Poll: Most Americans Say Illegal Immigrants Should Be Allowed to Stay

An overwhelming amount of Americans believe legal immigration is good for the country, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Friday.

Of those surveyed, 89 percent — including 88 percent of Donald Trump supporters — support immigrants in the country legally.

Also, more than 7 out of 10 polled do not believe in deporting those in the country illegally, but differ on whether they should be allowed to apply for citizenship:

• 61 percent say illegal immigrants should be allowed to stay and apply for citizenship;
• 24 percent say illegal immigrants should be forced to leave the country;
• 11 percent say illegal immigrants should be allowed to stay but not apply.

But Trump supporters surveyed turned those results upside down:

• 45 percent say illegals should be forced to leave the country;
• 39 percent say illegal immigrants should be allowed to stay and apply for citizenship;
• 14 percent say say illegal immigrants should be allowed to stay but not apply.

"The hallmark of Donald Trump's campaign takes a hit. Despite a majority view that illegal immigration is troubling, likely voters say no to the wall and yes to letting illegal immigrants apply for citizenship," said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.

Quinnipiac University surveyed 960 likely voters nationwide from Sept. 8 – 13,
with a margin of error of +/- 3.2 percentage points.

• NY Times Blasts Pence Over Treatment of Syrian Refugees
• Quinnipiac: Clinton More Qualified, Tops Trump on Immigration, Terrorism