American attitudes toward immigration have undergone a remarkable shift in 2025. According to the latest Gallup survey, 79% of U.S. adults say immigration is a good thing for the country, marking one of the highest levels of support observed in decades.
Even more revealing, 32% of Americans believe immigration should increase, the highest figure since 2019—a clear indication that public support has steadily grown despite intense debates surrounding border security in recent years.
The survey also shows that 66% of Americans support providing a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who meet certain requirements—such as years of residence, tax contributions, and no criminal record—rejecting a purely punitive approach.
Meanwhile, support for granting U.S. citizenship to undocumented immigrants has risen to 78%, up from 70% last year.
Republicans remain the only group in which a majority still supports reducing immigration levels. Independents are most likely to favor maintaining current levels, while most Democrats support increasing them.
When it comes to economic impact, 57% of respondents say immigrants strengthen the U.S. economy, while 42% view them as a burden on public services. A growing majority now recognizes the positive contributions of migrant labor.
Support for extreme measures such as mass deportations, border walls, National Guard deployments, or domestic raids has declined—especially among Democrats and independents. Even among Republicans, support for such policies has slightly decreased.
According to Gallup, support for increasing the number of Border Patrol agents has dropped 17 percentage points, from 76% last year to 59%. Support for expanding the U.S.-Mexico border wall has also declined, down eight percentage points to 45%.
This likely reflects the perception that such measures are less necessary, given the sharp decline in illegal border crossings.
The report suggests this transformation stems from Donald Trump’s return to the White House. His administration enacted swift and visible border enforcement policies, creating a sense of order that eased the perception of a crisis—one that had surged under President Biden. With the public feeling “in control,” anxiety levels fell and made room for more measured and inclusive perspectives.
During the Biden administration, the number of illegal border crossings reached record highs, intensifying political polarization and demands for stronger enforcement. Now, with public fatigue diminished, advocates for balanced immigration policies—combining security and integration—find a more receptive environment.
Majority Disapprove of Trump’s Immigration Handling
Perhaps due to opposition to immigration policies aimed at removing undocumented immigrants from the U.S., Trump’s approval ratings on immigration remain largely negative. Only 35% approve of his handling of the issue, including 21% who strongly approve, while 62% disapprove, with 45% strongly disapproving.
The analysis also notes that support for deporting all undocumented immigrants is lower today: 38% are in favor of this measure, down from 47% last year when Trump had pledged it.
This growing support for immigration reflects a shift in media narratives: stories now highlight essential migrant workers, integrated professionals, and valuable societal contributions. These portrayals have helped humanize immigrants and reinforce the idea that immigration is a real and lasting asset to the United States.
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