An overwhelming majority of evangelicals in the United States feel that recent immigrants pose a threat to law and order and are a drain on economic resources, according to a recent survey.
These findings indicate that evangelicals’ negative attitudes toward immigration have been on the rise since a 2022 poll found that 30% of evangelicals saw immigrants as a danger to law and order and 33% as a drain on resources.
Nearly three-quarters of the population thinks current residents who are interested and fulfill the requirements should be able to apply for citizenship.
President Walter Kim of the National Association of Evangelicals, speaking at an online news conference on Wednesday, said that the data covers 72% of White evangelicals, 80% of Black evangelicals, and 87% of Hispanic evangelicals.
Evangelicals were divided on immigrants’ contributions to the country: 28% saw immigrants as “a threat to traditional American customs and culture,” while 26% thought they enriched cultural variety in the United States.
Furthermore, among evangelicals, 39% saw the current influx as a chance to “show love” toward immigrants, while 40% saw it as an opportunity to introduce them to Jesus Christ.
Immigrants would boost entrepreneurial activity,” according to 14% of respondents.
According to research, the vast majority of evangelicals (91%) believe that the United States’ immigration policy should prioritize border security. However, many evangelicals also believe these policies should “respect the rule of law” and “protect the unity of the immediate family.”
Most evangelicals (82%) say it would be helpful to hear a sermon on immigration from a biblical perspective.
The survey found that 75% of evangelicals are in favor of the United States accepting Afghan refugees, particularly those who assisted American forces during the war. This increased over a 2018 poll when 25% of evangelicals expressed similar support.
Other survey sponsors included Bethany Christian Services, the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, the National Latino Evangelical Coalition, and the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission.