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A recent NPR/Ipsos poll reveals shifting attitudes toward immigration policies, with Americans showing increased support for certain restrictive measures while rejecting others. The survey, conducted between February 7-10 with 1,013 participants, indicates growing backing for mass deportations and enhanced border wall construction.
However, several controversial proposals face significant opposition. Initiatives such as eliminating birthright citizenship, utilizing Guantanamo Bay for migrant detention, and conducting immigration enforcement in schools and religious institutions have garnered limited support, particularly among Democrats and independents, while maintaining Republican backing.
Briefing Trump on why his border policies will save hundreds of thousands of children pic.twitter.com/ny5s3gBz4a
— Tim Ballard (@TimBallard) February 8, 2025
“Americans on the whole may be more supportive of immigration restrictions in theory, [but] there’s still not a lot of agreement on what that looks like,” Mallory Newall, a vice president at Ipsos, commented.
Immigration ranks as a secondary concern among survey respondents, with 23% identifying it as a primary issue, trailing behind economic concerns such as inflation and rising costs, which 47% cited as their top priority. The issue’s importance varies significantly by political affiliation, with 47% of Republicans considering it crucial, compared to 19% of independents and 9% of Democrats.
The survey revealed divided opinions on current immigration restrictions, with approximately one-third of respondents viewing them as excessive, while 29% advocate for stricter measures.
Border Czar Tom Homan Says AOC Has Been Referred To DOJ For Prosecution For Publicly Aiding Human Traffickers Involved In Sex Trade! With Mayor Adams On Fox News, Homan Said NYPD Will Raid Smuggling Rings Involved In Sexual Exploitation Of Children! https://t.co/VURSxDZHxi
— Alex Jones (@RealAlexJones) February 14, 2025
Republican respondents demonstrated strong alignment with Trump’s immigration agenda. Three-quarters support withdrawing federal funding from sanctuary cities, while a similar proportion backs military involvement in detaining undocumented immigrants. About 80% endorse the deportation of all undocumented immigrants and characterize the border situation as an invasion.
The poll also tracked notable shifts in public sentiment over time. Border wall support has increased from 38% in 2018 to nearly 50% currently. Conversely, backing for DREAMers’ legal status has declined from two-thirds of Americans in 2018 to less than half in the present survey.
Proposals to end birthright citizenship and detain immigrants at Guantanamo Bay received limited overall support, with the latter garnering 36% approval and showing a partisan divide in acceptance levels.
