Poll shows rising support for Trump’s immigration and deportation policies

A recent Scripps News/Ipsos survey conducted from September 13-15, 2023, revealed that 54% of respondents support former President Donald Trump's immigration and deportation policies, which he has emphasized in his reelection campaign. The survey highlighted a significant partisan divide, with 86% of Republicans, 58% of independents, and only 25% of Democrats expressing support for mass deportation. Additionally, 39% of participants identified immigration as a top campaign issue, trailing behind inflation at 57%. The poll also indicated that respondents believe Trump is more capable of managing immigration than Vice President Kamala Harris, with a preference of 44% to 34%. Concerns regarding illegal immigrants voting in elections were prevalent, with nearly half of those surveyed expressing worry about this issue. This concern was particularly pronounced among Republicans, with 83% voicing apprehension, compared to 46% of independents and 24% of Democrats. Moreover, skepticism towards asylum-seekers has increased, as a majority of Democrats (55%) now support restrictions on the number of migrants eligible to claim asylum, alongside 88% of Republicans. This shift in perspective among Democrats suggests a growing consensus on immigration issues, which could impact future policy discussions and electoral strategies. As the political landscape evolves, the rising support for Trump's immigration policies may influence the dynamics of the upcoming election, particularly as Harris begins to close the gap on Trump regarding economic issues, as indicated by a recent FT-Michigan Ross poll.