A recent Pew Research Center survey has revealed significant differences and areas of agreement between supporters of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris regarding immigration policy, a key issue in the 2024 presidential race.
The survey comes at a time when both candidates continue to ramp up voter outreach through by deepening their stance on border policies: Trump doubling down on mass deportation, Harris laying bare her plan to toughening the Biden administration's policies even further.
As expected, the Pew Research survey highlights major disparities in both camps' attitudes toward mass deportations as 88% of Trump supporters favor mass deportations of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, a stark contrast to just 27% of Harris supporters. They're also miles apart on the issue of allowing undocumented immigrants to stay in the U.S. if they are married to American citizens, with 80% of Harris supporters in favor, compared to only 37% of Trump supporters.
There is also a wide divide on refugee policy. While 85% of Harris supporters favor admitting more civilian refugees escaping war or violence, only 49% of Trump supporters share this view.
However, one of the most surprising insights from the study had to do with issues with which both supporters actually agreed on. For example, 96% of Trump supporters and 80% of Harris supporters favoring improved border security. Similarly, 71% of Trump supporters and 87% of Harris supporters back the admission of more high-skilled immigrants.
Besides those points in common, however, the poll was a reminder of just how far apart both supporters actually are. A majority of Trump supporters (59%) believe the rising number of immigrants worsens conditions for people like them, while 65% of Harris supporters see no impact on their lives. On the issue of legal immigration, 62% of Harris supporters say it improves the economy, a view shared by only 31% of Trump supporters.
Views on illegal immigration remain highly polarized. An overwhelming 92% of Trump supporters believe immigrants living in the U.S. illegally contribute to higher crime rates, while just 37% of Harris supporters agree. Meanwhile, a majority of both Trump (74%) and Harris (76%) supporters believe the U.S. immigration system requires significant reform.
The survey also notes that immigration is a more important issue for Trump supporters in the 2024 election. Immigration ranks as a top issue for 82% of Trump supporters, second only to the economy, while only 39% of Harris supporters place the same level of importance on the issue.
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