FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 31, 2022

CONTACT
Juan Gastelum, gastelum@immigrantjusticefund.org, 213-375-3149

Majority of Likely 2022 Battleground Voters Support Pro-Immigrant Policies, Including Fair Access to Asylum and a Pathway to Citizenship for Dreamers

WASHINGTON — The NILC Immigrant Justice Fund today released the results of a new poll that shows likely voters in Georgia, Nevada, Wisconsin, Arizona, and Pennsylvania — key battleground states this election cycle — broadly support and want lawmakers to prioritize enacting a variety of pro-immigrant policies. Ahead of midterm elections that will determine the balance of power in Congress, the results also show Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate narrowly lead Republican candidates in 4 out of 5 battleground states polled.

The poll shows a majority of independent voters support a range of pro-immigrant policies, including establishing a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, restoring fair and humane access to asylum, and providing permanent protections for immigrant youth and DACA recipients.

Bri Gillis, vice president of political strategy at the NILC Immigrant Justice Fund, said: “The results show that voters headed to the ballot box overwhelmingly want to elect candidates who support pro-immigrant policies. Democrats must seize on this opportunity to energize voters by making forward progress on real solutions that will impact millions of immigrants, their loved ones, and our communities.

“Ahead of the midterms, this is a pivotal time for candidates to embrace pro-immigrant policy solutions and reject divisive anti-immigrant rhetoric. The data is clear. Being pro-immigrant is good for the country and it’s good politics.”

Visit this link to view the poll results:

The poll, conducted by Hart Research Associates, surveyed likely voters across the political spectrum. Topline results from the poll’s questions on policies include:

74% said they would more likely support a candidate who favors providing a pathway to citizenship to Dreamers.

73% support a pathway to citizenship if certain requirements are met, including background checks, for undocumented immigrants.
71% believe that refugees should be able to legally request asylum – this includes 88% of Democrats, 71% of Independents/unaffiliated voters, and 54% of Republicans

Additional toplines include:

Democratic candidates for Senate narrowly lead Republican candidates in 4 out of 5 battleground states we polled

47% of total voters polled said that they lean more toward the Democratic candidate, compared to 45% who lean Republican
Our poll shows Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona with a 4-point lead over Republican candidate Blake Masters (47% to 43%)
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada has a 1-point lead over Republican candidate Adam Laxalt (47% to 46%)
Georgia Sen. Rafael Warnock has a 3-point lead over Republican challenger Hershel Walker (48% to 45%)
Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman leads over Republican candidate Mehmet Oz 46% to 44%

In Wisconsin, Mandela Barnes trails behind Ron Johnson by 2 points (46% to 48%)

65% of voters polled would be more likely to vote for a candidate who favors allowing people to legally request asylum at the southern border, compared to 27% who’d prefer a candidate who opposes access to asylum at the southern border.
92% of Democrats and 52% of Republicans prefer a candidate who favors a pathway to citizenship for immigrant youth.
Voters took note when Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott recently sent asylum seekers to Massachusetts, New York, and Washington, D.C., with nearly 9 in 10 voters (88%) reporting they heard about these actions. But, by a 29-point margin, they viewed this as “mainly a stunt by the governors (57%)” rather than a genuine effort to improve the asylum system (28%).

To view the poll results, visit this link. Crosstabs are available here.

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