Political Ideology and Immigrant Acceptance

Abstract

How does political ideology influence the ways individuals reason about immigrants? Analyzing data from a 2013 national survey, this study offers new perspective on the relevance of political ideology for understanding individuals’ willingness to accept immigrants. Liberals and conservatives show very different responses to the prospect of specific individuals or groups immigrating to the United States. These differences are large when experimental treatments cue Arabic and Hispanic names or symbolic threats. The authors discuss the benefits of incorporating ideology and extending the scope of established theory and research on immigrant acceptance.