Canadians split over accepting Dreamers from U.S., survey finds

A nationalpublic opinion research foundation, based out of Vancouver, says the majority of Canadians believe the U.S. should preserve a program allowing the children of undocumented migrants to remain in the country, while far fewerare willing to receive those who may become displaced.

A new public opinion survey from theAngus Reid Institute finds64 per cent of Canadians sayAmerica'sDeferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program should remain.

DACAwas created in 2012 under former Democratic president Barack Obama.People who reside in the U.S. under theprogram are often called "Dreamers" after the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM).

It was designed for individuals brought to the United States as children by parents who were undocumented immigrants the program shielded the individuals from deportation and gave them work permits.

Dreamers are allowed to live in the U.S.providing they graduate from school and have no criminal record, but DACAhas been under attack recently from U.S. President Donald Trump.

• Trump saysDACAdeal for young immigrants is off

Over Easter weekend Trump announced there will not be a deal on legalizing the status of young adult immigrants known as Dreamers, declaring the U.S.-Mexico border is becoming more dangerous.

Meanwhile, according to the Angus Reid Institute survey,38 per cent of Canadians say this country shouldoffer DACA recipients the opportunity to come to here, while 34 per cent saythe offer should not be made. The rest, 28 per cent, are unsure.

Canadians' viewsvarysignificantly depending on theirfamiliarity with the DACA program, age, and political leanings, the institute saidin a news release.

Last September, Ontario Independent Sen. Ratna OmidvarsaidCanada could gain from the Trump administration's decision to end theprogram.

• Canada should welcome up to 30,000DACAyoung people facing deportation in U.S., senator says

She said many of them speak fluent English, have been educated in the U.S. and have work experience.

The estimated 800,000 young people who migrated to the U.S. illegally with their parents and are now living there under the DACA program face deportation to home countriesthey may now have little connection with.

Canadian views

The Angus Reid Institute survey suggests Canadian views around accepting Dreamers fallalong demographics and political lines.

The youngest Canadian adults surveyed, aged 18-24, were more enthusiastic about welcoming DACArecipients, whilethose 25 and older were more divided.

The survey found that those who voted for the Liberal or New Democratic parties in 2015 largely support inviting DACA recipientsto Canada.

Most of those who supported the Conservative Party said Canada should not offer such an opportunity.

The Angus Reid Institute surveyed 1,509 Canadian adults a randomized sample fromone of the company's forums over a three day period in late March. The probability sample of this size wouldcarry a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of20 according to the company.

Thesurvey was self-commissioned and paid for by the Angus Reid Institute.