Tag: Immigration

To challenge the drug cartels, 60% of voters favor sending U.S. military troops and equipment to the southern border. That’s up from 53% this past summer. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 28% are opposed to sending military forces to the border.

Republican voters overwhelmingly favor sending troops to the border. So do 56% of Independents. Democrats are more evenly divided with 46% in favor and 40% opposed.

Thirty-nine percent (39%) would even favor having the U.S. military enter Mexican territory to defeat the cartels. Forty-five percent (45%) are opposed. Fifty-seven percent (57%) of Republicans favor this approach while 57% of Democrats are opposed. Among Independent voters, 35% support the idea and 46% do not.

The survey also found that 55% believe drug cartels have more control of the southern border than the U.S. government. Nineteen percent (19%) disagree and 26% are not sure. Those figures are little changed from earlier this year.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Question 1:

Is it fair to say that drug cartels have more control of the southern border than the U.S. government?

55%    Yes

19%    No

26%    Not sure

Question 2:

To challenge the cartels and secure the border, would you favor or oppose sending U.S. military troops and equipment to the southern border of the United States?

31%    Strongly favor

29%    Somewhat favor

15%    Somewhat oppose

13%    Strongly oppose

13%    Not sure

Question 3:

If necessary, would you favor or oppose having the U.S. military enter Mexican territory to defeat the cartels?

18%    Strongly favor

21%    Somewhat favor

21%    Somewhat oppose

24%    Strongly oppose

16%    Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on December 14-15, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

Seventy percent (70%) of voters believe the drug cartels operating at the southern border should be designated as a terrorist group. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 14% disagree and 16% are not sure.

The survey also found that 64% believe the situation at the border is a crisis. That’s little changed from two months ago. While most voters see it as a crisis, just 34% believe the federal government is seriously trying to secure the border and reduce illegal immigration.

Overall, 71% of voters believe legal immigration is good for the United States. Just 15% disagree. At the same time, 73% believe illegal immigration is bad for the nation. On that point, just 13% disagree.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Question 1:

On a different topic, which of the following best describes your views on immigration?

15%    Both legal and illegal immigration are bad for the United States.

58%    Legal immigration is good for the United States, but illegal immigration is bad.

13%    Both legal and illegal immigration are good for the United States.

13%    Not sure

Question 2:

Is the federal government today seriously trying to secure the border and reduce illegal immigration?

34%    Yes

43%    No

22%    Not sure

Question 3:

Do you consider the situation at the southern border to be a crisis?

64%    Yes

23%    No

13%    Not sure

Question 4:

Should the drug cartels that operate at the southern border be designated a terrorist group?

70%    Yes

14%    No

16%    Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on December 1-3, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

When people enter the United States illegally, 68% of voters believe it leads to an increase in federal spending and deficits. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 14% disagree and 18% are not sure.

Eighty-five percent (85%) of voters who prefer Trump-like policies believe illegal immigration leads to higher government spending and deficits. That view is shared by 74% of those who prefer traditional Republican policies, 60% of traditional Democrats, and 53% of Sanders’ Democrats.

The survey also found that 60% of voters believe illegal immigration leads to increased crime.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Question 1:

Which of the following best describes your views on immigration:

17%    Both legal and illegal immigration are bad for the United States

61%    Legal immigration is good for the United States, but illegal immigration is bad

12%    Both legal and illegal immigration are good for the United States

10%    Not sure

Question 2:

When people enter the United States illegally, does it lead to an increase in federal spending and deficits?

68%    Yes

14%    No

18%    Not sure

Question 3:

Okay… When people enter the United States illegally, does it lead to an increase in crime?

60%    Yes

20%    No

20%    Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on October 25-27, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

When informed that approximately 10% of the asylum seekers released into the United States never return for their court hearings, 84% of voters consider that to be a serious problem. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 10% say it is not a serious problem and 6% are not sure.

Those totals include 57% who consider it a Very Serious problem and 2% who say it is Not at All Serious.

Some Republican political leaders have suggested that the number of asylum seekers who skip their hearings is much higher– perhaps topping 50%. The Washington Post and other media outlets have pushed back on such claims. A study published in the University of Pennsylvania Law Review reported that 83% of asylum seekers released into the country attended all their hearings.

However, even if the number who skip their hearings is only 10% (as suggested in the polling question), voters are concerned. Ninety-four percent (94%) of Republicans consider that to be a serious problem. So do 80% of Democrats and 79% of Independents. That view is shared by 86% of White voters, 84% of Black voters, and 78% of Hispanic voters.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Question:

Approximately 10% of the asylum seekers released into the United States never return for their court hearings. How serious a problem is this?

57%    Very serious

27%    Somewhat serious

8%    Not very serious

2%    Not at all serious

6%    Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on October 25-27, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

Fifty-eight percent (58%) of voters believe that those seeking asylum and waiting for their hearing should be detained at the border. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 24% disagree and think they should be released into the United States. Eighteen percent (18%) are not sure.

If asylum seekers are released into U.S. communities, 78% believe the federal government should be required to notify local officials.

Additionally, before sending asylum seekers to a state, 66% believe the federal government should be required to get permission from the governor. That view is shared by 80% of Republicans, 64% of Independents, and 55% of Democrats.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Question 1:

People who cross the Southern border say they are seeking asylum. Many are then sent to other communities across the country and told to return for a hearing on their asylum status. While waiting for their hearing, should these asylum seekers be released into the United States or detained at the border?

24%    Release into the US

58%    Detained at the border

18%    Not sure

Question 2:

When the federal government sends asylum seekers to communities across the country, should they be required to notify local officials such as governors and mayors?

78%    Yes

10%    No

12%    Not sure

Question 3:

Before sending asylum seekers to a state, should the federal government be required to get permission from the governor?

66%    Yes

18%    No

16%    Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on October 25-27, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

Sixty-seven percent (67%) of voters want asylum seekers detained or deported. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that total includes 35% who believe they should be detained either in the United States or Mexico and 32% who believe they should be immediately deported.

Another 32% believe asylum seekers should be released into the United States and asked to return for a court hearing.

The results suggest that voters are divided into three roughly equal groups. One group wants asylum seekers deported, one wants them detained, and one wants them released into the U.S. pending a court date.

Those who want asylum seekers detained are evenly divided between whether they should be detained in the United States or in Mexico.

Forty-nine percent (49%) of Democrats believe asylum seekers should be released into the United States. That view is shared by 30% of Independent voters and 18% of Republicans.

There is a significant difference between progressive Democrats and traditional Democrats on this issue. Among those who prefer policies like those of Bernie Sanders, 58% believe asylum seekers should be released into the United States. That number is 37% among those who prefer more traditional Democratic policies.

The survey also found that 73% of voters believe legal immigration is good for the United States while 75% believe illegal immigration is bad.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on September 30-October 2, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 2.8 percentage points.

 

Nineteen percent (19%) of voters believe that U.S. border patrol agents are too harsh in dealing with illegal immigrants. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 33% believe they are too lenient.

Twenty-six percent (26%) believe the border patrol behavior is about right and 23% are not sure.

Most Republicans (52%) believe the agents are too lenient. Among Democrats, opinion is more divided with a narrow plurality (32%) believing the treatment is too harsh. Among those who prefer policies like those of Bernie Sanders, 43% believe the border patrol is too harsh.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen from August 10-11, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

Thirty-two percent (32%) of voters believe all, or just about all, illegal immigrants living in the United States should be granted amnesty and allowed to remain in the country. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 42% disagree and oppose a general amnesty while 26% are not sure.

Democrats, by a 50% to 22% margin, favor amnesty for just about all illegal immigrants. Republicans, by a 65% to 18% margin are opposed to amnesty. Among independent voters, 24% favor amnesty, 36% are opposed, and 41% are not sure.

White voters tend to oppose amnesty while Black and Hispanic voters tend to favor it.

Polls have consistently shown strong support for allowing “dreamers” to remain in the country. However, for many voters, the question of how to treat those already living in the country is something to be considered only after the border is secured.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen from August 10-11, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

Forty-nine percent (49%) of voters believe securing control of the US border to stop illegal immigration is more important than creating a pathway to citizenship for people who entered the country illegally. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 42% disagree and believe a pathway to citizenship is more important.

Data released earlier showed that 50% of voters believe illegal immigration to be a crisis.

Not surprisingly, those who believe all immigration is bad for the United States overwhelmingly see securing the border as the top priority. And, those who favor an open borders approach overwhelmingly think the pathway to citizenship is more important.

In between are those with mainstream views on immigration. This group, a solid majority of the voting public, believes that legal immigration is good for the United States and illegal immigration is bad. Among these mainstream voters, 57% say securing the border should be the top priority. Thirty-nine percent (39%) take the opposite view.

Sixty-eight percent (68%) of Republicans see border security as the top priority. That’s the overwhelming view of those who prefer Trump-like policies. Those who prefer traditional GOP policies are more evenly divided.

On the other side of the aisle, 60% of Democrats see creating a pathway to citizenship as the top goal.

Data released earlier showed that 54% of voters believe the top priority should be given to those with skills that will benefit the United States rather than to those who have relatives in the United States. Just 24% believe family relationships should be the top priority and 22% are not sure.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from June 24-26, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 153 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

When deciding who should be allowed to enter the United States each year, 54% of voters believe the top priority should be given to those with skills that will benefit the United States rather than to those who have relatives in the United States. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 24% believe family relationships should be the top priority and 22% are not sure.

Sixty-four percent (64%) of Republicans believe preference should be given to those with skills. So do 47% of Democrats and 44% of Independent voters.

The survey also found that just 23% believe there should be no limits placed upon the number of people entering the United States.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from June 24-26, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 153 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

Sixty-five percent (65%) of voters believe that the United States is friendlier to immigrants than most other countries. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 20% disagree and believe the U.S. is more hostile towards immigrants.

Those totals include 38% who view the nation as much friendlier towards immigrants than most nations. Just 6% believe it is much more hostile.

Very Liberal voters are fairly evenly divided. Among this group, just 49% believe the U.S. is friendlier than most nations while 41% believe it is more hostile. At the other extreme, 88% of Very Conservative voters believe the U.S. is friendlier than most nations.  That includes 75% who say it is much friendlier.

On a partisan basis, 79% of Republicans believe the U.S. is friendlier towards immigrants than other nations. Most Democrats (54%) share that view but 31% see the U.S. as more hostile than most countries. Among Independent voters, 54% see the U.S. as friendlier while 18% say more hostile.

The survey also found that 62% of voters recognize that the United States accepts more immigrants than any other nation in the world. Twelve percent (12%) mistakenly believe that is not true while 26% are not sure.

Those who mistakenly believe that the U.S. does not accept more immigrants than any other nation are far more likely to believe that the United States is more hostile towards immigrants than other nations.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from May 27-29, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 170 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

Sixty percent (60%) of voters see the growing number of illegal immigrants to be an invasion of the United States. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 30% disagree and say it is not an invasion.

Private sector workers, by a 64% to 28% margin, see it as an invasion. Government employees are more evenly divided–47% say it’s an invasion, 42% disagree.

By an 82% to 11% margin, Republicans say it’s an invasion. Independent voters, by a 55% to 27% margin, agree.

However, a narrow plurality of Democrats (48%) take the opposite view.

Among voters who are aware that the United States takes in more immigrants than any other nation in the world, 76% see the growing number of illegal immigrants as an invasion.  Among those who mistakenly believe some other nations take in more immigrants than the U.S., 68% say it’s not an invasion.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from May 27-29, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 170 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

Fifty-eight percent (58%) of voters believe that drug cartels have more control of the Southern border than the U.S. government. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that just 20% disagree and 22% are not sure.

Most Republicans (78%) and Independents (53%) believe the cartels control the border. Democrats are more divided on the question. Forty-three percent (43%) agree that the cartels have more control than the U.S. government while 32% disagree.

Sixty-three percent (63%) of White voters believe the cartels have more control as do 53% of Hispanic voters and 41% of Black voters.

The survey also found that the 52% believe the Biden Administration is making it too easy for illegal immigrants to enter the nation. Just 28% disagree.

Eighty-seven percent (87%) of Republicans think the Administration is making it too easy for illegal immigrants. Independents, by a 45% to 27% margin, tend to agree.

Democrats have a completely different view. Among those in the president’s party, just 26% believe he is making it too easy for illegal immigrants. Forty-eight percent (48%) disagree.

Data released earlier shows that 70% of voters view immigration and border control as a national security issue. Overall, 63% of voters believe that legal immigration is good for the United States while illegal immigration is bad.  Just 14% believe both legal and illegal immigration are bad for the nation while 11% believe both are good.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Methodology

The online survey of 1,000 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen from May 6-8, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

Seventy percent (70%) of voters nationwide say that immigration and border control is a national security issue. A Scott Rasmussen survey found that 16% disagree and 14% are not sure.

Ninety-three percent (93%) of Republicans view border control as a national security issue. So do 59% of Democrats and 58% of Independent voters.

Seventy-six percent (76%) of White voters see it as a national security issue along with 68% of Hispanic voters and 41% of Black voters.

Older voters are more likely than younger voters to consider immigration a national security issue.

The survey also found that 63% of voters believe that legal immigration is good for the United States while illegal immigration is bad.  Just 14% believe both legal and illegal immigration are bad for the nation while 11% believe both are good.

Seventy-five percent (75%) of Republicans believe legal immigration is good while illegal immigration is bad. That view is shared by 57% of Independent voters and 56% of Democrats.

Other data shows that 58% of voters believe drug cartels have more control of the Southern border than the U.S. government. Just 20% disagree and 22% are not sure. Most voters (52%) believe that the Biden Administration is making it too easy for illegal immigrants to enter the nation.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Methodology

The online survey of 1,000 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen from May 6-8, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

Sixty percent (60%) of voters nationwide believe that legal immigration is good for the United States but illegal immigration is bad. A Scott Rasmussen survey found that 16% believe both forms of immigration are good while 13% believe both are bad. Eleven percent (11%) are not sure.

Putting those numbers together shows that 76% believe legal immigration is good for America while 71% believe illegal immigration is bad.

The view that legal immigration is good while illegal immigration is bad is shared by a plurality or majority of every measured demographic group but one. Very liberal voters are split between those who see all immigration as good (42%) and those who see a distinction between legal and illegal border crossings (39%).

However, despite the majority view being shared across demographic and partisan lines, there are significant distinctions within certain groups. For example, 33% of Hispanic voters believe both legal and illegal immigration is good. Just 11% say both forms are bad. But both White and Black voters are evenly split between the number who say all immigration is good and those who say it is all bad.

One perhaps surprising finding is that those who would prefer a candidate who supports Donald Trump’s policies are most likely to make the distinction between legal and illegal immigration. Seventy-five percent (75%) of such voters believe legal immigration is good while illegal immigration is bad. That view is shared by 71% who prefer traditional Republican candidates, 50% who would prefer Bernie Sanders’ type of policies, and 46% who prefer traditional Democratic candidates.

This appears to conflict with the perception that Trump voters are opposed to all immigration. That perception may be the result of the fact that 21% of voters who prefer Trump policies believe both forms of immigration are bad. Just 2% believe both forms are good. Other voters are more likely to say that both forms of immigration are good rather than bad. Still, a solid majority of Republicans and Independents make a distinction between legal and illegal immigration. So do 49% of Democrats.

Support for policies of a certain candidate were determined by the following question: Suppose you had a choice between four presidential candidates. All four had equal skills and temperament. Would you prefer a Republican who supported policies like President Trump, a more traditional Republican, a Democrat who supported policies similar to Senator Bernie Sanders, or a more traditional Democrat?

Over the past six months, responses to this question show that, on the GOP side of the aisle, Trump policies are strongly preferred over a traditional Republican. Democrats, on the other hand, are even divided between those who favor traditional Democrats or candidates pursuing Sanders’ policies.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from March 25-27. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 269 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

Looking to the future, 55% of voters believe it will be appropriate for the United States to establish stricter immigration policies. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 32% disagree and 13% are not sure.

Eighty-nine percent (89%) of Republican voters support a stricter immigration policy. Democrats, by a 53% to 31% margin, are opposed. Among Independents, 53% believe a stricter immigration policy will be appropriate while 29% disagree.

The need for a stricter immigration policy is supported by 69% of rural voters, 53% of suburban voters, and 49% or urban voters.

Data released earlier showed that 70% of voters favored a temporary ban on entry into the U.S. during the pandemic.

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The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from April 30-May 2, 2020. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online while 179 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Certain quotas were applied, and the overall sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.