Public Attitudes Towards the DREAM Act: Exploring Support for Immigration Reform

Date
-
Event Sponsor
The Munro Lectureship Fund and The Lane Center
Location
Encina Hall West, Room 400 (GSL)
Speaker

Sophia Jordán Wallace, Associate Professor Department of Political Science, University of Washington

 

Abstract

This paper employs a survey experiment to evaluate public attitudes toward immigration policies that include a path to citizenship.  We examine variation in support depending on whether immigrants were brought to the U.S. as a child, enrolled in college, or served in the military. We find that support for a broad immigration proposal that includes a path to citizenship gains the most support when a military provision is included. Moreover, the effects are strongest amongst those groups traditionally viewed as being opposed to immigration reform. The inclusion of military service significantly bolsters public backing for reform even when unpopular provisions are also included in the legislation. The results thus have implications for public attitudes toward immigration and the policy making process surrounding citizenship.

 

Biography

Sophia Jordán Wallace is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Washington in Seattle. She specializes in Latino Politics, representation, social movements, and immigration politics and policy.