Q poll: Most want immigrant kids kept with parents

Majority of Republicans support breaking up families at border

American voters oppose 66 - 27 percent the policy of separating children and parents when families illegally cross the border into America, according to a new Quinnipiac University National Poll.

Republican voters support the separation policy 55 - 35 percent, the only listed party, gender, education, age or racial group to support that issue, the poll found.

American voters also support by 79 - 15 percent allowing immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children, so-called “Dreamers,” to remain and ultimately to apply for citizenship.

All listed groups support Dreamers, ranging from 61 - 28 percent among Republicans to 94 - 5 percent among Democrats.

“When does public opinion become a demand that politicians just can’t ignore? Two-thirds of American voters oppose the family separation policy at our borders,” Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll said in a release announcing the results.

“Neither quotes from the Bible nor get-tough talk can soften the images of crying children nor reverse the pain so many Americans feel.”

“And if you are a Dreamer, voters say, ‘We have your back,’ ” Malloy added.

The wall

American voters oppose 58 - 39 percent building a wall along the border with Mexico.

The only listed groups to support the wall are Republicans 77 - 17 percent and white voters with no college degree 52 - 44 percent.

Immigrant citizenship

Illegal immigrants now living in the U.S. should be allowed to stay and eventually apply for citizenship, 67 percent of American voters say.

Another 8 percent say they should be allowed to stay, but not become citizens, and 19 percent say they should be forced to leave.

Among Republicans, 48 percent say illegal immigrants should be allowed to stay and apply for citizenship, while 9 percent say they should be allowed to stay, but not become citizens, and 36 percent say they should be forced to leave. All other listed groups support by wide margins a path to citizenship.

Legal immigration to the U.S. should be increased, 30 percent of American voters say, while 17 percent say it should be decreased and 49 percent say it should be kept the same.

John Moore / Getty Images A Mission Police Department officer, left, and a U.S. Border Patrol agent watch over a group of Central American asylum seekers before taking them into custody on Tuesday near McAllen, Texas.