Voters in new poll favor blocking federal funds for sanctuary cities by 50%-31% margin

American voters by a 50% to 31% margin favor blocking federal aids for sanctuary cities and states, according to a new Just the News Daily Poll with Scott Rasmussen.

To be eligible for federal financial aid, cities and states should be required to cooperate with federal immigration officials and other law enforcement officers, 50% of American voters told Just the News. Thirty-one percent (31%) disagree and 19% are not sure. 

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Just the News Daily Poll

With Scott Rasmussen

"This concept draws support from an overwhelming majority of Republicans – 78%," Rasmussen noted. "A plurality of Independent voters agree by a 41% to 30% margin. However, by a 50% to 33% margin, Democrats take the opposite view. Half of all Democrats oppose a requirement for cities and states to cooperate with federal officials. Just 33% think is a good idea."

President Trump last month signaled his administration will tie city and state coronavirus stimulus money to reforming so-called "sanctuary" areas, in which some illegal immigrants are shielded from prosecution and deportation.

"We’d have to talk about things like sanctuary cities ... where people that are criminals are protected," Trump said at the White House last month.

Trump, fellow Republicans and others have been critical of sanctuary city laws, essentially found in cities and states with Democrat leaders and that limit federal agents from deporting illegal immigrants who have committed serious crimes. 

"The issue of immigration continues to be an enormous challenge for Democrats," Rasmussen said. "Americans overwhelmingly believe that legal immigration is good for the nation. At the same time, however, eight-out-of-10 believe that illegal immigration is bad. As a result, policies that seem to protect people in the country illegally remain broadly unpopular. So do policies to provide government financial aid to those who entered the country illegally (with the exception of children brought here by their parents)."

Trump last month signed an executive order temporarily suspending immigration into the United States because of the coronavirus.

A separate poll by Rasmussen showed that nearly seven out of 10 voters support the coronavirus-era immigration ban.

An earlier Just the News poll found 60 percent of American voters favor providing taxpayer-funded coronavirus healthcare for illegal immigrants, while just 22% agree with giving them stimulus cash. 

"America is a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws." Rasmussen said. "Voters strongly support both aspects of our national heritage. As a result, policies that disrespect the rule of law don’t fare well in the court of public opinion."

Respondents were asked “To be eligible for federal financial aid, should cities and states be required to cooperate with federal immigration officials and other law enforcement officers?" They replied as below:

• 50%    Yes
• 31%    No
• 19%    Not Sure

 The national survey of 1,200 registered voters was conducted April 30-May 2, 2020 by Rasmussen, a polling veteran. Margin of sampling error: +/- 2.8% for full sample. 

To see the full demographic cross-tabulations for this polling question, click below:

To see the methodology and sample demographics for this polling question, click below: