Washington, DC – A new poll from Data for Progress on the immigration provisions in the BBB legislation finds broad bipartisan support for relief targeted at long-settled undocumented immigrants.
The poll asked 598 voters whether they support or oppose “a proposal that provides Dreamers and other undocumented immigrants who pass a background check and have been in this country for 20 years on average the ability to earn a work permit and protection from deportation.” Among the key findings:
- 75% support vs. 20% opposition among all voters for the immigration provisions in the reconciliation package.
- Strong bipartisan majorities back the provisions: Democrats favor 88-7%; Independents 81-16%; and Republicans 58-39%.
- Intensity strongly favors the pro-immigrant position, with 35% “strongly” in support and 10% “strongly” opposed.
The new poll findings are broadly consistent with a host of other recent polls that show near 3:1 and bipartisan support for relief targeted at long-settled immigrants (see here for a poll roundup).
According to Frank Sharry, Executive Director of America’s Voice:
The American public is overwhelmingly in favor of Congress delivering on popular reforms and protecting long-settled immigrants from deportation. Work permits and deportation protections will provide meaningful relief for millions of immigrants who have already been working, living and raising families in the U.S. for a long time. While Republicans have chosen to use immigration as part of an arsenal of race-based wedge issues, Democrats know the public wants solutions not divisions.
Immigrants have played a tremendous role in helping this country weather COVID. It is long past time to recognize that undocumented immigrants have earned a place at the table. Let’s deliver on these provisions, Democrats, and keep up the fight in the coming years until we win citizenship for all 11 million.
