It’s not just a few radical Democrats who favor mass amnesty for illegal aliens. Just over half of American voters want to give amnesty to illegal aliens, however that slim majority includes two-thirds of Democrats.
A recent Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey found that 53% of Likely U.S. Voters support legislation to grant amnesty to illegal aliens and allow them to become permanent U.S. residents – up just slightly from 51% in April – including 25% who Strongly Support such legislation. Forty percent (40%) oppose amnesty for illegals, including 25% who Strongly Oppose it.
Sixty-seven percent (67%) of Democrats support legislation to grant amnesty to illegal aliens, as do 41% of Republicans and 49% of voters not affiliated with either major party. Fifty-two percent (52%) of Republicans, 24% of Democrats and 44% of unaffiliated voters oppose amnesty.
Forty-seven percent (47%) of all Likely Voters would support a policy of deporting all illegal aliens – up from 44% in April – including 29% who would Strongly Support such a policy. Forty-five percent (45%) are opposed to deportation, including 28% who Strongly Oppose such a policy.
Seventy-four percent (74%) of Republican voters favor a policy of deporting all illegal aliens, as do 27% of Democrats and 42% of unaffiliated voters.
Despite widespread criticism of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), 73% of all Likely Voters believe it is important for local police to assist federal immigration officials in apprehending illegal aliens who have committed violent crimes in the United States, including 48% who say it’s Very Important. Only 22% don’t consider cooperation between local police and federal immigration officials important.
More Republicans (67%) than Democrats (31%) or unaffiliated voters (45%) think it’s Very Important for local police to assist federal immigration officials in apprehending illegal aliens who have committed violent crimes.
Fifty-three percent (53%) of whites, 52% of black voters, 55% of Hispanics and 46% of other minorities support legislation to grant amnesty to illegal aliens and allow them to become permanent U.S. residents. Hispanics are most likely to say it’s Very Important for local police to assist federal immigration officials in apprehending illegal aliens who have committed violent crimes.
Voters ages 50 to 64 are most likely to support a policy of deporting all illegal aliens. Support for amnesty is highest among voters under 30.
Seventy-five percent (75%) of self-identified liberal voters support legislation to grant amnesty to illegal aliens and allow them to become permanent U.S. residents, while 70% of conservatives favor deporting all illegal aliens, Among moderate voters, more support amnesty (57%) than deportation (41%).
Breaking down the electorate by income categories, voters earning between $50,000 and $100,000 are most likely to support a policy of deporting all illegal aliens.
Among those who voted for Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, 74% support legislation to grant amnesty to illegal aliens and allow them to become permanent U.S. residents, while 74% of those who voted for Donald Trump support deporting all illegal aliens.
The survey of 1,055 U.S. Likely Voters was conducted on September 24 and 27-28, 2026 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology. To see survey question wording, click here.
