WASHINGTON − President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown has sparked violent protests in Los Angeles and in other cities. But voters nationwide are giving him some of his best marks on immigration policy.
In a CBS News/YouGov poll conducted June 4-6, 54% of Americans said they approved of Trump’s deporation policy, and 50% approved of how he’s handling immigration. This is compared with 42% who approved of his economic policy and 39% who said the same of Trump’s approach to tackling inflation.
The poll was conducted before Trump ordered the National Guard into Los Angeles on June 8.
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Under Trump, immigration authorities have ordered arrests and deportations across the country. In San Diego, agents raided an Italian restaurant on June 6, arresting multiple kitchen workers.
Sometimes violent demonstrations ignited in Los Angeles that same day over immigration raids. Local law enforcement, responding to the protests were joined by members of the California National Guard on June 8, ordered there by Trump over the objection of Gov. Gavin Newsom.
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Newsom has asked the president to withdraw troops, criticized him on social media for “fanning the flames,” and said the state is suing the Trump administration.
Trump has called the move necessary, writing on Truth Social, “These are not protesters, they are troublemakers and insurrectionists.”
A small majority of polled voters are backing his overall approach immigration.
Fifty-four percent told CBS News and YouGov they approve of the administration’s deportation efforts. A little over 40% said they think Trump’s crackdown is making America safer.
Most of that support came from his base: 93% of Republicans said they approved, compared to 18% of Democrats. Meanwhile, 49% of independents agreed.
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Invoking wartime powers to stop what he calls an “invasion,” Trump has said repeatedly his administration is targeting violent criminals who are in the country illegally.
A majority of voters said they believe all or some illegal immigrants should be deported, in a Pew Research Center survey earlier this year. Of those who said “some,” 97% agreed people who committed violent crimes should be forced to leave.
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However, the Trump administration’s aggressive efforts have ensnared some immigrants accused of or charged with nonviolent offenses and some with no criminal record at all. And the hurried pace of the deportations has ignored due process, experts and advocates say.
Despite receiving most of his support from voters on immigration policy, Trump’s overall ratings remain at a dip. Polls in early June show him between 45% and 50% approval.
Contributing: Lauren Villagran
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump polls well on immigration, amid Los Angeles protests
