NPR/Ipsos Poll: American Views on Immigration Policy

Monday, July 16, 2018; Washington, D.C. – A new poll from NPR/Ipsos reveals Americans' positions and attitudes toward immigrants and immigration policy. Opinions were split along party lines, however the best predictor of how Americans feel about immigration depends on where they get their news.

"People who get their news from Fox News actually take the strongest anti-immigrant position of any group we looked at in this survey," said Chris Jackson, Vice President with Ipsos Public Affairs. "I can't really say if those views are coming because of Fox. Or if they're watching Fox because they hold those views. But it's a really strong connection. I think it was very surprising," he said.

Read more about the disparity on immigration by news viewership HERE

Read the full results of the poll HERE. Findings are attributable to NPR/Ipsos.

Key Findings

• 69% of Americans believe immigrants are an important part of American identity, including 81% of Democrats, 56% of Republicans and 71% of Independents. Whereas 52% of Fox News viewers, 78% of CNN viewers and 73% of ABC, CBS or NBC agree.
• 28% support separating families who cross the border illegally as a deterrent, including 52% of Republicans and 11% of Democrats.
• 40% of Americans support building a wall along the entire U.S.-Mexico border including 74% of Republicans and 16% of Democrats.
• 51% feel that refugees and people seeking asylum are fleeing real violence and persecution, including 50% of Independents, 74% of Democrats, and 26% of Republicans.
• 38% believe that refugees and asylum seekers are taking an unfair advantage of the U.S immigration system, including 65% of Republicans, 19% of Democrats and 40% of Independents.
• 65% believe the government should fine U.S. employers found to hire undocumented immigrants, including 81% of Republicans and 56% of Democrats, and 67% of Independents
• 60% believe in giving legal status to undocumented or illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. as children, including 76% of Democrats, 45% of Republicans, and 60% of Independents.
• 25% of Americans believe immigration is the most worrying issue facing America, including 20% of Democrats, 34% of Republicans and 25% of Independents.

Contact

Ben Fishel, NPR Media Relations
Email: mediarelations (at) npr.org