Arizona Voters Agree on a Clear Immigration Agenda Across Political Lines

Immigration is one of the most polarizing issues in American politics. But years of statewide nonpartisan public opinion research by Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) reveal a different story, showing remarkable and consistent agreement among Arizona voters on immigration policy.

The findings, released as part of CFA’s 2026 Arizona Voters' Agenda, show that Arizona voters are not approaching immigration as a series of simple either-or choices. Across several major policy questions, they support approaches that combine security, functionality, legal pathways, enforcement, and fair treatment. At the same time, more restrictive alternatives do not earn the same level of agreement across the electorate.

One of the clearest findings is on the border itself, as 90% of voters say Arizona should prioritize both border security and a functioning border for commerce, trade, and legal immigration. Agreement is nearly identical across political affiliations, with 91% of Republicans, 90% of independent and unaffiliated voters, and 89% of Democrats.

Voters Favor a Clearer, Easier Path, Not Tougher Citizenship Standards
The research finds particularly strong agreement on legal pathways to citizenship, with 86% supporting a clearer and easier legal pathway to citizenship for immigrants who meet established requirements. That includes 75% of Republicans, 91% of independent and unaffiliated voters, and 97% of Democrats. Sixty-eight percent of voters strongly agree.

The surveys ask about a range of policy positions and, where useful, gives voters different approaches to consider. CFA then analyzes the results to determine which priorities meet its high standard for agreement across political affiliations and generations.

Voters were also asked whether the United States should make it more difficult for immigrants to achieve citizenship through tougher requirements and a more rigorous vetting process. Just 38% agreed, including 58% of Republicans, 34% of independent and unaffiliated voters, and 14% of Democrats.

The overwhelming majority of voters support making the pathway to citizenship clearer and easier. Making citizenship more difficult through tougher requirements and more rigorous vetting does not have the same cross-partisan support.

“What makes these findings especially useful is that voters were able to weigh different approaches, not simply react to one policy statement,” said Paul Bentz, Sr. Vice President of Research and Strategy at HighGround, which conducted the survey. “A legal pathway that is clearer and easier receives very strong support across the electorate. Making it more difficult for immigrants to achieve citizenship does not. Looking at those findings together gives us a much more complete picture of Arizona's voters' priorities regarding immigration.”

Enforcement and Fair Treatment Are Not Either-Or Priorities
The same pattern emerges when voters consider how immigration laws should be enforced. When presented with multiple approaches, nearly three-fourths (74%) of voters chose enforcing immigration laws while making sure immigrants who are legally in the country are treated fairly and respectfully. That approach was supported by 57% of Republicans, 83% of independent and unaffiliated voters, and 89% of Democrats.

By comparison, 21% supported prioritizing stricter immigration enforcement, even if some legal immigrants experience additional scrutiny or restrictions.

The findings show that voters do not necessarily see the choices that often define the political immigration debate as either-or propositions. They support border security and a functioning border. Enforcement and fair treatment. A legal pathway to citizenship and making that pathway clearer and easier.

"Arizonans are looking for a secure and functioning border, an easier pathway to legal immigration, fair enforcement of immigration laws, and humane treatment of those seeking entry to this country. This gives us a robust foundation on which to approach immigration policy and practice," said Dr. Sybil Francis, Chair, President & CEO of CFA.

Years of Consistency Create a Foundation for Action
Arizona voters are offering a substantive immigration agenda. The 2026 findings build on a pattern CFA has seen across multiple election cycles. Arizonans have consistently supported immigration solutions that combine border security, legal pathways, fair treatment, and the economic importance of a functioning border. CFA’s research has also repeatedly found overwhelming support for a legal pathway to citizenship.

The Question for Arizona: Will Leaders Respond?
The Arizona Voters’ Agenda is designed to bring voters’ priorities more clearly into the election conversation and encourage candidates to respond with clear plans, priorities, and solutions.

The immigration findings raise important questions: How would candidates and leaders strengthen border security while maintaining a functioning border for commerce, trade, and legal immigration? What would they do to advance a clearer and easier legal pathway to citizenship? How would they enforce immigration laws while ensuring fair treatment? And where authority is shared among federal, state, and local governments, how would they work across those levels to make progress?

These are not entirely new questions. CFA’s research has shown consistency in many of these priorities over multiple election cycles. That raises an important question heading into the 2026 election: If Arizonans have consistently agreed on many of these priorities, what will it take to translate that agreement into progress?

“Immigration policy crosses federal, state, and local lines, and no one office can solve it alone,” Dr. Francis added. “But that does not mean Arizona’s leaders are powerless. They represent our state, they can advocate for the priorities Arizonans share, and they can build the relationships and coalitions needed to move them forward. Common ground matters most when we use it.”

Keeping those priorities visible beyond Election Day also creates a foundation for accountability: Are leaders responding to what Arizonans have consistently said they want, and is common ground leading to meaningful action?

CFA will continue releasing issue-specific findings from the 2026 Arizona Voters’ Agenda through Aug. 20, with additional research examining elections and education.

CFA is also conducting a second Arizona Voters’ Agenda survey later this month, with new findings and additional questions for candidates and leaders expected in September.

Explore the research and join the conversation. Find the Arizona Voters' Agenda findings, methodology, and resources at arizonafuture.org/ava.

About the Arizona Voters’ Agenda Survey

The first of two statewide 2026 Arizona Voters’ Agenda surveys was conducted on June 15-18, 2026. The poll surveyed 500 likely Arizona General Election voters with a history of electoral participation and was balanced to reflect expected turnout across party, age, region, and gender. Live interviews were conducted in English and Spanish by HighGround, Inc., among landline and cell phone users. The partisan advantage was set at +8% GOP based on previous election trends. The margin of error is ±4.3%.

To be included in the Arizona Voters' Agenda, each priority must receive support from at least 50% of all likely voters, as well as at least 50% of Republicans, Democrats, independents/unaffiliated voters, and every age group. The survey also includes broader questions that provide context about Arizona voters' experiences, concerns, and perspectives. Additional methodology is available at arizonafuture.org/ava.

Survey Demographics:

The 2026 Arizona Voters’ Agenda initiative is supported in part by Arizona State University, Helios Education Foundation, Pivotal Foundation, and Thomas R. Brown Family Private Foundation. Center for the Future of Arizona is grateful for their investment in trusted, nonpartisan research that helps inform leadership and public dialogue around Arizona's future.

About Center for the Future of Arizona

Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan "do-tank" that brings Arizonans together to create a stronger and brighter future for our state. Through its survey research & communications, Arizona Progress Meters, and impact initiatives & programs in education, workforce, and civic health, CFA listens to Arizonans to learn what matters most to them, shares trusted data about how Arizona is doing in those priority areas, brings critical issues to public attention, and works with communities and leaders to solve public problems. CFA’s work is focused on building The Arizona We Want –a research-informed vision of success for the state, where all Arizonans, now and in the future, thrive and enjoy sustained prosperity, unmatched quality of life, and real opportunity.

CFA develops the Arizona Voters’ Agenda initiative to put the voices of Arizona voters at the forefront of election dialogue, encourage candidates and media to focus on what Arizonans agree on and care about for our state, and increase voter engagement by building a positive agenda that focuses on outcomes that voters across age and political affiliation want. Visit arizonafuture.org/ava for more details on the initiative and comprehensive survey information.