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By Martha McHardy
US News Reporter
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President Donald Trump's hard-line immigration agenda is drawing fierce backlash in cities like Los Angeles—where protests have turned violent—but polls show Americans are divided over his approach, particularly along party lines.
Why It Matters
The Trump administration has pledged to carry out the largest mass deportation in U.S. history and has conducted numerous ICE raids, some of which have swept up people with proper documentation.
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The president on Saturday evening announced that he had authorized the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles after reported violence against law enforcement, specifically ICE agents carrying out deportation raids in the city.
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While the raids are following a legal directive from federal authorities, protests have erupted amid reports that detainees were being held in the basement of a federal building. ICE denied these allegations, with a spokesperson previously telling Newsweek the agency "categorically refutes the assertions made by immigration activists in Los Angeles."
The clashes highlight deepening conflicts between sanctuary jurisdictions and federal immigration policy, as Trump has implemented sweeping changes through executive orders and utilized the wartime Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to expand deportation authority.
What To Know
As Trump intensifies his immigration crackdown, Americans remain sharply divided over his deportation agenda, with public opinion fractured along political, demographic and generational lines.
A CBS News/YouGov poll conducted June 4–6 found that 54 percent of Americans approve of Trump's deportation policy—higher than his approval ratings on the economy (42 percent) or inflation (39 percent). The poll was completed just days before the president deployed National Guard troops to Los Angeles on June 8, following escalating protests.
Trump's strongest support on immigration comes from within his party, with 93 percent of Republicans backing his deportation policy, compared with only 18 percent of Democrats. Independents are more split, with 49 percent in favor. But beneath those partisan lines lies a more complex picture.
While over 50 percent of Americans say they support Trump's overall goals on deportation, 56 percent disapprove of how those goals are being carried out. Asked who the administration is prioritizing for removal, 53 percent said "dangerous criminals," while 47 percent believe the focus is on people who are not dangerous.
Many Americans also say Trump's tactics have gone further than they expected. Forty-nine percent believe he is attempting to deport more people than he suggested during the campaign; only 10 percent say fewer, and 41 percent think the numbers are about the same.
There is strong support for due process in deportation proceedings. Sixty-three percent believe noncitizens should be guaranteed a court hearing or other legal protection. An overwhelming 79 percent say it would be unacceptable for a U.S. resident to be mistakenly deported under Trump's program.
Despite the administration's push to roll back birthright citizenship, 70 percent of Americans say the constitutional guarantee should remain in place.
Meanwhile, a June 9-10 poll by YouGov of 4,309 U.S. adults shows that just 34 percent of Americans approve of deploying Marines in Los Angeles, while 47 percent disapprove. On Monday, the Trump administration activated about 700 active-duty Marines who could be sent to Los Angeles, joining National Guard troops.
A separate YouGov poll conducted June 9 among 4,231 U.S. adults showed similar discontent with how deportations are being handled. Just 39 percent said they approve of the Trump administration's approach, while 50 percent disapprove.
Demographic divides remain stark. White Americans were the only racial group where a plurality—44 percent—approve of Trump's handling of deportations, with 46 percent disapproving. Among Black Americans, 63 percent disapprove and only 25 percent approve. For Hispanic and other non-white respondents, approval stood at just 35 percent, with 55 and 53 percent, respectively, disapproving.
Age is also a key factor. Only 34 to 35 percent of adults under 45 approve of Trump's deportation policy, compared to 41 percent of those aged 45–64, and 46 percent of seniors. Younger Americans were also the most likely to disapprove: 52 percent among both 18-to-29-year-olds and 30-to-44-year-olds.
A significant gender gap has also emerged. Forty-eight percent of men said they approve of Trump's handling of deportations, compared to just 31 percent of women. While 45 percent of men disapprove, a majority of women—55 percent—oppose his approach. Women were also more likely to say they were unsure.
Partisan divisions remain deep. Eighty-four percent of Republicans approve of Trump's actions on deportation, compared to 10 percent of Democrats and 30 percent of independents.
Amid federal intervention in Los Angeles, most Americans say state and local governments—not Washington—should lead the response. That view is held by 56 percent overall, including 72 percent of Democrats and 56 percent of independents. Just 25 percent believe the federal government should take charge.
Americans are also divided over the protests that erupted in Los Angeles in response to ICE activity. Forty-five percent disapprove of the demonstrations, while 36 percent support them. Among Democrats, 58 percent approve, compared to just 15 percent of Republicans.
Asked whether the protests were mostly peaceful or mostly violent, Americans were nearly evenly split—38 percent said peaceful, 36 percent said violent. Two-thirds of Republicans said they believe the protests were mostly violent.
Since Trump ordered the National Guard into Los Angeles, protests have at times descended into riots, with reports of arson, vandalism, looting, and attacks on law enforcement. However, many protesters continue to demonstrate peacefully, and critics say Trump's heavy-handed response is inflaming tensions.
Overall, voters remain split on the president's broader immigration agenda. A Morning Consult poll conducted June 6–8 among 1,867 registered voters found 51 percent approve of Trump's handling of immigration—matching his lowest rating of the term.
In the CBS/YouGov poll, Americans were evenly divided: 50 percent approve of Trump's immigration policies, while 50 percent disapprove—a balance that has held steady since April.
Still, Trump's favorability rating is substantially higher that of California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has said he is suing the Trump administration over its order to deploy National Guard troops to Los Angeles without his approval.
The lawsuit says Trump "invoked emergency powers to exceed the bounds of lawful executive authority."
YouGov polling shows that Trump's favorability rating stands at 40 percent, while Newsom's stands at 34 percent.
What People Are Saying
Governor Gavin Newsom posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday: "I have formally requested the Trump administration rescind their unlawful deployment of troops in Los Angeles County and return them to my command.
"We didn't have a problem until Trump got involved. This is a serious breach of state sovereignty—inflaming tensions while pulling resources from where they're actually needed. Rescind the order. Return control to California."
President Donald Trump, in a post to Truth Social on Monday: "We made a great decision in sending the National Guard to deal with the violent, instigated riots in California. If we had not done so, Los Angeles would have been completely obliterated."
What Happens Next
Demonstrations against ICE actions are expected to continue in Los Angeles and other major cities in the coming days.
Coordinated nationwide protests against Trump and his administration's policies are also planned to take place in cities in all 50 states on the president's birthday on June 14.
Update 6/10/25, 10:58 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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