California Voters are Divided on Current Federal Deportation Efforts, New UC Berkeley Possibility Lab – IGS Poll Finds
The survey finds that:
- 51% of California voters oppose the current law enforcement effort to reduce the number of undocumented immigrants entering the U.S. illegally
- 61% oppose federal efforts to deport all undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. today.
- 63% believe the current federal efforts to deport undocumented immigrants living in California will somewhat worsen or worsen a great deal, California’s economy.
- 51% believe that the current federal efforts will somewhat worsen or worsen a great deal, California’s culture.
The survey also finds that nearly a quarter of respondents report that either they or someone close to them, such as a family member or close friend, has been directly affected by the current efforts to deport undocumented immigrants. Moreover, a substantial share of voters (roughly 4 in 10) report that current deportation efforts are discouraging people in their local communities from engaging in a wide range of everyday activities, such as going to work, attending religious services, and sending their children to school (see chart below).
Many Californians express concern about federal immigration enforcement and perceived local impacts of current deportation efforts.
These statewide averages, however, mask substantial partisan divides (see Table below). Democrats overwhelmingly oppose current federal immigration enforcement efforts and anticipate negative effects on the state. In contrast, only small minorities of Republicans express concerns.
Improving local journalism through community engagement
Understanding equity in criminal record clearance
