Immigration under Donald Trump 2.0: What Americans think of US deportation push

US President Donald Trump’s immigration policies are drawing mixed reactions from the American public, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey, as the Republic leader completes a month in the White House for a second term.

Trump has signed a series of executive orders ramping up deportations of undocumented immigrants and increasing military presence at the US-Mexico border.

The poll, conducted January 27-February 2 among 5,086 US adults, found that nearly half of Americans (47%) believe the administration is doing “about the right amount” when it comes to deportations. Meanwhile, 44% say Trump is doing too much, and 8% think he is doing too little.

A majority (59%) approve of Trump’s expanded deportation efforts, including 35% who strongly support the move. Similarly, 58% favour sending more troops to the border, with 35% in strong support.

Less popular policies

Other aspects of Trump’s immigration agenda are less popular. Nearly half of Americans (47%) approve of withholding federal funds from cities and states that refuse to aid in deportations, while 52% disapprove. The suspension of asylum applications is met with even more resistance—44% approve, while 55% oppose.

Partisan divide

The poll highlighted deep partisan divides in perceptions of Trump’s immigration policies. Among Republicans and Republican-leaning independents, 74% believe the administration is taking the right approach to deportations, while 12% say it is doing too little and 13% say too much.

On the other hand, 73% of Democrats and Democratic leaners say Trump is going too far, with only 21% calling the actions appropriate and just 4% saying they are insufficient.

Racial and ethnic differences

White adults generally express more support for Trump’s immigration actions than Black, Hispanic, or Asian Americans, according to the report. Among Republicans, racial and ethnic divisions are evident in approval levels.

Among White Republicans, 91% back increased deportations and 92% favour additional military presence at the border. While 69% of Hispanic Republicans support stepped-up deportations, 75% approve of sending more troops. Asian Republicans fall between these groups, though their views align more closely with White Republicans than with Hispanic members of their party.

Among Democrats, opposition to Trump’s policies is strong across racial and ethnic groups. However, Asian (43%) and Black (40%) Democrats are somewhat more likely than White (32%) and Hispanic (27%) Democrats to approve of Trump’s increased deportation efforts.