New Nonpartisan Polling Results on Immigration

Most Americans Don't Want Continuing Large U.S. Population Growth. As Nation Hits 300 Million Milestone, Voters Prefer Reduced Immigration Over Adding Another 100 Million. Passing the 300-million milestone for U.S. population this month apparently is no cause for celebration for the majority of American voters. A survey conducted for the Center for Immigration Studies by The Polling Company, Inc. reveals great discomfort about the rapid U.S. population growth being caused by federal immigration policies. 66% of likely American voters believe the population growth being caused by the present level of immigration will negatively impact the quality of life in America, such as causing more congestion, overcrowding and pollution.

Voters were asked how the quality of life where they live would be changed if their community's population were to grow at the same rate (one-third) as is expected for the nation under current immigration rates. The majority of American voters overwhelmingly say it would worsen their quality of life: By Race: Hispanics: By a 6-1 ratio - life would be worse; Blacks & Whites: By a 9-1 ratio - life would be worse. All Political Affiliations: expected life would be worse: Democrats: By 7-1; Independents: By 10-1; Republicans: By 14-1. Every Region of the Country: expected life to be worse. . Highest negative ratios: Mid-Atlantic states: By 13-1 & Northern Great Plains: 10-1
Regardless of Category of voter: professionals, white-collar or blue-collar workers, part-time jobs or no jobs, voter's age, income or marital status, over 88% voters expected their quality of life to be worse .

Voters were also asked: If immigration continues at its current level for the next 50 years, experts estimate that it will add approximately 100 million people to the United States population, which currently is 300 million. Knowing this, would you say the country needs to reduce the number of immigrants entering the U.S., increase the number of immigrants entering the U.S., or keep the number of immigrants entering the U.S. the same? Two-thirds of Americans would prefer that Congress reduce population growth by reducing annual immigration numbers which is the opposite of the Senate's attempts this year. Only 3% of all likely voters supported increasing the number of immigrants. While nearly all Democratic Senators voted to more than double annual immigration by more than a million, the poll finds only 2% of likely Democratic voters want higher immigration. While potential Republican candidates for the Republican presidential nomination have championed ever higher immigration levels, only 2% of likely Republican voters want higher immigration. Only 4% of swing-voting Independents want more immigration. Only 5% of likely Hispanic voters prefer an increase in immigration. Black Americans prefer immigration reductions by an astounding 72-1 ratio.

How a voter responds to a poll depends on the context. But, most polls, however worded, find little support for immigration increases; rarely more than 12 to 15% of voters. And this poll suggests that, when voters think about the population consequences of immigration, support for higher immigration almost disappears. Unfortuantely, the public hears almost nothing about population growth from major politicians, news media or non-profit groups. Learn More