Support for Mass Deportations Rises Sharply, Up 20 Points Since 2016, Polls Show

Jan 22, 2025, 02:16 PM

Recent polls indicate a substantial shift in American public opinion on immigration since President Donald Trump first took office eight years ago. According to surveys by Axios-Ipsos and AP-NORC, a majority of U.S. adults now support mass deportations of immigrants living in the country illegally, with support levels exceeding 55%—an increase of 20 points since 2016. Notably, 66% of Americans favor mass deportations, including 93% of Republicans, 67% of Independents, and 43% of Democrats. While there is strong backing for increased border security, which most Americans view as at least a moderate priority, many oppose arrests in sensitive locations such as schools and churches. This shift in sentiment may grant President Trump greater latitude to implement his immigration policies during his second term, which some observers note is shaping up to be different from his first. As one analyst commented, "There's been a massive shift from when Trump was first getting into office eight years ago... I think the American people are going to give Donald Trump the benefit of the doubt to do what he wants to do."