Recent Reuters/Ipsos polling reveals that U.S. President Donald Trump is receiving more approval for his strict immigration policies compared to his handling of the economy, foreign relations, and other issues. As Trump aims to increase arrests and deportations, about half of U.S. respondents in polls show approval of his immigration approach, while only a little over a third approve of his handling of the rising cost of living, another major focus of his 2024 campaign.
American views on immigration have shifted towards a more hardline stance since Trump’s rise to national prominence in 2015. The latest polls indicate that immigration is where Trump garners the most support, particularly among his Republican base and independent voters.
The polls also reveal that Americans prioritize the economy over immigration, posing a potential challenge for Trump. While 86% of Republicans approve of his immigration actions, approval for his approach to addressing the cost of living stands at around 69%, based on the latest Reuters/Ipsos survey conducted from March 21 to 23.
Trump initiated a comprehensive crackdown on immigration upon taking office, deploying military personnel to the U.S.-Mexico border and reshuffling federal agents to aid in immigration enforcement. His administration has intensified arrests and introduced new deportation avenues, despite deportations being lower compared to the previous administration led by Democrat Joe Biden.
Furthermore, Trump has targeted legal immigration by attempting to halt the U.S. refugee resettlement program and revoke visas and green cards of students involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. In a controversial move, Trump aimed to restrict automatic birthright citizenship, leading to legal disputes.
Customs and Border Protection officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the number of illegal border crossings hit a decades-low record in February, with apprehensions projected to remain low in March.
Republican pollster Whit Ayres highlighted Trump’s success in focusing on core issues such as curbing illegal immigration, boosting economic growth, combating inflation, and challenging liberal policies on race and gender. Ayres noted that Trump’s immigration policies have been particularly effective, with his rhetoric alone significantly reducing border crossings.
However, Ayres pointed out that Trump’s economic policies, including tariff threats, have posed risks to the economy, with inflation rising and economic indicators showing weaker performance compared to immigration measures.
Despite mixed responses to his presidency, Trump’s overall approval ratings have remained steady, with nearly half of Reuters/Ipsos survey participants approving of his leadership, including 45% in the latest poll. This rating surpasses most of his first-term ratings and stands higher than those of President Biden.
In the latest survey, 49% of respondents approved of Trump’s immigration policies, while 38% approved of his economic performance, and 34% and 37% approved of his handling of the cost of living and foreign policy, respectively.
As Trump pushes the boundaries with his
Since the beginning of Trump’s first term in 2017, the issue of immigration has escalated significantly. Trump initially promised to construct a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and implement a travel ban on individuals from predominantly Muslim countries. Recent findings from a Reuters/Ipsos poll indicate that approximately 60% of participants now support heightened deportations of undocumented immigrants in the U.S., a notable increase from around half during Trump’s initial term.
Despite Democratic opposition to Trump’s immigration policies during his first term, there has been a more subdued response this time around. This includes the reaction to Trump’s decision on March 15 to utilize the 1798 Alien Enemies Act in an effort to swiftly deport alleged Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador. Although a federal judge blocked this action on the same day, two deportation flights still proceeded to El Salvador. The American Civil Liberties Union, which filed a lawsuit in response, argues that the wartime law should not be wielded to target suspected gang members. Family members of individuals believed to be detained in a large Salvadoran prison have refuted the gang affiliation.
While some Democrats have condemned the deportation strategy, others have shown measured support. Senator Ruben Gallego, for instance, expressed willingness to send “dangerous” migrants to El Salvador under specific conditions, emphasizing the importance of due process. He labeled the Republican initiative to deport gang members as a political ploy.
Recent Reuters/Ipsos surveys suggest that Trump’s stringent immigration actions may alienate certain voters. Only 39% of respondents in a recent poll agreed with the idea of apprehending undocumented immigrants and detaining them while awaiting deportation hearings, while 48% disagreed. Beatriz Lopez, co-executive director of the Immigration Hub, noted that the American public is not inherently anti-immigrant but rather anti-disorder. She warned that Trump’s escalation of arrests targeting non-criminal immigrants and attempts to revoke legal status from those already in the U.S. could provoke backlash.
Lopez criticized the administration’s focus on individuals who are not criminal offenders, stating that they do not align with the diverse fabric of America and are causing upheaval within families and communities.
