Support for Deportation of Illegal Immigrants Revealed in New Poll
A recent investigation by Marquette indicates that a significant majority of voters favor the deportation of immigrants living in the U.S. without legal status. The findings align with President Donald Trump’s ongoing efforts to secure the southern border and enforce deportation policies.
The data shows that 57% of respondents support deporting illegal immigrants, while 43% are opposed. However, there is a noticeable divide based on political affiliation.
Most Republicans, around 93%, advocate for the deportation of illegal immigrants. In contrast, independent voters present a more divided perspective, with 41% supporting deportation and 59% against it. This marks a shift from May’s previous figures, where 61% of independents were in favor of foreign immigration.
On the Democratic side, the opposition to deportation is even stronger, with 78% against it and only 22% supporting it. Back in March, support among Democrats was at a high of 41%, yet 59% remained opposed to deportation at that time.
There’s been a marked decline in support for deporting long-term residents or individuals without a criminal history. Only 38% currently favor this approach, while 62% do not. Despite this, 55% of those surveyed believe that most deported individuals have criminal records, contrasting with 45% who do not. Among Republicans, 78% assert that deportations target those with criminal histories, whereas a majority of independents and Democrats (59% and 87%, respectively) think otherwise.
The survey was conducted from July 7 to July 16, 2025.
The Trump administration has consistently maintained that deportations should focus on illegal immigrants with criminal backgrounds, either convicted or facing charges. The Department of Homeland Security frequently shares information on recent arrests, emphasizing the criminal records of many illegal immigrants, including serious offenses like murder and child trafficking.
In a press release from July 9 concerning an ICE operation in Minneapolis, DHS revealed that 70% of those arrested were illegal immigrants with either existing convictions or pending charges. Furthermore, they highlighted that individuals labeled as “non-criminals” could still pose significant threats, such as terrorism or gang affiliation, despite lacking a formal criminal record.
This polling aligns with findings from a recent Harvard Harris study, which also indicated strong support for the deportation of individuals with criminal backgrounds.
