Title: Americans Prioritize Immigration as Trump Prepares for Deportation Policy, Poll Finds
Washington, D.C. – A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in the immediate aftermath of Donald Trump's presidential election victory reveals that a significant portion of Americans view immigration as the top issue for the incoming administration to tackle. The survey, which closed on Thursday, indicates that 25% of respondents believe immigration should be President-elect Trump's foremost priority in his first 100 days in office, overshadowing concerns like income inequality, taxes, and healthcare.
The poll highlights a widespread expectation among Americans, with 82% believing it likely that Trump will initiate mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. This expectation spans across party lines, with similar sentiments among Democrats and Republicans. However, the policy proposal has stirred concern, particularly among Democrats (82%) and independents (40%), while a vast majority of Republicans (about 90%) expressed no such worries.
Throughout his campaign, Trump promised a stringent crackdown on immigration, including the deportation of millions, with his running mate JD Vance estimating the removal of up to one million individuals annually. Trump's focus on crimes committed by undocumented immigrants has been a recurrent theme, despite research indicating that immigrants are not more likely to commit crimes than native-born citizens.
The anticipated deportation efforts are expected to be comprehensive, involving cooperation with Republican-led states and leveraging federal funding to enforce compliance from resistant local jurisdictions. Advocates for immigrants have voiced strong opposition, describing the potential policy as costly, divisive, and inhumane. In response, Trump, speaking to NBC News, dismissed cost concerns, emphasizing that the action is non-negotiable.
The mechanics of such a policy also divide public opinion, particularly on the use of detention camps. While 58% of Republicans supported the idea of detaining immigrants without legal status in camps while awaiting deportation hearings, only 15% of Democrats agreed, with 75% opposing the measure.
Trump's administration is reportedly considering the use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged gang members swiftly, a move likely to face legal challenges. This law was historically invoked during times of war to intern people of certain ethnic backgrounds.
The online poll, which surveyed 1,471 adults nationwide, carries a margin of error of 3 percentage points for the overall sample and 5 points for party breakdowns.
As President-elect Trump prepares for his inauguration, the focus on immigration policy underscores a significant shift in national priorities and sets the stage for what could be one of the most controversial aspects of his presidency.