A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted by Jason Lange and Ted Hesson found that Americans have become less accepting of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally since Donald Trump’s first presidency. However, there is still hesitancy towards implementing harsh measures like using detention camps for Trump’s mass deportation plans.
The poll, conducted from Dec. 5-10, revealed that 33% of respondents believe most or all immigrants without legal status should be allowed to stay in the U.S., down from 39% in 2017. The percentage of those who think most or all immigrants in the country illegally should be deported remained stable at 53%, compared to 51% in 2017. The number of respondents unsure on the issue rose to 14% from 9%.
While there is a slight hardening of views on immigration among Americans, the poll suggests potential political risks for Trump depending on the aggressiveness of his deportation strategies. Only 30% of respondents supported the idea of arresting and detaining illegal immigrants while awaiting deportation hearings, while 53% disagreed. Republican pollster Whit Ayres warned that Trump could face backlash if families are separated or if “Dreamers” are targeted for deportation.
Trump’s victory in the recent election was driven in part by his tough stance on immigration, promising to crack down on both legal and illegal immigration. The poll showed that 27% of respondents believe immigration should be the top priority during Trump’s first 100 days in office.
As the immigrant population in the U.S. has reached 14%, the highest level in over a century, there are estimated to be 11 million immigrants living in the country illegally. The incoming Trump administration plans to deploy resources from various government agencies for the deportation campaign, with Vice President-elect JD Vance suggesting a target of deporting 1 million people annually.
The American Immigration Council estimated that deporting all illegal immigrants would incur an average cost of $88 billion per year. Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, mentioned the need for a similar budget. While Trump has not ruled out building detention camps, he suggested that they may not be necessary as immigrants would be deported swiftly.
During the recent election campaign, Trump criticized Democratic President Joe Biden for his handling of immigration issues.
In a climate of heated political discourse, the portrayal of immigrants as perpetrators of violent crimes has sparked debate and shaped public opinion. Amidst claims made by former President Donald Trump of a supposed surge in criminal activity committed by immigrants residing in the country unlawfully, recent studies have debunked these assertions. Contrary to the narrative propagated by Trump, research has consistently shown that immigrants, regardless of their legal status, do not exhibit higher rates of criminal behavior compared to native-born Americans.
Despite the empirical evidence, the impact of political rhetoric on public perception cannot be overlooked. A recent poll revealed that a significant portion of Americans consider immigrant crime to be a pressing issue, with approximately 20% of respondents identifying it as their primary concern regarding immigration. Interestingly, minority participants in the survey displayed a slightly higher level of apprehension towards immigrant crime, with 24% expressing it as a top worry compared to 18% among white respondents.
Historical data indicates a shift in attitudes towards immigration among the populace. Previous surveys had shown that less than 10% of individuals focused on immigration were specifically troubled by migrant crime. However, the latest findings suggest a changing landscape, particularly within the Republican demographic. Support for allowing undocumented immigrants to remain in the country plummeted among Republicans, dropping from 18% in 2017 to a mere 9% in the most recent poll. In contrast, Democratic sentiment remained relatively stable, with 61% still in favor of granting such individuals the right to stay.
The evolving opinions within different racial groups are also noteworthy. Among Hispanic participants, support for allowing immigrants without legal status to remain decreased from 54% in 2017 to 47% in the current survey. This decline was even more pronounced among Black respondents, with approval dropping from 58% to 36% over the same period. White respondents also demonstrated a decrease in support, from 33% in 2017 to 29% presently.
Brett Buerck, CEO of Majority Strategies, a consulting firm aligned with the Republican Party, emphasized the electorate’s desire for tangible action on immigration issues. Buerck highlighted the public’s frustration with prolonged discussions devoid of concrete progress and called for immediate measures such as border security, deportation of criminal offenders, and a systematic approach to addressing the broader immigration landscape.
The latest Reuters/Ipsos poll, conducted nationwide and online, captured the sentiments of 4,183 individuals, with a margin of error of approximately 2 percentage points for overall responses. However, due to smaller sample sizes, the margins of error for insights into Black and Hispanic perspectives were slightly higher, ranging between 4 to 5 percentage points.
As the nation grapples with complex immigration challenges, divergent viewpoints and shifting attitudes underscore the need for informed dialogue and evidence-based policymaking. The intersection of politics, public opinion, and empirical research continues to shape the discourse surrounding immigration in America, reflecting a dynamic landscape where perceptions are evolving, and priorities are being redefined.
