Likely Voters Support Asylum Policies Such as a U.S. Refugee Program and Reducing Wait Times for Work Eligibility
By Tenneth Fairclough II
As the 2024 election quickly approaches and voters begin casting their ballots in several states ahead of November 5th, the issue of immigration continues to be a major point of debate, especially when it comes to the U.S. southern border.
Recent polling from Data for Progress, the Refugee Advocacy Lab, and Refugees International examined whether voters personally know a refugee and if that personal connection strengthens their support for certain immigration policies. The survey also tested several policies involving the U.S. asylum system, including whether voters believe the U.S. should or should not have a refugee program, if they believe the government should allow people to seek asylum at the southern border, and whether they support reducing the wait time before asylum seekers are eligible to work legally.
First, respondents were provided with a general description of how people can be classified as refugees and were then asked whether they know someone who is a refugee. The survey finds that 17% of likely voters report they personally know a refugee, including 19% of Democrats, 21% of Independents, and 13% of Republicans.
Respondents were then asked whether they believe there should or should not be a refugee program in the U.S. that helps bring those who are seeking safety here. The survey finds a majority of voters (63%) believe the U.S. should have a refugee program. A strong majority of Democrats (78%) support the notion of the U.S. having a refugee program, as do a majority of Independents (64%). Republicans are closely split on the issue, as 47% say the U.S. should have a refugee program and 42% say it should not. Furthermore, personally knowing a refugee strengthens voters’ support for a refugee program: 8 in 10 voters who know a refugee (80%) believe in this notion, compared with 62% of voters who do not know a refugee.
These results are consistent with previous findings released early last year by Data for Progress and Refugee Advocacy Lab, in which 70% of likely voters supported the concept of a U.S. refugee program, including 86% of Democrats and 64% of Independents. However, Republicans’ belief in the U.S. having a refugee program has significantly dropped since last year, as 60% then said the U.S. should have a refugee program compared to the 47% that say the same today.
Respondents were also provided with general information about current U.S. law that allows people to access asylum at the southern border. Voters were then asked whether they believe the government should or should not allow people to seek asylum at the U.S. southern border.
The survey finds that 52% of likely voters believe the government should allow people to apply for asylum at the border, including 72% of Democrats, 52% of Independents, and 29% of Republicans. Personally knowing a refugee again intensifies voters’ support for this position, as nearly two-thirds who personally know a refugee (64%) say the government should allow people to claim asylum at the border, compared with 50% of voters who do not know a refugee.
These results mirror findings from a survey released in June 2023 by Data for Progress, Refugee Advocacy Lab, and Refugees International, in which 55% of likely voters believed in the U.S. allowing people to apply for asylum by presenting themselves at the southern border, including 77% of Democrats, 55% of Independents, and 34% of Republicans.
In an A/B split test, voters were provided two descriptions of current U.S. law on the waiting period for work eligibility for asylum seekers: the first focusing on the general concept of how the law is structured, and the second providing further information about how this waiting period can undermine asylum seekers and their families. Voters within both split groups were then asked whether they support or oppose a recent proposal in Congress to reduce the wait time from six months to 30 days before asylum seekers are eligible to work legally.
When shown general information about the current policy, the survey finds voters are supportive of reducing the wait time for work eligibility for asylum seekers by 60%. A majority of Democrats (77%) and Independents (62%) also support reducing the wait time for work eligibility, while 53% of Republicans report that they oppose this proposal. With the general context of the policy, voters still support this proposal, whether they know a refugee (80%) or if they do not know a refugee (58%).
This survey exemplifies how voters believe the government should assist people seeking asylum. Voters remain supportive of a refugee program here in the U.S. and also believe that the government should be doing more to help people claim asylum at the southern border. Furthermore, personally knowing a refugee also increases voters’ support for these policies, which assist people who are seeking asylum here.
Tenneth Fairclough II (@tenten_wins) is a senior analyst at Data for Progress.