October Ad Data Shows Both Parties Reach Highest Monthly Spend On Immigration Ads in 2024
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 poll has a total margin of error of + 2.2%. Below is a summary of key findings.
1. President Biden and Democrats have an opportunity to mobilize voters and increase enthusiasm among battleground Latino voters by doubling down on their messaging in support of balanced solutions, including orderly and humane border security and administrative action for Dreamers and immigrants already living and working in the country.
President Biden and the Democrats gain favorability among Latino voters when presented with a balanced approach to immigration policy that addresses both border security and immigrant rights. Currently, Biden stands at 61% approve to 39% disapprove among Latinos (+22).
Though immigration is not the highest in priority for Latino voters at this time – cost of living and inflation remains the top issue – immigration is still highly salient to many Latino voters. When asked about candidate positioning on immigration, more than one third of Latino voters (36%) state that the issue of immigration has a lot of influence on the candidate they will support for President in 2024.
Further, when voters are re-asked 2024 presidential vote choice at the end of the survey after hearing about both Biden and Republican current positioning on immigration, Latino support for Biden over Trump increases +9 and support for Biden over DeSantis increases +11, suggesting that as Latino voters learn more about each candidates position on immigration, they are more inclined to vote for Biden.
2. Republicans have not made in-roads with Latinos on the immigration issue. Latinos continue to view the GOP as hostile to Latinos and anti-immigrant. There is an important opportunity to engage Latino voters through messaging on Biden administration wins, especially on immigration, as there is little awareness about Republican immigration policy plans.
3. Policies that support immigrants already living and working in the US, such as expanding TPS and creating legal pathways for migration and citizenship, have strong support among Latino voters.
4. Biden Administration policies are very popular and have a significant opportunity to demonstrate contrast with Republicans. Democrats can hit Republicans on their extreme immigration agenda and remind Latino voters of Democratic solutions for working families. On Republican immigration counter-messaging, the two overall strongest arguments that resonated most with Latino voters were related to the economy and lack of solutions:
When hearing about President Biden’s comprehensive approach to immigration issues, Latino voters overwhelmingly agree Biden policies are the right approach: