Our Research: Immigration
While comprehensive immigration reform is a goal supported by Americans and small business owners across the political spectrum, its enactment has continued to be stifled in our current political environment.
Across all industries and from one end of the political spectrum to the other, small business owners recognize that without comprehensive immigration reform, U.S. small firms and the economy cannot maximize job creation or revenue generation. Small Business Majority's scientific polling shows that the vast majority of them believe our current immigration system isn’t working, and they’re eager to fix the broken system. Our primary job creators agree something must be done because immigration is good for America and good for small business.
This national opinion poll of likely voters, conducted for Small Business Majority by Lake Research Partners, reveals overwhelming bipartisan support for small businesses and pro-small business policies. Voters believe by dramatic margins that the success of small business is better for their families and the economy than the success of large corporations, and it’s personally important to them that local small businesses in their communities thrive.
On November 13, 2025, Small Business Majority released a research report examining the challenges small businesses face from rising healthcare premiums and increased immigration enforcement. The survey found that two-thirds of small business owners view higher healthcare costs as a significant financial burden and strongly support extending the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits. Entrepreneurs also reported negative effects from immigration enforcement and expressed strong support for modernizing the legal immigration system and creating pathways to citizenship for qualifying undocumented immigrants.
Small Business Majority’s February poll shows entrepreneurs are concerned about new tariffs and mass deportations. Over half fear tariffs will hurt their business, and 77% worry about economic impact. Deportation policies also raise concern, with 69% citing potential harm to the U.S. economy and 37% to their own or suppliers’ operations.
Across all industries and from one end of the political spectrum to the other, small business owners recognize that without comprehensive immigration reform, U.S. small firms and the economy cannot maximize job creation or revenue generation.
