A majority of American voters disapprove of President Trump’s decision to strike down the Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals program, which temporarily protects young illegal immigrants from deportation if they entered the U.S. as minors.
According to a recent Politico/Morning Consult poll, 58 percent of voters believe these undocumented immigrants, referred to as Dreamers, should remain in the U.S. and become citizens if they meet certain requirements. Only 15 percent of voters said these undocumented immigrants should be deported.
Support for DACA is bipartisan, the poll stated. Eighty-four percent of Democrats and 69 percent of Republicans believe Dreamers should remain in the U.S.
“Given the deeply polarizing nature of immigration issues, the broad support for allowing Dreamers to stay in the United States is notable,” said Morning Consult Co-founder and Chief Research Officer Kyle Dropp, according to Politico.
Additionally, 68 percent of registered voters said Dreamers should be granted work permits. Only 18 percent said Dreamers should not receive work permits.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced Tuesday DACA would be rolled back under the Trump administration within six months, providing Congress enough time to act.
Former President Barack Obama established DACA in 2012 through an executive order, and it applies to approximately 800,000 illegal immigrants ages 15-36.
The poll also revealed almost a majority, 49 percent, of registered voters supported allowing illegal immigrants, not just Dreamers, to remain in the United States if they meet certain requirements. Only 22 percent said illegal immigrants should be deported.
The poll was administered from Aug. 31-Sept. 3 with a sample size of 1,993 registered voters.
