Three polls are worth reading. Bottom line:  sharp differences of opinion on key issues mask agreement on some; also, that immigration will likely not tilt the November voting by much.

A CNN poll released on Sept 25 reports that 49% of registered voters trust Trump (49%) more than Harris (35%) on immigration. 15% don’t trust either. 33% say that increasing the number of many people of different races. nationalities and ethnic groups threatens America. That’s up from 11% in 2019. This September, 66% say that these groups enrich America down from 82% in 2019.

A Pew Research poll in mid September pitted Trump supporters and Harris supporter against each other. The results were predicable except on educated and skilled immigrants.

The following shows Trump supporters first, Harris supporters second. I’m going to get into the weeds but first note what is to me an important matter of consensus:

Legal immigration should stay as current level: 48% to 44%

This result confirms that which has been a consistent consensus about immigration that lies beneath responses to hot button issues: As a nation, we are OK with immigration in  principle as long as it is done right. This consensus is not what Donald Trump wants.

Here is a predictable consensus about the border:

Improving security along the country’s borders: 96% to 80%.

I view the following result as approaching a consensus: U.S. has little or no control over illegal immigration: 66% to 40%

This consensus is of course why Harris visited Douglas, Arizona on September 27 to make a get tough speech about the border. She proposed tougher measures to constrain border crossings and asylum applications, and promoted the failed bi-partisan bill of early 2014 (go here). Her main focus was on executive branch action, which (per here) has been the default solution for over ten years.

Here are the expected divergences:

Deport all immigrants living here illegally: 88% to 27%

Allow undocumented persons married to a U.S. citizen to stay here legally: 35% to 80%

Admitting more refugees: 49% to 85%

Growing number of immigrants will make things worse: 59% to 11%

Authorized persons should be allowed legally to stay: 33% to 87%

Now, some topics for which there is much more of a consensus. There is a consensus that educated and skilled immigrants help:

Allowing international students who receive a U.S. college degree to stay here: 63% to 89%

Admitting more high skilled immigrants: 71% to 87%

A Suffolk/USA Today poll in early Sept implies that while there is a slight majority for Trump managing immigration better, that does not affect a preference for Harris over Trump in November voting.

In the Suffolk University poll, more respondents said that Trump is better at managing immigration (50% to 47%), consistent with results on the economy, national security and relations with China.  Results on managing race relations and healthcare were dramatically the opposite (about 40% to 55%).

The respondents predicted that Harris will win (50% to 38% to 12% undecided). 90% say their mind is made up, and favor Harris over Trump (48% to 43%).