An Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll released on Sunday reveals shifting public sentiment on President Donald Trump’s immigration record during his second term. Overall approval of his immigration handling has declined to 39 percent from 49 percent earlier in the term, marking a notable decrease in public support for policies that have defined much of his administration’s agenda.
Despite the decline in overall approval, Trump maintains strong backing from Republican voters on immigration matters. Approximately 8 in 10 Republicans continue to approve of his immigration approach, representing a modest decrease from roughly 9 in 10 at the beginning of his second term. Within his party, immigration remains a more popular issue than his economic or foreign policy performance.
American public opinion remains divided on whether Trump has exceeded appropriate limits on immigration enforcement. About half of U.S. adults believe he has “gone too far” in restricting legal immigration, while roughly 47 percent say he has exceeded his authority regarding deportations of undocumented immigrants. However, majorities across the country express concern about specific enforcement tactics, particularly using traffic stops to locate and detain immigrants and deploying federal agents into cities. These concerns emerged following recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement shootings in Maine connected to such operations.
The poll also examined Trump’s approval ratings across other policy areas. His economic approval stands at 32 percent overall, down from 40 percent earlier in his term, though 69 percent of Republicans approve of his economic handling. On healthcare, a traditionally weak issue for Trump, roughly 71 percent of Republicans now approve, up from 59 percent in the prior year’s poll, even as the general public continues to disapprove.
Democratic leaders have indicated they will emphasize healthcare, cost of living, and foreign policy in the lead-up to midterm elections scheduled for later this year, signaling their strategy to appeal to voters concerned about these issues.
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