Many Europeans mistakenly think most immigrants are illegal, poll shows

Exclusive: Seven-country survey finds overwhelming opposition to increasing migration and support for deportations

Many Europeans mistakenly think most migrants are in their country illegally, according to a poll that found overwhelming opposition to any increase in migration and strong support for a significant reduction in numbers, including deportation.

Pluralities or majorities of between 44% and 60% of respondents polled in a survey by YouGov in Britain, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy and Spain said they thought there many" or somewhat" more migrants were staying illegally than legally.