SLIDE 1 American attitudes on refugees from the Middle East
A PUBLIC OPINION POLL BY SHIBLEY TELHAMI
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SLIDE 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.
SLIDE 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%
SLIDE 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
- f 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?
SLIDE 5 24% 35% 17% 24%
Support Strongly Support somewhat Oppose somewhat Oppose strongly
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?
SLIDE 6 30% 38% 18% 14% 20% 36% 19% 25% 24% 31% 14% 31%
Support strongly Support somewhat Oppose somewhat Oppose strongly
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?
18-34 35-54 55+
SLIDE 7 10% 28% 20% 43% 36% 41% 15% 8% 24% 32% 16% 26% Support strongly Support somewhat Oppose somewhat Oppose strongly 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
SLIDE 8 4% 18% 21% 56% 38% 42% 14% 5% 44% 37% 13% 7% Support strongly Support somewhat Oppose somewhat Oppose strongly 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
SLIDE 9
Assuming extensive background checks are in place to ensure there are not terrorist links, should the U.S. accept refugees from Syria specifically?
SLIDE 10 56% 43%
Yes No Assuming extensive background checks are in place to ensure there are not terrorist links, should the U.S. accept refugees from Syria specifically?
SLIDE 11 67% 32% 54% 45% 49% 50% Yes No
Assuming extensive background checks are in place to ensure there are not terrorist links, should the U.S. accept refugees from Syria specifically?
18-34 35-54 55+
SLIDE 12 38% 61% 73% 27% 49% 47%
Yes No 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
SLIDE 13 23% 76% 76% 23% 76% 24% Yes No
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
SLIDE 14
[Among those opposing absorbing refugees]
Which of the following concerns you most about absorbing refugees?
SLIDE 15 46% 9% 41% 4% I'm concerned about terrorism I'm concerned about having more Muslims in the U.S., even if they are peaceful I'm concerned about the economic burden of absorbing refugees of any kind Other
[Among those opposing absorbing refugees] Which of the following concerns you most about absorbing refugees?
SLIDE 16 50% 8% 38% 3% 41% 11% 41% 5% 35% 4% 52% 8% I'm concerned about terrorism I'm concerned about having more Muslims in the U.S., even if they are peaceful I'm concerned about the economic burden of absorbing refugees of any kind Other
[Among those opposing absorbing refugees] Which of the following concerns you most about absorbing refugees?
Republican Democrat Independent
SLIDE 17 52% 8% 37% 3% 28% 17% 49% 4% 44% 7% 37% 9%
I'm concerned about terrorism I'm concerned about having more Muslims in the U.S., even if they are peaceful I'm concerned about the economic burden of absorbing refugees of any kind Other
[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
SLIDE 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)?
SLIDE 19 50% 45% 48% 49% 54% 51%
Libya Iraq Syria 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
SLIDE 20 77% 22% 33% 66% 33% 66% No Obligation Some or High Obligation
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
SLIDE 21 69% 30% 32% 67% 29% 70% No Obligation Some or High Obligation
Apart from the question of whether U.S. should accept more refugees, does the U.S. have a moral
- bligation to help refugees from the following
countries (Iraq)?
Those Favoring Donald Trump Those Favoring Hillary Clinton Those Favoring Bernie Sanders
SLIDE 22 74% 26% 31% 66% 32% 67% No Obligation Some or High Obligation
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
SLIDE 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?
SLIDE 24 56% 31% 11%
Significant Role Small Role No Role 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?
SLIDE 25 44% 37% 18% 67% 25% 6% 53% 33% 13% Significant Role Small Role No Role
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
SLIDE 26 42% 37% 19% 68% 25% 4% 69% 23% 7% Significant Role Small Role No Role
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
SLIDE 27
[Open-Ended Question] How many refugees should the U.S. sponsor and resettle in 2017?
SLIDE 28 35618 64475 83309 58928 10000 15000 15000 10000
Republican Democrat Independent Total
Mean (top number) Median (bottom number) [Open-Ended Question] How many refugees should the U.S. sponsor and resettle in 2017?
SLIDE 29
In your estimation, how many refugees have been arrested in the United States since 9/11 over terrorism charges?
SLIDE 30 14% 26% 30% 28%
Fewer than 5 Fewer than 25 Fewer than 100 100 or more
In your estimation, how many refugees have been arrested in the United States since 9/11
SLIDE 31 7% 21% 34% 36% 19% 30% 27% 23% 18% 24% 31% 25%
Fewer than 5 Fewer than 25 Fewer than 100 100 or more
In your estimation, how many refugees have been arrested in the United States since 9/11
Republican Democrat Independent
SLIDE 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.
SLIDE 33 47% 60% 60% 79%
The U.S. government should take in more [war] refugees to the U.S. Individuals and community groups should sponsor more refugeees in the U.S. The U.S. should give financial support to charities helping refugees abroad The U.S. should send humanitarian professionals to help refugees abroad
Percentage of Americans who support each of the following responses to the refugee issue
SLIDE 34
If some of these Syrian refugees came to live in your state or community, do you think they would be welcomed?
SLIDE 35 55% 44% Yes No
If some of these Syrian refugees came to live in your state or community, do you think they would be welcomed?
SLIDE 36 56% 44% 61% 38% 48% 51%
Yes No
If some of these Syrian refugees came to live in your state or community, do you think they would be welcomed?
18-34 35-54 55+
SLIDE 37 48% 51% 61% 39% 52% 46% Yes No
If some of these Syrian refugees came to live in your state or community, do you think they would be welcomed?
Republican Democrat Independent
SLIDE 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.?
SLIDE 39 15% 13% 72% More Less The Same
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.?
SLIDE 40 8% 19% 72% 22% 7% 71% 8% 14% 78% More Less The Same
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
SLIDE 41
If the U.S. institutes a refugee policy excluding single men, would you support the U.S. accepting more refugees?
SLIDE 42 28% 70%
Yes No
If the U.S. institutes a refugee policy excluding single men, would you support the U.S. accepting more refugees?
SLIDE 43 26% 73% 32% 66% 24% 75% Yes No
If the U.S. institutes a refugee policy excluding single men, would you support the U.S. accepting more refugees?
Republican Democrat Independent
SLIDE 44
Based on what you’ve seen, heard or read, what do you think about Europe’s response to the migrant crisis?
SLIDE 45 20% 36% 17% 26%
European nations are doing too much as it is European nations are doing as much as can be expected European nations should be doing more Don't know/Can't say Based on what you’ve seen, heard or read, what do you think about Europe’s response to the migrant crisis?
SLIDE 46 33% 32% 10% 23% 9% 42% 22% 26% 17% 27% 20% 37%
European nations are doing too much as it is European nations are doing as much as can be expected European nations should be doing more Don't know/Can't say
Based on what you’ve seen, heard or read, what do you think about Europe’s response to the migrant crisis?
Republican Democrat Independent
SLIDE 47
How do you think the U.S. should deal with the Syrian refugees who are already in the country?
SLIDE 48 76% 21%
Welcome them and help absorb them into American society Expel them
How do you think the U.S. should deal with the Syrian refugees who are already in the country?
SLIDE 49 83% 16% 73% 24% 73% 23%
Welcome them and help absorb them into American society Expel them
How do you think the U.S. should deal with the Syrian refugees who are already in the country?
18-34 35-54 55+
SLIDE 50 60% 36% 90% 9% 74% 21% Welcome them and help absorb them into American society Expel them
How do you think the U.S. should deal with the Syrian refugees who are already in the country?
Republican Democrat Independent
SLIDE 51 46% 48% 91% 8% 91% 9% Welcome them and help absorb them into American society Expel them
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
SLIDE 52 67% 10% 9% 14% Donald Trump Supporters Hillary Clinton Supporters Bernie Sanders Supporters None appeal to me
[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?
SLIDE 53 Do you support the proposal ‘for a total shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until
- ur country’s representatives
can figure out what is going on?’
SLIDE 54 38% 61%
Yes No 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?’
SLIDE 55 25% 74% 40% 60% 48% 52%
Yes No
18-34 35-54 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?’
SLIDE 56 61% 38% 19% 81% 39% 59%
Yes No
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
SLIDE 57 80% 20% 14% 86% 17% 82% Yes No
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
SLIDE 58 Who would you like to see take the lead in addressing the needs
- f refugees once they are in the
United States?
SLIDE 59 29% 17% 52% Federal government States Charities and other non- governmental organizations
Who would you like to see take the lead in addressing the needs of refugees once they are in the United States?
SLIDE 60 17% 19% 62% 41% 13% 45% 26% 24% 48%
Federal government States Charities and other non- governmental organizations
Who would you like to see take the lead in addressing the needs of refugees
- nce they are in the United States?
Republican Democrat Independent
SLIDE 61
On 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?
SLIDE 62 16% 25% 27% 31% 33% 46% 64%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
Computer Training Program Wellness Program Immigration Assistance Program Resettlement Services Job Readiness and Placement Services Provide K-12 Education English Language Traning
Ranking of responses indicating “very important” when asked: How would you rate the following steps to deal with the Syrian refugees once they arrive?
SLIDE 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):
SLIDE 64 4.83 5.68 5.71 5.84 5.96
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
The Middle East East Asia Africa Central America South America On a scale of 0-10, where 0 is “not being open” and 10 is “being very open,” rate your degree
- f openness for refugees from the following
region (mean):
