The findings of a new survey reveal that Americans are split when it comes to current immigration levels.
Recent research carried out by the Pew Research Centre on more than 3,000 adults, reveals that 49 per cent of Americans believe that the country’s current immigration levels should be decreased, while 34 per cent believe it should remain how it is and 15 per cent would like to see the intake increased.
Unsurprisingly, the survey reveals a strong difference of opinion dependant on political allegiances. The research found that 67 per cent of Republicans would like to see immigration levels decreased, compared to just 33 per cent of Democrats.
Native-born Americans were also more likely than immigrants to want immigration reduced – 51 per cent to 30 per cent, respectively.
There is also a preference for the country’s migration programme to target skilled immigrants rather than focussing on reuniting families.
“When it comes to the government deciding who should be allowed to legally immigrate to the United States, a majority (56 per cent) would prefer giving priority to people who are highly educated and highly skilled workers, even if they don’t have family members in the US, over people who have family members already living in the US, even if they are not highly educated or highly skilled workers (37 per cent),” the report states.