Money & Macro Talks What kind of immigrants do we actually want? dr. Alexandor Kustov
Mar 12, 2026
Alexander Kustov, Notre Dame associate professor who studies public opinion and immigration. He discusses who people favor—high-skilled migrants and reluctant support for unauthorized arrivals. Framing shapes views on refugees versus economic migrants. Talks include regional recruitment, temporary pathways to reduce irregular crossings, and the political limits of large-scale reforms.
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Elite Support For Immigration Exceeds Public Preferences
- Political elites and academics are more pro-immigration than average voters, creating a representation gap.
- Kustov cites research showing even center-right politicians are more cosmopolitan than their electorates and migration scholars are overwhelmingly humanitarian.
Middle Voters React To Policy Details Not Absolutes
- Most people sit between extremes and their preferences depend on policy details, not pure ideology.
- Kustov shows cross-country variation tracks actual immigrant education and crime rates, explaining differing public views.
Narrow Self Interest Can Reverse Broad Support
- Silicon Valley workers opposed H-1B expansion when it threatened their narrow industry interests despite generally pro-immigration attitudes.
- Kustov references Neil Malhotra's study where specialized self-interest produced opposition among otherwise supportive, educated workers.
