Americans are not on board with the Trump anti-immigrant agenda, a new CNN/ORC poll shows:
Americans are more likely to say that the nation's top immigration priority should be to allow those in the US illegally to gain legal status -- and six in 10 say they are more concerned that deportation efforts will be overzealous than they are that dangerous criminals will be overlooked.
All told, 60% say the government's top priority in dealing with illegal immigration should be developing a plan to allow those in the US illegally who have jobs to become legal residents.
In contrast, 26% say developing a plan to stop illegal border crossings should be the top priority and 13% say deportation of those in the US illegally should be the first priority.
Of course, that 26 percent is Donald Trump’s base, and they’re the only people he hears. Some Republicans in Congress might want to take a listen to the 60 percent who want to give undocumented immigrants legal status, though. What’s particularly striking is what’s happened to public opinion in recent months:
The number who prioritize legal status for those working in the US illegally is up from 51% who said so last fall. That shift comes across party lines, with Democrats and independents each 10 points more likely and Republicans 8 points more likely to choose a plan for legal status now compared with last fall.
Hmmm. What do you think might have made people suddenly want a more humane immigration policy? Can you say “Republican overreach”? Or is it “Trumpian overreach”?