Two-thirds of California voters continue to disapprove of President Trump’s immigration policies, according to a recent poll conducted by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies and released on Wednesday.

Continued Disapproval and Perceived Bias

The poll found that a majority of California voters believe these policies are discriminatory towards Latinos. Nearly half of all voters expressed concern that they, a family member, or a close friend could be detained as a result of these policies.

Findings Echo Previous Polls

These findings align with a similar poll conducted in August, which also demonstrated strong disapproval of the Trump administration’s approach to immigration enforcement. The latest poll surveyed 5,109 registered California voters online in both English and Spanish between March 9 and 15.

Partisan Divide and Shifting Republican Support

The poll highlighted the typical partisan divisions regarding trust in U.S. Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the use of masks by agents, and the issue of discrimination against Latinos.

Expert Analysis of Republican Shift

While overall disapproval remains high at 64%, down slightly from 69% in August, Republican approval has increased. 86% of Republicans now approve of Trump’s immigration policies, compared to 79% last August. G. Cristina Mora, co-director of the institute, suggests this shift may be due to the framing of the question and the timing of the poll.

Mora explained that including Trump’s name tends to elicit more favorable responses from Republicans. She also noted that the widespread raids conducted last summer, which led to escalations of violence, may have temporarily dampened Republican support, but that support has since “normalized” with a change in tactics.

Differing Perspectives on Policy Changes

The appointment of Tom Homan to oversee immigration enforcement in Minneapolis, following protests and shootings, is seen by Republican strategist Ford O’Connell as a key factor in the increased Republican support. He believes Homan’s “lighter touch” and perceived reasonableness have resonated with voters.

However, Democratic strategist Maria Cardona dismissed this as “wishful thinking,” arguing that ICE’s approach hasn’t fundamentally changed. She emphasized that the decrease in disapproval is likely due to a reduction in highly visible and violent incidents.

Concerns Over Civil Liberties and Agent Conduct

The poll also revealed differing opinions among Republicans regarding immigration agents’ ability to enter homes without a warrant. 45% opposed the practice, while 38% supported it. This division is attributed to a strong Republican value of civil liberties, particularly concerning property rights.

Masks and Identification

Republicans were more strongly in favor of allowing ICE agents to wear masks while on duty (68% approval), contrasting with 91% opposition from Democrats. However, the desire for agents to be clearly identifiable hasn’t diminished, with concerns about agents being “doxxed.”

Intervention and Personal Concerns

Nearly 7 in 10 respondents expressed a desire for state and local authorities to intervene in cases of unlawful detentions or excessive force by federal immigration agents.

Varying Levels of Concern

Regarding personal concerns about potential detention, 63% of Democrats expressed significant worry, while 85% of Republicans reported little to no concern. Overall, 45% of respondents were somewhat or very concerned, with higher levels of concern among Latino (62%), Black (46%), and Asian/Pacific Islander (43%) voters.

Experts suggest the high concern among the Latino community reflects a continued hope for fair treatment despite feeling “totally attacked.” The notable concern among Black residents is linked to the prevalence of Blaxican families and close ties to immigrant communities in California.