New Poll Finds Growing Support for Immigration Among New Jersey Voters as Debate Over Enforcement Continues
A new Stockton University poll suggests New Jerseyans are changing their immigration views. The survey finds that most state registered voters now support a more welcoming immigration policy and are concerned about strong enforcement methods under former President Donald Trump.
The William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University polled 700 registered voters from February 6 to 16. With a margin of error of 3.7 percentage points, the data show how residents across party lines regard immigration and enforcement policies.
One surprising finding is that two-thirds of people think Trump administration immigration enforcement went too far. Only 12% thought enforcement was insufficient. The evidence suggests that many New Jersey citizens are apprehensive about forceful deportation, especially by ICE. 59% claimed ICE deportation procedures make communities less safe, while a smaller percentage believed they promote safety.
Beyond enforcement, voters’ views on immigration have improved. Forty-four percent felt the US should make immigration easier. The figure is up from when Stockton last asked in October 2024. Meanwhile, 25% say immigration should be harder and 19% think present laws are balanced.
Legal immigration remains popular. Three-quarters felt immigration benefits the nation. Most Democrats, Republicans, and independents agree. Additionally, 82% approve legalizing US immigration.
New Jersey voters seem less concerned about immigration issues’ economic impact. Seventy-six percent thought immigrants’ skills and labor benefit the economy. Only 16% said the country doesn’t need immigrants. As for personal impact, 61% said immigration did not affect career chances for them or their families.
National immigration discussions also center on crime. New Jersey opinions are more moderate. Only 52% thought immigration does not affect crime. About 29% think it promotes crime, demonstrating that while worries exist, they are not dominant among state voters.
Despite these commonalities, partisanship persists. Nearly all Democrats—96%—said Trump administration immigration enforcement went too far. However, 89 percent of Republicans supported that administration’s immigration policy, and 78 percent believed ICE’s enforcement made communities safer. Even while many Americans support immigration, these data show the political rift over how to enforce immigration rules.
The data also shows generational disparities. Under-45 voters were more likely than older voters to feel ICE has gone too far and reduces neighborhood safety. Older voters supported stronger enforcement more.
While bipartisan agreement exists on immigration’s benefits, Alyssa Maurice, assistant director and head of polling at Stockton’s William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy, emphasized that enforcement techniques remain divided. Her views mirror the poll’s main theme: many New Jersey voters appreciate immigration’s economic and social benefits but differ starkly on federal immigration enforcement.
The findings come while immigration remains a big political issue. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement enforces executive branch immigration regulations. Public opinion data like this helps predict New Jersey voters’ responses to political campaigns and policy discussions.
The study shows that New Jersey residents are generally more pro-immigration, even as partisan and generational divisions affect enforcement disputes.
Sources
Stockton University – William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Office of the President of the United States
