U.S. President Donald Trump continues to receive high approval ratings for his immigration policies, surpassing public support for his handling of the economy and foreign policy. According to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted between March 21-23, nearly half of the respondents supported Trump’s immigration stance, compared to only 34% approval on the cost of living and 38% on the U.S. economy.

Strong Support from Republicans and Independents

Trump’s immigration policies resonate strongly with his Republican base and independent voters. Around 86% of Republicans approved of his immigration approach, while only 69% expressed support for his handling of inflation and economic growth.

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Hardline Immigration Measures Increase Popularity

Since assuming office on January 20, Trump has pursued aggressive measures to curb illegal immigration. His administration:

  • Sent military troops to the U.S.-Mexico border.
  • Reassigned federal agents to assist with immigration enforcement.
  • Attempted to freeze refugee resettlement programs and revoke visas of students involved in pro-Palestinian protests.
  • Used executive orders to challenge automatic birthright citizenship.

Deportations and Crackdown on Migrants

Although deportations under Trump’s administration have lagged behind those of former President Joe Biden, the crackdown on immigration has led to a significant drop in illegal border crossings. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials reported that migrant apprehensions reached their lowest level in decades in February 2025 and are expected to stay low through March.

Legal Battles Over Controversial Actions

Trump’s immigration policies have sparked legal challenges, including his March 15 decision to invoke the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador. Despite a federal judge blocking the move, deportations continued, triggering backlash from civil rights groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

Mixed Reactions from Democrats and Advocacy Groups

While some Democrats have criticized Trump’s immigration crackdown, others have taken a more moderate stance. U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego expressed conditional support for deporting dangerous migrants but warned against using deportation as a political strategy.

Beatriz Lopez, co-executive director of the Immigration Hub, commented that Trump’s policies risk destabilizing families and communities by targeting non-criminal immigrants. “The American public is not anti-immigrant, they’re just anti-chaos,” Lopez said.

Approval Ratings and Future Implications

Trump’s overall approval rating has remained stable, with 45% of respondents expressing satisfaction with his presidency, surpassing his first-term ratings and those of President Biden. However, with the economy being twice as likely to be viewed as a top priority by Americans, Trump may face challenges if economic concerns overshadow immigration as the dominant issue in the 2024 campaign.