Fewer than half know that most immigrants in the U.S. are here legally % who think most of the immigrants who are now living in the U.S. are here (incorrect) (correct)
The vast majority of immigrants in the U.S. are in the country legally – but fewer than half of Americans know that’s the case. Lawful immigrants accounted for about three-quarters (76%) of all immigrants in the U.S. in 2016. But in a survey conducted in June 2018, only 45% of Americans correctly said most immigrants are in the country legally. Around a third of U.S. adults (35%) incorrectly said that most immigrants are in the country illegally, while 6% said about half of all immigrants are here illegally and half legally. Another 13% did not provide a response.
Fewer than half know that most  | immigrants in the U.S. are here legally  | % who think most of the immigrants who are now living  | in the U.S. are here  | Illegally/Other Legally  | (incorrect) (correct)  | DK  | Total  | 13  | 42  | 45  | White  | 38  | 48  | 15  | 11  | Black  | 47  | 43  | 8  | Hispanic  | 59  | 33  | Ages 18-29  | 38  | 58  | 13 15 20 4  | 47  | 30-49  | 40  | 39  | 50-64  | 46  | 65+  | 45  | 35  | College grad+  | 26  | 61  | 14  | 13  | Non-coll grad  | 49  | 38  | Rep/Lean Rep  | 17  | 47  | 36  | 20  | 46  | 34  | Conserv  | 10  | 48  | 42  | Mod/Lib  | College grad+  | 34  | 48  | 18  | 17  | 51  | 32  | Non-coll grad  | Dem/Lean Dem  | 36  | 54  | 10  | 8  | 43  | 49  | Cons/Mod  | Liberal  | 27  | 61  | 12  | College grad+  | 20  | 69  | 11  | 9  | Non-coll grad  | 44  | 46  | Notes: Whites and blacks include only those who are not Hispanic;  | Hispanics are of any race. "Illegally/Other' ULS only illegally includes 35% 6% who Hispanic; say  | that most immigrants in the ULS are here illegally illegally and 6% legally who  | volunteer that about half ware in the US illegally illegally and half legally  | Source: Survey of US adults conducted illegally June 5-12, 2018. legally  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 