A majority of Americans believe President-elect Donald Trump will rein in illegal immigration when he takes office this month as he eyes a historic mass deportation campaign and additional border security measures.
A Gallup poll released Thursday found that 68% of Americans expect President Trump to restrict illegal immigration. Only 28% of those surveyed said they would not.
President Trump has made tackling illegal immigration a pillar of his presidential campaign, as the nation reels from a historic immigration crisis at the southern border.
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“We’re going to fix our borders. We’re going to fix everything about our country,” he said after his November election victory.
This photo shows migrants encountered at the southern Arizona border. (U.S. Border Patrol)
President Trump has promised to launch “the largest domestic deportation operation in U.S. history.”
The former president also pledged to invoke the Alien Enemies Act to “remove all known or suspected gang members, drug traffickers, and cartel members from the United States” and transfer law enforcement to immigration enforcement. He also promised to restart construction of a wall on the southern border. Construction began during the first administration but was largely halted by the Biden administration.
Fox Digital previously reported on plans to increase the use of ankle monitors for people who cannot be detained, as well as the possibility of expanding immigration detention near major metropolitan areas. President Trump has appointed former acting ICE Director Tom Homan as Border Patrol chief and nominated South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to be the next Secretary of Homeland Security.
Democrats urge Biden to extend controversial immigration programs. Trump says, “I’m done with it.”
President-elect Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive at the Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2024. (Eva Marie Uzcategui/Getty Images)
Other issues that those polled believe President Trump will succeed on include reducing unemployment (60%), protecting the United States from terrorism (60%), improving the economy (58%) and keeping the country out of war. Examples include protecting (55%).
The majority also believes Trump will lower taxes, reduce crime rates and “increase respect for America abroad.”
For more information on the border security crisis, click here
However, those surveyed were less confident that President Trump would improve health care (40%), improve the environment (35%) or heal the nation’s political divisions (33%).
A December Fox News poll found that a majority of voters are excited about the incoming administration. At least half said they felt hopeful (54%) or relieved (50%), and just under half said they were excited (48%).
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The survey found that the economy remains the most important issue (34%), with immigration and border security a distant second (21%). Other issues did not reach double digits, including abortion (7%), which was the top issue throughout the year.
Adam Shaw is a political reporter for Fox News Digital, primarily covering immigration and border security.
Contact him at adam.shaw2@fox.com or at: Twitter.
