Rasmussen Reports Weekly Immigration Index - Week Ending January 23, 2020

The Rasmussen Reports Immigration Index for the week of January 19-23, 2020 is at 102.7, up from 100.5 the week before.

This is the third week in a row that the Index has risen.

The Index is based on a series of questions designed to determine whether voters are moving toward an immigration system that encourages more immigration to the United States or a one that reduces the level of immigration here. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

All surveys are compared to a baseline – set the week of December 2-6, 2019 - which has been given an Index of 100. A weekly finding moving up over 100 indicates growing support for a more expansive immigration system. A weekly index number falling below 100 indicates increased support for a more restrictive immigration system.

Crosstabs, topline responses and historical data are also available to the public.

The Immigration Index will be updated every Tuesday at noon Eastern.

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Among the findings in the latest survey, 41% of voters say the government is doing too little to reduce illegal border crossings and visitor overstays, while 32% think it’s doing too much. Nineteen percent (19%) rate the level of action as about right.

Fifty-nine percent (59%) favor giving lifetime work permits to most of the approximately two million illegal residents who came to this country when they were minors, with 37% who Strongly Favor it. Thirty-four percent (34%) oppose lifetime work permits for these illegal immigrants, with 18% who are Strongly Opposed.

When it comes to the estimated 12 million illegal residents of all ages who currently reside in the United States, 44% of voters favor giving most of them lifetime work permits, including 23% who Strongly Favor such action. Fifty percent (50%) are opposed, with 30% who are Strongly Opposed.

Legal immigration has averaged around a million annually in recent years, but 45% say the government should be adding no more than 750,000 new immigrants each year, with 32% who say it should be fewer than 500,000. Thirty-nine percent (39%) favor adding one million or more legal newcomers per year, including 12% who say the figure should be higher than 1.5 million. Seventeen percent (17%) are undecided.

Fifty-seven percent (57%) of voters favor legal immigrants being allowed to bring only their spouse and minor children with them. Just 32% agree with long-standing U.S. immigration policy allowing legal immigrants to also eventually bring in other adult relatives including extended family and their spouses’ families. Eleven percent (11%) are undecided.

The Census Bureau projects that current immigration policies are responsible for most U.S. population growth and will add 75 million people over the next 40 years. In terms of the effect on the overall quality of life in the United States, only 34% want to continue immigration-driven population growth at the current levels. Forty-two percent (42%) favor slowing down immigration-driven population growth, while 13% want to have no such population growth at all. Twelve percent (12%) are not sure.