Public Support for the Legalization of Undocumented Immigrants during the 2016 Presidential Campaign
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Mariano Sana Sociological Science November 21, 2025 10.15195/v12.a32 Abstract I investigate whether the political ascent of Donald Trump, an adamant immigration restrictionist, during the 2016 presidential campaign was accompanied by decreasing support for the legalization of undocumented immigrants. Compiling survey data from 2012 to 2016, I show consistent support for legalization throughout the period. However, support was on the decline until Trump entered the presidential race in June 2015,