A growing majority of American voters support offering undocumented immigrants a pathway to legal status, according to a new national poll released Thursday by Quinnipiac University.
The survey found that 64% of registered voters favor granting most undocumented immigrants in the U.S. a legal path, compared to 31% who prefer deporting them. The numbers reflect a noticeable shift in public sentiment on immigration, particularly amid President Donald Trump’s intensified enforcement policies.
Just six months ago, a similar Quinnipiac poll showed 55% support for legal status and 36% in favor of deportation, indicating a nearly 10-point increase in amnesty support and a 5-point drop in favor of mass removal.
The shift comes as Trump’s immigration agenda continues to draw fire for its harsh approach. His administration has faced widespread criticism for separating families at the border and deporting individuals to countries they fled decades ago or haven’t returned to since childhood.
Partisan divides remain sharp, but some signs of movement are emerging. Among Republicans, 31% now support providing a pathway to legal status, while 89% of Democrats share that view. Though the gap remains wide, the rise in GOP support suggests a slow but measurable softening in the party’s hardline stance.
“While immigration remains deeply polarized, the data shows increasing willingness among voters to support legal options over deportation,” said Doug Schwartz, Ph.D., who conducted the poll for Quinnipiac.
The poll also revealed broader dissatisfaction with federal immigration enforcement. Fifty-six percent of voters said they disapprove of the way U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is performing its duties. Similarly, 54% said they disapprove of Trump’s handling of the presidency.
Voters ranked democracy preservation, the economy, immigration, and international conflicts as their top concerns heading into the next electoral cycle.
