President Donald Trump's rating on immigration has hit a low of 41%, the lowest so far in his second term, based on a new Reuters/Ipsos survey. The same poll put his overall approval rating at the same level. Trump had 43% approval on immigration just weeks before.
Now, while the national crackdown on undocumented workers and aggressive workplace raids are in full swing, the support of the public has plummeted sharply. Even Republicans seem split on strategy, with criticism growing across the board over masked agents, military-style raids, and workplace arrests.
The two-day survey, which ended Wednesday, reported that just 41% of Americans support Trump's immigration policies. This is a 2-point fall since June and ties his overall low since coming back to the White House.
Immigration used to be Trump's best policy issue. In February and March, his popularity in this area reached 50%, higher than his ratings on foreign policy, taxes, or the economy. But support has dissipated. The most recent poll finds that 51% of Americans now disapprove of his immigration strategy.
Trump has ramped up immigration enforcement with a broad sweep of arrests. They include workplace raids at such places as farms—grounds that were largely exempt in his previous term.
The raids have been met with outrage. Masked officers make the arrests in tactics that are reminiscent of military maneuvers. One farm raid in California resulted in a worker killed and several hundred arrested. The actions have inspired dozens of lawsuits across the country.
Just 28% of respondents affirmed that immigration raids at workplaces are good for the nation. A decisive 54% were against the practice. Even among Republicans, the reaction was divided: 56% were in favour, 24% against, and 20% were undecided.
Americans also disagreed on whether or not enforcement agents should be masked. Republicans gave a thumbs-up of around 70%, but 70% of Democrats disagreed. When queried on applying military-style techniques, 60% of Republicans were in favour. However, only one-third of Americans concurred overall, and only 10% of Democrats.
The visuals and vigour of these operations have jolted public sentiment. What used to sound like toughness now seems too brutal for most.
As support declined, Congress did pass new legislation this month. The law appropriating funds provides detention for as many as 100,000 individuals, close to twice the June record of 58,000 in custody.
Trump keeps moving forward with his agenda on immigration. But the new figures indicate that even as policy is intensifying, public patience might be thinning.
