Overview
A recent CBS News/YouGov poll reveals that nearly 62% of registered voters, including a significant portion of Democrats, support a national program to deport all illegal immigrants. This aligns with former President Donald Trump’s proposed plan for the largest deportation operation in U.S. history.
Why It Matters
This poll highlights widespread public concern over illegal immigration and the perceived need for stronger border security measures.
Who It Impacts
This impacts illegal immigrants in the U.S., law enforcement agencies, and voters concerned with national security and immigration policy.
A significant majority of registered voters, including one-third of Democrats, favor a new national program to deport all illegal immigrants, according to a CBS News/YouGov poll. The survey, conducted between June 5 and 7, found that 62% of voters support this initiative, which echoes a plan proposed by former President Donald Trump. Trump has promised that if re-elected, he would carry out the “largest deportation” operation in American history. Additionally, a majority of those surveyed support empowering local law enforcement to identify illegal immigrants living in the United States.
The poll, which included responses from 1,615 registered voters across the country, also oversampled individuals from key battleground states such as Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The findings underscore the growing concern among Americans about illegal immigration, particularly in light of recent surges at the U.S. southern border.
In a previous interview with Time Magazine, Trump detailed his plans for massive deportations, indicating that the National Guard would be involved. “These aren’t civilians,” Trump said, referring to the illegal immigrants crossing the border. “These are people that aren’t legally in our country. This is an invasion of our country.” He emphasized the necessity of strong measures to curb crime and illegal entries.
The issue of illegal immigration has intensified under President Joe Biden’s administration. In 2021, Biden’s first year in office, an estimated 10.5 million illegal immigrants were living in the U.S. Since then, millions more have crossed the border. Customs and Border Protection has reported approximately eight million southwest land border encounters with illegal immigrants over the past three and a half years. This figure does not include the estimated 1.7 million “gotaways” who have entered the U.S. undetected during Biden’s tenure.
Despite the significant challenges, Biden recently signed an executive order aimed at addressing the border crisis. The order includes a provision to shut down temporary asylum requests if the average daily border encounters exceed 2,500 at official ports of entry. The CBS News poll revealed that 70% of respondents approve of Biden’s latest action, while 30% disapprove. However, Trump remains the most trusted figure among those surveyed to effectively decrease illegal border crossings, with 70% expressing confidence in his policies compared to only 20% for Biden.
As the 2024 presidential race heats up, Trump continues to hold a slight lead over Biden nationally, with the poll showing Trump at 50% and Biden at 49%. This tight race highlights the critical importance of immigration policies in shaping voter preferences and the potential impact on the upcoming election.
The poll results illustrate a clear demand for stringent immigration controls and reflect widespread dissatisfaction with current border policies. The high level of support for Trump’s proposed deportation plan indicates a strong voter base concerned with national security and the rule of law.
