New Syracuse University/Ipsos poll also finds that most Americans support deporting undocumented immigrants, but far fewer believe in placing limits at the city level

September 27, 2024 - Washington D.C. – A new Syracuse University/Ipsos American Identity poll finds that 42% of Americans view undocumented immigrants as a major threat to the American democratic system and rule of law. However, just 10% hold the same opinion of legal immigrants. Partisan divides exist, as Republicans (75%) are more likely to view undocumented immigrants a major threat than Democrats (14%).

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In the same vein, two in three Americans support deporting immigrants who are in the country illegally. Further, 65% support deporting undocumented immigrants who live in their community. Similar divisions along party lines exist, as Republicans are significantly more likely to support these measures than Democrats.

However, support is significantly lower for deporting legal immigrants. Just one in ten Americans support deporting legal immigrants (13%), including legal immigrants who live in their community (12%).

The poll, which was conducted by Ipsos for the Syracuse University’s Institute for Democracy, Journalism & Citizenship, also finds that four in five Americans agree that the U.S. has always been a nation of immigrants and that is a great part of American tradition. Few (23%) believe that cities should place a limit on the percentage of foreign-born residents that can live there.

Lastly, Americans are split on the importance of a second presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Forty-six percent believe it is important for there to be a second debate, while 51% feel it is not important. Comparatively, more Americans (78%) said it was important for there to be a presidential debate in August, prior to the first debate.

About the Study

This Syracuse University/Ipsos poll was conducted by Ipsos from September 20 to September 22, 2024, using the probability-based KnowledgePanel®. This poll is based on a nationally representative probability sample of 1,029 adults age 18 or older. The sample includes 290 Republicans, 351 Democrats, and 310 independents.

The survey was conducted using KnowledgePanel, the largest and most well-established online probability-based panel that is representative of the adult U.S. population. Our recruitment process employs a scientifically developed addressed-based sampling methodology using the latest Delivery Sequence File of the USPS – a database with full coverage of all delivery points in the U.S. Households invited to join the panel are randomly selected from all available households in the U.S. Persons in the sampled households are invited to join and participate in the panel. Those selected who do not already have internet access are provided a tablet and internet connection at no cost to the panel member. Those who join the panel and who are selected to participate in a survey are sent a unique password-protected log-in used to complete surveys online. As a result of our recruitment and sampling methodologies, samples from KnowledgePanel cover all households regardless of their phone or internet status and findings can be reported with a margin of sampling error and projected to the general population.

The study was conducted in English. The data for the total sample were weighted to adjust for gender by age, race/ethnicity, education, Census region, metropolitan status, and household income. Party ID benchmarks are from the 2024 NPORS annual survey. The demographic benchmarks came from the 2023 March Supplement of the Current Population Survey (CPS).

• Gender (Male, Female) by Age (18–29, 30–44, 45-59 and 60+)
• Race/Hispanic Ethnicity (White Non-Hispanic, Black Non-Hispanic, Other, Non-Hispanic, Hispanic, 2+ Races, Non-Hispanic)
• Education (Less than High School, High School, Some College, Bachelor or higher)
• Census Region (Northeast, Midwest, South, West)
• Metropolitan status (Metro, non-Metro)
• Household Income (Under $25,000, $25,000-$49,999, $50,000-$74,999, $75,000-$99,999, $100,000-$149,999, $150,000+)
• Party ID (Democrat, Lean Democrat, Republican, Lean Republican, Independent/Something else)

The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 3.3 percentage points at the 95% confidence level, for results based on the entire sample of adults. The margin of sampling error takes into account the design effect, which was 1.15. For Republicans, the margin of sampling error is plus or minus 6.0 percentage points, and the design effect is 1.10. For Democrats, the margin of sampling error is plus or minus 5.5 percentage points, and the design effect is 1.10. For independents, the margin of sampling error is plus or minus 6.0 percentage points, and the design effect is 1.16.

The margin of sampling error is higher and varies for results based on sub-samples. In our reporting of the findings, percentage points are rounded off to the nearest whole number. As a result, percentages in a given table column may total slightly higher or lower than 100%. In questions that permit multiple responses, columns may total substantially more than 100%, depending on the number of different responses offered by each respondent.

About Ipsos

Ipsos is one of the largest market research and polling companies globally, operating in 90 markets and employing over 18,000 people.

Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers or employees. Our 75 solutions are based on primary data from our surveys, social media monitoring, and qualitative or observational techniques.

Our tagline "Game Changers" sums up our ambition to help our 5,000 customers move confidently through a rapidly changing world.

Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has been listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120 and Mid-60 indices and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD). ISIN code FR0000073298, Reuters ISOS.PA, Bloomberg IPS:FP www.ipsos.com
Source: Ipsos