Poll Most Americans do not Believe Accepting Refugees

A new poll out this week showed that most Americans continue to oppose taking in refugees from conflict zones overseas. The survey, conducted in the run-up to the 2016 elections, found roughly six in ten respondents saying the United States should not accept more people fleeing war or persecution. Support for the idea had slipped further since similar questions were asked the year before.

Partisan splits came through clearly. Republicans voiced the strongest resistance, with over three-quarters against expanded admissions. Democrats were more divided, though even among that group a slim majority leaned toward limits. Independents tracked closer to the overall numbers, reflecting a broad wariness that cut across usual lines.

The findings landed amid sharp debates on the campaign trail. Donald Trump had already called for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the country, while Hillary Clinton pushed for increasing the refugee ceiling. Both sides quickly pointed to the poll as proof their approach matched public feeling, though the numbers suggested voters were less enthusiastic about open doors than either candidate sometimes implied.

Pollsters noted that security concerns drove much of the opposition. Many respondents cited fears of terrorism or strain on public services as reasons to hold back. At the same time, a smaller share mentioned humanitarian arguments in favor, but those voices remained in the minority.

The results tracked with earlier surveys from other organizations, suggesting the shift was not a one-off blip. As primary season heated up, refugee policy looked set to stay a flashpoint heading into the general election.