Majority of Voters Oppose Amnesty and Support Deportation, New Rasmussen Poll Finds

A new Rasmussen Reports national survey reveals that a majority of likely U.S. voters oppose amnesty for illegal immigrants and support deportation policies—underscoring the ongoing intensity of the immigration debate ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Conducted July 8–10, the poll of 1,164 likely voters found that only 53% support some form of amnesty for the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants currently in the U.S., with just 27% strongly supporting it. In contrast, 41% oppose amnesty, including 27% who strongly oppose it. Just 5% said they were not sure.

On the more contentious question of deportation, 48% of respondents support a policy of deporting all illegal immigrants, with 27% strongly supporting and 21% somewhat supporting it. Meanwhile, 45% oppose deportation, and 6% remain unsure.

Support and opposition on both issues break sharply along party and ideological lines. Democrats were most likely to favor amnesty (75% support), while Republicans were overwhelmingly opposed (74% oppose). Among conservatives, only 34% supported amnesty, while 81% supported deportation. By contrast, liberals favored amnesty by 81% and strongly opposed deportation by 87%.

Age, income, and race also influenced responses. Younger voters aged 18-29 were most supportive of amnesty (41% strongly support), while older voters aged 65+ showed stronger opposition (37% strongly oppose). Among racial groups, Black and Hispanic respondents were more likely to support amnesty (33% and 35% strongly support, respectively), while White voters were more divided, with 25% strongly supporting and 29% strongly opposing it.

Interestingly, when asked about former President Donald Trump’s stance on the issue, 35% said it was “not at all likely” he would support any amnesty, while just 10% said it was “very likely.” A combined 30% believed it was at least somewhat likely that Trump might support amnesty for some illegal immigrants—suggesting a lingering skepticism about whether his policy positions might shift.

Approval of Trump correlated heavily with views on immigration: those who strongly approved of Trump’s performance overwhelmingly supported deportation (65%) and overwhelmingly opposed amnesty (75%). Meanwhile, those who voted for Kamala Harris in 2024 expressed near-universal support for amnesty and strong opposition to deportation.

This poll paints a complex picture of American views on immigration: while there is modest support for pathways to legalization, there remains a strong and vocal base of voters who view enforcement and deportation as key pillars of immigration reform. As the political landscape heats up, these attitudes may continue to shape candidate platforms and legislative priorities.