The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey conducted on June 7-9, 2026 shows that 54% of likely voters want the federal government to impose strong penalties on U.S. employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants. Twenty-six percent disagree, while 20% are unsure.
Seventy-one percent of Republicans, 54% of independents, but only 38% of Democrats agree that employers who knowingly hire illegal workers should face strong penalties.. Low income workers by (48%-to-32%), blacks (52%-to-30%), and Hispanics (45%-to-35%) are much more likely than Democrats (38%-to-39%) and liberals (27%-to-47%) to believe that more illegals hurt American workers, presumably low skilled workers.

Voters also strongly support requiring employers to verify workers’ legal status. Seventy percent support requiring all employers to use the federal E-Verify system to ensure they hire only legal workers for U.S. jobs, including 46% who strongly support the mandate. Just 21% oppose making E-Verify mandatory.


A clear majority also believes illegal hiring hurts American workers. Sixty-one percent agree that “Hiring illegal workers harms legal workers by reducing pay, diminishing working conditions, and making fewer jobs available to Americans,” including 41% who strongly agree. Thirty-four percent disagree, including 16% who strongly disagree.
That view extends across party lines. Eighty-three percent of Republicans, 58% of independents, but only 43% of Democrats at least somewhat agree that hiring illegal workers harms legal workers. Low income workers by (62%-to-27%), blacks (59%-to-30%), and Hispanics (59%-to-36%) are much more likely than Democrats (42%-to-51%) and liberals (26%-to-70%) to believe that more illegals hurt American workers, presumably low skilled workers.







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