As President Donald Trump is enacting his campaign pledge to crack down on illegal immigration, sentiment among readers of The Epoch Times is overwhelmingly in favor of strict enforcement and deportation of illegal immigrants—albeit with some nuance.
An online survey conducted Jan. 29–30, with a total of 54,144 respondents, reveals strong support for deporting illegal immigrants, particularly those flagged as security threats or reliant on public assistance.
However, the results also highlight divisions over how immigration policy should address those with long-term ties to the United States, visa overstayers, and employment.
While a majority backs mass deportation, a sizable contingent favors a more nuanced approach, reflecting the ongoing debate over how best to balance enforcement with economic and humanitarian considerations.
As Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts ramp up, the Epoch Times poll shows that readers’ overwhelming support for deportation comes with key distinctions based on factors such as visa overstays, employment status, family ties, and potential threats to national security.
Widespread Support for Deportation
A decisive majority of Epoch Times’ readers believe illegal immigrants should be deported. Asked to respond to a direct question—“Should illegal immigrants be deported?”—the overwhelming response was “Yes,” with 81.3 percent of respondents supporting deportation.However, 16.7 percent supported deportation only after a case-by-case legal review rather than automatic removal. A minority—0.9 percent—opposed deportation entirely, believing illegal immigrants should be allowed to stay, while 1.1 percent remained unsure.
Support for deporting illegal immigrants who rely on public assistance programs was higher, with 88.5 percent favoring removal, while 8.5 percent supported allowing them to stay under certain conditions. Only 1.7 percent opposed deportation for those on government aid, and 1.4 percent were unsure.
The strongest backing for deportation was directed at illegal immigrants flagged as potential national security threats, with 93 percent favoring immediate removal. Another 6.7 percent supported deportation but only after a thorough investigation, while 0.2 percent opposed removal and 0.15 percent were uncertain.
These results not only underscore broad support for stricter immigration enforcement, but also suggest a nuanced approach for some cases.
Deporting Those Who Are Law-Abiding or Employed
While the majority of respondents support deportation across the board, opinions become more divided when considering those with no criminal history, other than having entered the country illegally.
A majority—63.4 percent—supported deporting illegal immigrants who had committed no other offenses. However, nearly a third—29.6 percent—were open to allowing such individuals to stay under certain conditions, which could include obtaining legal documentation or meeting specific residency and work requirements. A smaller 3.9 percent opposed deportation entirely, while 3 percent were unsure.
When employment was factored in, public opinion became even more split. The poll showed that 58.3 percent of Epoch Times readers supported deporting illegal immigrants who were gainfully employed, but 34.7 percent believed they should be allowed to stay if certain conditions were met, such as obtaining work permits or paying taxes. Only 4 percent opposed deporting such workers outright, and 2.9 percent were unsure.
Visa Overstays and Those With US Ties
The poll also examined attitudes toward illegal immigrants with significant ties to the United States, revealing a more divided stance.Among respondents, 57 percent supported the deportation of illegal immigrants who have U.S.-born children, while 33.9 percent favored allowing them to stay under specific circumstances. A smaller 4.1 percent opposed deportation entirely, and 5.1 percent were unsure.
When asked about unaccompanied illegal immigrant children, 55.1 percent of respondents supported deportation, while 14.5 percent believed they should be allowed to stay. A sizable 30.4 percent remained uncertain.
For illegal immigrants who have lived in the United States for over ten years, 40 percent supported deportation. However, a slightly higher share—41.6 percent—favored allowing them to remain in the country. Another 18.5 percent were unsure.
Opinions on visa overstays were almost evenly split. The poll showed that 42 percent of respondents supported immediate deportation, while 40 percent favored allowing visa overstayers to attempt to renew their visas. Another 15.1 percent supported allowing such individuals to stay on certain conditions—such as employment or family ties—while 2.9 percent remained unsure.
Asylum Seekers, Birthright Citizenship, and Other Factors
While respondents broadly favored deportation, opinions softened when humanitarian factors were considered.A total of 48 percent of respondents said that illegal immigrants fleeing war or persecution should not be deported and should instead be allowed to apply for asylum. However, 37.4 percent still supported deportation even in such cases, while 14.6 percent remained unsure.
Natural disasters were viewed differently, with 64 percent believing that illegal immigrants fleeing disasters should still be deported. In contrast, 9.8 percent opposed deportation for those affected by natural disasters, while 26 percent were unsure.
When considering national security concerns, 53.2 percent of respondents said that deportation should be prioritized for illegal immigrants from countries that are not U.S. allies whereas 42.6 percent believed that nationality should not influence deportation decisions.
One question revealed overwhelming opposition to birthright citizenship among Epoch Times readers. Eighty-seven percent of respondents believe that birthright citizenship should not be granted to children of illegal immigrants. Only seven percent supported birthright citizenship, while six percent remained unsure. These findings suggest strong backing for policies that would restrict automatic citizenship to those born in the United States to parents of illegal immigrants.
Finally, when asked about sensitive sites such as churches, hospitals, and schools, 84.9 percent said such locations should not be off-limits to immigration enforcement. Meanwhile, 9.8 percent believed that these sites should remain protected from intrusion, and 5.3 percent were unsure.
The findings of the poll collectively illustrate a strong public preference for immigration enforcement, but they also reveal key areas of debate, particularly regarding visa overstays, economic contributions, and fleeing war. While deportation remains the dominant view, a meaningful percentage of respondents express openness to allowing illegal immigrants to stay in the United States under specific conditions—potentially guiding future policy discussions.
