Immigrant voters show massive 49-point swing to GOP on immigration policy

Immigration has been a hot-button issue in American politics for years, with voters often divided along party lines on how best to handle it. However, recent data suggests that there has been a significant shift among immigrant voters themselves, with a large number moving from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party on the issue of immigration.

According to data from the American National Election Studies (ANES), there has been a 49-point swing among voters born outside the United States on which major political party would do a better job handling immigration. In the 2020 presidential election, 58% of voters born in another country favored Democrats on immigration, while only 24% favored Republicans. However, by the 2024 election, 45% of foreign-born voters believed the GOP would do a better job on immigration, compared to 30% who favored Democrats.

This shift toward the Republican Party among immigrant voters is reflective of a broader trend in American politics. Daron Shaw, a member of the Fox News Decision Team, noted that before President Donald Trump’s election in 2016, immigration and border security were seen as separate issues. However, Trump’s focus on border security and immigration during his presidency has led to a melding of the two issues, which has benefited the Republican Party.

Trump’s emphasis on border security and immigration was a key part of his campaign strategy in the 2024 election, which ultimately led to Republican victories in the presidency, Senate, and House. The GOP also made gains among traditionally Democratic demographics, such as Black, Hispanic, and younger voters.

Since returning to the White House, Trump has continued to focus on immigration and border security, leading to controversy and unrest in cities like Los Angeles. Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops and Marines to quell protests sparked by immigration raids has dominated headlines for weeks.

Overall, the shift among immigrant voters toward the Republican Party on immigration reflects a broader trend in American politics, with border security and immigration becoming increasingly important issues for voters of all backgrounds. The impact of this shift on future elections remains to be seen, but it is clear that immigration will continue to be a key issue for both parties moving forward.