Pastors Back Legal Immigration, Split on Deportation Levels, Survey Finds

U.S. Protestant pastors overwhelmingly support legal immigration and favor a balanced approach to reform, while remaining divided over deportation levels, according to a new national survey of 667 pastors.

The study, conducted by Lifeway Research and sponsored by charity World Relief, finds strong agreement on key immigration principles but notable differences over enforcement policies and priorities.

The online survey was conducted Jan. 13 to March 4 and published March 31.

Most pastors say immigration reform should combine border security with a pathway to legal status. Four in five pastors, or 82 percent, support changes that increase border security and establish a process for undocumented immigrants to earn legal status and apply for citizenship.

Nearly half, 47 percent, strongly support those combined changes, while 16 percent oppose them and 2 percent are unsure.

Almost all pastors, 98 percent, support legislation that respects the God-given dignity of every person. Large majorities also support protecting family unity, respecting the rule of law, ensuring fairness to taxpayers, and securing national borders.

Additionally, 78 percent support legislation that creates a pathway to citizenship for undocumented individuals who meet certain qualifications.

Scott McConnell, Lifeway Research executive director, said in a statement that the clerics surveyed want the law to be followed, but also “find fault” with some rules.

The survey reflects pastors’ political and congregational contexts. While 59 percent identify as politically conservative, 19 percent describe themselves as moderate and another 19 percent as liberal.

Two-thirds say the average member of their congregation is conservative, as 47 percent report having at least some first-generation immigrants in their church.

When considering legal immigration, pastors are nearly unanimous in viewing it as beneficial, with 98 percent saying legal immigration is helpful to the United States.

Among them, 53 percent believe the country should increase the number of legal immigrants admitted each year, while 35 percent favor maintaining current levels.

Only 10 percent say legal immigration levels are too high and should be reduced, and just 2 percent say legal immigration is harmful.

Pastors are more divided over deportation policy—38 percent say current deportation levels are too high and should be reduced.

With 24 percent saying that the current level is appropriate, 18 percent believe deportations should be increased, and 16 percent are unsure.

Strong Agreement on Deportation Priorities

Despite those divisions, pastors show strong agreement on deportation priorities. Nearly 9 in 10, 89 percent, say that individuals convicted of violent crimes should be prioritized for deportation.

And 80 percent say those who pose national security threats should also be prioritized.

Fewer pastors support prioritizing individuals based on how recently they entered the country or their ability to pay fines. Only 30 percent prioritize recent arrivals, and 27 percent prioritize those unable to pay restitution.

Even fewer support deporting individuals with longstanding ties to the United States. Just 7 percent prioritize those brought into the country as children, and 3 percent prioritize those married to U.S. citizens or lawful residents.

“Difficult immigration decisions have long been deferred in America, and that makes the solutions less clear. While pastors are divided on the volume of deportations that should be taking place, they are more united on who should and should not be prioritized for deportation,” McConnell said. “More than 9 in 10 pastors rebuff the idea of dividing families or deporting those willing to pay a fine as restitution for not having legal residency.”

Pastors also express strong opposition to deporting certain vulnerable groups. Three-quarters, 75 percent, oppose deporting Afghans who converted to Christianity or supported the U.S. military.

More than 82 percent of pastors say the United States has a moral responsibility to accept refugees fleeing persecution.

Most pastors prioritize specific groups for resettlement, including Christians facing persecution, refugees with family already in the United States and Afghans at risk due to their service to the U.S. military.

Many churches are already engaged in refugee and immigrant ministry, the survey found; 41 percent report having or previously having such ministries, including 24 percent with active programs.

Pastors also differ on how urgently the church should address global displacement. While 36 percent say the church should lead the response, 48 percent say it should be concerned but not treat it as a top priority.

The study also finds that 46 percent of pastors say their churches have increased efforts to address humanitarian needs following reductions in government foreign aid.

“Abrupt reductions to foreign assistance have been devastating to vulnerable communities around the world, and I’m not surprised relatively few pastors fully support these cuts,” said Myal Greene, president and CEO of World Relief, in a statement.

Separate research from the Public Religion Research Institute shows the broader American public remains skeptical of current immigration enforcement policies.

Just 35 percent of Americans approve of President Donald Trump’s handling of immigration, while 61 percent disapprove, including nearly half who hold strongly unfavorable views. Support has declined since early 2025, when Americans were roughly evenly divided, and has dropped across political and religious groups.