A YouGov poll conducted from December 11 to 15, 2022, reveals that approximately two-thirds of Republican respondents advocate for a decrease or complete cessation of legalized migration. In contrast, only 17 percent of Democratic respondents expressed a desire to reduce legal migration, while 37 percent of Democrats support increasing it. Overall, the poll indicates a two-to-one plurality favoring reduced migration, with 35 percent of respondents wanting a decrease or total halt, compared to just 18 percent who wish to see an increase. Additionally, 25 percent of participants indicated that they believe the current level of migration should remain unchanged.

Under the administration of President Joe Biden, the annual inflow of migrants has remained relatively stable, with the federal government permitting over 1.2 million legalized permanent or temporary migrants each year, which is approximately one migrant for every three births in the U.S. The poll also noted that 26 percent of respondents favored a decrease in migration, which was the plurality response, although a significant 19 percent of participants chose not to disclose their preferences.

The findings of this poll align closely with a previous YouGov poll conducted in November. Other surveys indicate strong support for the deportation of undocumented migrants who commit serious crimes, as well as a majority favoring the deportation of all undocumented migrants.

The stark partisan divide on migration issues has contributed to the fluctuating nature of U.S. immigration policies over the past decade, complicating efforts for bipartisan compromise in Congress. Public opinion on migration appears to be inconsistent, as evidenced by a Gallup poll that suggests increased support for migration during periods of restrictive policies under former President Donald Trump. However, the Gallup poll's methodology has been critiqued for excluding responses from individuals who view the effects of migration as mixed or who lack a definitive opinion.

The New York Times has noted that public sentiment regarding immigration can vary significantly based on the specific details presented in poll questions. For instance, when polls reference 'border security,' approval ratings tend to be higher. A recent Marquette Law School poll indicated that 54 percent of Americans approved of Trump's handling of border security, which is notably higher than the approval rating for his overall immigration policies.

Conversely, a P.R.R.I. poll from August to September found that less than a third of Americans supported the idea of deporting undocumented immigrants to foreign prisons in countries such as El Salvador or Libya, and there is minimal support for deporting legally residing immigrants.

Overall, many polls suggest that while Americans generally express a desire to support immigrants and immigration, they also recognize the potential negative impacts associated with unregulated migration, including economic challenges such as wage suppression and rising housing costs. This duality is further illustrated by a YouTube poll showing a significant income disparity in attitudes toward migration, with only 13 percent of individuals earning less than $50,000 annually supporting increased immigration, compared to 27 percent of those earning over $100,000. The racial gap in support for increased migration is less pronounced, with 17 percent of white respondents and 22 percent of Hispanic respondents favoring more migration.