Dems, GOP agree immigrants make U.S. better place

LOS ANGELES — In California, a majority of Democratic and Republican voters have found something to agree on: Immigrants make the United States a better place to live.

More than 80% of registered voters in the state concur with that opinion, according to the latest UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll conducted for the Los Angeles Times. About 92% of Democrats and 60% of Republicans are in agreement.

Among California voters who identified as having no party preference, 83% said immigrants make the U.S. a better place.

“Lots and lots of people here are transplants or descendants of immigrants,” said Cristina Mora, codirector of the Institute of Governmental Studies. “The idea of an immigrant in California is different. Here, we understand immigrants as part of Silicon Valley, as students, as entrepreneurs — as part of a wide and varied landscape.”

The state has long been at odds with the Trump administration over immigration issues, as the president continues to push for a new wall on the U.S.Mexico border and cracks down on asylum seekers.

California legislators have continued the state’s expansion of rights and protections for immigrants who enter the country illegally, passing laws signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom allowing immigrants to serve on government boards and commissions and banning arrests for immigration violations in courthouses across the state. Newsom also signed a bill Friday that bans private prisons and immigrant detention facilities from operating in California.

Most voters don’t feel that they or a family member will miss out on a job or other opportunities because of immigrants, according to the poll.