CNN’s senior data reporter Harry Enten mentioned on Monday that President Donald Trump’s approval rating regarding immigration has seen a significant boost among American voters.
According to Enten, Trump’s net approval rate has risen to +1 points, a jump of 20 points since June 2017. This comes after Trump deployed National Guard troops over the weekend in response to riots in Los Angeles, which were sparked by ICE arrests of undocumented immigrants.
“Well, [Trump’s net approval rating] is quite different now,” Enten noted. “If we look back eight years during Trump’s first term, he was at -21 points. Now, he’s turned the tide, with a positive swing that exceeds 20 points overall and +1 in net approval. Other polls even suggest it might be slightly higher.”
“There’s definitely a difference—Trump’s handling of immigration is notably better than in his first term,” Enten continued.
The majority of Americans, around 54% and 51%, have shown support for Trump’s aggressive deportation policies and actions by ICE agents to apprehend illegal immigrants, as revealed by a CBS News opinion survey released on Monday. Enten added that those directly affected by events in Los Angeles tend to back Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts.
“It’s not just the broader immigration debate that’s turning positive for Trump; if you break it down, his specific actions achieve over 50% approval,” he remarked.
The riots in Los Angeles broke out in response to ICE agents arresting at least 44 undocumented immigrants, several of whom had serious criminal backgrounds, including second-degree murder and sexual assault, as the Department of Homeland Security has reported.
Protesters in Los Angeles engaged in violent demonstrations, damaging property and employing various projectiles like Molotov cocktails and fireworks while chanting anti-ICE slogans. This prompted Trump to deploy 2,000 National Guard soldiers, which drew criticism from Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
Enten observed that there’s a prevailing belief among Americans that Democrats “lack understanding” on immigration. An IPSOS poll indicated that Republicans maintain a solid 19-point advantage on this issue, with CNN and CBS data suggesting the GOP holds a six-point lead in voter trust regarding immigration matters.
Border official Tom Homan stated that ICE’s operations in Los Angeles would persist, and officials obstructing federal agents would face legal consequences. Trump suggested earlier in the week that if he were in Homan’s position, he would “arrest” Newsom, describing him as a “nice guy” but “severely incompetent.”
As immigration remains a key topic for voters leading into the 2024 election, polls indicate a preference for Trump over former Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump has achieved milestones previously unseen for Republicans in two decades, notably gaining popularity among Hispanic voters.
