A new survey from The New York Times has found that a majority of Americans support former President Donald Trump’s deportation policies, underscoring a political divide that has persisted despite years of criticism from Democrats, progressive activists, and much of the mainstream press.

Conducted between Sept. 22–27, the poll of 1,313 registered voters revealed that 54 percent favor deporting individuals living in the United States illegally. The finding is notable given the sustained portrayal of such policies as harsh or inhumane by Trump’s political opponents and legacy media outlets.

The Times acknowledged that “a 51 percent majority said the government was mostly deporting people who ‘should be deported.’” The survey also found that 54 percent of respondents—including nearly one in five Democrats—explicitly backed removing immigrants living in the U.S. without legal status.

Yet the poll also reflected unease with how deportations have been carried out. A slim majority of voters said they believed Trump’s enforcement methods had been “mostly unfair,” and more than half thought he had pushed immigration enforcement too far.

Opposition to deportations was most pronounced among specific demographic groups. Twenty-nine percent of women said they “strongly oppose” removals, while nearly half of Hispanic respondents—45 percent—took the same stance. Among non-white college graduates, 31 percent voiced strong opposition. Still, only 24 percent of voters overall said they strongly object to deportations. Independents were divided, but just one-quarter registered as strongly opposed.

By contrast, Trump’s base remains overwhelmingly supportive. Ninety-four percent of those who identify as Trump 2024 voters said they approve of deportations, cementing immigration enforcement as one of the former president’s most unifying policy issues.

The wording of the poll itself has also drawn attention. The Times described deportations as “deporting immigrants living in the United States illegally.” Critics argue that such phrasing is misleading, as it blurs the distinction between legal immigrants and those without legal status, and could even suggest that immigrants are being deported “illegally.” Had the question been posed more directly—asking about the deportation of “illegal immigrants”—analysts suggest the numbers might have shown even higher levels of support.

Nonetheless, the survey confirms that, despite vocal opposition from Democrats, media figures, Hollywood, and academia, Trump’s stance on immigration enforcement continues to resonate with a majority of voters.