# A narrow majority call an unauthorized-presence accusation a criminal case

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/politics/americans-are-split-on-whether-illegal-immigration-is-a-criminal-or-civil-case/

> Indexed question in Politics.

## Reading

A narrow majority of Americans (52%) say that when someone is accused of being in the country without authorization, the matter is a criminal case, according to a Verasight survey conducted Jan. 18-24, 2024.

Close behind, 45% call it a civil case, and just 3% a bankruptcy case.

## Topline

When a person is accused of being in the country without authorization, which type of case is it?

A narrow majority call an unauthorized-presence accusation a criminal case.

- Criminal case: 52.1%
- Civil case: 44.9%
- Bankruptcy case: 3.0%

## Methodology

- Mode: Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
- Population: United States adults
- Field dates: 2024-01-18 → 2024-01-24
- Base (unweighted): 1,000
- Margin of error: +/- 3.5%
- Module: Verasight Interdisciplinary Omnibus Survey #2024-006
- Sponsor: Verasight
- Weight variable: weight
- Weighting targets: age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

## Source

- Canonical question URL: [https://www.verasight.io/post/verasights-supports-academic-and-nonprofit-researchers](https://www.verasight.io/post/verasights-supports-academic-and-nonprofit-researchers)

## Citation

Verasight Interdisciplinary Omnibus Survey #2024-006, fielded January 18-24, 2024, N=1,000 United States adults, +/- 3.5%.

Canonical question URL: [https://www.verasight.io/post/verasights-supports-academic-and-nonprofit-researchers](https://www.verasight.io/post/verasights-supports-academic-and-nonprofit-researchers)