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….