A record 75% of Americans believe that immigration is a good thing for the US. It includes the majorities of all political party groups, with just 19% believing the opposite, according to a new Gallup poll, conducted between 1 and 13 June. The result is an increase of the 71% approval recorded last year.
The poll was conducted amid a vital period for immigration reform in the US, with the House of Representatives debating the issue and set to vote on two key pieces of legislation addressing several reforms this week. The reforms include protections for those eligible for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program – the young undocumented immigrants brought into the country while underage, as well as the border wall, which has been a major part of President Donald Trump’s immigration platform.
Conservative members of Congress have proposed legislation to reduce the number of immigrants legally allowed to come to the US every year, but the public seems to support immigration, with most in favor in all except one Gallup poll conducted in the last 17 years since 2001. The sole exception was 2002.
Gallup polling suggests that the American public is against the idea of the border wall and agrees with allowing DACA youngsters to stay in the US and be given a pathway to full US citizenship.