Equis-BSP Poll – Latinos Support Reform and Reward Action

11 MAY 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Immigration Hub today announced the release of a new poll of over 1,800 Latino voters in battleground states and districts across the country. The poll, conducted by Barreto Segura Partners (BSP Research) and EquisLabs, finds Latino voters care deeply about immigration reform, support President Biden’s immigration approach and Democratic immigration policy solutions and are willing to reward action on the issue. The results also make clear that there can be significant electoral consequences for Democrats and the president if they do not deliver on their proposed immigration policies.

“2020 made clear that Latino voters have become one of the most critical blocs of voters in the nation,” said Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub. “Gaining their support can be consequential for Democrats in 2022 and 2024 in key battleground states — and this is exactly why Democrats cannot be silent or inactive on immigration. The results dispel any notion that Latino voters supported Trump on immigration, but more importantly, they underscore how immigration plays an important role in both moving Latino voters and defining Republicans. Democrats must consistently lean into the issue, socialize their solutions and deliver on their promise to modernize our immigration system and pass legislation with a new path to citizenship. The party has an incredible opportunity to not just go on offense, but also remind voters that Republicans refuse to be part of the solution.”

“This polling of Latino voters in battlegrounds states and districts shows clear evidence that Latinos strongly support the Biden immigration agenda,” said Matt Barreto, President, BSP Research. “As President Biden recently stated, for 30 years politicians have failed to offer permanent fixes to our immigration system and now is the time for Congress to act. Latino voters agree, and there is an opportunity for Democrats to shore up Latino support by doubling their outreach and contrasting their plan for immigration reform with the Republican plan for obstructionism and attacking asylum seekers.”

Janet Murguia, President of UnidosUS Action Fund added, “The time is ripe for action on immigration reform.  Immigrant essential workers are helping to keep our economy afloat while helping to support the care and health needs of millions of Americans. And voters from both sides of the aisle support common sense reforms to our system. This latest poll makes clear that political leaders stand to make big gains with Latino voters if they act on reforms now. Immigration continues to rank as a top priority among Latino voters, just second to addressing the coronavirus pandemic. With control of the congress in the balance, Latino voters in battleground states can be the difference and the opportunity is there for leaders to act bold and make crucial inroads with these voters. Latino voters will remember next November who took action and who stood in the way of progress.”

“This research shows both the high support for immigration solutions and the dangerous consequences of inaction,” stated Stephanie Valencia, Co-Founder and President of EquisLabs. “Where a lawmaker stands on the issue of immigration is a simple way for Latinos to know who is on their side– and who isn’t. This poll yet again demonstrates that for Democrats to earn the trust of Latino voters, and put some distance between the parties, they have to do more than say the right things, they have to act.”

The polling found key takeaways in the minds of Latino voters in battleground areas across the United States:

1. Latino voters strongly want policy solutions to fix the immigration system and despite qualitative-based assumptions, did not support President Trump’s immigration policies. Latinos are very supportive of Biden’s efforts to roll back Trump-era policies, reunify families and provide legalization to undocumented immigrants in the United States. There is also high support for the regional work being done by Vice President Kamala Harris to address the root causes of migration from Central America.

• 82% support for the American Dream and Promise Act;

• 82% support the Farm Workforce Modernization Act;

• 80% support for earned legal status and path to citizenship for essential workers;

• 78% support a new more efficient strategy that focuses on technology and orderly migration;

• 79% support for an orderly and humane process for people seeking asylum for a fair hearing;

• 78% want a larger regional role for the US in Central America to address root causes of migration;

• 79% support the initiative led by VP Harris to address the regional root causes from Central  America.

2. There is a crucial and necessary opportunity to communicate and clarify Democratic immigration proposals and action to gain Latino voter support. Based on the results, Latino voters believe Republicans are attempting to work with Democrats on immigration, but also believe that Democrats should go at it alone if Republicans attempt to obstruct. Democrats have the opportunity to win the debate and gain voter support by consistently and publicly informing Latino voters what Democrats are doing on immigration while defining Republicans and their efforts to obstruct.

• While over 60% say they have a good idea of the Biden immigration plan, only 22% say they know exactly where Biden stands on immigration, and 36% admit they are not too sure where he stands.

• Importantly, 50% of Latino independents and 54% of Latino undecided voters report that they are unsure where Biden stands on immigration.

• When asked specifically what they thought Republicans were currently doing, Latino voters had little information with 32% responding that the GOP was working with Biden on bipartisan solutions to immigration and 29% said they don’t know. Just 39% answered that Republicans are blocking President Biden on immigration.

3. Latinos are ready to credit President Biden and Democrats for finally addressing immigration, but there needs to be action. When the immigration policies are laid out, Biden and the Democrats have a great opportunity to shore up and energize Latino voters, by an 80-20 margin. Taking action on the issue will be rewarded, but the results make clear that there can be significant electoral consequences if no action is taken.

• When asked who would deserve blame if immigration reform does NOT pass this year, Latinos are equally split with 30% blaming Biden/Democrats, 31% blaming Republicans and 40% blaming both parties equally.

Methodology

BSP Research and EquisLabs interviewed 1,800 Latino registered voters in battleground states and congressional districts via live telephone and online self-completes.  The poll contains a margin of error of +/-2.3%.  Respondents had the opportunity to be interviewed in English or Spanish at their discretion in both the telephone and online interviews.  All respondents were selected at random and verified to be registered voters.  Battleground states included AZ, CO, NV, FL, PA, NC, GA, WI and then highly competitive congressional districts in CA, TX, and NM.  The survey averaged an overall length of 17 minutes, and was in the field April 21 – May 3, 2021.

For media interview requests, please contact Aaron Rodriguez at aaron@theimmigrationhub.org.

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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.