A new poll conducted by The Harris Poll shows that over half of Americans, including 42% of Democrats, support mass deportations of illegal immigrants amid President Joe Biden’s border crisis. Specifically, 51% of those polled expressed their support for removing undocumented immigrants from the country. Additionally, a significant number of respondents, 30% of Democrats and 46% of Republicans, indicated a willingness to end birthright citizenship, which is protected by the 14th Amendment of the Constitution.
When asked about their greatest fears regarding illegal immigrants, 21% of those surveyed mentioned concerns about rising crime rates, drug trafficking, and violence. A substantial 32% of respondents blamed the Biden administration as being “most responsible” for the current border crisis affecting the United States. Mark Penn, chairman of The Harris Poll, noted surprise at the level of public support for large-scale deportations, suggesting that this sentiment may be a warning to politicians to address the issue more effectively.
Since taking office in 2021, Biden has been facing ongoing challenges at the southern border, with over 7 million migrants encountered by US Customs and Border Protection agents. Nearly 1 million encounters have occurred in the current fiscal year alone. Biden has attempted to shift blame onto former President Donald Trump for exacerbating the crisis by derailing a bipartisan border security bill. However, he is now considering the use of executive orders to address the issue as immigration becomes a key concern for voters leading up to the next election.
Former President Trump has indicated his intention to ramp up deportations of migrants if elected, accusing Biden of causing chaos across the country. The Harris Poll, conducted from March through April, surveyed 6,251 US adults, with a margin of error of +/- 1.5 percentage points and a confidence level of 95%. The results of the poll highlight the deep divisions among Americans regarding immigration policy and the border crisis, underscoring the importance of addressing these issues in a way that resonates with voters on both sides of the political spectrum.
