Poll reveals mixed american views on Trump’s immigration policies
A recent poll conducted by the ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos survey reveals that opinions regarding President Donald Trump's immigration policies are notably mixed among the American populace. The poll indicates that 46% of respondents approve of Trump's handling of immigration, while 53% disapprove, reflecting a slight 4-point decline in approval since an earlier poll conducted in February. This survey, which involved collaboration with Ipsos research, showcases various perspectives on specific immigration issues, particularly relating to deportations.
Concerning the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a migrant deported to El Salvador against a court order, respondents exhibited a preference for his return to the U.S. over his continued imprisonment in El Salvador, with support for return at 42% compared to 26% favoring his current situation. However, a notable 30% stated they lacked sufficient information to make a judgment about the case.
When addressing the general issue of deportations, public sentiment appears bifurcated. Approximately 48% of those surveyed believe Trump is "going too far" with deportations, whereas 50% expressed satisfaction with his actions, asserting that he is handling the situation either appropriately (34%) or not aggressively enough (16%).
On the specific topic of deporting undocumented immigrants accused of gang affiliation to El Salvador without judicial hearings, 47% voiced support, but opposition remains at 51%. Interestingly, support drops significantly to 39% for the deportation of international students who have criticized U.S. policy in the Middle East, with a majority, 59%, opposed to such action.
The poll further uncovers distinct partisan divides. Approximately 90% of Republicans approve of Trump's immigration policies, whereas only about 10% of Democrats agree. Among independents, 45% express approval. The survey also indicates that a substantial 85% of Democrats feel that Trump is overreaching regarding deportation actions, whereas 60% of Republicans believe he is managing it correctly.
Demographic trends emerge as well. Hispanic respondents exhibited a clear disapproval of Trump's immigration stance at 67%, while gender divisions are present; a significant number of women disapprove (58%) as compared to men (nearly equal views). Age differences also play a role, with younger citizens (under 40) disapproving at a rate of 59%, versus 48% among those aged 50 and older.
Conducted from April 18-22, 2025, this online poll surveyed 2,464 adults in both English and Spanish. It is part of a broader investigation into how American views on immigration remain fluid and highly variable based on various factors, including political affiliation, demographics, and personal experiences. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points, with larger error margins for individual subgroups.
