As President Donald Trump ramps up efforts to secure the nation’s borders and enforce immigration laws, fresh polling data delivers a resounding message: the American people stand firmly behind his deportation agenda.
Two recent surveys, conducted in late January 2026, show overwhelming support for removing illegal immigrants, particularly those with criminal records, while rejecting calls to undermine or defund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This public sentiment underscores a collective demand for law and order at a time when illegal aliens and migrants are being exposed in multiple crime rings.
The first poll, from Cygnal, surveyed over 1,000 likely voters for the 2026 midterm elections. It found that 61 percent of respondents support deporting illegal aliens, compared to only 34 percent who oppose it—a nearly two-to-one margin. Even more telling, 73 percent agreed that entering the United States without legal permission constitutes a clear violation of the law. When asked specifically about ICE’s role in enforcing federal immigration statutes and carrying out deportations, 54 percent expressed support. These numbers paint a picture of a populace weary of lax enforcement and eager for accountability.
Cygnal’s findings also highlight the political fallout for those opposing these measures. After informing participants about Democratic leaders’ pushes to defund ICE or even shut down the government over deportation funding, the generic congressional ballot shifted four points in favor of Republicans. This swing suggests that anti-ICE rhetoric, often amplified in progressive circles, carries real electoral risks.
Brent Buchanan, founder and CEO of Cygnal, put it bluntly: “Voters see illegal immigration as a simple question of law and order. The data leaves no wiggle room. Americans want the law enforced, they want illegal immigrants removed, and they punish politicians who try to block ICE from doing its job.”
Complementing these results is a Harvard-Harris poll of 2,000 registered voters, which delved deeper into the nuances of deportation policies. Here, 73 percent backed deporting immigrants in the country illegally who have committed crimes—making it one of the most popular aspects of Trump’s platform. Support soared to 82 percent for deporting those with serious criminal histories. Even for green card holders and legal permanent residents convicted of major crimes, 63 percent favored removal. The poll also showed 58 percent in favor of deporting individuals who have overstayed their visas, indicating broad impatience with any form of immigration violation.
Yet the Harvard-Harris data reveals important distinctions in public opinion. While support remains high for targeted actions against criminals, it drops to 44 percent if deportations are viewed as indiscriminate dragnets sweeping up random illegal immigrants without regard to their records.
There’s near-even division on deporting recent border crossers with no crimes or legal residents involved in activities that undermine U.S. foreign policy. Opposition is strong against removing long-term illegal residents without serious offenses, those who arrived as children, or legal immigrants with only minor infractions. This suggests Americans want enforcement that’s firm but fair, focused on threats rather than blanket measures.
Beyond deportations, the polls affirm a desire for cooperation across government levels. In the Harvard-Harris survey, 67 percent agreed that state and local elected officials should work with federal immigration authorities to deport criminal illegal aliens. An identical 67 percent supported local jails handing over such individuals for deportation proceedings. These figures challenge the narrative pushed by some sanctuary city advocates, who argue that local resistance to federal enforcement protects communities—yet the data indicates most Americans see it as a hindrance to public safety.
This groundswell of support comes against a backdrop of cultural pushback, including protests like the “ICE Out” demonstrations at high-profile events such as the Grammys. While Hollywood elites and activist groups decry ICE as oppressive, the polling tells a different story: everyday Americans prioritize security and rule of law over open-border idealism.
It’s worth noting that similar dismissals of public concerns on immigration have backfired in the past, contributing to electoral wins like Trump’s 2016 and 2024 victories. If patterns hold, ignoring this consensus could further alienate voters from parties seen as soft on enforcement.
In the end, these polls serve as a clarion call for policymakers. President Trump’s deportation agenda isn’t just a campaign promise—it’s aligned with the will of the people, who demand borders that mean something and laws that are upheld without apology. As the 2026 midterms approach, the message is clear: Americans are ready to reward those who deliver on security and hold accountable those who stand in the way.
