In poll after poll, Americans consistently demonstrate they believe allowing the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States to pursue citizenship is a sensible position. When given a choice, they choose full citizenship for the undocumented over second-class status. Here are the most recent polls.
QUINNIPIAC (February 2013) 56% OF AMERICANS SUPPORT PATH TO CITIZENSHIP; 10% PREFER SECOND-CLASS STATUS
- Majority of Americans want path to citizenship; only 10% favor legalization without citizenship. Asked about policy options for undocumented immigrants currently in the U.S., 56% say that the undocumented should be allowed to stay in the United States and eventually apply for U.S. citizenship. 30% believe that all undocumented immigrants should be required to leave, and only 10% believe they should be allowed to stay in the U.S. but prevented from ever obtaining citizenship. 50% of whites, 77% of African-Americans, and 70% of Latinos support citizenship, as do 51% of men and 59% of women. Additionally, a majority of independents- — 53% — support full citizenship.
WASHINGTON POST/ABC NEWS (FEBRUARY 2013) 55% OF VOTERS SUPPORT PATH TO CITIZENSHIP
- A majority of Americans favor a path to citizenship. 55% of respondents said they supported a path to citizenship for the undocumented, while 41 percent were opposed. This includes majorities of independents and moderates, and majorities in every region of the country.
- Approval of President Obama’s handling of immigration is higher than ever. The week after the President unveiled a plan for immigration reform that included a clear path to citizenship for the undocumented, 49% of Americans said they approved of his handling of immigration while 43% disapproved — the highest approval Obama has seen on the issue since arriving in office. The President’s approval on immigration has improved 13 points since July 2012.
PUBLIC POLICY POLLING (February 2013) 64% OF VOTERS SUPPORT PATH TO CITIZENSHIP
- Over 60% of voters support a path to citizenship. 64% of voters nationally think illegal immigrants should be given a chance to apply for legal citizenship, compared to only 27% who think they should be deported back to their home countries. Over two thirds of white voters with an opinion on the matter (60/29) and a plurality of Republicans (44/41) support a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants in the country.
- 62% of Americans support a path to citizenship. 62% of respondents said they supported “providing a way for illegal immigrants in the U.S. to become citizens.” 53% Republicans agreed with the proposal (22% more than supported it in 2010); 55%of seniors agreed; and 57% of Americans without a college degree supported citizenship.
AP-GFK (January 2013): 62% OF AMERICANS SUPPORT PATH TO CITIZENSHIP
- 62% of Americans support a path to citizenship. 62% of respondents said they supported “providing a way for illegal immigrants in the U.S. to become citizens.” 53% Republicans agreed with the proposal (22% more than supported it in 2010); 55%of seniors agreed; and 57% of Americans without a college degree supported citizenship.
HART RESEARCH ASSOCIATES/PUBLIC OPINION STRATEGIES (JANUARY 2013) 80% OF AMERICANS SUPPORT PLAN INCLUDING PATH TO CITIZENSHIP; 7% PREFER SECOND-CLASS STATUS
- 4 out of 5 voters support an immigration system that ensures undocumented immigrants have a chance at citizenship… When asked about a plan that would require immigrants to pay taxes; hold employers accountable for hiring legal workers and prevent them from exploiting immigrant labor; improve border security; and ensure that undocumented immigrants have a chance to work towards citizenship, 80% of Americans supported the plan.
- …including overwhelming majorities of independents and Republicans. 79% of Republicans supported this plan, and 74% of independents.
- 87% of Americans think undocumented immigrants should be eligible for citizenship, not just legal status. When asked directly about support for creating a path to full citizenship for immigrants versus temporary status, 87% of Americans said “it would be better to give people a chance to eventually earn citizenship at some point after they register for legal status, pass a background check, learn English, and pay taxes,” while just 7% said “they should be allowed to qualify for legal status and work in the United States but should never be given the chance to earn citizenship.” Support for citizenship was strong across party lines, with 83% of Republicans, 91% of Democrats, and 82% of Independents choosing full integration.
FOX NEWS (JANUARY 2013) 66% OF VOTERS SUPPORT PATH TO CITIZENSHIP
- 2/3 of voters support a path to citizenship. When asked “what government policy should be toward illegal immigrants currently in the United States,” 66% of voters said that the government should allow them to remain in the country and pursue citizenship if they meet certain requirements. 17% of voters said the government should send all “illegal” immigrants back to their home countries, and 13% said it should institute a guest-worker program.
