A majority of voters — including Democrats — say the Democratic Party supports open borders, according to a new Harvard-Harris poll.
The survey found that 63% of Republicans, 51% of Democrats, and 52% of independents and other voters agree Democrats want open borders. Overall, 57% agreed, while 44% disagreed.
The poll also found strong support for deportation policies. Seventy-seven percent of voters said they support deporting migrants convicted of crimes, while 54% said they support deporting all migrants who entered the country illegally.
Slightly more than half of voters said they believe Democrats support deporting even violent migrants, highlighting a political vulnerability for the party as immigration remains a top national issue.
The fight is now playing out in Washington, where a partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security is underway. Democrats have blocked 2026 funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportation operations unless Republicans agree to new restrictions on ICE arrest authority.
The poll shows limited public support for the shutdown, with just 35% of voters backing it. Fifty-three percent say the GOP is more to blame for the impasse, compared to 47% who say that Democrats bear greater responsibility.
With the midterm elections rapidly approaching, some Democrats are beginning to acknowledge the political risk.
Blas Nunez-Neto, a former immigration official in President Joe Biden's administration, urged Democrats in a recent article titled "No More Back Doors" to embrace a firmer message on illegal immigration.
"We need to acknowledge that crossing the border illegally is a crime and shut down the illegal immigration channel altogether," Nunez-Neto wrote.
"We welcome immigrants as an essential part of a thriving and growing nation, but they must come the right way or not at all," he added.
However, progressive voices are pushing the Democratic Party to expand U.S. immigration, with New Republic editor Felipe De La Hoz arguing last month that the country needs more immigration, not less.
"Mass immigration is good, socially and economically; is the single most significant factor in America's current position as the global locus of commerce and culture; we've been lucky to have it; and we should want more," De La Hoz wrote. "It's time to start over — lift nonsensical caps on annual family and employment green cards, reformulate visas entirely ... Oh, and get rid of the Department of Homeland Security."
Supporters of President Donald Trump's immigration agenda say tougher enforcement and lower migration levels are helping U.S. workers.
In January, RestaurantBusinessOnline.com reported that less workers means that "restaurants will once again have to compete for employees the only way they can, by paying higher wages."
The poll was conducted March 25-26 and surveyed 2,009 registered voters. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.99 percentage points.
Nicole Weatherholtz ✉
Nicole Weatherholtz, a Newsmax general assignment reporter covers news, politics, and culture. She is a National Newspaper Association award-winning journalist.
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