A new Reuters/Ipsos poll finds that Americans are sharply divided over President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy the military to stop protests against his aggressive immigration crackdown. A two-day survey of 1,136 adults, with a 3% margin of error, highlights partisan differences and mixed public opinion regarding the deployment of the military, as well as overall immigration policies.
Nearly Half Approve Military Deployment in Wake of Protests
According to the poll, 48% of Americans agree with the view that the president should “send the military in to restore order to the streets” when protests turn into riots, while 41% disagree with it. Republican backing for calling out the troops is enormously high with Trump’s moves endorsed by them, and Democrats are strongly against it. This political divide highlights the polarized atmosphere surrounding immigration enforcement and civil unrest.
Split Views on Trump’s Response to Los Angeles Protests
Only 35% of respondents approve of Trump’s response to the Los Angeles protests, which involved sending National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to quell demonstrations sparked by immigration raids. Fifty percent expressed disapproval of the administration’s response, which also included threats to arrest Democratic officials such as California Governor Gavin Newsom. Nationwide, just 35% agree with Trump’s call to arrest state and local officials who interfere with federal immigration enforcement, indicating broad skepticism about this aggressive tactic.
Public Opinion on Protesters and Immigration Enforcement
The poll found that 46% of Americans believe protesters opposing Trump’s immigration policies have gone too far, compared to 38% who disagree. The protests, which have spread beyond Los Angeles to cities like New York, Chicago, Washington, and San Antonio, generally occur in areas with large immigrant populations and tend to lean Democratic.
Despite controversies over enforcement tactics, the poll shows strong support for increased deportations overall. Fifty-two percent of respondents favor ramping up deportations of undocumented immigrants—a position held by nine in ten Republicans and even one in five Democrats. However, 49% feel Trump has gone too far with his immigrant arrests, while 40% do not share this concern, reflecting nuanced views about the scale and methods of enforcement.
Immigration and Political Implications
Trump’s promise to intensify deportations was a significant factor in his election victory, and his support for immigration policy has remained relatively strong compared to other issues, such as economic management. Los Angeles County, where protests have been most intense, is home to one of the largest immigrant populations in the country, with approximately one-third of residents born abroad and roughly half of these being naturalized citizens, according to U.S. Census data.
The survey answers reflect the challenges that the Trump administration faces in its pursuit of robust immigration policies in the wake of mass demonstrations and political opposition. The public is still split not only on the utilization of the military in domestic protests but also on the overall issue of how immigration laws should be implemented.
Impact on Immigrant Communities and Future Implications
The military deployment and heightened immigration enforcement have sent shock waves through immigrant communities, especially immigrant gateway cities like Los Angeles, which has a high percentage of foreign-born residents.
Community leaders contend that these actions threaten to alienate immigrant communities, quite possibly discouraging them from working with local law enforcement and public services.
What’s Next
The polarized public opinion in the Reuters/Ipsos poll suggests that immigration will remain a contentious and politicized topic and how the split manifests may have implications for elections and policymaking ahead. The administration’s approach may galvanize voters most interested in border control, but it also creates opposition from communities and politicians demanding a more humane immigration policy.
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