14 MAR 2024

NEW MEMO: Voters’ Strong Support for Legal Pathways for Dreamers and Immigrant Families Presents President Biden An Opportunity  

New Battleground Poll Results Show Overwhelming Support for a Balanced Approach to Immigration: Pathway to Citizenship and Sensible Border Solutions

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Immigration Hub released a new memo, featuring the results of a new battleground poll, conducted by Global Strategy Group, that demonstrates overwhelming support for creating legal pathways for Dreamers and undocumented immigrants in the U.S. and border security measures that would increase capacity and resources at the border. The memo also outlines critical administrative actions that the Biden administration can take to provide long-settled immigrants in the U.S. access to legal pathways. By offering up immigration solutions, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have an opportunity to appeal to critical voting groups. 

“Public sentiment is clear: voters support immigration solutions that address both our border and the nation's hard-working immigrant communities. In stark contrast to the president's predecessor, the Biden administration can continue to rebuild our immigration system in line with America’s values and provide access to existing legal pathways to the very families who have fueled our economic comeback. This is an opportunity to meet the moment and honor the promise of America,” stated Beatriz Lopez, Deputy Director of the Immigration Hub.

The new poll surveyed 1,200 voters across Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, demonstrating strong support for actions that would create legal pathways while also implementing common-sense policies to restore order and continue ensuring safety at the border. Highlights of the results include:

  • Two in five (43%) voters cite immigration as one of their top issues, falling behind only inflation (51%). 

  • The survey also found that 81% of battleground voters support a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who have been living in the U.S. for many years, pass a background check, and pay taxes. 

  • The GSG poll also found strong support for delivering both border security solutions and legal pathways for immigrants currently in the U.S. More than 80% of voters also support investing in border security measures such as increased screening capacity for fentanyl and other drugs and improving technology and infrastructure at the border.

  • A strong majority of voters (65%) say that Congress should have passed the border bill that Republicans blocked, versus only 35% who say they should not have passed the law

  • In the same GSG poll, battleground voters opposed family separation (65%) and banning asylum (55%). 

“There’s no doubt that voters are looking for common sense solutions to ensure safety and order at the border,” stated Nick Gourevitch, Partner & Managing Director, Research, at Global Strategy Group. “At the same time, voters also recognize that Dreamers and long-standing residents deserve a pathway to citizenship – which earns strong support from voters across the political spectrum.”   

In the new memo, the Immigration Hub provides recommendations to the administration on key administration actions that would allow Dreamers, family caretakers and other long-settled immigrants to access legal pathways: 

  1. Modernizing an existing rule for America’s family caretakers to stay together. The administration can make a program currently on the books more accessible to thousands of long-term residents who meet the requirements of living in the U.S. for 10 years and having U.S. citizen or resident relatives who would face hardship if the applicant were removed. Many Dreamers, including DACA recipients, could qualify for work permits and eventually permanent residency if the rule is updated.

  2. Permit all spouses of Americans to work while they wait for permanent residency. The administration can explore all its options— from its parole and deferred action authorities, to amending existing work permit regulations — to allow spouses of U.S. citizens to work while they wait to become permanent U.S. residents. 

  3. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ecuador, DRC, Nicaragua and all other nations that qualify. By redesignating TPS to these nations, many people from these countries who have been living in the U.S. and have established roots, been paying taxes, and have U.S. citizen children and other family members can remain in the U.S. and continue to contribute to their communities and local economies.

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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.