The debate over changes to immigration enforcement is tense, and it doesn’t seem to be letting up. A recent poll shows that Americans are largely divided over the role of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions in this country.
According to the poll, which was conducted by Marist in late June, around 26% of people said that the actions by ICE are appropriate, but the majority of Americans, 54%, think that ICE’s immigration enforcement has “gone too far” recently. Only 18% of people in the poll say the agency hasn’t gone far enough.
One of the primary issues that seems to be at the center of the majority opinion is that the enforcement tactics are viewed as aggressive. That doesn’t mean that these individuals feel that the deportation actions are wrong. Instead, it only has to do with the methods of enforcement that are being used.
Differences in views on deportation
The poll shows that most people, regardless of political affiliation, support removing undocumented immigrants, particularly those who have criminal records. An overwhelming 80% of Americans support deporting people who are convicted of violent crimes. That support drops to 59% when it comes to nonviolent crimes.
One of the matters that’s causing some upheaval is that almost half of the people who are being held in ICE facilities don’t have a criminal record. This is leading to some individuals who are concerned about the agency’s priorities and focus.
People who are counting on immigration programs to come into the United States or remain here should consider working with someone who can stay abreast of the updated regulations. This may help them to learn about their options and determine how to proceed.