Last week the Obama administration announced that the United States would accept another 10,000 refugees fleeing Syria. By the middle of 2015, however, the United States had only accepted fewer than 1,000 Syrian refugees. The virtually unprecedented flow of refugees into Europe has caused a major crisis in the continent as European countries struggle to cope with the hundreds of thousands of people seeking to flee war, and build a better life, in wealthy European countries. Germany, the largest country in Europe, had expected 800,000 refugees in 2015, but the country’s Vice Chancellor has said that the figure may top 1,000,000. To stem the flow Germany has re-introduced border checks with Austria, despite the passport-free travel zone which encompasses much of the European Union.

YouGov’s latest research shows that, in principle, few Americans (21%) disagree with the idea that the United States should provide refuge to people fleeing war or oppression in their home countries. 52% say that the US should provide refuge, though Democrats (65%) are much more likely than Republicans (39%) to say that the United States should shelter people fleeing war or oppression.