AP Poll: 50% of Americans Believe Trump Overreached in Deporting People/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Trump’s immigration policies draw 46% approval. Half of Americans say deportation efforts go too far. Public splits on student visa revocations, Venezuela deportations.
Trump’s Immigration Moves Win Support — But Many Say He’s Gone Too Far Quick Looks
- Poll Snapshot: 46% of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of immigration — his highest-rated issue.
- Partisan Divide: 8 in 10 Republicans support his approach; just 2 in 10 Democrats agree.
- Deportation Discontent: Half of Americans say Trump has gone too far with deportations.
- Mixed Views on Venezuela Policy: Public split on deporting Venezuelan immigrants accused of gang ties to El Salvador.
- Visa Controversy: Majority opposes revoking student visas over pro-Palestinian activism.
- Legal Challenges: Many Trump-era immigration changes face ongoing lawsuits.
- Low Personal Concern: Only 2 in 10 Americans worry they or someone close could be directly affected.
- Education Divide: College-educated adults are more opposed to visa crackdowns than non-graduates.
Immigration Remains Trump’s Strongest Issue — But Half Says Deportations Go Too Far
Deep Looks
By Linley Sanders | President Donald Trump continues to enjoy his strongest support on immigration policy, with nearly half of Americans approving of his approach. However, a new AP-NORC poll shows that many also believe he has gone too far, particularly when it comes to ramping up deportations and targeting certain immigrant groups.
While Trump’s approval rating for immigration (46%) is notably higher than his numbers on the economy or trade, the survey reveals deep divisions among Americans about the scope and impact of his policies.
Immigration: A Pillar of Trump’s Base Support
Trump’s tough-on-border approach helped drive voter turnout among Republicans last November, and 8 in 10 GOP voters say they back his handling of immigration. That’s higher than GOP support for his economic or foreign policy measures.
But that support drops sharply among other groups:
- Just 4 in 10 independents approve of his immigration policies.
- Only 2 in 10 Democrats express support.
- Hispanic respondents were more likely than white or Black adults to worry they or someone they know might be personally affected by increased enforcement.
Half Say Deportation Efforts Go Too Far
The AP-NORC poll finds that 50% of Americans believe Trump has overreached in deporting people who are in the country illegally. Another 1 in 3 say his actions are “about right,” while 20% want an even tougher approach.
Among those who support his policies, most believe the current level of enforcement is appropriate, while only a minority think it needs to go further.
Venezuelan Deportations and Visa Revocations Divide the Public
Americans are evenly split on Trump’s policy of deporting Venezuelan immigrants labeled as gang members to El Salvador, with opinions closely matching the national average for immigration views overall.
The issue has gained attention following the mistaken deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Venezuelan man later found to be a legal resident. The incident, which Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) condemned during a visit to El Salvador, has amplified concerns about administrative errors in deportation policy.
Meanwhile, visa revocations targeting foreign students involved in pro-Palestinian activism appear more broadly unpopular:
- About half of Americans oppose such measures.
- Only 3 in 10 support the policy.
- Among college-educated respondents, 6 in 10 oppose the move, compared to about 4 in 10 without degrees.
Personal Impact of Immigration Policies Seen as Limited
Despite the attention Trump’s immigration agenda receives, few Americans feel personally threatened by it. Only about 20% of respondents said they were “extremely” or “very” concerned that they or someone they know would be directly affected by immigration enforcement.
This contrasts with more visceral reactions to Trump’s tariff policies or efforts to overhaul government programs, where higher levels of concern have been recorded in previous polls.
Broader Context: Immigration Policy Amid Political Headwinds
The results come as the Trump administration faces multiple legal challenges over its recent immigration crackdowns. From mass deportation efforts to executive orders targeting sanctuary cities and public benefits recipients, courts are being asked to weigh the limits of presidential authority.
The president’s hardline stance on immigration has been central to his political brand since 2016. But as the AP recently reported, a shift in public sentiment — especially among independents and younger voters — may limit the reach of future crackdowns unless tempered by broader consensus.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.