The BareStory
A national poll of U.S. adults conducted in late October found growing public concern over the economic effects of an ongoing government shutdown and sharp partisan divides on the administration's immigration policies. The survey of 2,124 adults, which had a margin of error of ±2.6 points, took place from October 29-31.
According to the poll, a large majority of respondents feel Congress is not working to end the government shutdown that began in October. The survey registered rising worry about the shutdown's impact on the U.S. economy and personal finances, particularly among lower-income individuals. These concerns compound existing negative public ratings of the economy, with most of those surveyed perceiving prices as still rising.
On immigration, the poll found public opinion on the administration's deportation program is nearly evenly split, a division that runs along party lines, with strong backing from Republicans. A majority of Americans believe the president's policies are causing a decrease in migrant crossings at the southern border. The survey also indicated that slightly more than half of the country feels the methods used by immigration enforcement for detaining people are "too tough."
The poll found President Trump’s approval ratings on the economy and inflation have ticked down to their lowest levels of his term, with two-thirds of respondents disapproving of his handling of inflation. However, he received better, though not positive, marks on immigration. When compared directly, the survey found that the economic and immigration policies of the president and Republicans are currently favored over those of the Democrats, though a notable number of respondents disliked both approaches.
How it may affect me
As a U.S. reader:
• You may experience financial strain from the government shutdown, especially with a lower income, adding to existing public concerns about rising prices and the economy.
• Deep public division over immigration suggests continued political conflict on the issue, which could influence future enforcement actions that a majority currently finds "too tough."
• A widespread belief that Congress is not working to end the shutdown could lead to prolonged economic uncertainty and affect how future policies are handled.
