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By an overwhelming majority, Americans believe customs agents should not be snatching kids from their parents when families illegally cross the border into the United States.
According to a Quinnipiac University National Poll released Monday, American voters oppose 66 percent to 27 percent President Donald Trump’s zero-tolerance policy involving the separating of families.
The survey, conducted among 905 voters nationwide from June l4-17, also found:
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- Republican voters support the separation policy 55 percent to 35 percent, but are the only listed party, gender, education, age or racial group to agree with it.
- Voters also support 79 percent to 15 percent allowing immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children, so-called "Dreamers," to remain and ultimately to apply for citizenship
- American voters oppose 58 - 39 percent building a wall along the border with Mexico. The only listed groups to support the wall are Republicans 77 - 17 percent and white voters with no college degree 52 - 44 percent
- The Trump Administration has been too aggressive in deporting illegal immigrants, 50 percent of voters say, as 13 percent say the administration has not been aggressive enough and 33 percent say the administration has been acting appropriately.
- Illegal immigrants currently living in the U.S. should be allowed to stay and eventually apply for citizenship, 67 percent of American voters say
- Another 8 percent say they should be allowed to stay, but not become citizens, and 19 percent say they should be forced to leave.
- Among Republicans, 48 percent say illegal immigrants should be allowed to stay and apply for citizenship, while 9 percent say they should be allowed to stay, but not become citizens, and 36 percent say they should be forced to leave.
- Legal immigration to the U.S. should be increased, 30 percent of American voters say, as 17 percent say it should be decreased and 49 percent say it should be kept the same.
"When does public opinion become a demand that politicians just can't ignore? Two- thirds of American voters oppose the family separation policy at our borders," said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.
"Neither quotes from the Bible nor get-tough talk can soften the images of crying children nor reverse the pain so many Americans feel."
"And if you are a Dreamer, voters say, 'We have your back,'" Malloy added.
The Quinnipiac poll, which has a with a margin of error of +/- 3.9 percentage points., is based at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut.