Frank Sharry: “On immigration, like on so many other issues related to pluralism and multiracial democracy, MAGA extremism is isolating the GOP from the majority of the country.”
Washington, DC – New immigration polling from Gallup finds that Americans overwhelmingly recognize that immigrants and immigration are good for the country. The fact that this huge margin persists in the face of the relentless demonization and dehumanization of immigrants and refugees by Republicans and right wing media is a good sign that America’s belief in welcoming newcomers remains strong.
The new Gallup poll finds:
- By a 70-24% margin, Americans think immigration is a “good thing” rather than a “bad thing” for the country.
- Democrats (86-12%) and Independents (75-17%) overwhelmingly agree immigration is a “good thing.”
- Republicans are divided, with 46% saying “good thing” and 45% saying “bad thing.”
- Trendlines show Americans growing increasingly pro-immigrant over time: Gallup has asked this “good thing” or “bad thing” question 21 times over the years.
- This is the eighth consecutive year in which support for “immigration is a good thing” is at or above 70 percent.
- During the first 13 years asking the question, only once did “good thing” top 70 percent.
- Majority of Americans want immigration levels to increase or stay the same, with Republicans as outliers: A separate Gallup question asked whether immigration should be kept at present levels, increased, or decreased and shows the toll of the right wing and Republican effort to demonize immigrants among their base.
- As Gallup News writes in their accompanying poll summary: “The mounting desire for decreased immigration in recent years has been driven mainly by Republicans, whose preference for reducing immigration is up 21 points since June 2020 … With the majority of Americans, 58%, still wanting the number of people coming to the U.S. from other countries either increased or kept as is.”
- A combined 81% of Democrats favor immigration levels increasing (49%) or staying the same (32%) vs. decreasing (17%) while a combined 62% of Independents favor immigration levels increasing (26%) or staying the same (36%) vs. decreasing (33%).
- Republicans are the outliers, with a combined 28% favoring immigration levels increasing (7%) or staying the same (21%) vs. 69% favoring “decreasing”
According to Frank Sharry, America’s Voice Executive Director:
“Americans remain overwhelmingly pro-immigrant and pro-immigration. The majority recognizes that newcomers are an integral part of our country’s strength and vitality.
Meanwhile, the GOP is increasingly extreme and outside the mainstream of American voters. This comes as no surprise. In recent months, the Republican Party has mainstreamed white nationalist conspiracies such as “replacement theory” and “invasion” that have led to acts of mass murder by domestic terrorists. They have embraced the fascistic rhetoric of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. They have denied women access to abortion – even in the case of rape, incest or a threat to the mother’s survival. And a growing number suggest that democracy is getting in the way of the Christian ultranationalism so many GOPers openly espouse.
The relentless Republican and right-wing effort to demonize immigrants may be succeeding in whipping up fears among the hardcore and extreme Trumpian base. But on immigration, like on so many other issues related to pluralism and multiracial democracy, MAGA extremism is isolating the GOP from the majority of the country.”
