An overwhelming majority of Americans favor the deportation of undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes, as revealed by the latest Harvard CAPS / Harris Poll. This survey is a monthly collaboration between the Harvard Center for American Political Studies and Harris Poll in conjunction with HarrisX.
A striking 80% of respondents voiced their support for deporting undocumented individuals who have broken the law, with only 20% opposing. This sentiment was most pronounced among Republican voters, with 91% in favor, but also found substantial backing among independents (79%) and Democrats (69%), highlighting a rare bipartisan consensus on immigration issues.
The poll also indicates that 70% of participants support enhancing border security and implementing policies to deter illegal crossings, while 56% are in favor of deploying the U.S. military to prevent illegal immigration.
These statistics place immigration policies among the most supported by the public, alongside other popular measures such as reducing prescription drug prices (86%) and curbing government spending waste (77%).
In contrast, proposals with less public approval included imposing work requirements for Medicaid recipients (43%) and using the National Guard to patrol cities (51%), suggesting lower support for what are perceived as domestic interventionist measures.
The Harvard CAPS / Harris Poll serves as a political barometer for American public opinion on critical issues such as the economy, immigration, healthcare, and national security.
Key Insights on U.S. Immigration Policies
What percentage of Americans support deporting undocumented immigrants who commit crimes?
According to the Harvard CAPS / Harris Poll, 80% of Americans support deporting undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes.
How do political affiliations influence views on deportation?
The survey found that 91% of Republicans, 79% of independents, and 69% of Democrats favor deporting undocumented immigrants who commit crimes, showing broad bipartisan support.
What other major issues do Americans support alongside immigration policies?
Other heavily supported issues include reducing prescription drug prices (86%) and decreasing government spending waste (77%).