Survey: Almost one-third of registered voters believe all illegal immigrants should be deported

Survey Reveals Opinions on Illegal Immigration and Deportation

According to a recent survey, nearly one-third of registered voters believe that all illegal immigrants in the United States should face deportation.

The survey, conducted by economist/YouGov, posed the question, “Which statement most closely matches your view about illegal immigrants living in the United States?” The results showed that 43 percent of those registered think these individuals should be allowed to stay and eventually pursue citizenship. In contrast, 40 percent of respondents advocated for deportation, while just 7 percent support allowing them to remain without the chance for citizenship.

When specifically asked about which illegal immigrants should be deported, about 31 percent stated that all of them should be sent back.

A notable majority (60 percent) agreed that illegal immigrants convicted of serious crimes should be deported, and 19 percent felt the same about those convicted of misdemeanors. Interestingly, only 3 percent believe that long-term residents without criminal records should be deported, and a similar 3 percent think that undocumented immigrants who arrived as children should also be sent away.

Political affiliations significantly influence opinions on this matter. A majority of Republicans (57 percent) support the deportation of all illegal immigrants, while much fewer independents (24 percent) and Democrats (7 percent) share this view. Conversely, significant portions of Democrats and independents, at 81 percent and 63 percent respectively, agree that illegal immigrants convicted of serious crimes should be deported.

The survey took place from April 10 to April 13, 2026, and involved 1,573 registered voters, with a margin of error of +/- 3.1%.

As this debate continues, the Department of Homeland Security has been active in apprehending illegal immigrants who have committed serious crimes. Some recent cases include Jose Rivera Horta from Cuba, arrested for indecent assault on a child in Florida, and Jacobo Pablo Ramirez from Guatemala, convicted of attempted statutory rape in North Carolina. Other offenses reported include voluntary manslaughter and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated that recent ICE operations have targeted individuals involved in serious criminal activities, emphasizing that nearly 70 percent of those arrested were illegal immigrants charged with or convicted of crimes in the United States.