Results from a recent statewide poll reveal that over 80 percent of Utahns believe legal immigration has a positive effect on Utah’s economy, and more than three-quarters of Utahns support increasing opportunities for legal immigration. Utahns are reversed on the principle of illegal immigration though, with 63 percent believing it has a negative effect on the state’s economy.

The survey, conducted in partnership by Dan Jones & Associates and the David Eccles School of Business, shows nearly 8 in 10 (77 percent) Utahns support increasing opportunities for foreigners to legally immigrate to the United States. This positive sentiment comes in light of efforts in the U.S. Congress to reform the nation’s immigration system. Democrats show slightly more support at 85 percent, while 76 percent of Republicans also indicate they support increasing opportunities for legal immigration.

“It is interesting that Utahns on both ends of the political spectrum are so supportive of increasing avenues for legal immigration,” said Dr. Dan Jones of Dan Jones & Associates. “Immigration is a topic Utahns haven’t typically agreed upon. Survey research indicates that Utahns increasingly recognize that legal immigrants can play an important role in the economy.”

Broken down by education level, the strongest support for increasing legal immigration opportunities comes from Utahns with graduate and professional degrees, who express 84 percent support.

Natalie Gochnour of the Bureau of Economic and Business Research and an associate dean at the University of Utah’s business school commented, “It’s not surprising that Utahns support legal immigration. Utah’s economy is becoming increasingly globalized, due in large measure to the high concentration of bilingual and multilingual residents. A significant number of Utah businesses have operations overseas, and business flows in both directions. As Utah businesses become more diverse, so will the workforce.”

Utahns are split on the issue of granting amnesty, or legal status, to current residents who are here illegally, with 41 percent expressing support and 45 percent opposed to amnesty. The greatest support for granting amnesty came from young people under 30, with 55 percent.

The survey was conducted from May 13-21 among a random sampling of 799 registered voters in the state of Utah and has a statistical margin of error of +/- 3.47 percent.

THE UTAH BUSINESS SENTIMENT SURVEY

The Utah Business Sentiment Survey is a monthly indicator of business conditions, policy preferences and current issues facing the state of Utah. Each month a random group of Utahns are asked targeted and timely questions about important business and community issues facing the state. Analysts with Dan Jones & Associates and the David Eccles School of Business, both of which sponsor the survey, evaluate the responses and share insights. Equipped with solid information, business and community leaders are better able to make informed decisions.

DAN JONES & ASSOCIATES

Dan Jones & Associates is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Cicero Group, one of the world’s premier data-driven strategy companies. Dan Jones is a 50-year survey research veteran and community leader who is well known for his role as a teacher, pollster, mentor and political expert. Dan Jones & Associates is a full service research company and is widely recognized as the leading market research and public opinion company in Utah. For additional information, visit www.cicerogroup.com or call 801-456-6700.

THE DAVID ECCLES SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

Founded in 1917 in Salt Lake City, the David Eccles School of Business educates nearly 3,500 students a year and boasts more than 31,000 alumni. Students manage a university venture fund of $18.3 million, the largest of its kind in the nation. In January 2012, the school opened its new $72 million Spencer F. Eccles Business Building, offering students a cutting-edge learning environment packed with state-of-the-art technology. Both its graduate and undergraduate programs rank in the top 20 nationally for entrepreneurship in the 2013 Princeton Review rankings and its Full-Time MBA program made the biggest jump up the rankings of U.S. News & World Report’s 2014 rankings of graduate schools. For more information, visit www.business.utah.edu.