Special Poll
Nearly half of Republican voters support using the U.S. military to detain undocumented immigrants in camps until they can be deported, according to a new survey. The data, gathered by the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), highlights deep divisions in how Americans view immigration enforcement.
The survey found that 46% of Republican voters back the use of military-led mass deportation raids and detention camps. This level of support is significantly higher than among independents, where 19% agree with the idea, and Democrats, with only 8% expressing support.
This level of endorsement aligns with President-elect Donald Trump’s previously stated plans to involve the military in immigration enforcement. Trump has also referenced a 1798 law to justify the use of detention camps for undocumented immigrants, an approach that his base appears to back despite anticipated strong opposition from most Americans.
Robert P. Jones, president of PRRI, expressed disbelief that such questions are even being asked in contemporary politics. He noted that the majority of Americans, about three-quarters, reject the idea of using internment camps for undocumented immigrants. However, Jones acknowledged the troubling fact that nearly half of those identifying with a mainstream political party support this policy.
In a recent TIME interview, Trump indicated that he would consider using camps to detain immigrants suspected of being in the U.S. without authorization. He also floated the idea of deporting 21 million people, a figure that far exceeds the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants currently in the U.S., as determined by various studies. This inflated figure has been repeatedly debunked but remains a central talking point in Trump’s immigration rhetoric.
The Pew Research Center reports that there are approximately 24.5 million noncitizen immigrants in the U.S., a number that includes those lawfully present or awaiting asylum decisions. These figures underscore the stark contrast between Trump’s claims and the documented realities of immigration in the country.