are too many immigrants from Latin American countries.
Context	In general, Americans have a positive view of immigration in the abstract. Three in four have consistently said it has been good for the United States in the past, and a majority says it is good for the nation today. However, Americans still seem interested in limiting the amount of immigration. Thirty-nine percent say it should be kept at present levels, and 39% say it should be decreased, according to a June Gallup Poll. Only 18% favor increased immigration. Americans acknowledge some benefit to the country's economy from illegal immigration. The public overwhelmingly believes illegal immigrants take jobs that Americans workers would not want. The public rate both controlling U.S. borders and dealing with illegal immigrants already in the country as important priorities for legislators to address. They tend to assign slightly greater importance to controlling U.S. borders.
Urgency: Overall Importance as Political Issue	Despite the media attention it has received, immigration usually ranks low when Americans are asked to rate the importance of various issues to their vote, or to rate the relative priorities of issues for Congress and the president. Immigration is much less important to Americans than Iraq, the economy, and healthcare. Similarly, "illegal immigration" rated among the lowest areas of concern for Americans on a list of 12 social issues. Healthcare and the economy were the top areas. Immigration maintains a low standing even though concern about it has increased significantly since 2005.
Impact on 2008 Vote	Given the low salience of the issue, it is not likely to be a major nationwide factor in the presidential election. Americans give President George W. Bush very low marks for handling the issue. The public divides almost evenly as to which candidate would better able to deal with the issue.
Key Subgroup Differences	Hispanics are more positively disposed toward immigration than are whites or blacks. Republicans and conservatives are more likely to favor decreased immigration than are Democrats and conservatives.
The Bottom Line	While Americans are positive toward the concept of immigration in the abstract, there is only limited support for increasing it. Despite the prominence the issue has received this year, it has not risen to the level at which the public considers the issue a top priority for the government.

In your view, should immigration be kept at its present level, increased or decreased?

	Present level	Increased	Decreased	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
Total
2008 Jun 5-Jul 6	39	18	39	3
2007 Jun 4-24	35	16	45	4
2006 Jun 8-25	42	17	39	2
2005 Jun 6-25	34	16	46	4
2004 Jun 9-30	33	14	49	4
2003 Jun 12-18	37	13	47	3
2002 Jun 3-9	36	12	49	3
2001 Jun 11-17	42	14	41	3

Non-Hispanic whites
2008 Jun 5-Jul 6	41	15	42	3
2007 Jun 4-24	35	12	48	5
2006 Jun 8-25	46	12	41	1
2005 Jun 6-25	33	14	50	3
2004 Jun 9-30	34	13	51	2
2003 Jun 12-15	38	11	49	2
2002 Jun 3-6	36	9	52	3
2001 Jun 11-17	42	10	45	3

Blacks
2008 Jun 5-Jul 6	35	21	39	4
2007 Jun 4-24	29	21	46	5
2006 Jun 8-25	35	21	39	5
2005 Jun 6-25	32	18	44	6
2004 Jun 9-30	34	15	47	4
2003 Jun 12-18	33	20	44	3
2002 Jun 3-9	34	16	46	4
2001 Jun 11-17	42	24	31	3

Hispanics
2008 Jun 5-Jul 6	40	28	28	4
2007 Jun 4-24	41	25	30	4
2006 Jun 8-25	42	21	32	4
2005 Jun 6-25	41	21	32	6
2004 Jun 9-30	33	23	39	5
2003 Jun 12-18	35	24	36	5
2002 Jun 3-9	37	24	37	2
2001 Jun 11-17	38	33	25	4

FULL NATIONAL ADULT TREND

	Present level	Increased	Decreased	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2008 Jun 5-Jul 6	39	18	39	3
2007 Jun 4-24	35	16	45	4
2006 Jun 8-25	42	17	39	2
2006 Apr 7-9	35	15	47	4
2005 Dec 9-11 ^	31	15	51	3
2005 Jun 6-25	34	16	46	4
2004 Jun 9-30	33	14	49	4
2003 Jun 12-18	37	13	47	3
2002 Sep 2-4	26	17	54	3
2002 Jun 3-9	36	12	49	3
2001 Oct 19-21	30	8	58	4
2001 Jun 11-17	42	14	41	3
2001 Mar 26-28	41	10	43	6
2000 Sep 11-13	41	13	38	8
1999 Feb 26-28 ^	41	10	44	5
1995 Jul 7-9	27	7	62	4
1995 Jun 5-6	24	7	65	4
1993 Jul 9-11	27	6	65	2
1986 Jun 19-23 †	35	7	49	9
1977 Mar 25-28	37	7	42	14
1965 Jun 24-29	39	7	33	20

^ Asked of a half sample.
† CBS/New York Times poll.

On the whole, do you think immigration is a good thing or a bad thing for this country today?

	Good thing	Bad thing	Mixed (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
Total
2008 Jun 5-Jul 6	64	30	4	2
2007 Jun 4-24	60	33	3	4
2006 Jun 8-25	67	28	4	1
2005 Jun 6-25	61	34	3	2
2003 Jun 12-18	58	36	4	2
2002 Jun 3-9	52	42	4	2
2001 Jun 11-17	62	31	5	2

Non-Hispanic whites
2008 Jun 5-Jul 6	62	32	4	2
2007 Jun 4-24	59	35	3	3
2006 Jun 8-25	68	27	4	1
2005 Jun 6-25	60	36	2	2
2003 Jun 12-15	58	38	3	1
2002 Jun 3-6	51	43	4	2
2001 Jun 11-17	62	32	4	2

Blacks
2008 Jun 5-Jul 6	57	34	6	3
2007 Jun 4-24	55	36	5	4
2006 Jun 8-25	60	35	3	2
2005 Jun 6-25	55	36	5	4
2003 Jun 12-18	48	45	6	1
2002 Jun 3-9	46	46	6	2
2001 Jun 11-17	61	28	7	4

Hispanics
2008 Jun 5-Jul 6	70	23	5	2
2007 Jun 4-24	74	17	6	3
2006 Jun 8-25	76	18	4	2
2005 Jun 6-25	74	19	4	3
2003 Jun 12-18	65	29	4	2
2002 Jun 3-9	67	27	4	2
2001 Jun 11-17	73	18	2	7

(vol.) = Volunteered response

Which comes closer to your point of view -- [ROTATED illegal immigrants in the long-run become productive citizens and pay their fair share of taxes, (or) illegal immigrants cost the taxpayers too much by using government services like public education and medical services?]

	Pay fair share of taxes	Cost taxpayers too much	Neither/Both/ No opinion
	%	%	%
Total
2008 Jun 5-Jul 6	31	63	6
2006 Jun 8-25	29	66	4

Non-Hispanic whites
2008 Jun 5-Jul 6	25	71	5
2006 Jun 8-25	22	74	3

Blacks
2008 Jun 5-Jul 6	29	62	10
2006 Jun 8-25	37	56	6

Hispanics
2008 Jun 5-Jul 6	65	30	5
2006 Jun 8-25	65	31	3

Which comes closer to your view -- [ROTATED: illegal immigrants mostly take jobs that American workers want, (or) illegal immigrants mostly take low-paying jobs Americans don't want]?

	Take jobs American workers want	Take low-paying jobs Americans don't want	Neither/Both/ No opinion
	%	%	%
Total
2008 Jun 5-Jul 6	15	79	7
2006 Jun 8-25	17	74	10

Non-Hispanic whites
2008 Jun 5-Jul 6	16	79	6
2006 Jun 8-25	18	74	9

Blacks
2008 Jun 5-Jul 6	20	70	9
2006 Jun 8-25	24	67	10

Hispanics
2008 Jun 5-Jul 6	9	87	4
2006 Jun 8-25	13	81	7

Were you born in the United States or in another country?

	Born in the U.S.	Born in another country	No opinion
	%	%	%
Total
2008 Jun 5-Jul 6	89	11	*
2007 Jun 4-24	88	12	--
2006 Jun 8-25	88	12	*
2005 Jun 6-25	89	11	*
2004 Jun 9-30	90	10	--
2003 Jun 12-18	92	8	*
2002 Jun 3-9	92	8	*
2001 Jun 11-17	93	7	*

Non-Hispanic whites
2008 Jun 5-Jul 6	97	3	--
2007 Jun 4-24	96	4	--
2006 Jun 8-25	96	4	--
2005 Jun 6-25	97	3	--
2004 Jun 9-30	97	3	--
2003 Jun 12-15	97	3	*
2002 Jun 3-6	97	3	--
2001 Jun 11-17	97	3	--

Blacks
2008 Jun 5-Jul 6	90	9	*
2007 Jun 4-24	91	9	--
2006 Jun 8-25	89	11	*
2005 Jun 6-25	92	8	--
2004 Jun 9-30	93	7	--
2003 Jun 12-18	94	6	--
2002 Jun 3-9	92	8	--
2001 Jun 11-17	87	13	--

Hispanics
2008 Jun 5-Jul 6	52	47	*
2007 Jun 4-24	52	48	--
2006 Jun 8-25	53	47	--
2005 Jun 6-25	50	50	--
2004 Jun 9-30	54	46	--
2003 Jun 12-18	64	36	--
2002 Jun 3-9	66	34	*
2001 Jun 11-17	53	47	--
* Less than 0.5%

Were either of your parents born in another country, or were both of your parents born in the United States?

	One/Both born in another country	Both born in the U.S.	No opinion
	%	%	%
Total
2008 Jun 5-Jul 6	22	78	1
2007 Jun 4-24	23	77	*
2006 Jun 8-25	22	78	*
2005 Jun 6-25	22	78	*
2004 Jun 9-30	18	82	*
2003 Jun 12-18	18	82	*
2002 Jun 3-9	18	82	*
2001 Jun 11-17	18	82	--

Non-Hispanic whites
2008 Jun 5-Jul 6	12	87	1
2007 Jun 4-24	14	86	*
2006 Jun 8-25	14	86	*
2005 Jun 6-25	13	86	1
2004 Jun 9-30	9	91	*
2003 Jun 12-15	11	89	*
2002 Jun 3-6	11	89	*
2001 Jun 11-17	13	87	--

Blacks
2008 Jun 5-Jul 6	14	86	*
2007 Jun 4-24	14	84	2
2006 Jun 8-25	14	86	*
2005 Jun 6-25	11	88	1
2004 Jun 9-30	11	89	*
2003 Jun 12-18	12	88	--
2002 Jun 3-9	8	92	--
2001 Jun 11-17	18	82	--

Hispanics
2008 Jun 5-Jul 6	68	31	1
2007 Jun 4-24	68	32	*
2006 Jun 8-25	65	35	*
2005 Jun 6-25	68	31	1
2004 Jun 9-30	67	33	*
2003 Jun 12-18	56	44	--
2002 Jun 3-9	59	41	*
2001 Jun 11-17	73	27	--
* Less than 0.5%

SUMMARY TABLE: NATIONAL ORIGIN

	Immigrant (1st gener- ation U.S.)	2nd gener- ation U.S.	3rd gener- ation U.S. or higher	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
Total
2008 Jun 5-Jul 6	11	12	77	1
2007 Jun 4-24	12	12	76	*
2006 Jun 8-25	12	13	76	*
2005 Jun 6-25	11	12	76	1
2004 Jun 9-30	10	9	81	*
2003 Jun 12-18	8	11	81	*
2002 Jun 3-9	8	11	81	*

Non-Hispanic whites
2008 Jun 5-Jul 6	3	10	86	1
2007 Jun 4-24	4	11	85	*
2006 Jun 8-25	4	12	84	*
2005 Jun 6-25	3	11	85	1
2004 Jun 9-30	3	7	90	*
2003 Jun 12-15	3	9	88	*
2002 Jun 3-6	3	10	87	*

Blacks
2008 Jun 5-Jul 6	9	7	84	*
2007 Jun 4-24	9	6	83	1
2006 Jun 8-25	11	6	83	*
2005 Jun 6-25	8	5	86	1
2004 Jun 9-30	7	5	88	*
2003 Jun 12-18	7	6	87	--
2002 Jun 3-9	8	3	89	--

Hispanics
2008 Jun 5-Jul 6	47	23	29	*
2007 Jun 4-24	48	23	29	*
2006 Jun 8-25	47	23	31	*
2005 Jun 6-25	50	21	28	1
2004 Jun 9-30	46	24	30	*
2003 Jun 12-18	36	23	41	--
2002 Jun 3-9	33	28	39	*
* Less than 0.5%

Would you like to see the level of immigration in this country increased, decreased, or remain about the same?

	Increased	Decreased	Remain about the same	Other (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2008 Jan 4-6	9	55	32	1	2
2007 Jan 15-18	7	55	35	1	2
2006 Jan 9-12	10	57	30	*	2
2005 Jan 3-5	7	52	39	*	2
2004 Jan 12-15	8	49	42	*	1
2003 Jan 13-16	7	55	35	*	3
2002 Jan 7-9	8	58	33	*	1
2001 Jan 10-14	8	45	43	1	3
* Less than 0.5%
(vol.) = Volunteered response

How important is the issue of illegal immigration to you -- extremely important, very important, somewhat important, not too important, or not important at all?

	Extremely	Very	Some- what	Not too	Not at all	No opinion
2007 Jul 6-8	35%	27	26	7	4	*
* Less than 0.5%

(Asked of a half sample) In your view, what should be the higher priority in dealing with the issue of illegal immigration -- [ROTATED: developing a plan for halting the flow of illegal immigrants into the U.S., (or) developing a plan to deal with illegal immigrants who are already in the U.S.], or should both be given the same priority?

	Halting the flow of illegal immigrants	Deal with illegal immigrants already in U.S.	Both the same priority	No opinion
2007 Jul 6-8	20%	25	53	2

(Asked of a half sample) In terms of laws dealing with illegal immigration in the United States, which of the following would you prefer to see happen -- [ROTATED: enforce the current laws more strictly and NOT pass new laws (or) pass new laws in addition to enforcing the current laws more strictly]?

	Enforce current laws	Pass new laws	No opinion
2007 Jul 6-8	46%	50	4

(Asked of Republicans and independents who lean to the Republican Party) Has George W. Bush's recent handling of the immigration issue caused you to -- [ROTATED: gain confidence in Bush, has it not affected your opinion either way, or has it caused you to lose confidence in Bush]?

	Gain confidence	Not affected opinion	Lose confidence	No opinion
2007 Jul 6-8	10%	51	39	--

For each of the following areas, please say whether immigrants to the United States are making the situation in the country better or worse, or not having much effect. How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?

A. The crime situation

	Better	Worse	Not much effect	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
Total
2007 Jun 4-24	4	58	34	4
2004 Jun 9-30	6	47	43	4
2002 Jun 3-9	8	50	37	5
2001 Jun 11-17	7	50	38	5

Non-Hispanic whites
2007 Jun 4-24	2	63	31	4
2004 Jun 9-30	4	49	45	2
2002 Jun 3-6	6	52	37	5
2001 Jun 11-17	5	54	37	4

Blacks
2007 Jun 4-24	3	52	40	5
2004 Jun 9-30	5	44	45	6
2002 Jun 3-9	9	49	37	5
2001 Jun 11-17	9	44	41	6

Hispanics
2007 Jun 4-24	11	41	41	7
2004 Jun 9-30	12	44	36	8
2002 Jun 3-9	18	41	34	7
2001 Jun 11-17	12	47	33	8

B. Job opportunities for you and your family

	Better	Worse	Not much effect	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
Total
2007 Jun 4-24	12	34	52	2
2004 Jun 9-30	11	37	51	1
2002 Jun 3-9	14	37	46	3
2001 Jun 11-17	15	31	50	4

Non-Hispanic whites
2007 Jun 4-24	7	34	57	2
2004 Jun 9-30	6	38	55	1
2002 Jun 3-6	10	37	50	3
2001 Jun 11-17	12	32	53	3

Blacks
2007 Jun 4-24	11	49	37	3
2004 Jun 9-30	9	49	39	3
2002 Jun 3-9	14	48	36	2
2001 Jun 11-17	20	38	41	1

Hispanics
2007 Jun 4-24	37	21	39	3
2004 Jun 9-30	34	28	36	2
2002 Jun 3-9	39	25	33	3
2001 Jun 11-17	42	18	37	3

C. Food, music, and the arts

	Better	Worse	Not much effect	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
Total
2007 Jun 4-24	40	9	46	4
2004 Jun 9-30	44	10	42	4
2002 Jun 3-9	54	10	31	5
2001 Jun 11-17	58	8	29	5

Non-Hispanic whites
2007 Jun 4-24	37	8	51	5
2004 Jun 9-30	42	11	43	4
2002 Jun 3-6	53	10	32	5
2001 Jun 11-17	59	8	28	5

Blacks
2007 Jun 4-24	34	14	46	6
2004 Jun 9-30	29	12	56	3
2002 Jun 3-9	47	11	37	5
2001 Jun 11-17	54	10	33	3

Hispanics
2007 Jun 4-24	65	5	28	1
2004 Jun 9-30	65	5	27	3
2002 Jun 3-9	69	5	21	5
2001 Jun 11-17	72	3	23	2

D. The economy in general

	Better	Worse	Not much effect	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
Total
2007 Jun 4-24	28	46	23	3
2004 Jun 9-30	22	41	34	3
2002 Jun 3-9	32	36	28	4
2001 Jun 11-17	32	32	31	5

Non-Hispanic whites
2007 Jun 4-24	24	49	24	3
2004 Jun 9-30	18	42	37	3
2002 Jun 3-6	29	37	30	4
2001 Jun 11-17	29	34	32	5

Blacks
2007 Jun 4-24	22	52	21	5
2004 Jun 9-30	16	47	31	6
2002 Jun 3-9	25	47	24	4
2001 Jun 11-17	27	39	31	3

Hispanics
2007 Jun 4-24	55	25	17	3
2004 Jun 9-30	48	29	20	3
2002 Jun 3-9	53	22	23	2
2001 Jun 11-17	42	23	29	6

E. Taxes

	Better	Worse	Not much effect	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
Total
2007 Jun 4-24	11	55	28	6
2004 Jun 9-30	12	45	38	5
2002 Jun 3-9	12	50	31	7
2001 Jun 11-17	12	46	34	8

Non-Hispanic whites
2007 Jun 4-24	5	59	30	6
2004 Jun 9-30	8	46	42	4
2002 Jun 3-6	9	52	32	7
2001 Jun 11-17	10	48	34	8

Blacks
2007 Jun 4-24	10	54	29	7
2004 Jun 9-30	10	48	34	8
2002 Jun 3-9	14	54	25	7
2001 Jun 11-17	12	50	32	6

Hispanics
2007 Jun 4-24	42	34	19	5
2004 Jun 9-30	34	34	25	7
2002 Jun 3-9	29	31	33	7
2001 Jun 11-17	40	26	25	9

F. Social and moral values

	Better	Worse	Not much effect	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
Total
2007 Jun 4-24	19	37	41	3
2004 Jun 9-30	18	27	50	5
2002 Jun 3-9	25	30	39	6
2001 Jun 11-17	25	26	45	4

Non-Hispanic whites
2007 Jun 4-24	14	40	42	3
2004 Jun 9-30	14	29	51	6
2002 Jun 3-6	22	32	41	5
2001 Jun 11-17	22	29	45	4

Blacks
2007 Jun 4-24	18	31	46	5
2004 Jun 9-30	16	23	55	6
2002 Jun 3-9	27	31	34	8
2001 Jun 11-17	26	20	50	4

Hispanics
2007 Jun 4-24	42	19	35	4
2004 Jun 9-30	38	21	37	4
2002 Jun 3-9	39	17	37	7
2001 Jun 11-17	45	17	34	4

How closely have you been following the news about proposed legislation to deal with the issue of illegal immigration in the United States -- very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not at all?

	Very closely	Somewhat closely	Not too closely	Not at all	No opinion
Total
2007 Jun 4-24	23%	47	23	6	*

Non-Hispanic whites
2007 Jun 4-24	21%	51	23	5	*

Blacks
2007 Jun 4-24	25%	34	24	15	1

Hispanics
2007 Jun 4-24	25%	43	23	8	1
* Less than 0.5%

Based on what you have heard or read, do you approve or disapprove of the government's recent efforts to deal with illegal immigration in the U.S.?

	Approve	Disapprove	No opinion
Total
2007 Jun 4-24	32%	61	7

Non-Hispanic whites<