Harris and Trump Voters Agree on Border and Skilled Immigration: Survey

Supporters of both presidential candidates share common ground on two key immigration issues, a recent Pew Research survey reveals.
The surprising consensus between likely voters for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and Republican opposite number Donald Trump agree on strengthening border security and expanding highly skilled immigration
Analysis of newly-released U.S. Census Bureau data by the Pew Research Center reveals that 96 percent of Trump supporters and 80 percent of likely Harris voters are in favor of tightening security measures on the U.S.-Mexico border.
Across party lines, Republicans and Democrats back calls for curbs on immigration figures. Some 55 percent of respondents wanted to see immigration levels decrease, according to a poll by Gallup in July.
Additionally, there’s notable agreement on admitting more high-skilled immigrants, supported by 71 percent of those who favor Trump and 87 percent who are pro-Harris.
Taylor Rogers, Trump Campaign Spokesperson, previously told Newsweek: “President Trump has been consistent in encouraging legal immigration while stopping the invasion of illegal immigrants.
“President Trump respects the men and women that come to our great country legally to live out the American dream.”
The research findings come from a survey of 9,201 adults, of which 7,569 were registered voters, conducted from August 5-11, 2024.
The research was carried out ahead of key political events, including the Democratic National Convention, and about a month before the presidential debate on September 10.
The survey provides insights into voter attitudes on immigration policy as both parties gear up for the 2024 election.
This convergence on immigration reform between Trump and Harris voters shows shifting public attitudes in the national conversation on immigration as Americans across the political spectrum rethink traditional party lines.
The rare agreement on such a highly polarizing topic within the political landscape offers potential for bipartisan progress on one of America’s most contentious political debates in a debate marked by division and gridlock.
However, sharp differences remain in other immigration policies, such as mass deportations and pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
A majority of Trump supporters (59 percent) believe that the increasing number of immigrants will worsen conditions for people like them.
In contrast, 65 percent of Harris supporters say the rise in immigration will make no difference in their lives, while only 11 percent think it will have a negative impact.
In the same Pew research, 88 percent of Trump supporters favor the Republican’s flagship policy to carry out mass deportations of immigrants living in the country illegally.
In stark contrast, only 27 percent of Harris supporters share this view, with 72 percent opposing mass deportations.
Polling shows the broader ideological divide between the two political groups on how to address undocumented immigration.
Trump supporters have a mixed outlook on legal immigration’s economic impact. While 31 percent believe immigrants legally living in the U.S. improve the economy and 38 percent say they have little effect, 29 percent feel they make it worse.
On the other side of the political spectrum, 62 percent of Harris supporters say legal immigration benefits the economy.
When it comes to illegal immigration, Trump supporters are far more critical—92 percent say it worsens crime rates. Only 37 percent of Harris supporters share this view, reflecting a stark divide on the perceived impact of undocumented immigrants.
Newsweek has contacted Harris’ and Trump’s campaigns for comment.