A recent survey reveals that more than half of likely U.S. voters support the immigration enforcement raids launched since President Donald Trump’s inauguration. The Rasmussen Reports survey, which polled 1,229 likely voters between January 26-28, found that 57% of respondents approve of the raids targeting immigrants living in the country illegally. Among them, 38% strongly approve, while 39% disapprove, including 24% who strongly disapprove.
Additionally, the survey explored the Trump administration’s effort to investigate sanctuary cities that protect immigrants. When asked whether officials in those areas should face prosecution for hindering federal immigration enforcement, 48% of voters agreed, 38% disagreed, and 14% were undecided, according to Newsmax’s report.
Additional survey findings include:
- 86% of those who strongly approve of the raids said they favor prosecuting sanctuary city officials if they interfere with federal enforcement measures.
- 81% of Republicans, 36% of Democrats, and 45% of voters not affiliated with either major party at least somewhat approve of the raids.
- 47% of Democrats said they strongly disapprove of the raids, along with 6% of Republicans and 16% of unaffiliated voters.
- 71% of Republicans, 28% of Democrats, and 46% of unaffiliated voters said they think sanctuary city officials who interfere with enforcement measures should be prosecuted.
- 56% of Democrats, 20% of Republicans, and 36% of unaffiliated voters said the officials should not be prosecuted.
Trump campaigned heavily on appointing a “border czar” and ridding the country of criminal illegal aliens first before moving into a “mass deportation” operation. Trump’s czar, federal immigration enforcement veteran Tom Homan, has been busy since the president took office carrying out those operations, rounding up thousands of migrants illegally in the country, most of whom have been charged with or convicted of a range of crimes. Addition findings from the survey include:
- 62% of men and 52% of women said they approve of the raids, and more men (53%) than women (44%) said they favor prosecuting the officials who do not cooperate with immigration enforcement.
- 58% of white voters, 54% of Black voters, 57% of Hispanic voters, and 50% of other minorities approve of the raids, but more Black voters were likely to oppose federal prosecution of sanctuary city officials.