This article is the seventh in a series based on the results of a recent Jury Impact survey conducted in conjunction with our sister company, MFour Mobile Research. This survey was fielded in July with 543 jury-eligible respondents throughout the United States. “Millennials” include all respondents 34 and younger.
Given the strong words both presidential candidates have had about immigration, the topic promises to produce even more contention during the next debates. But does everyone believe immigration is as big a problem as these contenders do?
During our recent survey, we asked participants to characterize a number of different issues as a “major” or “minor” problem, or not a problem at all. Opinions on illegal immigration created by far the largest spread in perspectives. Although 63 percent – nearly two-thirds of 35-plus respondents believe illegal immigration is a major problem, just 30 percent of millennials said so. Nearly 20 percent of millennials don’t see illegal immigration as a problem at all, compared to only 6 percent of those 35 and older.
These numbers beg the question about the reason for this huge difference in perspective. Could it be the assimilation of immigrants into America, the growing number of mixed-race Americans or millennials’ mindset of universal acceptance? A Pew Research poll conducted in March of this year showed the major factor in the acceptance of immigrants, revealing that 76 percent of millennials say they “strengthen the country because of their hard work and talents,” whereas only 48 percent of baby boomers agreed with this statement.
During our focus groups, we have noticed correlating outlooks among age ranges. From our master data file of hundreds of cases from the past nine years, we have found those older than 40 are 1.7 times more likely than younger jurors to believe U.S. immigration laws should be tightened.
These findings can have clear implications for some of our cases. For example, in one 2014 case, jurors were asked if they prefer a doctor trained in the United States or India, where 100 percent of those younger than 20 years of age answered “it doesn’t matter” compared to the majority of those older than 50 responding “United States.” Although it may not be a direct correlation to immigration views, it still shows that to the younger generation, countries of origin are less of a concern.
We have also observed a clear difference when focus group participants of different ages are asked their opinions on a case involving immigrant plaintiffs. Older participants are much more likely to ask if these plaintiffs are here legally, whereas millennials rarely if ever ask and, more importantly, rarely if ever care about the answer.
If you have a case where immigration status may be a factor – whether for the plaintiff, defendant or both – contact Senior Vice President Claire Luna at cluna@juryimpact.net or 714.754.1010 to find out how we can help.
