Poll: Americans split along partisan lines on welcoming in immigrants

Republicans are more concerned about immigration than Democrats. More than half of Republicans describe immigration as a very important issue to them; just over a third of Democrats and independents say the same thing. Immigration was a major issue in last year’s Republican primaries, as Donald Trump famously promised to build a wall on the border with Mexico and have Mexico pay for it. It’s something Republicans want: Republicans favor building that wall 71% to 18%, but Democrats and independents reject it. Overall, 37% of the public wants to build a wall, 46% don’t.

Most Americans view illegal immigration as a serious problem for the nation, but not necessarily in their own communities. Republicans are more concerned: nearly nine in ten call it a serious problem nationally, and a majority see it as a problem in their own communities.