Amid the widespread protests and controversy in the wake of President Trump’s January 27 executive order that imposed a 90-day ban on entry into the United States from the same seven countries (Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, and Iran) named in the Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015 signed by former President Obama, a new Rasmussen Reports survey finds that 56 percent of likely U.S. voters favor the temporary ban.
The Rasmussen survey was taken from January 25-26, just one to two days before Trump’s order was announced.
When asked, “Do you favor or oppose a temporary ban on refugees from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen until the federal government improves its ability to screen out potential terrorists from coming here?” 56 percent said they favored such a ban, while 32 percent were opposed, and 11 percent were undecided.
In response to a second question, “Do you favor or oppose a temporary block on visas prohibiting residents of Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen from entering the United States until the federal government improves its ability to screen out potential terrorists from coming here?” 56 percent favored such a block, 32 percent opposed the block, and 10 percent were undecided.
When asked to identify themselves by party affiliation, 82 percent of those who named themselves as Republicans and 59 percent of those not affiliated with either major party support the ban. Those who identified themselves as Democrats opposed the travel ban by a 53-percent to 34-percent margin.
The executive order instituting the ban on travelers from the seven Middle Eastern and Northeast African nations is also supported by those on the front lines responsible for enforcing our nation’s immigration laws. The National Border Patrol Council and Immigration and Customs Enforcement Council posted a joint press release on the Border Patrol website on January 30 that stated, in part,
As representatives of the nation’s Frontline immigration officers and agents responsible for enforcing our laws and protecting our borders, we fully support and appreciate President Trump’s swift and decisive action to keep the American people safe and allow law enforcement to do its job. We applaud the three executive orders he has issued to date, and are confident they will make America safer and more prosperous.
Chris Cabrera, vice president of the National Border Patrol Council, also praised Trump for moving so swiftly. “Government is only as slow as we let it [be],” said Cabrera. “[The president is] from a business background, which is different from a government background.”
A report from the Western Journalism Center quoted a statement approving the president’s action from Representative Chris Collins (R-N.Y.), who noted that the temporary immigration ban was simply the fulfillment of Trump’s campaign promise. “President Trump promised to make America safe again and his executive order aims to ensure we know who is entering our country,” Collins said in a statement. “A 90-day pause as we get our Department of Homeland Security back up and running, I don’t see that America would consider that a negative in any way. In fact, it’s a promise to keep America safe,” he added.
A January 31 report from Fox5 News in Atlanta noted that several travelers interviewed while passing through Hartsfield Jackson International Airport said they fully support the president’s mission to keep the country safe. “It’s not a ban on immigrants, it’s just vetting. We welcome immigrants; we just want to be safe,” traveler Kathy Theriault told Fox. The report said that Theriault and her husband realized that the order could impact families, college students, and employees, but they said protecting the country against terrorists is a top priority. “I know it’s hard on a lot of people, but it’s our country. Safety first,” stated Leonard Theriault.
Fox5 News also quoted Brad Carver, the 11th circuit chairman of the Georgia Republican Party, who said he was surprised by the number of protests across the country since, in his view, President Trump is simply doing exactly what he said he’d do if elected. “I see these protesters and I think they misunderstand what President Trump is trying to do and that’s to secure our homeland and protect the American people of all races, religions and genders,” said Carver.
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