Trump’s rhetoric is working: America veers right on immigration

America’s immigration debate has taken a nativist turn. Consider 2016, when then-candidate Donald Trump received fierce pushback for his racist comments about Mexican immigrants and his pledge to build a “build a great, great wall” on the U.S.-Mexico border. While these statements were considered extreme at the time, voters appear to be warming to the rhetoric.

And it’s not just Republicans. The latest Civiqs poll for Daily Kos found that 53% of registered voters—including 48% of Hispanic voters and 55% of independents—support Trump’s plan to deport millions of undocumented immigrants. 

This shift may very well be due to how both major political parties have changed their tune on the issue.