What Americans Really Think About Trump's Deportation Program

The deportation program under Trump's administration has ignited a fierce debate among Americans, with strong support from Republicans, particularly those aligned with the MAGA movement. However, this support has evolved over time.

Shifting Approval Rates

• Initial Approval: Widespread
• Current Sentiment: More evenly split
• Recent Trend: Slight increase in approval compared to last month

Public Opinion on Targets

Opinions often depend on who is perceived as the primary target of deportation:

• Criminals as Focus: Tend to support the program
• ICE's Practices: Over half of the country feels ICE is overly harsh in detaining and stopping practices
• Masks on Duty: A majority believe ICE officers should not be permitted to wear masks while on duty

Complex Mix of Opinions

• Quarter of Respondents: Support the deportation program but oppose masks for ICE officers

Border Policies and Public Perception

• Migrant Crossings: Many Americans believe Trump's policies are reducing migrant crossings at the U. S. -Mexico border
• Linked Approval: Those who believe this tend to approve of the administration's deportation program

Survey Details

• Conducted by: CBS News/YouGov
• Participants: Over 2, 000 U. S. adults
• Dates: October 29-31, 2025
• Methodology: Aimed to accurately represent the nation's adults in terms of gender, age, race, and education, using U. S. Census data and the 2024 presidential vote as references
• Margin of Error: ±2. 6 points