Six months into his second term, public opinion polls indicate that support among Americans for President Donald Trump's hardline illegal immigration policies is declining. It is analyzed that President Trump's immigration policies, which promised a massive deportation campaign during last year's presidential election and referred to undocumented immigrants as "savages" and "animals," are facing public backlash.
According to recent polls released by CNN and CBS, majority support for President Trump's aggressive deportation strategy has already vanished. In particular, 55% of respondents considered the widespread raids, where videos frequently show unidentified masked agents apprehending people on the streets, to be "too excessive." This represents a 10-percentage point increase compared to a similar survey conducted in February, one month after Trump's inauguration. This shift in public opinion suggests growing public resentment towards alleged human rights violations and excessive use of state power during the enforcement of illegal immigration laws.
Opposition to plans for large-scale detention facilities is also spreading. A CNN poll showed that 57% of respondents opposed the construction of massive detention centers, with only 26% expressing support. This is interpreted as a result of persistent criticism regarding the poor conditions and human rights issues in past immigrant detention facilities.
A CBS News poll found that 56% of Americans believe the Trump administration is targeting immigrants who do not pose a threat to public safety. This is an increase from 47% last month, indicating a growing perception that the Trump administration's immigration enforcement is focusing on mere undocumented residents rather than actual threats.
Overall, the approval rating for President Trump's immigration policies shows a clear downward trend. Support, which stood at 59% in February and 54% last month, has now dropped to 49%.
However, among Republican supporters, there is still overwhelming backing. 91% of Republicans approve of the deportation policy, demonstrating that party cohesion remains strong. In contrast, 59% of independents and 86% of Democrats oppose the immigration policies, indicating that immigration remains a key issue causing serious ideological division in American society.
President Trump marked the first six months of his second term after re-entering the White House in January by visiting a golf club in Virginia near Washington. He self-assessed this period as being "hailed as one of the most momentous periods for any president." However, recent poll results suggest that his immigration policies are gradually losing public support and that he may face difficulties with major policies early in his second term. The shift in public opinion surrounding immigration policy is expected to significantly impact the Trump administration's governance in the future.
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