A new poll conducted by YouGov shows a strong majority of Republican voters want legal immigration to be reduced or ended altogether. The survey, conducted December 11–15, found that 66 percent of Republicans support decreasing the flow of legal migrants into the United States. Only 6 percent said they want it increased.
In contrast, Democrats showed sharply different views. Just 17 percent want legal immigration reduced, while 37 percent want it increased. A quarter of all respondents said immigration levels should remain the same, and nearly 20 percent declined to state an opinion.
Overall, the poll revealed that just 18 percent of Americans support increasing legal immigration, while 35 percent favor reducing or eliminating it. The remaining respondents were either neutral or unwilling to answer. The findings highlight a strong two-to-one national plurality favoring lower immigration over higher levels.
Currently, the United States admits over 1.2 million legal permanent and temporary migrants each year. That number roughly equals one migrant for every three births in the country. Under the Biden administration, the combined total of legal and illegal immigration has surged to match or surpass the number of annual U.S. births.
Polling shows Americans are deeply divided along party and income lines. Lower-income voters—those earning under $50,000 per year—are far more likely to oppose increased immigration. Meanwhile, upper-income Americans making over $100,000 annually are more supportive of higher immigration levels.
Immigration remains one of the most polarized issues in American politics. Other recent polls show strong bipartisan support for deporting illegal aliens who commit serious crimes and a solid majority favoring broader deportations of illegal migrants. Yet public opinion often appears mixed due to how poll questions are framed.
While many Americans express general support for immigrants, polls also reveal concerns over the consequences of mass migration, including wage suppression, housing shortages, and strained public services. These tensions continue to shape the national debate as President Donald Trump campaigns on restoring strict border enforcement and curbing legal migration.
