Rasmussen Reports Weekly Immigration Index - Week Ending August 27, 2020

The Rasmussen Reports Immigration Index for the week of August 30-September 3, 2020 rose to 103.0 from 100.7 the week before. The latter was the lowest finding since mid-May.

The Index is based on a series of questions designed to determine whether voters are moving toward an immigration system that encourages more immigration to the United States or a one that reduces the level of immigration here. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

All surveys are compared to a baseline – set the week of December 2-6, 2019 - which has been given an Index of 100. A weekly finding moving up over 100 indicates growing support for a more expansive immigration system. A weekly index number falling below 100 indicates increased support for a more restrictive immigration system.

Crosstabs, topline responses and historical data are also available to the public.

The Immigration Index will be updated every Tuesday at noon Eastern.

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In the latest survey, 37% of Likely U.S. Voters feel the government is doing too little to reduce illegal border crossings and visitor overstays. Thirty-one percent (31%) say the government is doing too much. Twenty-four percent (24%) rate the level of action as about right.

Sixty-five percent (65%) believe the government should mandate employers to use the federal electronic E-Verify system to help ensure that they hire only legal workers for U.S. jobs. Only 21% disagree, with 14% undecided.

Sixty-one percent (61%) of voters favor giving lifetime work permits to most of the approximately two million illegal residents who came to this country when they were minors, with 38% who Strongly Favor it. Thirty-one percent (31%) are opposed, including 15% who are Strongly Opposed.

But just 48% also favor giving lifetime work permits to most of the estimated 12 million illegal residents of all ages who currently reside in the United States, including 25% who Strongly Favor it. Forty-six percent (46%) are opposed, with 28% who are Strongly Opposed.

Legal immigration has averaged around a million annually in recent years, but 48% of voters believe the government should be adding no more than 750,000 new immigrants each year, with 32% who say it should be fewer than 500,000. Thirty-nine percent (39%) favor adding one million or more legal newcomers per year, including 13% who say the figure should be higher than 1.5 million. Fourteen percent (14%) are not sure. 

Only 31% favor current U.S. immigration policy which allows legal immigrants to bring in not just their spouse and children but also eventually other adult relatives that can include extended family and their spouses’ families. Fifty-nine percent (59%) remain opposed to current policy and think legal immigrants should be able to bring only their spouse and children with them. Ten percent (10%) are undecided.

The Census Bureau projects that current immigration policies are responsible for most U.S. population growth and will add 75 million people over the next 40 years. Most voters still want to slow that growth. In terms of the effect on the overall quality of life in the United States, 36% want to continue immigration-driven population growth at the current levels. Forty-two percent (42%) favor slowing down immigration-driven population growth. Twelve percent (12%) want to have no such population growth at all, while 10% are not sure.

Forty-three percent (43%) believe immigration-driven population growth should be reduced to limit the expansion of cities into U.S. wildlife habitats and farmland. Twenty-eight percent (28%) disagree, while a sizable 30% are undecided.