Public Opinion Turn on Immigration Fuels Trump’s Crackdown

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    In a striking turn of events, gang members in El Salvador who lack criminal records are reportedly being wrongly imprisoned, while international students in the U.S. face detainment for expressive activities like writing opinion pieces and participating in demonstrations. At the same time, American citizens, visa holders, and foreign visitors have encountered detention at airports, with some facing deportation over minor infractions.

    Since his return to the White House, President Donald Trump has embarked on an extensive immigration enforcement campaign, a move that has tested the limits of executive power and drawn legal challenges. Unlike his first tenure, these actions have not incited widespread condemnation or protests compelling him to retract unpopular positions. Instead, immigration has become one of Trump’s most potent issues, reinforcing his grip on his Republican base and reflecting a nationwide sentiment shift, partly fueled by dissatisfaction with President Joe Biden’s immigration policies.

    Trump’s strong position on immigration is evident in polling data, which show his approach has garnered approval from nearly half of U.S. adults. This represents a stronger performance than other issues like the economy and foreign policy. This shift in public perception is apparent when considering the spiked migrant apprehensions under Biden’s administration, which surpassed two million in consecutive years.

    Voter sentiment ahead of the 2024 election reflects a greater openness to stringent immigration policies than in years past, with a higher percentage of voters favoring the deportation of immigrants living illegally in the United States. Trump’s hardline immigration policies also enjoy considerable support among Republicans, with a significant majority backing his approach.

    Nevertheless, there remains notable opposition to some of Trump’s specific policies, such as expelling Venezuelan immigrants deemed gang members and revoking student visas over pro-Palestinian activism. The political dynamics in places like New Jersey’s Passaic County hint at changing views, where Trump managed to sway a historically Democratic stronghold.

    Trump first gained political prominence in 2015 with extreme immigration stances and an intense focus on U.S. border issues, notably the construction of a border wall and the imposition of controversial travel bans. These policies, which once faced strong backlash and judicial challenges, have evolved. Now, his administration tackles the deportation of individuals already residing in the U.S. and uses less conventional legal avenues to label and deport alleged gang members.

    Among the detained are those with legal status, such as students and green card holders, who find themselves caught in this new wave of enforcement. Concerns about overreach have been raised, but even allies within the Republican ranks are mostly silent, although some critics like Joe Rogan express alarm at the outcomes of such policies.

    As public opinion on immigration deportations remains split, key cases like that of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from Maryland illustrate the complexities faced by the administration. Despite court orders to prevent his deportation, Abrego Garcia found himself sent to a high-security prison in El Salvador amid gang-related allegations that his legal team disputes. As Democrats and some Republicans engage over this issue, the White House has embraced the ensuing political battle, confident that public support leans in their favor.

    With immigration shaping up as a major issue in the political discourse heading into the 2024 election, both parties are strategizing how best to address the concerns and sentiments of American voters. Democrats are urged by some within the party to capitalize on controversial cases to sway public opinion, while others suggest steering clear, eyeing issues like tariffs as more fertile ground for political contention. As both sides refine their messages, immigration continues to be a central axis around which the national political conversation revolves.