American attitudes on refugees from the Middle East A PUBLIC OPINION POLL BY SHIBLEY TELHAMI

Transcription

1 American attitudes on refugees from the Middle East A PUBLIC OPINION POLL BY SHIBLEY TELHAMI.

2 A survey sponsored by the Center for Middle East Policy s Project on U.S. Relations with the Islamic World at The Brookings Institution and Sadat Chair for Peace and Development at the University of Maryland fielded by Nielsen Scarborough Valuable assistance was provided by The Program for Public Consultation, especially its director Steven Kull, Evan Lewis, and Clay Ramsay. Neil Schwartz, Scott Willoth, and Jordan Evangelista from Nielsen Scarborough also provided assistance. Brittany Kyser, Shaqaiq Birashk, and Cameron Zotter were particularly helpful.

3 Survey Methodology The survey was conducted May 20-31, 2016 with a panel consisting of a probability-based representative sample. The panel was recruited by Nielsen Scarborough from its larger probability-based national panel, which was recruited by mail and telephone using a random sample of households provided by Survey Sampling International. A total of 1580 panelists completed the survey including a national sample of 845 adults, plus an oversample of 735 millennials (18-34), making for a total sample of millennials of 863. Responses were weighted by age, gender, income, education, race, and geographic region using benchmarks from the US Census. The survey was also weighted by partisan identification and millennials were down-weighted consistent with these groups incidence rate in the U.S. Census. The margins of error for the national sample and for each subgroup is: National 845 respondents, MoE: 3.4% Millennials 863, MoE: 3.3%

4 As you may know, since 2001 the United States has admitted about 800,000 persons with refugee status from around the world, or about 50,000 people a year on average. In U.S. law, a refugee is a person who is already living outside their own country because of a well-founded fear of persecution. This definition can include those fleeing civil war in their home country. It excludes those who participated in the persecution of any person on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Those applying as refugees for asylum in the U.S. are investigated by various arms of the U.S. government. This process takes about two years. In general, do you support or oppose the United States taking in refugees from the conflicts in Syria and other Middle Eastern countries after screening them for security risks?

5 In general, do you support or oppose the United States taking in refugees from the conflicts in Syria and other Middle Eastern countries after screening them for security risks? Support Strongly 24% Support somewhat 35% Oppose somewhat 17% Oppose strongly 24%

6 In general, do you support or oppose the United States taking in refugees from the conflicts in Syria and other Middle Eastern countries after screening them for security risks? Support strongly 20% 24% 30% Support somewhat 31% 38% 36% Oppose somewhat 14% 18% 19% Oppose strongly 14% 25% 31%

7 In general, do you support or oppose the United States taking in refugees from the conflicts in Syria and other Middle Eastern countries after screening them for security risks? Republican Democrat Independent Support strongly 10% 24% 36% Support somewhat 28% 32% 41% Oppose somewhat 20% 15% 16% Oppose strongly 8% 26% 43%

8 In general, do you support or oppose the United States taking in refugees from the conflicts in Syria and other Middle Eastern countries after screening them for security risks? Those Favoring Donald Trump Those Favoring Hillary Clinton Those Favoring Bernie Sanders Support strongly 4% 38% 44% Support somewhat 18% 42% 37% Oppose somewhat 14% 13% 21% Oppose strongly 5% 7% 56%

9 Assuming extensive background checks are in place to ensure there are not terrorist links, should the U.S. accept refugees from Syria specifically?

10 Assuming extensive background checks are in place to ensure there are not terrorist links, should the U.S. accept refugees from Syria specifically? Yes 56% No 43%

11 Assuming extensive background checks are in place to ensure there are not terrorist links, should the U.S. accept refugees from Syria specifically? % Yes 54% 49% 32% No 45% 50%

12 Assuming extensive background checks are in place to ensure there are not terrorist links, should the U.S. accept refugees from Syria specifically? Republican Democrat Independent 38% Yes 73% 49% 61% No 27% 47%

13 Assuming extensive background checks are in place to ensure there are not terrorist links, should the U.S. accept refugees from Syria specifically? Those Favoring Donald Trump Those Favoring Hillary Clinton Those Favoring Bernie Sanders 23% Yes 76% 76% 76% No 23% 24%

14 [Among those opposing absorbing refugees] Which of the following concerns you most about absorbing refugees?

15 [Among those opposing absorbing refugees] Which of the following concerns you most about absorbing refugees? I'm concerned about terrorism 46% I'm concerned about having more Muslims in the U.S., even if they are peaceful 9% I'm concerned about the economic burden of absorbing refugees of any kind 41% Other 4%

16 [Among those opposing absorbing refugees] Which of the following concerns you most about absorbing refugees? Republican Democrat Independent I'm concerned about terrorism 41% 35% 50% I'm concerned about having more Muslims in the U.S., even if they are peaceful 8% 11% 4% I'm concerned about the economic burden of absorbing refugees of any kind 38% 41% 52% Other 3% 5% 8%

17 [Among those opposing absorbing refugees] Which of the following concerns you most about absorbing refugees? Those Favoring Donald Trump Those Favoring Hillary Clinton Those Favoring Bernie Sanders I'm concerned about terrorism 28% 44% 52% I'm concerned about having more Muslims in the U.S., even if they are peaceful 8% 7% 17% I'm concerned about the economic burden of absorbing refugees of any kind 37% 37% 49% Other 3% 4% 9%

18 Apart from the question of whether U.S. should accept more refugees, does the U.S. have a moral obligation to help refugees from the following countries (Libya, Iraq, and Syria)?

19 Apart from the question of whether U.S. should accept more refugees, does the U.S. have a moral obligation to help refugees from the following countries? No Obligation Some or High Obligation Libya 50% 49% Iraq 45% 54% Syria 48% 51%

20 Apart from the question of whether U.S. should accept more refugees, does the U.S. have a moral obligation to help refugees from the following countries (Libya)? Those Favoring Donald Trump Those Favoring Hillary Clinton Those Favoring Bernie Sanders 77% No Obligation 33% 33% 22% Some or High Obligation 66% 66%

21 Apart from the question of whether U.S. should accept more refugees, does the U.S. have a moral obligation to help refugees from the following countries (Iraq)? Those Favoring Donald Trump Those Favoring Hillary Clinton Those Favoring Bernie Sanders 69% No Obligation 32% 29% 30% Some or High Obligation 67% 70%

22 Apart from the question of whether U.S. should accept more refugees, does the U.S. have a moral obligation to help refugees from the following countries (Syria)? Those Favoring Donald Trump Those Favoring Hillary Clinton Those Favoring Bernie Sanders 74% No Obligation 31% 32% 26% Some or High Obligation 66% 67%

23 How much of a role do you believe the 2003 Iraq War has played in the events leading to the emergence of the refugee crisis in Syria?

24 How much of a role do you believe the 2003 Iraq War has played in the events leading to the emergence of the refugee crisis in Syria? Significant Role 56% Small Role 31% No Role 11%

25 How much of a role do you believe the 2003 Iraq War has played in the events leading to the emergence of the refugee crisis in Syria? Republican Democrat Independent Significant Role 44% 53% 67% Small Role 25% 33% 37% No Role 6% 13% 18%

26 How much of a role do you believe the 2003 Iraq War has played in the events leading to the emergence of the refugee crisis in Syria? Those Favoring Donald Trump Those Favoring Hillary Clinton Those Favoring Bernie Sanders Significant Role 42% 68% 69% Small Role 25% 23% 37% No Role 4% 7% 19%

27 [Open Ended Question] How many refugees should the U.S. sponsor and resettle in 2017?

28 [Open Ended Question] How many refugees should the U.S. sponsor and resettle in 2017? Republican Democrat Independent Total Mean (top number) Median (bottom number)

29 In your estimation, how many refugees have been arrested in the United States since 9/11 over terrorism charges?

30 In your estimation, how many refugees have been arrested in the United States since 9/11 over terrorism charges? Fewer than 5 14% Fewer than 25 26% Fewer than % 100 or more 28%

31 In your estimation, how many refugees have been arrested in the United States since 9/11 over terrorism charges? Republican Democrat Independent Fewer than 5 7% 19% 18% Fewer than 25 21% 24% 30% Fewer than % 31% 34% 100 or more 23% 25% 36%

32 Here are some ways the U.S. might respond. Please tell us whether you support or oppose the following measures: The U.S. government should take in more [war] refugees, allowing them into the U.S.

33 Percentage of Americans who support each of the following responses to the refugee issue The U.S. government should take in more [war] refugees to the U.S. 47% Individuals and community groups should sponsor more refugeees in the U.S. 60% The U.S. should give financial support to charities helping refugees abroad 60% The U.S. should send humanitarian professionals to help refugees abroad 79%

34 If some of these Syrian refugees came to live in your state or community, do you think they would be welcomed?

35 If some of these Syrian refugees came to live in your state or community, do you think they would be welcomed? Yes 55% No 44%

36 If some of these Syrian refugees came to live in your state or community, do you think they would be welcomed? % Yes 61% 48% 44% No 38% 51%

37 If some of these Syrian refugees came to live in your state or community, do you think they would be welcomed? Republican Democrat Independent 48% Yes 61% 52% 51% No 39% 46%

38 As you may know, American laws prohibit discriminating against people including refugees solely on the basis of their ethnic or religious background. Does this incline you to be more or less accepting of Syrian refugees in the U.S.?

39 As you may know, American laws prohibit discriminating against people including refugees solely on the basis of their ethnic or religious background. Does this incline you to be more or less accepting of Syrian refugees in the U.S.? More 15% Less 13% The Same 72%

40 As you may know, American laws prohibit discriminating against people including refugees solely on the basis of their ethnic or religious background. Does this incline you to be more or less accepting of Syrian refugees in the U.S.? Republican Democrat Independent More 8% 8% 22% Less 7% 14% 19% The Same 72% 71% 78%

41 If the U.S. institutes a refugee policy excluding single men, would you support the U.S. accepting more refugees?

42 If the U.S. institutes a refugee policy excluding single men, would you support the U.S. accepting more refugees? Yes 28% No 70%

43 If the U.S. institutes a refugee policy excluding single men, would you support the U.S. accepting more refugees? Republican Democrat Independent 26% Yes 32% 24% 73% No 66% 75%

44 Based on what you ve seen, heard or read, what do you think about Europe s response to the migrant crisis?

45 Based on what you ve seen, heard or read, what do you think about Europe s response to the migrant crisis? European nations are doing too much as it is 20% European nations are doing as much as can be expected 36% European nations should be doing more 17% Don't know/can't say 26%

46 Based on what you ve seen, heard or read, what do you think about Europe s response to the migrant crisis? Republican Democrat Independent European nations are doing too much as it is 9% 17% 33% European nations are doing as much as can be expected 27% 32% [VALUE] European nations should be doing more 10% 22% 20% Don't know/can't say 23% 26% 37%

47 How do you think the U.S. should deal with the Syrian refugees who are already in the country?

48 How do you think the U.S. should deal with the Syrian refugees who are already in the country? Welcome them and help absorb them into American society 76% Expel them 21%

49 How do you think the U.S. should deal with the Syrian refugees who are already in the country? Welcome them and help absorb them into American society 73% 73% 83% 16% Expel them 24% 23%

50 How do you think the U.S. should deal with the Syrian refugees who are already in the country? Republican Democrat Independent Welcome them and help absorb them into American society 60% 74% 90% 36% Expel them 9% 21%

51 How do you think the U.S. should deal with the Syrian refugees who are already in the country? Those Favoring Donald Trump Those Favoring Hillary Clinton Those Favoring Bernie Sanders Welcome them and help absorb them into American society 46% 91% 91% 48% Expel them 8% 9%

52 [Among those who said Expel them ] How do you think the U.S. should deal with the Syrian refugees who are already in the country? Donald Trump Supporters 67% Hillary Clinton Supporters 10% Bernie Sanders Supporters 9% None appeal to me 14%

53 Do you support the proposal for a total shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country s representatives can figure out what is going on?

54 Do you support the proposal for a total shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country s representatives can figure out what is going on? Yes 38% No 61%

55 Do you support the proposal for a total shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country s representatives can figure out what is going on? % Yes 40% 48% 74% No 60% 52%

56 Do you support the proposal for a total shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country s representatives can figure out what is going on? Republican Democrat Independent Yes 19% 39% 61% No 38% 59% 81%

57 Do you support the proposal for a total shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country s representatives can figure out what is going on? Those Favoring Donald Trump Those Favoring Hillary Clinton Those Favoring Bernie Sanders 80% Yes 14% 17% 20% No 86% 82%

58 Who would you like to see take the lead in addressing the needs of refugees once they are in the United States?

59 Who would you like to see take the lead in addressing the needs of refugees once they are in the United States? Federal government 29% States 17% Charities and other nongovernmental organizations 52%

60 Who would you like to see take the lead in addressing the needs of refugees once they are in the United States? Republican Democrat Independent Federal government 17% 26% 41% States 13% 19% 24% Charities and other nongovernmental organizations 45% 48% 62%

61 One a scale of 0-5, where 0 is not important and 5 is very important, how would you rate the following steps to deal with the Syrian refugees once they arrive?

62 70% Ranking of responses indicating very important when asked: How would you rate the following steps to deal with the Syrian refugees once they arrive? 64% 60% 50% 46% 40% 30% 25% 27% 31% 33% 20% 16% 10% 0% Computer Training Program Wellness Program Immigration Assistance Program Resettlement Services Job Readiness and Placement Services Provide K-12 Education English Language Traning

63 On a scale of 0-10, where 0 is not being open and 10 is being very open, rate your degree of openness for refugees from the following region (South America, Central America, Africa, The Middle East, East Asia):

64 7 On a scale of 0-10, where 0 is not being open and 10 is being very open, rate your degree of openness for refugees from the following region (mean): The Middle East East Asia Africa Central America South America