Immigration has fallen in importance for most Americans in recent months, as the coronavirus pandemic has made the economy and healthcare top concerns, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted from July 31 to Aug. 4.
Immigration in the 2020 campaign
U.S. President Donald Trump has made his hard-line immigration agenda a central theme of his presidency and reelection pitch. But will it win over voters?
All respondents
In your opinion, what is the most important problem facing the U.S. today?
Republicans had rated immigration as their top concern heading into 2020, but that quickly changed when the pandemic caused panic and shutdowns across the United States in March.
Immigration importance polling by party
Note: Sample size is between 389 and 57,547; credibility interval is between 0 and 6 pct. pts.
Undecided voters generally had a positive view of immigration, but supported Trump’s restrictions on legal immigration to protect U.S. jobs and limit the spread of the virus during the pandemic, according to a poll conducted in late July and early August.
Undecided voters
Should immigration be restricted or encouraged?
Do you prefer to live in a community with cultures that are similar or diverse?
Do you support or oppose bypassing standard legal procedures to rapidly deport immigrants detained at the Mexico or Canada border during the coronavirus pandemic?
Do you support or oppose stopping some legal immigration to limit competition for jobs during the coronavirus pandemic?
Note:
Sample size for all respondents is 3,335 and credibility interval is 2 pct. pts. Sample size for undecided voters is 379, with a credibility interval of 6 pct. pts. Polls were conducted between July 31- Aug. 4.
Source
Reuters/Ipsos