In brief
As new immigration restrictions are introduced, an AP-NORC poll reveals a significant shift in public perception regarding legal immigrants, with more Americans viewing them as beneficial to economic growth. While the inclination to reduce legal immigration has declined among Republicans, views on illegal immigration have not notably shifted, with concerns still prevalent among the population.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — As President Donald Trump’s administration imposes new restrictions on the legal immigration system, U.S. adults are more likely than they were a year ago to think these immigrants benefit the country, according to a new poll.
The survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that Americans are reporting a positive shift in recognizing the contributions of legal immigrants to the economy. Specifically, about 6 in 10 U.S. adults now say a major benefit of legal immigrants is their contribution to economic growth, up from about 4 in 10 in March 2024.
In addition, attitudes among Republicans have shifted; fewer are advocating for a reduction in legal immigration numbers compared to earlier this year. While slightly fewer than half of U.S. adults believe the number of legal immigrants should remain unchanged, about one-quarter express a desire for reductions, a drop from one-third in January.
Despite these changes, concerns regarding illegal immigration persist. Americans continue to view illegal immigration as risky, with approximately 50% believing that these immigrants are a burden to welfare programs. The perception that illegal immigrants take jobs Americans do not want has marginally increased, yet the overarching view remains that these arrivals do not contribute as significantly as those who come legally.
In light of tightening regulations, the Trump administration has increased vetting procedures and ramped up enforcement against illegal immigration, including hefty fees for visa applications and controversial screening processes for green card applicants.
The latest findings reflect a complex landscape of immigration sentiment in America, revealing a notable distinction between attitudes towards legal and illegal immigration as the national discourse evolves amidst political changes.
