Domenico Montanaro

And what does it mean to be American?

And I'm Domenico Montanaro, senior political editor and correspondent.

A majority of Americans say they're in favor of automatic citizenship for children born in the United States when asked about it generally.

But when asked more specifically about those who are born to people in the country without legal status or who cross the border illegally, that support plummets.

A Pew Research Center poll, for example, found that 9 in 10...

say they support automatic citizenship for those born to U.S.

citizens, but they're split nearly half and half on it continuing to be granted to those whose parents are in the country illegally.

A YouGov survey found even less support.

When there's that kind of variance, political messaging becomes even more of a factor in shaping public opinion.

Domenico Montanaro, NPR News, Washington.

It's complicated and nuanced.

I mean, Americans are heavily in favor of granting citizenship to children illegally.

born to parents who were also born in the United States or those who immigrated to the U.S.

legally, but they're split on or much less in support of automatic citizenship for children born to parents who immigrated illegally.

For example, a Pew Research Center survey found 9 in 10 are for it for children born to U.S.

citizens, but they were split 50 to 49.

for babies born to those without legal status or who cross the border illegally.

YouGov found it to be even lower than that.

And I'll note that there's a wide range of percentages when you look at other polls on this, even among very reputable surveys.

A majority of Americans say they're in favor of automatic citizenship for children born in the United States when asked about it generally.