Just months into President Donald Trump’s return to office with a renewed focus on mass deportations, a new Gallup poll reveals a sharp shift in how Americans view immigration, suggesting a growing disconnect between the administration’s hardline stance and public opinion. The data shows support for immigration has surged across the board, reaching historic highs and even gaining traction among Republicans, who had previously voiced strong opposition.
Support for immigration hits record high
According to the Gallup survey, 79% of US adults now believe immigration is a “good thing” for the country, a dramatic rise from 64% a year ago. This marks the highest level of pro-immigration sentiment since Gallup began tracking the question nearly 25 years ago. In contrast, only 20% now see immigration as a negative, down from 32% last year. This shift comes after a period of rising negativity during President Joe Biden’s tenure, when concerns over border control had reached their peak just before Trump returned to power.
Republicans and Independents lead the change
The rise in positive sentiment has been driven largely by Republicans and independents. Among Republicans, support for immigration rose sharply from 39% last year to 65% now. Independents also saw a major shift, with 80% now viewing immigration favourably compared to about two-thirds a year ago. Democrats, who have consistently maintained a positive view of immigration, remained steady in their support. The data points to a softening of views among traditionally skeptical groups, despite Trump’s continued emphasis on enforcement and deportation.
Decline in support for cutting immigration levels
Americans are also becoming less inclined to reduce immigration levels. The share of people who want immigration decreased dropped from 55% to 30% over the past year. Around 40% now say immigration should be kept at its current level, while 26% support an increase. Notably, among Republicans, those advocating for reduced immigration fell dramatically, from 88% to 48%. Nearly four in ten now favor maintaining current levels, and about one in ten are open to increasing immigration. The numbers suggest that while border enforcement remains a concern, calls for slashing immigration levels no longer resonate with the same urgency.
Another major shift in opinion is seen in support for legal pathways to citizenship. The poll found that 85% of Americans favour allowing undocumented immigrants brought to the US as children to become citizens if they meet certain criteria. Nearly as many support citizenship for all undocumented immigrants, provided they fulfill specific requirements over time. Republican support for such measures jumped from 46% to 60% in the past year, reflecting a broader national consensus that favors integration over expulsion. Independents and Democrats continue to show overwhelming support for these policies.
Deportation support declines
While Trump’s policy agenda is centered on sweeping deportations, support for such actions has declined. About four in ten Americans now favor deporting undocumented immigrants, a drop from nearly half just a year ago. Though still a significant portion of the population, the trend indicates a growing discomfort with mass removal policies, even among more conservative voters. The data suggests that many Americans, while supportive of law enforcement at the border, are increasingly reluctant to endorse harsh removal strategies for those already living in the country. The Gallup findings paint a picture of a country that has grown more accepting of immigration, even as the Trump administration doubles down on its crackdown. With rising support for legal pathways, reduced calls for decreased immigration, and a record-high belief in immigration as a positive force, Trump may face growing resistance not just from political opponents, but from a shifting public mood that favours inclusion over exclusion.