According to a poll conducted by the National Journal, the majority of Americans prefer fewer high-tech and construction guest workers. The poll found that 65% of Republicans, 53% of Democrats, and 53% of Independents want fewer high-tech guest workers. It also found that 71% of Republicans, 60% of Democrats, and 58% of Independents want fewer construction guest workers.

According to Pulse Opinion Research, 78% of Likely Voters support a mandatory electronic verification system in dealing with the issue of illegal immigration. The poll also found that 94% of the Republicans, 84% of the Independents, and 81% of the Democrats who took a position on the question support a mandatory electronic verification system.

In October 2011, the Washington Post asked 1,000 adults if they would support an increase in visas to foreign workers with advanced degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. 59% say they oppose such a plan. Of the respondents who say they lean Republican, 63% say they oppose such a plan.

82% of likely voters think businesses should be required to use E-Verify. The poll also found that 61% of likely voters would favor a state law that shuts down businesses that repeatedly hire illegal workers.

A poll conducted by the Arizona Republic found that 66% of Arizonans would support legislation that required businesses to check all employees through E-Verify. (A law in Arizona requiring businesses to check only new hires already exists.) The poll also found that 87% of Republicans would support such a law.

When asked about what governments should do to address illegal immigration, 83% of respondents supported stronger border controls, 74% supported cracking down on employers, and 68% supported deportation.

Fifty-seven percent of adults polled favor an immigration bill that incorporates imposing new fines on businesses that hire illegal aliens.

Fifty-nine percent of Americans polled believe the more effective way to deal with the potential treat to national security posed by millions of illegal aliens living within the United States is to crack down on illegal immigration by toughening the enforcement of existing laws, deporting illegal immigrants and prosecuting the employers who illegally employ workers.

Seventy percent of Americans polled said they support the REAL ID program, which requires each state to change its drivers license systems to meet national standards and ensure that their databases are compatible with other states.

Fifty-three percent of California voters favor a policy of rounding up and deporting illegal aliens, and most California voters continue to consider illegal immigration a serious problem, with 49 percent rating it very serious and 28 percent somewhat serious.