Shifting Public Opinion on Immigration in the United States
Public opinion on immigration in the United States has undergone a significant shift, with more Americans expressing positive views about the impact of immigration on the country. This marks a reversal of a four-year trend where concerns about immigration had been on the rise. Recent data indicates that the percentage of Americans who want immigration to be reduced has dropped to 30%, down from 55% in 2024. Additionally, 79% of Americans now view immigration as a positive force, which is a record high.
This change in perception comes amid a decrease in border crossings and the ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to implement mass deportation policies. The new findings from Gallup highlight this evolving sentiment, showing a growing number of Americans disapproving of how the administration is managing immigration issues.
Changing Attitudes Toward Immigration Levels
The poll results reveal that among U.S. adults, 30% still believe immigration should be reduced, while 38% would like it to remain the same, and 26% think it should be increased. Political affiliation plays a significant role in shaping these views. Although the percentage of Americans wanting immigration reduced has declined across all political groups, Republicans are the only group where a majority (48%) still support slowing the pace of immigration.
There is also a growing consensus on offering pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. According to the latest data, 78% of Americans support allowing undocumented individuals to become citizens, up from 70% in 2024. This reflects a broader shift toward more inclusive policies regarding immigration.
Support for Enforcement Measures
When it comes to enforcement measures, support for increasing the number of Border Patrol agents has decreased to 59%. Similarly, backing for expanding the border wall has dropped to 45%. The idea of deporting all undocumented immigrants has also seen a decline in popularity, with only 38% of Americans now supporting the policy, compared to 47% last year.
A proposed policy that would prevent alleged gang members from challenging their deportation in court has split public opinion. Half of the respondents support the policy, while 45% oppose it. This highlights the complexity of immigration enforcement and the need for nuanced approaches.
Approval of Trump’s Immigration Policies
Support for the Trump administration’s immigration policies has also seen a decline. Sixty-two percent of Americans disapprove of how the administration is handling immigration, with 45% expressing strong disapproval. Only 21% of U.S. adults strongly approve of the administration’s approach.
These views are sharply divided along partisan lines. Eighty-five percent of Republicans approve of the administration’s handling of immigration, compared to 28% of independents and just 2% of Democrats. This division underscores the polarizing nature of immigration policy in the current political climate.
Racial and Ethnic Perspectives
Race also plays a significant role in shaping attitudes toward immigration. The administration’s policies have focused heavily on Hispanic immigrants who entered the country at the southern border. Hispanic adults show lower support for deporting immigrants, with a 15-point difference compared to other groups. They are also more likely to support immigrants obtaining a pathway to citizenship, with a 13-point advantage.
However, when it comes to the level of immigration, Hispanic adults are slightly more inclined to believe that immigration should be decreased, with 39% favoring this stance compared to 30% of the general population. This suggests that while there is broad support for legalizing undocumented immigrants, there is also a recognition of the need for careful management of immigration levels.
