Majority of New York Voters Back Trump’s Proposed Deportation Plans, Poll Shows

More than half of New Yorkers say the state should align with federal mass deportation efforts under the incoming Trump administration.

A new Siena College poll indicates that 54% of New York voters support President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed plans to deport undocumented immigrants, a key pillar of his administration’s immigration agenda. This includes a majority of voters across all regions of the state, including New York City, where 51% favor the state’s cooperation with federal deportation efforts.

“Majorities from the City, upstate, and the downstate suburbs support the federal government’s efforts,” said Steven Greenberg, a pollster for Siena College. He noted that support also spans various racial and ethnic groups. “Supporting the Feds also has majority support from white and Black voters, and a plurality of Latino voters, 47-36%.”

The poll highlighted a sharp partisan divide on the issue. Among Democrats, 51% opposed the deportation plans, with 38% in favor. Republicans overwhelmingly supported the proposal, with 87% backing it and only 8% in opposition. Independents were also in favor, with 54% supporting the plan compared to 30% against.

Criminal Records Among NYC Migrants

According to recently obtained U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement data, 58,626 of the estimated 759,218 undocumented immigrants in New York City—around 7.7%—have either been convicted of crimes or face criminal charges. Nationwide, the Department of Homeland Security estimates there are approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. as of 2022.

Trump’s Immigration Plans and Potential Bipartisanship

Trump has pledged to initiate mass deportations once he assumes office in January, aided by a Republican-controlled Congress. Yet, he has also hinted at a willingness to collaborate with Democrats on a compromise for undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children, commonly known as Dreamers.

“I will work with the Democrats on a plan,” Trump stated on Sunday, adding that many Dreamers have successfully integrated into American society. “They were brought into this country many years ago, some of them are no longer young people, and in many cases, they have become successful. We’re going to have to do something with them.”

This comes as some Democrats urge President Biden to expand protections for groups like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients ahead of Trump’s inauguration.

Outlook for New York

New York’s diverse electorate reflects the broader national debate over immigration policy. As Trump prepares to implement his immigration agenda, the state’s response will likely remain a focal point of discussion, particularly as Democrats push for safeguards for vulnerable immigrant populations.