Antipathy toward undocumented immigrants risks fracturing support for social welfare among Democrats

Abstract

One of the few social issues where agreement crosses party lines is the unpopularity of undocumented immigrants. Laura S. Hussey and Shanna Pearson-Merkowitz argue that while Republicans tend to be against social welfare programs regardless of the recipients, Democrats’ support for such programs depends on their feelings about the groups that will benefit. They find that Democrats with the most unfavorable feelings toward undocumented immigrants are 20 percent more likely to oppose implementing welfare policies such as a national health insurance program, than are pro-immigrant Democrats.