President-elect Trump’s proposal to expedite the removal of undocumented immigrants by declaring a national emergency has garnered significant attention.
A CBS News poll reveals that 57% of Americans favor President-elect Donald Trump’s plan to deport all undocumented immigrants in the United States. Democratic governors and mayors have vowed to oppose the incoming president’s initiative.
Released on Sunday, the poll also indicated widespread approval of Trump’s election victory over Vice President Kamala Harris, with 55% of respondents expressing happiness or satisfaction, compared to 44% who felt anger or dissatisfaction.
The survey showed that 57% of respondents support one of Trump’s most contentious proposals: the deportation of all undocumented immigrants. 43% disapprove.
Trump has pledged since last year to undertake the “largest deportation operation in American history.” With an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants residing in the U.S., Trump’s designated border czar, Tom Homan, has stated that those who have committed crimes or pose a national security threat will be prioritized for deportation.
Before the election, the president-elect stated his intention to utilize the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to “remove all known or suspected gang members, drug dealers, or cartel members from the United States.” This act grants the president the authority to circumvent immigration courts; however, critics contend that its applicability is limited to wartime scenarios involving foreign governments and is not suitable for addressing transnational gangs.
Last week, Trump shared an article on his Truth Social platform suggesting he would declare a national emergency and “use military assets to reverse the [President Joe] Biden invasion through a mass deportation program.”
According to the CBS poll, 82% of respondents want Trump to utilize immigration and border patrol agencies for deportations, while 40% support the involvement of the U.S. military.
Harris consistently criticized Trump’s deportation plans during the campaign, arguing that they would “tear families apart.” Homan countered this concern in a CBS interview last month, stating that “families can be deported together.”
Several Democratic mayors and governors have pledged resistance to any deportation operation. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey declared she would “absolutely not” permit state police to assist federal immigration agents, and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy indicated his administration would take any “action we deem to be necessary” to hinder Trump’s plans.
”If you’re not going to help us, get the hell out of the way because we’re going to do it,” Homan told Fox News earlier this month.
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