Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- According to a new survey, 83% of Americans support deporting at least some immigrants illegally in the United States.
- For 51% of respondents, the conditions vary depending on the circumstances, though the vast majority favor removing those involved in violent crime.
- Majorities oppose immigration arrests at schools, churches and hospitals.
SALT LAKE CITY — A clear majority of the public, 83%, favors deporting at least some immigrants here illegally, but the conditions vary widely, according to results of a survey released last week.
Americans "largely agree that at least some immigrants living in the United States illegally should be deported, in particular those who have committed violent crimes. However, less consensus exists on how the government should carry out deportations," reads the Pew Research Center report on the survey. The survey of U.S. adults was carried out from Feb. 24-March 2.
Nearly a third of respondents, 32% of them, say all immigrants in the country illegally should be deported, and 16% say none should be deported, according to the Washington, D.C.-based research organization. In the middle are 51% of Americans, a narrow majority, who say at least some immigrants here illegally should be deported but that it depends on the circumstances. The issue is a priority for the administration of President Donald Trump, who has stepped up efforts to detain and deport immigrants in the country illegally, primarily those with criminal backgrounds.
Among the 51% of respondents:
- 97% of the group say those who have committed violent crimes should be deported.
- 52% say those who have committed nonviolent crimes should be deported.
- 44% say more recent arrivals, those who have come in the last four years, should be removed.
The figures are smaller for other pockets of people here illegally. Just 15% of the 51% pool say those who have jobs should be removed, and 14% think those with U.S.-born kids should be deported. Another 9% think those who came to the United States as children should be removed.
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Voces de Utah
Looking for more news from Utah's Latino community? Visit our Voces de Utah section for more stories, events and features."When it comes to law enforcement, the public has mixed views on where officers should and should not be allowed to arrest immigrants living in the U.S. illegally," reads the Pew report.
Soon after taking office, Trump reversed prior U.S. policy that largely prohibited immigration enforcement actions at "sensitive locations" like schools, churches and hospitals. Now immigration officials have authority to seek out immigrants at such locations. But most respondents seem to take issue with the change with 65%, 63% and 61%, respectively, saying arrests should not be allowed at places of worship, schools and hospitals.
Majorities, however, favor arrests at protests or rallies, 66%; homes, 63%; and places of work, 54%.
Trump's immigration crackdown has prompted concern among many in the immigrant community, according to another recent survey by the Washington, D.C.-based Urban Institute.
