Believe it or not, despite all the protests and photo ops and political maneuvering going on, most American voters agree with President Donald Trump’s temporary suspension of entry to the U.S. for visitors from seven Muslim-majority nations.
According to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey, 57 percent of “likely U.S. voters” favored a temporary ban on refugees from Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen for the next 90 days. Ten percent were undecided and 33 percent were opposed to the ban.
Along the same vein, 56 percent favored a temporary ban on visas blocking residents of those countries from entering the U.S., until the government comes up with a better way to screen for terrorists. Eleven percent were undecided on this question, and 32 percent were opposed.
The poll was conducted on January 25-26 by Rasmussen Reports, a conservative American polling firm based in Asbury Park, New Jersey, founded in 2003 by Scott Rasmussen.
The Department of Homeland Security responded to a wave of criticism with a statement to media on Sunday reinforcing its commitment to carrying out all executive orders from the White House.
“The Department of Homeland Security will continue to enforce all of the president’s Executive Orders in a manner that ensures the safety and security of the American people. The president’s Executive Orders remain in place—prohibited travel will remain prohibited, and the U.S. government retains its right to revoke visas at any time if required for national security or public safety. The president’s Executive Order affects a minor portion of international travelers, and is a first step towards reestablishing control over America’s borders and national security.
“Approximately 80 million international travelers enter the United States every year. Yesterday, less than one percent of the more than 325,000 international air travelers who arrive every day were inconvenienced while enhanced security measures were implemented. These individuals went through enhanced security screenings and are being processed for entry to the United States, consistent with our immigration laws and judicial orders.
“The Department of Homeland Security will faithfully execute the immigration laws, and we will treat all of those we encounter humanely and with professionalism. No foreign national in a foreign land, without ties to the United States, has any unfettered right to demand entry into the United States or to demand immigration benefits in the United States.
The Department of Homeland Security will comply with judicial orders; faithfully enforce our immigration laws, and implement the president’s Executive Orders to ensure that those entering the United States do not pose a threat to our country or the American people.”