Despite a coordinated effort by Democratic leaders, progressive activists, and mainstream media outlets to paint President Donald Trump’s immigration policies as unpopular and extreme, recent polling indicates otherwise. A majority of Americans continue to support the president’s mass deportation agenda—one of the cornerstones of his second-term platform.
Two new surveys released in May reveal a resilient base of public support for Trump’s aggressive stance on illegal immigration. These findings come just weeks after his 100th day back in the White House and amid increasing political and legal challenges aimed at halting or softening his deportation efforts. For all the pushback, however, the data suggest that the American public is largely on board.
The Numbers Tell the Story
The first of the two polls, conducted by Marquette University from May 5 to 15, found that 66% of respondents approve of how President Trump is handling illegal immigration. That includes his efforts to rapidly and systematically deport undocumented individuals currently residing in the United States. The number reflects a strong endorsement of policies that many critics have labeled “draconian,” “inhumane,” or “unconstitutional.”
The timing of the poll is noteworthy. It followed widespread media coverage of the controversial deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an undocumented immigrant from El Salvador whose removal sparked public demonstrations and was widely covered across major news outlets. Activists argued that Garcia’s deportation—despite his nonviolent criminal record—was symbolic of the administration’s overly broad enforcement net. But if opponents hoped this case would galvanize public sentiment against the deportation initiative, the data suggest otherwise. Support for Trump’s policy remained unchanged, if not emboldened.
Soon after the Marquette results were released, Quantus Insights, a polling firm lauded for its accurate projections during the 2024 presidential election, released its own findings. According to their poll, 59% of Americans support Trump’s deportation agenda. That result gives Trump a favorable margin of +22 percentage points, and aligns closely with Marquette’s even stronger showing of +32.
Together, the two surveys paint a clear picture: despite the polarizing rhetoric, media criticism, and ongoing legal battles, a solid majority of the public still supports the president’s tough-on-immigration approach.
Enforcement by the Numbers
According to a White House fact sheet cited by USA Today, approximately 140,000 individuals had been deported as of April 2025. This figure reflects only the first few months of Trump’s second term, suggesting that the total number is likely significantly higher by now.
“These numbers are good,” said Tom Homan, the president’s designated “border czar” and former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Homan, a vocal proponent of strict immigration enforcement, emphasized that the administration’s policy is not just about quantity, but about re-establishing law and order at the border and within the interior of the country.
What differentiates this administration’s strategy from previous efforts is its scope and scale. The mass deportations have not been limited to border apprehensions or high-profile criminal cases. Instead, the initiative has swept across the country, reaching into urban centers, suburban neighborhoods, and rural communities alike. Teams from multiple federal agencies—including ICE, the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and even the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)—have coordinated efforts to identify, detain, and deport undocumented immigrants.
While Trump’s original campaign promises in 2016 and 2020 focused on removing individuals convicted of violent crimes, the current approach has expanded considerably. “Collateral arrests”—in which undocumented individuals are taken into custody during broader enforcement actions targeting others—have become increasingly common. Critics say this has created fear in immigrant communities and risks separating families indiscriminately. Supporters, however, argue that such actions are necessary to uphold the rule of law.
Legal and Political Pushback
Since returning to office, Trump has faced a flurry of legal challenges to his immigration policies. Democratic attorneys general from states like California, New York, and Illinois have filed lawsuits aimed at blocking various aspects of the deportation initiative, ranging from the use of federal funding to increased cooperation with local law enforcement. Civil rights organizations have also joined the fray, claiming that the expanded scope of arrests violates due process protections.
In Congress, Democratic leaders have sought to slow down the administration’s efforts by introducing legislation that would limit federal cooperation with ICE, impose stricter warrant requirements, or create additional layers of judicial review before deportations can occur. Thus far, those efforts have been largely symbolic, as Republicans maintain control of the House and have enough votes in the Senate to block most Democratic initiatives.
Nonetheless, the opposition remains vocal and determined. Activists have organized rallies in cities across the country, calling for a halt to deportations and a renewed focus on immigration reform that includes a path to citizenship for undocumented residents. Human rights groups have condemned the administration’s tactics, labeling them a return to the “zero tolerance” policies of Trump’s first term.
Messaging and Momentum
If critics hoped the combination of legal action, public protests, and sympathetic media coverage would chip away at support for the deportation agenda, the recent polling data suggest those efforts have had limited success. In fact, some analysts argue that high-profile challenges may be reinforcing Trump’s support among voters who see him as delivering on promises that other presidents failed to keep.
Political strategist Rachel Ainsworth notes that immigration remains a top-three issue for many voters, particularly those in the Midwest and parts of the South. “Whether people like Trump or not, they believe he’s doing what he said he would do,” Ainsworth told The Western Post. “That kind of follow-through resonates, especially when there’s a perception that Washington usually fails to act.”
Meanwhile, the White House continues to double down on its message of security, sovereignty, and economic protectionism. Administration officials argue that mass deportations are a necessary step in rebalancing the labor market, reducing crime, and deterring future illegal immigration.
The Road Ahead
With more than three and a half years left in Trump’s second term, the mass deportation campaign is unlikely to slow down—particularly given the apparent strength of public support. While opposition will remain fierce, the administration appears undeterred, buoyed by polling data that suggests Americans are not as divided on the issue as the media narrative might imply.
The question now is how far Trump is willing to take the policy, and whether future developments—such as court rulings, economic shifts, or unforeseen international crises—will alter the current dynamic. But for now, the numbers speak for themselves.
Despite fierce opposition, the majority of Americans remain on board with President Trump’s mass deportation agenda—and they’re not backing down.
