Poll Shows Supermajority Support for Fair Worksite Enforcement of Immigration Laws

Majority of Americans want employers to comply with federal immigration laws, according to new poll

Mar. 13, 2026 at 9:52pm

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A new poll shows a supermajority of American voters want the government to ensure employers comply with federal immigration laws that prohibit the hiring of illegal migrants. The poll found strong support for measures to penalize companies that repeatedly violate immigration hiring laws and to notify employers when employee Social Security numbers don't match government records.

Why it matters

This poll reflects growing public concern over the unfair competitive advantage companies gain by hiring undocumented workers at lower wages, undermining the rule of law and putting American workers at a disadvantage. Enforcing immigration laws at worksites is seen as crucial to creating a level playing field in the labor market.

The details

The poll, conducted by McLaughlin & Associates, surveyed 2,000 likely voters in late February and early March. It found that 77% of Americans agree that "Businesses that repeatedly violate immigration hiring laws should face escalating penalties." Additionally, 82% want the federal government to notify "employers when their employees' Social Security numbers don't match government records, so employers can take action to ensure they are not employing illegal migrants."

  • The poll was conducted in late February and early March 2026.

The players

Rosemary Jenks

A cofounder of the Immigration Accountability Project who says the current system creates an "insane" incentive for companies to hire undocumented workers, undermining the rule of law.

President Donald Trump

The former president who campaigned on a promise of mass deportations, which Jenks says can be achieved by making it harder for illegal migrants to find employment.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin

The incoming homeland security chief who is facing pressure from GOP-aligned business groups to stop the deportation of illegal migrants who hold jobs.

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What they’re saying

“It's ridiculous that a business that breaks the law [by hiring cheap illegals] is better off than a business that follows the law.”

— Rosemary Jenks, Cofounder, Immigration Accountability Project (Breitbart News)

“The more you can make illegal aliens unemployable, the more likely they are to leave on their own ... Any you've got to actually apprehend and remove the illegal aliens who are found on the work sites — not just go through the [company] paperwork and tell the employers who hired them.”

— Rosemary Jenks, Cofounder, Immigration Accountability Project (Breitbart News)

What’s next

The poll results are expected to influence the policy agenda of the new homeland security chief, Sen. Markwayne Mullin, as he faces pressure from business groups to soften immigration enforcement.

The takeaway

This poll underscores the public's desire for a level playing field in the labor market, where companies that follow immigration laws are not undercut by those that hire undocumented workers at lower wages. Enforcing worksite immigration rules is seen as crucial to protecting American workers and upholding the rule of law.