Shifting Public Opinion on Immigration in the United States
Public opinion on immigration in the United States has undergone a notable shift, with more Americans expressing positive views about its impact 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 significantly, from 55% in 2024 to just 30% today. At the same time, 79% of Americans now believe that immigration is a good thing, which represents a record high.
These findings come at a time when border crossings have declined and the Trump administration has initiated several rounds of mass deportation. The changes in public sentiment suggest a broader acceptance of immigration as a beneficial force for the nation.
Changing Attitudes Toward Immigration Policy
The poll numbers also reveal a growing disapproval of how the Trump administration is managing immigration issues. Among U.S. adults, 30% now say they want immigration reduced, while 38% would like it to remain the same and 26% believe it should be increased. Political affiliation plays a significant role in shaping these views. While the percentage of Americans who want immigration slowed has decreased across all political groups, Republicans remain the only group where a majority (48%) still support reducing the pace of immigration.
Support for offering pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants has also seen an increase, with 78% of Americans now in favor, up from 70% in 2024. However, opinions on enforcement measures have shifted as well. Support for increasing the number of Border Patrol agents has fallen to 59%, and backing for expanding the border wall has dropped to 45%. Additionally, only 38% of Americans now support a policy of deporting all undocumented immigrants, down from 47% last year.
Policy Preferences and Partisan Divides
A proposed policy that would prevent alleged gang members from challenging their deportation in court has divided the public. Half of Americans support the policy, while 45% oppose it. Meanwhile, support for the Trump administration’s immigration policies has declined, with 62% of Americans disapproving of how the administration is handling the issue. Of those, 45% strongly disapprove, while only 21% strongly approve.
Partisan lines are clearly drawn when it comes to views on immigration. Eighty-five percent of Republicans approve of the administration’s approach, compared to 28% of independents and just 2% of Democrats. Race also influences perspectives, as the administration’s focus on Hispanic immigrants entering through the southern border has shaped public perception. Hispanic adults show lower support for deportation by 15 points and are more likely to support granting citizenship to undocumented immigrants by 13 points.
Despite this, Hispanic adults are slightly more inclined to believe that immigration should be decreased, with 39% supporting this view compared to 30% of the general population. These differences highlight the complex and evolving nature of public opinion on immigration in the United States.
