74% of Americans Support Deportation of Undocumented Immigrants with Criminal Records

Recent polling indicates a strong consensus among Americans regarding the deportation of undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes. A UMass Amherst Poll conducted in April 2025 found that 74% of the public supports the deportation of undocumented immigrants with a criminal record. This sentiment is notably widespread, garnering majority support across various demographic and political affiliations, including 63% of Democrats.

This specific aspect of immigration enforcement stands in contrast to broader public opinion on other deportation scenarios. While there is clear support for removing non-citizens with criminal histories, polls show significantly less support for the deportation of undocumented immigrants without criminal records, particularly those with long-standing ties to the U.S. or U.S.-citizen children. For instance, a March 2025 Economist/YouGov poll highlighted that support for deporting non-criminal undocumented immigrants is much lower.

The public's focus on criminal offenses aligns with certain enforcement priorities. Data from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for fiscal year 2017 revealed that 74% of all arrests made by the agency were of immigrants with prior criminal convictions. However, academic research provides further context regarding immigration and crime. A 2018 study published in Criminology indicated that undocumented immigration does not increase violent crime; rather, the relationship is generally negative or not statistically significant, challenging common perceptions about immigrant criminality.

Despite the broad agreement on deporting those with criminal records, public opinion on overall immigration policy remains complex and often divided. While a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants meeting certain criteria is favored by majorities in national and swing state surveys, the strong consensus on removing individuals who have committed crimes underscores a distinct and widely held view on public safety and immigration enforcement.