Would Americans Support Mass Deportations?

Leah Barkoukis | June 10, 2024 8:00 AM

Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly vowed on the campaign trail to carry out the largest mass deportation program in the nation’s history if he’s elected in 2024, saying he’d target between 15 million and 20 million illegal immigrants.

“You have to do what you have to do to stop crime and to stop what’s taking place at the border,” he told TIME magazine in an interview last month. “This is not a sustainable problem for our country.”

But would Americans support such an effort? According to a CBS News/YouGov survey conducted June 5-7, a majority, 62 percent, back the federal government starting a “new national program to deport all undocumented immigrants currently living in the U.S. illegally,” while 38 percent said they oppose removing illegal immigrants.

Respondents were also asked about setting up large detention centers where the illegal immigrants would be sent while the government determines whether individuals should be deported. A majority, 52 percent, opposed creating new facilities to hold the illegal border crossers, and 48 percent supported the creation of new detention centers.

A majority, 62 percent, also said they favor local police and law enforcement assisting the federal government in determining whether individuals are U.S. citizens or illegal immigrants. Thirty-eight percent said they are opposed to the idea.