A majority of voters heading into the 2026 midterm elections support deporting illegal immigrants to their countries of origin, including a significant share of swing voters, according to a new poll conducted by Cygnal.
When asked about their top priorities, 25 percent of likely voters cited inflation and the economy as their primary concern, placing it at the top of the list. Immigration and border security also ranked prominently, with 14 percent naming it as their most pressing issue.
Among swing voters, 9 percent identified illegal immigration as their top concern, compared to just 3 percent of Democrats and 2024 Harris voters. Illegal immigration reached its peak as a voter concern during the height of former President Biden’s border crisis in mid-2023, when 25 percent of respondents ranked it just behind the economy. Since then, the issue has seen a decline in salience as border crossings have dropped more than 90 percent year-over-year, reaching record lows.
On the specific question of deportation, the survey asked respondents: “Do you support or oppose deporting those illegally in the United States back to their country of origin?” Overall, 63.5 percent said they support deportation, while 30.8 percent opposed it. Another 5.8 percent were unsure.
Overall, 90 percent of Republican respondents support mass deportations, including 71 percent who say they “strongly support” the policy. Among independents, 61 percent are in favor, with 32 percent expressing strong support.
Democrats, by contrast, largely oppose deportation efforts. According to the survey, 55 percent of Democratic respondents oppose deporting illegal immigrants, including 25 percent who “strongly oppose” the policy. Only 25 percent of Democrats expressed support for deportations. Among swing voters, 30 percent indicated they “strongly support” a mass deportation policy.
Additionally, 50 percent of Black voters and 43 percent of Hispanic respondents said they support the deportation policy. The Cygnal survey polled 1,500 likely general election voters between May 6 and 8 and carries a margin of error of ±2.51 percent. The poll was released as the Trump administration intensifies its push for voluntary “self-deportation” among individuals residing in the U.S. illegally.
