A new national survey suggests broad public support for stricter immigration enforcement, highlighting a potential challenge for Democratic messaging on the issue while aligning with long-standing positions held by President Donald Trump. The poll, conducted by the research firm Cygnal, indicates that a majority of voters favor enforcing existing immigration laws and continuing deportations of individuals who are in the country unlawfully.
According to the survey, 73 percent of respondents said entering the United States without legal authorization constitutes breaking the law. In addition, 61 percent said they support deporting individuals who are in the country illegally, compared with 34 percent who oppose deportation. The poll also found that 54 percent of voters want Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to actively enforce federal immigration laws, while 58 percent oppose efforts to defund the agency.
The data shows that views on immigration enforcement extend beyond partisan lines. Independents and swing voters were found to be more closely aligned with Republican voters on many immigration-related questions than with Democrats. The poll also tested voter reactions to hypothetical policy positions, such as opposing ICE enforcement or supporting a government shutdown to halt deportations.
Under those scenarios, Cygnal found notable shifts in voter preferences. When respondents were told that Democrats oppose ICE enforcement, the party’s advantage on the generic congressional ballot disappeared. If voters were presented with the idea of a government shutdown to defund ICE, Republicans gained a modest national lead, with a more pronounced shift among swing voters.
The survey also found that 64 percent of likely midterm voters view illegal immigration as a serious national issue, including a large majority of Independents. Cygnal CEO Brent Buchanan said the findings suggest many voters frame immigration primarily as a law-and-order concern and react negatively to policies perceived as limiting enforcement.
The polling results come amid increased immigration enforcement activity nationwide, which has prompted protests in several major cities. As immigration continues to be a central political issue, the data suggests it may remain a decisive factor for voters, particularly those who tend to determine outcomes in closely contested elections.