Do Americans support Trump's mass deportations? - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos
Americans Split Over Trump’s Plan to Deport Millions, Poll Finds
A national survey released by ABC News on August 22 shows that the American public is divided on former President Donald Trump’s proposal to deport all undocumented immigrants who have been in the United States for more than a year. The poll, conducted by the research firm Public Policy Polling (PPP) between July 18 and 20, surveyed 1,200 adults and found that 45 % of respondents say they support the plan, 36 % say they oppose it, and 19 % were uncertain about their position.
The data reveal clear demographic gaps. Republicans and older voters are far more likely to back the mass deportation scheme, with 71 % of respondents who identify as Republican and 63 % of those aged 55 and older in favor. In contrast, Democrats and younger voters overwhelmingly oppose the policy, with 83 % of Democratic respondents and 76 % of people under 35 saying it would be a mistake. Independents fall in between, with 50 % supporting the proposal and 35 % opposing it.
“Immigration has always been a contentious issue in America, and this poll highlights how deep the divisions run,” said PPP’s senior analyst, Maya Patel. “The findings suggest that the rhetoric used by Trump’s campaign resonates strongly with a sizable portion of the electorate, but it also shows that a substantial minority remain unconvinced.”
The poll also probed respondents’ reasoning behind their positions. Supporters of the deportation plan cited concerns about illegal immigration, job competition, and public safety. Among those opposed, the most common objections were that the policy would be inhumane, too costly, and likely to hurt the U.S. economy.
Trump’s immigration platform, announced during his 2024 presidential campaign, calls for the removal of millions of undocumented immigrants and the construction of a wall along the southern border. He has repeatedly stated that the policy is necessary to protect American jobs and reduce crime. Critics argue that mass deportations would strain diplomatic relations with Central American countries and disrupt families.
The poll’s methodology followed standard industry practices. Respondents were selected using random-digit dialing and stratified to match the demographic profile of the U.S. adult population. The margin of error for the survey is ±3 percentage points at a 95 % confidence level.
ABC News noted that the findings are part of a broader conversation about immigration policy that has intensified in the wake of recent court rulings and legislative proposals. The poll’s release came shortly after a series of congressional hearings on border security and immigration enforcement.
While the 45 % support figure is lower than the 58 % reported in a similar PPP survey last year, it still represents a significant share of the electorate that endorses Trump’s hard‑line stance. As the 2024 presidential election approaches, the divide highlighted by this poll underscores the continuing polarizing nature of immigration debate in the United States.
