What Americans Really Think About Trump's Deportation Program

The deportation program under Trump's administration has sparked a heated debate among Americans, with strong support coming from Republicans, especially those who align with the MAGA movement. This support, however, has seen a shift over time. Initially, the program enjoyed widespread approval, but now it's more evenly split. Interestingly, there's a slight increase in approval compared to last month. People's opinions on the program often hinge on who they believe is being targeted for deportation. When folks think that criminals are the primary focus, they tend to back the program. But this view is also divided. Recently, more than half of the country feels that ICE is being overly harsh in their detaining and stopping practices. Additionally, a majority believe that ICE officers should not be permitted to wear masks while on duty. There's a notable group—about a quarter of people—who support the deportation program but also think ICE officers shouldn't be allowed to wear masks. This shows a complex mix of opinions. On a broader note, many Americans think that Trump's policies are reducing migrant crossings at the U. S. -Mexico border. Those who believe this tend to approve of the administration's deportation program, suggesting they see a link between the two. The data comes from a CBS News/YouGov survey conducted with over 2, 000 U. S. adults between October 29-31, 2025. The survey aimed to represent the nation's adults accurately in terms of gender, age, race, and education, using U. S. Census data and the 2024 presidential vote as references. The margin of error for the survey is ±2. 6 points.