Trump’s zero-sum argument against immigration–that it is taking our jobs– appears to have influenced some Democrats whose background includes a history of social and economic suppression to vote for Trump in 2024 (go here).  His argument that immigrants destroy neighborhoods and bring in crime appears to resonate with a large majority of Republicans and with some Democrats, with a sharp increase in concerns about crime (Gallup).  As of late 2024, polling was considerably more anti-immigrant than in the past.

In a June 2025 Gallup poll, support of immigration surged, notably among Republicans. What happened? The virtual disappearance of a Mexican border crisis almost certainly had something to do with it.  Anti-immigrant sentiment may well have been driven by a perception that immigration under Biden was out of control, and that Trump has quickly brought it back in control. The fundamentally positive view of immigration in the country (excepting in particular rural Republicans) may never have eroded.

Another factor may be fatigue over news about harsh deportation practices, norm-busting rhetoric (such as Alligator Alcatraz) and an increasingly strained argument that ICE is after criminals. Every raid on Home Depot and a farm refutes that argument. And it may do with a perception that the country’s low wage workforce is heavily immigrant – a reality most Americans can see with their eyes.

Support for mass deportation policy has been negative for some months. A CNN poll taken in early July showed that 59% opposed ICE going after persons in the U.S. for a long time without a criminal record. And Republican support appears to be wavering; “While only about one-quarter of Republicans and Republican-leaners are opposed to arrests aimed at this group, just shy of half — 47% — offer outright support, far below the 83% who approve of his handling of deportations overall.”