Most Americans put detainees without a criminal record in a wide 10%-to-90% range
Core finding
Asked what share of people in immigration detention have no criminal record, a majority of Americans (58%) estimate somewhere between 10% and 90%, according to a January 2024 Verasight survey.
One-quarter (25%) put the share below 10%, while 17% think more than 90% have no criminal record.
Topline distribution
Most Americans put detainees without a criminal record in a wide 10%-to-90% range.
Approximately what percent of people in immigration detention do not have a criminal record?
n = 1,000 · Jan 18–24, 2024 · MoE ±3.5%
Methodology
Full 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 | Jan 18–24, 2024 |
| 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 |
Sources
- www.verasight.io/post/verasights-supports-academic-and-nonprofit-researchers
Approximately what percent of people in immigration detention do not have a criminal record?
Cite this question
Verasight Interdisciplinary Omnibus Survey #2024-006, fielded January 18-24, 2024, N=1,000 United States adults, +/- 3.5%.