As lawmakers debate immigration regulations, nearly 7 in 10 U.S. adults (68 percent) say the nation’s openness to people from around the world is “essential to who we are as a nation,” according to a recent survey from Pew Research Center.

Meanwhile, 29 percent worry that “if America is too open to people from all over the world, we risk losing our identity as a nation.”

Democrats, younger people and those who graduated college are more likely to support immigration. Some 81 percent of those younger than 30 say openness to foreigners is essential. Additionally, blacks and Hispanics are more affirming of immigration than white respondents.

In a separate question, Americans overwhelmingly expressed support for diversity, with 64 percent saying racial and ethnic diversity in the U.S. makes the country a better place to live. Just 5 percent believe diversity makes America a worse place, and 29 percent say it makes no difference.

Majorities of all groups — regardless of political leanings, age or education level — say diversity changes the nation for the better. However, positive views of diversity are strongest among Democrats, young adults and college grads.