CBS News Poll – May 17-19, 2023

Adults in the U.S.

Sample 2,188 Adults in the U.S.
Margin of Error ±3%

14. On issues concerning the U.S.-Mexico border and migrants, do you personally see these issues as matters
of:

Yes No
IMMIGRATION - that is, who can be in the country or not 84% 16%
HUMANITARIAN - that is, how the U.S. treats people in tough situations 67% 33%
RACE - that is, concerning how Hispanic people are treated 49% 51%
NATIONAL SECURITY - that is, dealing with potential threats 77% 23%
ECONOMICS - that is, dealing with costs and benefits to US economy 77% 23%

16. From what you’ve seen or heard, what is your impression of the people trying to cross the southern border
and enter the U.S.? Are they probably people who are

Most are Some are, Most are

some aren’t not

Criminals and gang members 12% 58% 30%

Looking for jobs 48% 44% 8%
Trying to escape crime and violence elsewhere 32% 55% 13%
Believing that the Biden Administration will admit them 52% 41% 7%
Generally hard-working people 35% 55% 10%
Looking for handouts and welfare 29% 45% 26%

1
CBS News Poll – May 17-19, 2023
Adults in the U.S.

14A. Types of Issues At U.S.-Mexico Border — IMMIGRATION - that is, who can be in the country or not
On issues concerning the U.S.-Mexico border and migrants, do you personally see these issues as matters of:

Gender Age Ideology

Total Male Female Under 30 30-44 45-64 65+ Liberal Moderate Conservative

Yes 84% 85% 83% 78% 83% 86% 90% 87% 83% 85%
No 16% 15% 17% 22% 17% 14% 10% 13% 17% 15%
Totals 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Weighted N (2,163) (1,058) (1,104) (454) (543) (709) (457) (532) (745) (688)

2020 Vote Party ID Race White by Education

Total Biden Trump Dem Ind Rep White Black Hispanic No Degree 4yr Degree+

Yes 84% 86% 87% 86% 86% 82% 85% 80% 84% 84% 88%
No 16% 14% 13% 14% 14% 18% 15% 20% 16% 16% 12%
Totals 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Weighted N (2,163) (675) (632) (658) (738) (606) (1,364) (267) (341) (844) (520)

1
CBS News Poll – May 17-19, 2023
Adults in the U.S.

14B. Types of Issues At U.S.-Mexico Border — HUMANITARIAN - that is, how the U.S. treats people in tough situations
On issues concerning the U.S.-Mexico border and migrants, do you personally see these issues as matters of:

Gender Age Ideology

Total Male Female Under 30 30-44 45-64 65+ Liberal Moderate Conservative

Yes 67% 65% 69% 75% 73% 60% 62% 87% 68% 49%
No 33% 35% 31% 25% 27% 40% 38% 13% 32% 51%
Totals 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Weighted N (2,155) (1,056) (1,099) (452) (546) (701) (456) (537) (735) (689)

2020 Vote Party ID Race White by Education

Total Biden Trump Dem Ind Rep White Black Hispanic No Degree 4yr Degree+

Yes 67% 84% 45% 81% 66% 52% 66% 67% 73% 63% 71%
No 33% 16% 55% 19% 34% 48% 34% 33% 27% 37% 29%
Totals 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Weighted N (2,155) (679) (625) (658) (733) (604) (1,357) (267) (341) (838) (519)

2
CBS News Poll – May 17-19, 2023
Adults in the U.S.

14C. Types of Issues At U.S.-Mexico Border — RACE - that is, concerning how Hispanic people are treated
On issues concerning the U.S.-Mexico border and migrants, do you personally see these issues as matters of:

Gender Age Ideology

Total Male Female Under 30 30-44 45-64 65+ Liberal Moderate Conservative

Yes 49% 47% 51% 63% 62% 39% 35% 75% 50% 27%
No 51% 53% 49% 37% 38% 61% 65% 25% 50% 73%
Totals 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Weighted N (2,166) (1,061) (1,105) (456) (546) (707) (457) (537) (746) (689)

2020 Vote Party ID Race White by Education

Total Biden Trump Dem Ind Rep White Black Hispanic No Degree 4yr Degree+

Yes 49% 68% 23% 67% 45% 32% 44% 60% 61% 43% 46%
No 51% 32% 77% 33% 55% 68% 56% 40% 39% 57% 54%
Totals 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Weighted N (2,166) (680) (631) (657) (741) (608) (1,361) (267) (347) (843) (518)

3
CBS News Poll – May 17-19, 2023
Adults in the U.S.

14D. Types of Issues At U.S.-Mexico Border — NATIONAL SECURITY - that is, dealing with potential threats
On issues concerning the U.S.-Mexico border and migrants, do you personally see these issues as matters of:

Gender Age Ideology

Total Male Female Under 30 30-44 45-64 65+ Liberal Moderate Conservative

Yes 77% 75% 78% 71% 76% 77% 82% 61% 78% 88%
No 23% 25% 22% 29% 24% 23% 18% 39% 22% 12%
Totals 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Weighted N (2,164) (1,060) (1,104) (456) (545) (706) (457) (531) (742) (693)

2020 Vote Party ID Race White by Education

Total Biden Trump Dem Ind Rep White Black Hispanic No Degree 4yr Degree+

Yes 77% 68% 93% 68% 75% 90% 80% 68% 69% 80% 81%
No 23% 32% 7% 32% 25% 10% 20% 32% 31% 20% 19%
Totals 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Weighted N (2,164) (672) (633) (658) (736) (610) (1,362) (268) (343) (843) (519)

4
CBS News Poll – May 17-19, 2023
Adults in the U.S.

14E. Types of Issues At U.S.-Mexico Border — ECONOMICS - that is, dealing with costs and benefits to US economy
On issues concerning the U.S.-Mexico border and migrants, do you personally see these issues as matters of:

Gender Age Ideology

Total Male Female Under 30 30-44 45-64 65+ Liberal Moderate Conservative

Yes 77% 76% 78% 74% 75% 78% 82% 74% 75% 82%
No 23% 24% 22% 26% 25% 22% 18% 26% 25% 18%
Totals 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Weighted N (2,155) (1,060) (1,095) (453) (542) (700) (460) (531) (745) (681)

2020 Vote Party ID Race White by Education

Total Biden Trump Dem Ind Rep White Black Hispanic No Degree 4yr Degree+

Yes 77% 78% 84% 75% 76% 83% 81% 67% 71% 80% 83%
No 23% 22% 16% 25% 24% 17% 19% 33% 29% 20% 17%
Totals 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Weighted N (2,155) (674) (626) (656) (737) (602) (1,356) (270) (342) (844) (512)

5
CBS News Poll – May 17-19, 2023
Adults in the U.S.

16A. Impression of Migrants Across U.S.-Mexico Border — Criminals and gang members
From what you’ve seen or heard, what is your impression of the people trying to cross the southern border and enter the U.S.? Are they probably people
who are

Gender Age Ideology

Total Male Female Under 30 30-44 45-64 65+ Liberal Moderate Conservative

Most are 12% 14% 11% 10% 14% 12% 13% 6% 9% 20%
Some are, some aren’t 58% 56% 60% 53% 62% 61% 55% 39% 62% 68%
Most are not 30% 30% 29% 37% 24% 27% 32% 55% 28% 12%
Totals 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 99% 100%
Weighted N (2,163) (1,060) (1,103) (452) (549) (706) (457) (538) (742) (689)

2020 Vote Party ID Race White by Education

Total Biden Trump Dem Ind Rep White Black Hispanic No Degree 4yr Degree+

Most are 12% 4% 19% 8% 8% 23% 13% 11% 12% 15% 10%
Some are, some aren’t 58% 40% 73% 47% 62% 64% 57% 59% 58% 59% 54%
Most are not 30% 55% 8% 45% 30% 13% 30% 30% 30% 26% 35%
Totals 100% 99% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 99%
Weighted N (2,163) (678) (630) (657) (743) (604) (1,361) (265) (347) (841) (520)

7
CBS News Poll – May 17-19, 2023
Adults in the U.S.

16B. Impression of Migrants Across U.S.-Mexico Border — Looking for jobs

From what you’ve seen or heard, what is your impression of the people trying to cross the southern border and enter the U.S.? Are they probably people
who are

Gender Age Ideology

Total Male Female Under 30 30-44 45-64 65+ Liberal Moderate Conservative

Most are 48% 46% 50% 53% 49% 45% 46% 68% 51% 29%
Some are, some aren’t 44% 46% 42% 38% 45% 47% 45% 29% 44% 56%
Most are not 8% 8% 8% 9% 6% 8% 9% 3% 5% 15%
Totals 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Weighted N (2,169) (1,060) (1,109) (453) (550) (707) (459) (538) (744) (690)

2020 Vote Party ID Race White by Education

Total Biden Trump Dem Ind Rep White Black Hispanic No Degree 4yr Degree+

Most are 48% 72% 28% 64% 48% 30% 45% 53% 54% 42% 50%
Some are, some aren’t 44% 25% 58% 31% 45% 57% 46% 40% 38% 47% 42%
Most are not 8% 3% 14% 5% 7% 13% 9% 7% 7% 10% 7%
Totals 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 99% 99% 99%
Weighted N (2,169) (679) (633) (658) (742) (609) (1,364) (269) (346) (843) (521)

8
CBS News Poll – May 17-19, 2023
Adults in the U.S.

16C. Impression of Migrants Across U.S.-Mexico Border — Trying to escape crime and violence elsewhere
From what you’ve seen or heard, what is your impression of the people trying to cross the southern border and enter the U.S.? Are they probably people
who are

Gender Age Ideology

Total Male Female Under 30 30-44 45-64 65+ Liberal Moderate Conservative

Most are 32% 31% 33% 40% 32% 28% 29% 54% 30% 14%
Some are, some aren’t 55% 55% 55% 51% 58% 56% 56% 43% 57% 64%
Most are not 13% 14% 12% 9% 10% 16% 15% 3% 13% 22%
Totals 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Weighted N (2,163) (1,061) (1,103) (454) (550) (701) (459) (536) (745) (685)

2020 Vote Party ID Race White by Education

Total Biden Trump Dem Ind Rep White Black Hispanic No Degree 4yr Degree+

Most are 32% 54% 11% 49% 28% 16% 28% 38% 42% 29% 27%
Some are, some aren’t 55% 41% 63% 44% 58% 64% 57% 56% 49% 56% 58%
Most are not 13% 4% 26% 7% 14% 20% 15% 6% 9% 15% 15%
Totals 100% 99% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Weighted N (2,163) (674) (632) (652) (742) (610) (1,356) (271) (345) (835) (521)

9
CBS News Poll – May 17-19, 2023
Adults in the U.S.

16D. Impression of Migrants Across U.S.-Mexico Border — Believing that the Biden Administration will admit them
From what you’ve seen or heard, what is your impression of the people trying to cross the southern border and enter the U.S.? Are they probably people
who are

Gender Age Ideology

Total Male Female Under 30 30-44 45-64 65+ Liberal Moderate Conservative

Most are 52% 54% 50% 36% 36% 64% 70% 35% 50% 72%
Some are, some aren’t 41% 40% 43% 56% 53% 32% 28% 56% 44% 23%
Most are not 7% 6% 7% 8% 11% 4% 2% 9% 6% 4%
Totals 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 99%
Weighted N (2,162) (1,057) (1,105) (454) (547) (702) (458) (536) (737) (691)

2020 Vote Party ID Race White by Education

Total Biden Trump Dem Ind Rep White Black Hispanic No Degree 4yr Degree+

Most are 52% 41% 83% 41% 49% 72% 58% 47% 37% 61% 55%
Some are, some aren’t 41% 52% 14% 53% 43% 23% 37% 45% 51% 35% 39%
Most are not 7% 7% 3% 5% 7% 5% 5% 8% 11% 4% 6%
Totals 100% 100% 100% 99% 99% 100% 100% 100% 99% 100% 100%
Weighted N (2,162) (674) (630) (656) (737) (609) (1,359) (269) (347) (843) (515)

10
CBS News Poll – May 17-19, 2023
Adults in the U.S.

16E. Impression of Migrants Across U.S.-Mexico Border — Generally hard-working people

From what you’ve seen or heard, what is your impression of the people trying to cross the southern border and enter the U.S.? Are they probably people
who are

Gender Age Ideology

Total Male Female Under 30 30-44 45-64 65+ Liberal Moderate Conservative

Most are 35% 33% 38% 42% 34% 33% 34% 57% 36% 17%
Some are, some aren’t 55% 57% 53% 49% 57% 56% 56% 38% 57% 67%
Most are not 10% 10% 9% 8% 9% 11% 10% 5% 7% 16%
Totals 100% 100% 100% 99% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Weighted N (2,168) (1,061) (1,107) (454) (550) (706) (459) (537) (743) (691)

2020 Vote Party ID Race White by Education

Total Biden Trump Dem Ind Rep White Black Hispanic No Degree 4yr Degree+

Most are 35% 59% 15% 54% 34% 16% 32% 42% 46% 28% 37%
Some are, some aren’t 55% 38% 68% 41% 57% 67% 57% 54% 45% 59% 54%
Most are not 10% 3% 16% 5% 9% 17% 11% 4% 9% 13% 8%
Totals 100% 100% 99% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 99%
Weighted N (2,168) (678) (631) (659) (741) (608) (1,364) (270) (345) (843) (521)

11
CBS News Poll – May 17-19, 2023
Adults in the U.S.

16F. Impression of Migrants Across U.S.-Mexico Border — Looking for handouts and welfare
From what you’ve seen or heard, what is your impression of the people trying to cross the southern border and enter the U.S.? Are they probably people
who are

Gender Age Ideology

Total Male Female Under 30 30-44 45-64 65+ Liberal Moderate Conservative

Most are 29% 33% 26% 27% 25% 31% 34% 14% 29% 42%
Some are, some aren’t 45% 43% 46% 48% 50% 42% 39% 34% 46% 50%
Most are not 26% 23% 28% 25% 25% 27% 27% 52% 25% 8%
Totals 100% 99% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Weighted N (2,172) (1,062) (1,110) (454) (550) (708) (461) (538) (744) (693)

2020 Vote Party ID Race White by Education

Total Biden Trump Dem Ind Rep White Black Hispanic No Degree 4yr Degree+

Most are 29% 18% 50% 18% 25% 46% 31% 27% 25% 35% 25%
Some are, some aren’t 45% 32% 44% 38% 48% 47% 44% 48% 41% 46% 41%
Most are not 26% 50% 6% 44% 27% 7% 25% 25% 33% 19% 34%
Totals 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 99% 100% 100%
Weighted N (2,172) (679) (633) (659) (743) (610) (1,366) (269) (346) (845) (521)

12
 HOW THE POLL WAS CONDUCTED AND THE
MARGIN OF ERROR CALCULATED

The CBS News/YouGov survey of 2,188 adults in the U.S. was conducted between May 17-19,
2023.
This sample was weighted according to gender, age, race, and education based on the U.S. Census
American Community Survey, and the U.S. Census Current Population Survey, as well as 2020
Presidential vote and 2022 Congressional vote. Respondents were selected to be representative
of adults nationwide. The weights range from 0.03 to 6.4, with a mean of 1 and a standard
deviation of 1.1.
The margin of error (a 95% confidence interval) for a sample percentage p based upon the entire
sample is approximately 3.0%. It is calculated using the formula
s
1 + CV2
p̂ ± 100 ×
n

where CV is the coefficient of variation of the sample weights and n is the sample size used
to compute the proportion. This is a measure of sampling error (the average of all estimates
obtained using the same sample selection and weighting procedures repeatedly). The sample
estimate should differ from its expected value by less than margin of error in 95 percent of
all samples. It does not reflect non-sampling errors, including potential selection bias in panel
participation or in response to a particular survey.