Many American adults appear to support enhancing security at the southern border and implementing specific deportation measures, according to a recent poll. However, as President Donald Trump embarks on his second term with a range of aggressive executive actions concerning immigration, the survey results indicate that his measures might surpass the existing limited agreement on the issue.
The poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reveals a significant call for action regarding U.S.-Mexico border security. Approximately 50% of American adults believe increasing security at the border should be a top priority for the federal government, while nearly 30% consider it a moderate priority. Only about 20% categorize it as a low priority.
Widespread support exists for deporting immigrants who have been convicted of violent crimes, which aligns with the potential starting point for deportation efforts by the Trump administration. Nevertheless, Trump’s preliminary executive orders extend far beyond this focus, including plans to have asylum-seekers remain in Mexico and to abolish automatic citizenship.
Trump, representing the Republican party, continues to advocate for a firm and possibly polarizing stance, pledging to deport millions of undocumented immigrants and declaring a “national emergency at our southern border.” Approximately 40% of American adults support the idea of deporting all undocumented immigrants, with a similar proportion expressing opposition.
Most individuals believe that local law enforcement should work alongside federal immigration officials on deportations in certain circumstances. However, executing these policies might lead to diminished public support. Recently, the Trump administration rescinded policies that limited the arrests of migrants in sensitive areas like schools and churches, raising concerns about potential backlash as such practices gain traction.
Immigration continues to be a crucial topic in the lead-up to the 2024 election, and the poll shows that many Americans still prioritize it, especially as Trump takes office. Illegal border crossings surged during the administration of Trump’s predecessor, President Joe Biden, with border arrests reaching a staggering 250,000 in December 2023. Despite claims of an immigrant crisis, crossings diminished significantly afterward due to heightened enforcement by Mexican authorities and a June 2024 order issued by the Biden administration, which curtailed asylum claims at the border.
The memory of heightened border activity, alongside the ensuing disorder when Republican governors transported migrants to Northern cities, likely influenced public perceptions. The survey reveals that around half of Americans believe the government is investing “too little” in border security, and a significant majority supports deportations for individuals convicted of violent crimes.
One opinion from the poll comes from Manuel Morales, a 60-year-old Democrat in Illinois. Having entered the United States illegally nearly four decades ago, he advocates for more legal immigration while expressing concern over recent migration surges. He acknowledges the plight of those fleeing violence or poverty but believes that the influx of migrants in recent years has become excessive.
Regarding Trump’s broader ambitions, many Americans have mixed feelings about large-scale deportations. The survey indicates that only 40% of U.S. adults favor removing undocumented immigrants who haven’t committed violent offenses, while slightly more oppose the idea. Additionally, around 30% of Americans are somewhat or strongly in favor of altering the Constitution such that children born in the U.S. do not automatically gain citizenship if their parents are undocumented—a proposal that about 50% oppose outright.
Doug DeVore, a 57-year-old Republican from southern Indiana, shared his reservations about extensive immigration operations, despite believing immigration policy became problematic during Biden’s term. While he might not entirely oppose the idea of checking immigration status on a large scale, he emphasized the gray area between monitoring undocumented individuals and the potential for automatic deportations.
Regarding local police cooperation with immigration enforcement, the poll suggests that an overwhelming majority of Americans support some level of collaboration with federal immigration authorities. Only about 10% of individuals believe local police should never assist with federal deportations.
A divide exists between political affiliations, with nearly two-thirds of Republicans advocating for total local police cooperation, compared to approximately a quarter of Democrats who share this belief. However, the majority of Democrats agree that cooperation should take place in specific instances rather than universally.
Consequently, a large-scale wave of arrests might provoke backlash depending on execution. Historically, U.S. immigration officials have adhered to guidance that discourages arrests in sensitive locations, yet Trump’s statements have raised questions about this protocol’s future.
Surveys indicate that a move toward detaining individuals in schools and places of worship would meet significant disapproval. Only about 20% of U.S. adults somewhat or strongly endorse the arrest of undocumented minors in schools, and a comparable percentage supports detaining individuals at religious services. Conversely, a solid majority—around 60%—oppose such practices.
Even among Republican respondents, support for arresting individuals at schools and churches remains below half.
