Fact Check: "75% of U.S. voters believe undocumented immigrants fill jobs Americans won't."
What We Know
According to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in August 2024, approximately 75% of U.S. registered voters believe that undocumented immigrants primarily fill jobs that American citizens do not want. This sentiment is echoed across various demographic groups, with notable support from both Democratic and Republican voters, although the levels of agreement differ significantly. For instance, 90% of supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris hold this view, compared to about 59% of supporters of Republican candidate Donald Trump. The survey included responses from 9,201 adults, of which 7,569 were registered voters, and was designed to be representative of the U.S. adult population through a random sampling method.
The survey results indicate that a lower percentage, around 61%, believe that legal immigrants fill jobs that U.S. citizens do not want. This data aligns with previous findings from 2020, where 77% of U.S. adults expressed a similar belief regarding undocumented immigrants, suggesting a consistent perception over time regarding the role of immigrants in the labor market.
Analysis
The claim that "75% of U.S. voters believe undocumented immigrants fill jobs Americans won't" is supported by robust survey data from a reputable source, the Pew Research Center. This organization is known for its rigorous methodology and impartial stance on social issues, which enhances the credibility of its findings. The survey's design, which included a large and diverse sample size, allows for a reliable representation of U.S. voter sentiment.
However, it is essential to consider potential biases in the interpretation of these results. The framing of questions in surveys can influence responses, and while Pew Research is generally regarded as a neutral entity, the political context surrounding immigration may affect how respondents perceive and articulate their views. The significant partisan divide—90% of Harris supporters versus 59% of Trump supporters—highlights that immigration views are often influenced by political affiliation, which could lead to varying interpretations of the same data.
Additionally, the survey's findings are consistent with previous research, indicating that perceptions of undocumented immigrants filling undesirable jobs have remained stable over time. This continuity suggests that the belief is deeply rooted in the public consciousness, rather than a fleeting opinion shaped by recent events.
Conclusion
The claim that "75% of U.S. voters believe undocumented immigrants fill jobs Americans won't" is True. The evidence from the Pew Research Center survey provides a clear and statistically significant basis for this assertion. The methodology employed in the survey, along with its alignment with previous findings, supports the reliability of the claim. While there are nuances in voter sentiment based on political affiliation, the overall consensus among U.S. voters is that undocumented immigrants play a crucial role in filling jobs that citizens are less inclined to take.
Sources
- Trump, Harris voters mostly say immigrants fill jobs US citizens don't ...
- Majority of U.S. voters think immigrants working in jobs American ...
- The industries that could be hardest hit by Trump's immigration ...
- Immigrants play key role in US labor - Las Vegas Sun News
- Most Americans say immigrants do the jobs we don't want to do
