Poll shows support for Trump’s immigration pause

A majority of Americans back a temporary halt to nearly all immigration into the United States during the coronavirus outbreak, according to a Washington Post-University of Maryland poll out this morning. 

• The party differences: 83 percent of Republicans and 67 percent of independents said they supported a temporary block on immigration. 
• Democrats divided: The poll shows 49 percent support a block and 49 percent oppose. 
• Broad support across demographics: At least 6 in 10 whites and nonwhites, men and women, and older and younger adults also expressed support for a suspension.

The findings are a sharp departure from past support for legal immigration,which generally draws strong support among Democrats, Republicans, and independents. This indicates that Americans would be far less likely to back a permanent ban once the pandemic is contained. 

The poll, which began after Trump’s April 20 announcement he planned to pause immigration to stop the spread of the virus and protect jobs for Americans but before the details became public two days later, found that 65 percent of Americans support a temporary suspension. Thirty-four percent of Americans were opposed. 

MHC