Immigration

The Democratic Party's policies on immigration are centered around creating a more inclusive and humane immigration system. They aim to reverse policies from the Trump administration that they view as harmful and to establish a 21st-century immigration system that reflects American values, enhances the economy, and promotes global competitiveness. Democrats place greater importance on paths to legal status for those who entered the country illegally – especially those who entered as children, according to a new Pew Research Center survey.

Democrats are more likely than Republicans (80% vs. 37%) to say that establishing a way for most immigrants currently in the country illegally to stay in the U.S. legally is an important goal for the nation’s immigration system. About four in ten Democrats (38%) view this as a very important goal, compared with 10% of Republicans.

Among Democrats, conservatives and moderates are more likely than liberals to say more restrictive goals are very or somewhat important to U.S. immigration policy. Seven in ten conservative and moderate Democrats say increasing border security should be a very or somewhat important goal, compared with 44% of liberal Democrats. Conservative and moderate Democrats are also twice as likely as liberal Democrats (50% vs. 25%) to say increasing deportations should be an important goal.

Liberal Democrats are the most supportive of creating a way for most undocumented immigrants to stay in the country legally: 85% say this should be an important goal, including 44% who say it should be very important. Three-quarters of conservative and moderate Democrats see this as an important goal, including 32% who see it as very important. Among Republicans, half of moderates and liberals say a path to legal status should be an important goal, while only about three in ten conservatives (28%) say the same.
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Key points include:

• Protection of Dreamers: Reinstating and expanding protections for Dreamers and parents of American citizens.
• Protecting asylum: Protecting and expanding the asylum system, including for victims of gang and domestic violence, as well as LGBTQ+ individuals.
• Stop the wealth test: Halting the enforcement of the Trump administration's immigrant wealth test.
• Pathways to citizenship: Providing a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, particularly those essential to the pandemic response.
• Support family-based immigration: Reversing policies that slash family-based immigration and visa programs like H-1B.
• Prioritize family reunification: Prioritizing family reunification and reforming the system to speed up visas.
• Expand visa opportunities:  for victims of human trafficking and those with Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Enforced Departure.
• Promote workers' rights: Promoting workers' rights and holding employers accountable for abuses against immigrant workers.
• Make immigration courts more independent: Making immigration courts more independent and ensuring that immigration enforcement personnel are professional and accountable.
• Increase opportunities for legal immigration: Increasing opportunities for legal, permanent immigration and improving the green card process.
• Help immigrants become citizens: Supporting programs that help immigrants become full and equal citizens, including funding for immigrant inclusion services, legal support, English classes, and workforce development.
• Address the root causes of migration: Addressing the root causes of migration, such as violence, poverty, corruption, and climate change, through comprehensive strategies and international partnerships.

These policies are designed to strengthen communities, and the economy, and ensure that the United States remains a welcoming country for immigrants.