A recent poll conducted by **Stockton University** indicates that voters in New Jersey are increasingly supportive of immigration while opposing aggressive enforcement tactics. The survey, carried out between **February 6 and 16, 2024**, reveals a notable shift in public perception since the administration of former President **Donald Trump**.
According to the poll, approximately **66%** of New Jersey voters believe that immigration enforcement measures enacted during the Trump administration have been excessive. Additionally, **59%** of respondents expressed concern that deportation tactics employed by **U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)** make communities less secure. Only **12%** of voters felt that enforcement efforts have not gone far enough.
The poll also highlights changing attitudes toward the immigration process itself. **Forty-four percent** of voters now advocate for making it less difficult to immigrate to the United States, a marked increase from previous surveys. In contrast, **25%** believe that the process should be more stringent, while **19%** feel that current laws are appropriately balanced.
Support for legal immigration remains robust, with **75%** of voters asserting that immigration is beneficial to the country. This sentiment cuts across party lines, with majorities of **Democrats**, **Republicans**, and independents sharing this view. In total, **82%** of respondents support expanding pathways for legal immigration, reflecting a strong consensus on the issue.
Economic perspectives on immigration are similarly positive. The poll found that **76%** of voters believe immigrants contribute valuable skills and labor to the economy. Only **16%** of those surveyed feel that the country does not require immigrant workers, and **61%** assert that immigration does not negatively impact job opportunities for them or their families.
Views on the relationship between immigration and crime are more varied. A slim majority, **52%**, contend that immigration does not affect crime rates, whereas **29%** believe that it exacerbates crime. Despite some agreement on the benefits of immigration, significant partisan divides persist. For instance, **96%** of Democrats think that enforcement measures have gone too far, while **89%** of Republicans support the Trump administration’s approach, with **78%** stating that ICE’s tactics enhance community safety.
Alyssa Maurice, assistant director of the **Hughes Center** and head of polling at Stockton University, noted, “You can see broad, bipartisan agreement on the value of immigration, but real divides remain on how it should be enforced.” These divisions are also reflected in generational differences, with younger voters under **45** more likely to criticize aggressive enforcement measures and express concerns about ICE’s impact on community safety.
The poll surveyed **700 registered voters** and has a margin of error of plus or minus **3.7** percentage points. As the political landscape evolves, the changing views on immigration in New Jersey may influence future policy discussions and electoral outcomes.
