How Americans View Immigrants, and What They Want from Immigration Reform: Findings from the 2015 American Values Atlas

The Public Religion Research Institute's 2015 American Values Atlas is based on interviews, conducted with a random sample of 42,000 American adults. The large sample size allows for analysis at the state and metropolitan level.

How Americans View Immigrants, and What They Want from Immigration Reform: Findings from the 2015 American Values Atlas, focusing on attitudes towards immigrants and immigration reform, shows that a majority of the public views immigrants positively-something that is hard to discern in present day political discourse. There are, however, important differences among groups in thinking about immigrants as strengthening American society or as a threat to our traditional customs and values. The report details differences by age, race and ethnic group, political and ideological affiliation, and religious affiliation. The report also details attitudes by state and region. On the question of immigration reform, a majority of Americans (62 percent) favor a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, provided they meet certain conditions. An additional 15 percent say that these immigrants should be allowed to stay but not become citizens. There is majority support for a path to citizenship in every state except South Dakota, but even in that state, only 32 percent think that undocumented immigrants should be identified and deported (Maurice Belanger, Maurice Belanger Associates).

Download here or view online.