A plurality of U.S. adults wants a reduction in immigration to the nation, according to an AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research report published March 7.

When asked whether “the number of immigrants to the U.S. should be increased, remain the same or reduced,” 44% of all respondents said “reduced” (an eight-point increase from Dec. 2021) while 34% said “remain the same” (down five points) and 20% said “increased” (down five points).

Republicans (65%) were far more likely than Independents (39%) and Democrats (27%) to say immigration to the U.S. should be reduced. Democrats (27%) were more likely than Independents (21%) and Republicans (11%) to say it should be increased.

When asked to share their views on “the number of immigrants who are allowed to seek asylum when they arrive at the U.S. border,” 43% of all respondents said the number should be reduced, 30% said stay the same and 24% said increased.

Republicans (68%) were again more likely than Independents (36%) or Democrats (26%) to say the number should be reduced. Democrats (37%) were more likely than Independents (26%) and Republicans (8%) to say it should be increased.

When asked to comment on specific immigration policies, Republicans prioritized deterrent mechanisms:

• Increase security at the U.S.-Mexico border (77% support)
• Strengthen policies to prevent immigrants from overstaying their visas (61%)
• Deport immigrants living in the U.S. illegally (52%)
• Penalize companies that hire immigrants living in the U.S. illegally (48%)

Democrats, by contrast, supported pathways to citizenship:

• Provide a way for immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children to stay legally (59%)
• Provide a way for immigrants living in the U.S. illegally to stay legally (39%)

A majority of both Republicans (84%) and Independents (68%) disapprove of the Biden administration’s approach to immigration, while a majority (66%) of Democrats approve of Biden’s handling of immigration.

Overall, 41% of U.S. adults said they are extremely or very concerned about illegal immigration (a five-point increase from March 2022), while 27% are moderately concerned (unchanged) and 31% are not very or not at all concerned (down five points).

The full report is available here. The topline results are available here. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.7 percentage points.