Trump Immigration Support Plunges To 42%
The poll’s findings illustrate how immigration remains a polarizing and pivotal issue in American politics.
A new CBS/YouGov poll released on July 20 reveals that public support for President Donald Trump's immigration policies has dropped, highlighting sharp divides between Republicans and Democrats on key issues such as deportation and the use of detention centers.
Immigration emerged as the most significant issue influencing opinions about the president, with 61% of respondents saying it “mattered a lot” in shaping their view. This concern ranked higher than inflation and the economy, which have also been major political focal points throughout Trump’s presidency.
The poll also shows a decline in Trump’s overall approval rating, which now stands at 42%. This marks a steady decrease from 45% in June and 47% in mid-April. At the same time, disapproval has risen to 58%, indicating growing dissatisfaction among voters.
These figures are slightly below average approval ratings reported by other sources. For instance, The New York Times places Trump’s approval at 44%, while Real Clear Politics reports 45.5%. Disapproval ratings from those outlets are slightly lower than the CBS poll, at 53% and 52%, respectively.
Specifically concerning immigration, public opinion has shifted noticeably. According to the CBS survey, 56% of respondents now disapprove of Trump's approach to immigration, compared to 44% who approve.
This represents a 10-point decline in support from earlier in the year, when immigration policies enjoyed a stronger backing. The drop suggests increasing unease with the administration’s handling of immigration enforcement and related humanitarian concerns, particularly as stories of family separations and overcrowded detention centers continue to circulate in the media.
The poll’s findings illustrate how immigration remains a polarizing and pivotal issue in American politics. While Trump has continued to emphasize strict border enforcement and deportation measures as central components of his platform, the declining support suggests that these strategies may be losing traction with a broader portion of the electorate.
As the 2025 political landscape continues to take shape, the president's stance on immigration could prove to be both a rallying point for his base and a liability among undecided or moderate voters.
Read the full poll here.