Majority of Americans disapprove of ICE raids tied to Trump’s mass deportation drive, poll finds – Firstpost

Most Americans disapprove of Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations linked to the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign, according to a YouGov poll released Friday. The survey found that 53 percent of citizens somewhat or strongly disagree with ICE, while 39 percent agree with how the agency is operating.

The administration has deployed immigration enforcement teams to Democratic-led cities including Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington, D.C. Raids have resulted in the detention of individuals suspected of immigrating to the United States without authorization, and agents have begun targeting schools, churches and workplaces.

The majority of respondents, 55 percent, said that ICE sometimes or often arrests United States citizens and immigrants who are authorized to remain in the country. Sixty-one percent said immigration officers detain people who have not committed any immigration or customs violations.

Public divided over personal safety concerns

More than half of survey participants, 52 percent, said ICE’s tactics were too forceful. Another 26 percent said the agency’s approach is about right, while 11 percent felt it was not strong enough.

The survey also showed that 46 percent of Americans are somewhat or very worried that someone they know might be abused by ICE, while 47 percent said they are not very or not worried at all.

YouGov conducted the online survey from October 8–12 with 1,065 United States adult citizens. The margin of error is four percentage points.

Hundreds of undocumented immigrants have been arrested in Chicago amid the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. However, District Judge Jeffrey Cummings ordered the release of detainees who were not deemed a security risk while awaiting the outcome of their immigration proceedings.

Trump ordered hundreds of National Guard troops into the Democratic-run city to tackle crime and support immigration enforcement, but federal courts have blocked the deployment. Last month, the administration asked the Supreme Court to overturn a lower court ruling blocking the Guard from being sent in.