There is “zero” chance of passing comprehensive immigration reform by the end of the year, according to Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ). Even so, a bipartisan group of Senators met in late April to discuss what reforms remain possible. While politics plays a role in the success of policy, there remains hope and reason to believe that the general US population shares more in common over immigration than the usual polarized narrative suggests, especially concerning the border and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) relief.
The Omnibus April 2022 Echelon Insights survey revealed areas where 70% or more respondents agreed on immigration policy in the United States. Seventy-five percent opposed policy allowing for open borders. Respondents also “Strongly/Somewhat Support” creating “stricter policies to prevent people from overstaying their visas” (77%), increasing border patrol presence at the Southern Border (72%), and DACA relief — “allowing immigrants who were brought to the US illegally as children to stay here if they meet certain requirements” (70%).
DACA relief and preventing unauthorized migration serve as favorable positions for a large part of the populace. DACA relief in particular consistently polls high. Respondents favored a version of this policy in surveys such as the February 2021 Quinnipiac (83%), the 2020 ANES (86.78%), 2020 Pew (74%), and 2018 Gallup (83%). A 2017 Morning Consult/Politico poll showed 65% believed DACA relief was an “important or top priority.” Rasmussen polls showed lower favorability in its weekly/biweekly surveys for providing “lifetime work permits” to those who came as “minors”, but support still averages 56% from December 2019-April 2022. Polls from 2017-2022 show consistent majority support for DACA. Yet, legislation remains a challenge.
While discussing DACA in 2017, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan argued, “You cannot fix DACA without fixing the root cause of our problem. We don’t have control of our borders...We need border security and enforcement as part of our agreement.”
During the 2021 debate on the American Dream and Promise Act, which addressed DACA, some Republicans preferred to discuss and prioritize the Southern Border instead. The concerns of Paul Ryan and Republican senators capture an element of the poll responses regarding support for a stronger border patrol presence and VISA overstay enforcement. This reflects general sentiments regarding unauthorized migration, as a March 2022 Gallup poll showed that 60% of respondents worried about illegal immigration a great deal or a fair amount.
While fewer polls capture the public’s desire for a combination bill, a 2017 Morning Consult/Politico poll showed 45% (42% Republicans/47% Democrats) of the populace thought DACA should pass independently, while a third (42% Republicans/28% Democrats) preferred broader immigration legislation.
Immigration issues are garnering 70% or more agreement, yet legislation stalls. So why be optimistic? The good news is that these positions — concern for border security and concern for immigrants brought as children — are morally understandable and discernable, and that leaves room for pragmatism.
When Echelon Insights asked about the overall unauthorized population residing in the U.S., 36% supported their ability to stay and apply for citizenship, 19% supported providing legal status but not citizenship, and 34% deportation or a requirement to leave. Respondents made a distinction between those who were brought and those who came of their own volition. Instead of operating off of reflexively pro or anti-immigrant sentiments, people are making moral distinctions. The path forward for pragmatic policy is to strike a balance, showing greater concern for human dignity in immigration enforcement, while respecting the rule of law when addressing compassion or justice issues.
Senators attempting to engage in immigration reform should take note: Despite their own political calculations, their constituencies have broad areas of agreement in common. The popularity of DACA relief and careful consideration of the various moral distinctions at play may prove worth the political risk. Highlighting agreement on contentious issues may seem naive or pollyannaish, but in an era of heated rhetoric and constant talk of polarization, recognizing commonality may be an end in itself.
Michael Holmes is a contributor for Young Voices. He has his Master's in International Affairs from American University and volunteers at an immigration legal aid clinic.