New Poll: Most Voters Say Stopping Government Benefits for Illegal Immigrants Is a Top Priority

A new Rasmussen Reports national survey reveals that a clear majority of likely U.S. voters believe it is critically important to stop illegal immigrants from accessing government-funded benefits like Medicaid and food stamps—and many don’t believe the government is doing enough to prevent it.

According to the poll of 1,014 likely voters conducted July 6–7, 2025, 48% say it’s “very important” to prevent illegal immigrants from receiving government aid, while another 24% call it “somewhat important.” That adds up to 72% of voters who consider the issue important in some form. Only 25% say the issue is not very or not at all important.

But while voters are united on the importance of stopping illegal access to benefits, they are more divided when it comes to whether the government is actually doing enough to enforce those limits. Just 45% say the government is doing enough, while 37% say it is not, and 18% remain unsure.

The poll uncovers a deep partisan gap. Among Republicans, 69% say preventing illegal immigrants from getting benefits is “very important,” compared to only 32% of Democrats. Conservatives align even more strongly, with 71% calling the issue “very important.” In contrast, just 15% of liberals agree.

When asked if the government is doing enough, the split remains partisan. A slim majority of Democrats (46%) believe enforcement is sufficient, while 43% of Republicans disagree and say the government isn’t doing enough.

Older voters are more concerned than younger ones. Among voters 65 and older, 55% say stopping illegal benefits is “very important,” compared to just 28% of those aged 18–29.

Racially, white voters (49%) and Hispanic voters (48%) are closely aligned on the importance of stopping government benefits for illegal immigrants, while only 37% of Black voters agree.

Income also plays a role: 55% of voters earning between $50,000–$100,000 say the issue is “very important,” compared to 36% of those earning under $30,000.

Among voters who cast ballots for Donald Trump in 2024, 73% say it’s “very important” to prevent illegal immigrants from accessing benefits, compared to just 19% of Kamala Harris voters. Unsurprisingly, 77% of voters who strongly approve of Trump say it’s very important, while only 18% of those who strongly disapprove say the same.

Those who believe the country is on the “wrong track” (70%) are significantly more likely to see this issue as highly important than those who believe it’s on the “right direction” (37%).

Despite public division over whether current enforcement efforts are adequate, the Rasmussen survey shows a strong national consensus on the importance of preventing illegal immigrants from obtaining government benefits. The issue resonates across income groups and age brackets—and could remain a flashpoint heading into 2026, especially as concerns over immigration policy remain top-of-mind for many Americans.

With more than 7 in 10 likely voters agreeing the issue matters, any future policy or legislation around immigration enforcement and public assistance access is likely to be met with intense public scrutiny.