Gallup: Americans Shift Toward Pro-Immigration Views Under Trump/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ New Gallup polling reveals Americans are increasingly positive about immigration, with support for immigrants surging among Republicans since Trump’s return to office. While Trump pushes for mass deportations and tough border policies, public sentiment favors pathways to citizenship and maintaining current immigration levels. The shift signals potential tension between Trump’s agenda and evolving national attitudes.
Gallup Shows US Immigration Views Growing More Positive: Quick Looks
- Pro-Immigration Surge: 79% of Americans now view immigration positively.
- Republican Shift: GOP support for immigration rises dramatically since Trump’s return.
- Deportation Fatigue: Fewer Americans back mass deportations or lower immigration levels.
- Pathway to Citizenship: 85% support citizenship for immigrants brought as children.
- Policy Gap: Public views diverge from Trump’s hardline immigration plans.
- Immigration Level Preferences: Most want immigration levels kept stable, not increased.
- Decades-Long Trend: Americans far more pro-immigrant than in past generations.
- Gallup Poll Significance: Results challenge the political calculus for 2026 elections.
Gallup: Americans Shift Toward Pro-Immigration Views Under Trump
Deep Look
America’s views on immigration are undergoing a striking transformation, with public sentiment swinging sharply more positive—even under President Donald Trump, whose administration has made strict immigration enforcement a hallmark of his return to the White House.
A new Gallup poll released this week reveals that nearly 8 in 10 U.S. adults—an astonishing 79%—now say immigration is “a good thing” for the country. That’s a dramatic jump from 64% only a year ago and the highest point Gallup has recorded in nearly 25 years of tracking these attitudes.
Even more noteworthy is where much of the shift is coming from: Republicans. Just one year ago, fewer than 4 in 10 Republicans viewed immigration positively. Today, about two-thirds say immigrants are good for the United States. It’s a remarkable turnaround for a party whose electoral fortunes have often been tied to anti-immigration messaging.
Trump’s Rhetoric Meets Changing Public Opinion
These changing attitudes stand in sharp contrast to President Trump’s aggressive policies since reclaiming the Oval Office.
Trump has called for “the single largest Mass Deportation Program in history,” ramped up Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, sought to revoke citizenship from immigrants convicted of crimes, and pushed to end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants or those in the country temporarily.
Last week, Trump toured a new migrant detention facility in Florida, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” showcasing his administration’s commitment to detaining and removing people without legal status. Yet the Gallup data suggest that while Trump’s base once cheered these hardline measures, broader public—and even Republican—sentiment may be shifting under his feet.
Decreasing Appetite for Reducing Immigration
One of the most significant findings in Gallup’s report is the declining share of Americans who want immigration levels reduced. A year ago, 55% said they wanted fewer people coming into the country. That figure has now dropped to 30%. Instead, 4 in 10 Americans prefer immigration levels stay the same, while only about 26% favor increasing them.
Among Republicans, once the bedrock of calls for lower immigration, the change is even more striking. Last year, an overwhelming 88% of GOP respondents said immigration should be decreased. This year, that number has tumbled to 48%. Nearly 4 in 10 Republicans now say current immigration levels are acceptable, while around 10% even support an increase.
Experts believe several factors are contributing to this transformation. Some Republicans may feel reassured that Trump is in office enforcing tougher policies, easing their fears about border security. Others may recognize economic realities, including labor shortages in key industries and the positive contributions immigrants make to communities and the economy.
Americans Warm to Pathways for Citizenship
Perhaps the most politically significant shift reflected in the Gallup data is the growing support for pathways to citizenship. Despite Trump’s vows to crack down on undocumented immigrants, almost 9 in 10 U.S. adults—around 85%—say they support a path to citizenship for immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children, often referred to as Dreamers. Nearly as many Americans also favor a path to citizenship for all undocumented immigrants, provided they meet specific requirements over time.
While Democrats and independents have consistently backed such measures, the new numbers show Republican support rising as well. About 6 in 10 Republicans now favor a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, up from 46% last year.
This groundswell of support could complicate the administration’s plans for mass deportations, highlighting a growing disconnect between Trump’s political rhetoric and the views of many Americans—including those within his own party.
Deportation Support Slips—But Remains Divisive
Support for deporting immigrants who are in the country illegally has also fallen, though the change is less pronounced than in other areas. About 40% of Americans now support deportations, down from roughly half a year ago. While significant numbers still favor removals, the drop suggests fatigue with the idea of massive roundups and disruptions to communities and businesses.
Immigrant advocates argue that large-scale deportations would tear apart families and undermine U.S. values, while some conservative voices insist strict enforcement remains essential to maintaining the rule of law.
Political Crosscurrents Ahead of 2026
Gallup’s findings arrive at a moment when immigration remains one of the most volatile issues in American politics. Trump’s promises of tougher border security and high-profile immigration crackdowns helped propel him to victory, but public opinion trends suggest a growing tension between voter sentiment and the administration’s plans.
Trump’s campaign may still benefit from highlighting border security concerns, especially in swing states. However, if Republicans lean too heavily into anti-immigrant rhetoric, they risk alienating moderates and independents, who increasingly see immigrants as essential contributors to America’s economy and culture.
Meanwhile, Democrats are likely to seize on the polling to argue that Trump’s proposals for mass deportations and legal rollbacks are out of step with voters’ wishes. They’ll aim to position themselves as champions of pathways to citizenship and stable immigration policies.
The Long View: A Country Growing More Pro-Immigrant
Beyond current political fights, the Gallup trends point to a significant evolution in American attitudes over decades. In the 1990s and early 2000s, negative perceptions of immigrants were far more widespread. Today, Americans are more inclined than ever to view immigrants as an asset rather than a threat.
This profound shift could shape U.S. immigration policy for years to come, influencing debates not only about enforcement and deportation but also about integration, workforce participation, and America’s identity as a nation of immigrants.
As Trump’s administration pushes forward with its ambitious immigration agenda, it will increasingly confront a public whose views appear to be shifting in a very different direction.
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