Quinnipiac Poll on Immigration

Quinnipiac University released a new poll earlier this week that took a temperature of the American public concerning immigration. Perhaps the most polarizing topic in the independent poll is separating children from parents at the border. Quinnipiac also looked at the public’s support of Dreamers.

American voters oppose 66 – 27 percent the policy of separating children and parents when families illegally cross the border into America.

Republican voters support the separation policy 55 – 35 percent, the only listed party, gender, education, age, or racial group to support it.

American voters also support 79 – 15 percent allowing immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children, so-called “Dreamers,” to remain and ultimately to apply for citizenship.

All listed groups support Dreamers, ranging from 61 – 28 percent among Republicans to 94 – 5 percent among Democrats.

Support for Dreamers has ranged from 77 percent to 81 percent in every Quinnipiac University National Poll conducted this year.

American voters oppose 58 – 39 percent building a wall along the border with Mexico. The only listed groups to support the wall are Republicans 77 – 17 percent and white voters with no college degree 52 – 44 percent.

The Trump Administration has been too aggressive in deporting illegal immigrants, 50 percent of voters say, as 13 percent say the administration has not been aggressive enough and 33 percent say the administration has been acting appropriately.

“When does public opinion become a demand that politicians just can’t ignore? Two-thirds of American voters oppose the family separation policy at our borders,” said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll. Neither quotes from the Bible nor get-tough talk can soften the images of crying children nor reverse the pain so many Americans feel.”

“And if you are a Dreamer, voters say, ‘We have your back,’ ” Malloy added.

Illegal immigrants currently living in the U.S. should be allowed to stay and eventually apply for citizenship, 67 percent of American voters say.

Another 8 percent say they should be allowed to stay, but not become citizens, and 19 percent say they should be forced to leave.

Among Republicans, 48 percent say illegal immigrants should be allowed to stay and apply for citizenship, while 9 percent say they should be allowed to stay, but not become citizens, and 36 percent say they should be forced to leave. All other listed groups support by wide margins a path to citizenship.

Legal immigration to the U.S. should be increased, 30 percent of American voters say, as 17 percent say it should be decreased and 49 percent say it should be kept the same.

From June l4 – 17, Quinnipiac University surveyed 905 voters nationwide, with a margin of error of +/- 3.9 percentage points, including design effect. Live interviewers call landlines and cell phones.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts nationwide public opinion surveys, and statewide polls in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia, Iowa, Colorado and Texas as a public service and for research. Visit poll.qu.edu or www.facebook.com/quinnipiacpoll.

See also Compassionate Conservativism Collapses Under Trump and Stewart and Rep. Taylor Statement on Family Separation at the Border.

Cover photo by Jonathan McIntosh