A rising share of Americans say that President Donald Trump’s deportation policies have gone too far, a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS finds. Just over half, 52%, say Trump has gone too far in deporting undocumented immigrants, up from 45% in February. A similar 52% now say that Trump’s immigration policies have not made the US safer. And most, 57%, say that they do not believe the federal government is being careful in following the law while carrying out deportations. Trump’s numbers on immigration remain stronger than his approval rating overall or on the economy – a different dynamic from his first term, when it was among his weakest issues. But the latest data suggests that, as the White House begins to implement its immigration agenda, a number of those moves have proved unpopular. The administration’s push to revoke the visas of some international students, for instance, draws 2-to-1 opposition, while moving troops to the southern border garners more supportive reactions. Trump’s overall approval rating for handling immigration now stands at 45%, down from 51% in March. A higher 53% say they have at least some confidence in him to deal with immigration policy, although that’s also down from 60% in the transition period before he took office. Republican support for Trump’s immigration agenda remains high – 94% express confidence in him to handle the issue and 89% say his immigration policies have made the country safer. But more than half of independents now say they have no real confidence in him to deal with the topic, with 56% now saying he has gone too far on deportations. Democrats, meanwhile, have grown still more overwhelmingly opposed to Trump’s actions on immigration, with the share saying he’s gone too far on deportations rising 9 points to 85% since February. In an especially high-profile deportation case, a 56% majority of Americans say that the Trump administration should work to bring Kilmar Abrego Garcia, whom it has acknowledged mistakenly deporting to El Salvador, back to the US, in accordance with a Supreme Court ruling that the administration must “facilitate” his return. Just 20% say that the administration should not work to bring him back, with 23% saying they haven’t heard enough to say. Both 82% of Democrats and 58% of independents say that the US should work to bring him back. Republicans are more closely divided, with 28% saying the US should try to bring him back, 40% that it should not, and 32% that they haven’t heard enough to say. Overall, 7 in 10 of Americans say that the government should prioritize a pathway to legal residency for some undocumented immigrants over deporting everyone living illegally in the US – down from a high of 84% in the first year of Trump’s first term, but still far outweighing the 30% who say the government should focus on mass deportations. Forty-four percent of the Americans who currently approve of Trump’s handling of immigration also say the government should develop a plan to allow some legal residency. Poll findings on this topic can vary widely with question wording. Other recent polling has found that Trump’s ratings are higher for his handling of border security than his handling of deportation, and that support for mass deportations often erodes when people are asked whether that policy should extend to longtime residents without criminal records. In CNN’s survey, Trump’s moves to station thousands of US military troops at the southern border with Mexico stand out as popular, with Americans supporting that by a 12-point margin. But public opposition outweighs support for a number of the Trump administration’s other actions on immigration. By a 28-point margin, Americans say they’re against revoking the visas of some international students based on their “beliefs, statements, or associations,” and by a 22-point margin, they oppose deporting some immigrants living in the US directly to a prison in El Salvador. The public also tilts against using the government’s wartime authority to carry out deportations more quickly by a 16-point margin, and against giving immigration officials access to IRS data on undocumented immigrants by a smaller 5 points. Substantial minorities, from 17% to roughly one-quarter, say they don’t have an opinion either way on the policies tested in the poll, a softness in opinion that may help explain why opinions on Trump’s immigration policies can be highly sensitive to a survey’s framing. Political independents support the stationing of troops at the border by a 5-point margin, while opposing all of the other policies tested. The poll also finds substantial age divides on some questions: Americans younger than 45 are 16 points likelier than their older counterparts to oppose revoking student visas, and 11 points likelier to oppose the deportation of some immigrants to a Salvadoran prison. The CNN poll was conducted among 1,678 adults nationwide by SSRS from April 17-24, using a combination of online and telephone interviews. The survey samples were originally drawn from two sources – a probability-based online panel and a registration-based sample – and combined. Respondents were initially contacted by mail, phone or email. Results for the full sample have a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2.9 points. CNN’s Jennifer Agiesta and Edward Wu contributed to this report.
CNN Poll: Majorities oppose Trump deporting migrants to Salvadoran prison, canceling international student visas
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"CNN Poll Shows Growing Opposition to Trump's Immigration Deportation Policies"
TruthLens AI Summary
A recent CNN poll conducted by SSRS reveals a growing discontent among Americans regarding President Donald Trump's immigration policies, particularly his deportation strategies. The poll indicates that 52% of respondents believe Trump has overstepped in his approach to deporting undocumented immigrants, an increase from 45% earlier this year. Additionally, 52% of Americans feel that these policies have not enhanced safety in the U.S., and a significant majority, 57%, doubt that the federal government is adhering to legal protocols during deportation actions. While Trump's immigration approval ratings remain higher than his overall approval and economic ratings, the data suggests that key elements of his immigration agenda, including the proposed revocation of international student visas, are facing substantial opposition. Currently, only 45% of those surveyed approve of Trump's handling of immigration, a decline from 51% in March, and confidence in his ability to manage immigration has also dropped among independents and Democrats since he took office.
The poll highlights a stark divide in public opinion, particularly regarding specific deportation cases and policies. For instance, a majority of 56% support the administration's efforts to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador, in line with a Supreme Court ruling. In contrast, only 20% oppose this action. The survey also reveals that 70% of Americans favor creating a pathway to legal residency for some undocumented immigrants rather than pursuing mass deportations. However, this figure has decreased from 84% during Trump's first year in office. Notably, while Trump’s decision to deploy troops to the southern border has garnered some support, the public remains largely opposed to other immigration measures, such as revoking student visas based on personal beliefs and deporting immigrants to El Salvador. The poll, conducted between April 17-24 with a sample size of 1,678 adults, indicates significant age-related differences in responses, with younger individuals more likely to oppose certain policies compared to older respondents.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article presents a CNN poll indicating a shift in public opinion regarding President Trump's immigration policies, particularly his deportation strategies. The findings suggest that a significant portion of the American populace is increasingly critical of these policies. This change in sentiment invites further examination of its implications on political dynamics and public perception.
Public Sentiment on Immigration Policies
Americans' views on Trump's deportation policies are shifting, with a majority now believing that he has gone too far. The poll indicates that 52% of respondents express concern over the extent of deportations, up from 45% earlier in the year. This growing discontent reflects a broader unease regarding immigration policies, with 57% stating that the federal government is not adhering to legal standards during deportations. Such sentiments could suggest a potential vulnerability for Trump's administration, as public support appears to be waning.
Partisan Divides
The data reveals stark partisan divides in attitudes toward Trump’s immigration agenda. While 94% of Republicans continue to support him on this issue, independent voters show significant skepticism, with 56% indicating that he has overstepped his bounds on deportations. The increasing opposition among Democrats, who now overwhelmingly disapprove of Trump's actions, further emphasizes the polarized nature of the immigration debate in the United States.
Impact on Approval Ratings
Trump's overall approval rating regarding immigration stands at 45%, a decline from earlier this year. Although a majority of Republicans still express confidence in his handling of immigration issues, the trend among independents and Democrats points to a potential erosion of support that could affect his administration's future policy initiatives. The article suggests that despite Trump's relatively strong position on immigration compared to his overall approval ratings, the current trajectory may lead to increased challenges.
Potential Consequences
The implications of this shifting public opinion are significant. As opposition to Trump's policies grows, it could embolden lawmakers and activists advocating for more humane immigration reforms. Additionally, as public sentiment becomes more critical, the administration may face mounting pressure to adjust its policies to regain trust among voters. This shift could have broader effects on upcoming elections, potentially influencing the political landscape as candidates grapple with immigration as a key issue.
Economic and Political Ramifications
The article presents a snapshot of how immigration policies can influence not only political dynamics but also economic considerations. For businesses reliant on immigrant labor or international students, the revocation of visas could pose serious challenges, impacting sectors such as technology, education, and hospitality. The potential backlash from affected communities may also translate into economic consequences, as public dissent can lead to shifts in consumer behavior.
Public Trust and Government Action
Concerns regarding the legal aspects of deportation practices signal a growing demand for accountability within the government. The perception that the administration is not acting within the bounds of the law could erode trust in government institutions, creating a ripple effect in how policies are viewed across various sectors and among the electorate.
In conclusion, while the article presents factual information regarding public opinion on immigration, its implications extend beyond mere statistics. The evolving narrative around Trump's policies highlights a crucial intersection of public sentiment, political strategy, and potential economic impact. The analysis suggests that the article's purpose is to inform the public and provoke critical discourse regarding immigration reform and the current administration's approach.