Pew Research Center for the People & the Press

Illegal Immigration: Gaps Between and Within Parties

Public Split Over In-State Tuition for Illegal Immigrants

December 6, 2011

The public continues to support tough measures to crack down on illegal immigration, but also a path to citizenship for those in the country illegally. A plurality of Americans say both measures should be given equal priority. Fewer say the priority should only be better security and stronger enforcement of immigration laws (29%), or only creating a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants in the U.S. (24%). These opinions have not changed substantially over the past year.

The national survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, conducted Nov. 9-14 among 2,001 adults finds continuing partisan differences over immigration policy. More than twice as many Republicans as Democrats say the priority for dealing with illegal immigration should only be better border security and stricter law enforcement.

Read the full report for more details, an analysis of divisions within the coalitions of both major parties and public opinion data about whether students who are illegal immigrants should be eligible for in-state tuition rates if they attend college.