19 SEPT 2023
NEW BATTLEGROUND SURVEY: Latino Voters in Arizona Want Biden and Democrats to Take Action For Dreamers and Long-Settled Immigrants; Republican Extremism on Immigration Ostracizes Latino Voters
New Poll Shows Arizona Voters Widely Support Administrative Action To Provide Legal Status and Work Authorization to Immigrants, including Dreamers, TPS holders, and Undocumented Workers
Read full poll results here.
PHOENIX – As first reported by CBS, this week the Immigration Hub, Somos Votantes and UnidosUS Action released the results of a new poll conducted by BSP Research that surveyed Latino voters in 7 key battleground states – including Arizona – and congressional districts in California, New York and Texas.
The poll reveals that an overwhelming majority of Latino voters, in Arizona and across battleground states, favor President Biden taking swift administrative actions to provide legal pathways for undocumented immigrants, including Dreamers and eligible Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients. The results indicate that President Biden and Democrats have an opportunity to mobilize critical voters and increase enthusiasm among Arizona's Latino electorate by publicly socializing their balanced approach to the nation’s immigration system, in contrast with the GOP’s cruel agenda.
In recent months, the Biden-Harris administration has been on the receiving end of a wave of calls – from Congressional Black Caucus leaders, Latino Senators, governors from both sides of the aisle, civil rights groups, battleground mayors and business leaders – pushing it to use every tool at its disposal to provide more options for immigrants in the U.S. to access work permits and protection from deportation.
Results reveal that the majority of Latino voters in Arizona reject a wide swath of anti-immigration policies more closely associated with Republicans and view the GOP as actively hostile to immigrant communities amid their escalating proposals. These results align with Senator Mark Kelly’s 2022 triumph in the state, where he doubled down on his support for an immigration system that treats people “fairly and humanely,” in contrast to the GOP’s anti-immigrant extremism. The same year, a majority of Arizona voters approved Proposition 308, which granted undocumented students in-state tuition prices and eligibility for state financial aid.
Latino voters continue to reject extremist GOP stances – such as family separation, deporting Dreamers, and ending birthright citizenship. Latino voters support a balanced approach on immigration that involves orderly and humane border solutions and decisive action to support immigrants already living and working in the U.S.
Matt Barreto, BSP Research President and Co-Founder, who conducted the poll, stated, “Latino voters clearly reject Republican anti-immigrant policy. Latinos want to see Democrats deliver a balanced agenda on the issue of immigration, one that involves humane border solutions and secures legal pathways for long-settled immigrants like Dreamers and TPS holders to continue to live and work in the U.S. Motivating the Latino electorate will be key to electoral victories in 2024 and this poll shows a clear opportunity for candidates to activate battleground Latino voters in their favor by advancing popular immigration reforms.”
Key Poll Results in Arizona:
Republicans have not made in-roads with battleground Latino voters on immigration. Survey results demonstrate that the majority of Latino voters in Arizona (62%) do not support Republican policies and continue to view the GOP as hostile to immigrants and their contributions to the economy. A majority (65%) believe that Republicans are failing working families and dividing Americans by banning history books in schools and attacking reproductive rights and immigrant communities.
Candidates have an opportunity to gain critical votes and increase enthusiasm among Arizona Latino voters by taking action for Dreamers and long-settled immigrant families in the U.S. and stressing a balanced approach to the nation’s immigration system. A strong majority (82%) of Latino voters in Arizona continue to show overwhelming support for a balanced approach to the nation’s immigration system that includes humane and orderly border security and action to address Dreamers, long-settled immigrant families, and undocumented immigrants currently in the U.S.
A majority of Latino voters in Arizona support President Biden taking administrative action to provide a path to legal status and work authorization to long-term immigrants, including Dreamers (84%), eligible TPS holders (86%) and undocumented workers (77%).
The Biden administration’s immigration policies are very popular (77%), offering Democrats a significant opportunity to demonstrate contrast with Republicans and win critical Latino voters in Arizona. By articulating their position and contrasting against the GOP rhetoric and policies, President Biden and Democrats can increase Latino support significantly.
“When it comes to the issues that are deeply personal to hardworking Latinos like the economy and immigration, one thing is clear: we want to build a good life for ourselves but need the tools and opportunities to do it,” said Melissa Morales, President and Founder of Somos Votantes. “Latino voters widely support President Biden and Democrats' balanced approach to immigration but urgently want to see and hear more. We can continue building an economy that works for all working people, including hardworking immigrants. And these poll results offer not only a clear path forward but the tools we need to strengthen our message when talking to Latino voters ahead of 2024.”
Methodology: On behalf of Immigration Hub, Somos Votantes, and UnidosUS Action, BSP Research conducted a survey of 2,000 Latino registered voters across battleground states and congressional districts to assess voter attitudes about immigration policies. The poll was run from July 14-23, 2023. Interviews were conducted in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Texas, and several battleground congressional districts in California and New York. The survey was conducted via live telephone and online, and available in English or Spanish, per respondent preference. Final data are weighted to reflect the Latino registered voter population across these states, and the overall poll has a total margin of error of + 2.2% and + 6.9% in the Arizona sample.
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The Immigration Hub is a national organization dedicated to advancing fair and just immigration policies through strategic leadership, innovative communications strategies, legislative advocacy and collaborative partnerships.