A Quinnipiac University national poll found that 66 percent of respondents opposed a Trump administration policy of separating families at the U.S.-Mexico border. (Photo by Ellen O’Brien/Cronkite News)
PHOENIX – A recent nationwide poll indicates the general public doesn’t broadly support the Trump administration’s policy of separating children from their parents when crossing into the U.S. illegally.
The Quinnipiac University poll released Monday found that 66 percent of respondents opposed the policy, which Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced in early May. Only 27 percent approved.
The one group that did show support came from Republicans: 55 percent of respondents who identified with that political party indicated support.
“At what point does public opinion become something politicians can’t ignore?” Tim Malloy, the assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll, asked in a statement.
The poll, which surveyed 905 voters, had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.9 percentage points.
Although several prominent Arizona Republicans haven’t remained publicly silent on the controversial policy, many of the state’s elected officials have come out against it. Here’s what some of them had to say:
The administration’s current family separation policy is an affront to the decency of the American people, and contrary to principles and values upon which our nation was founded. The administration has the power to rescind this policy. It should do so now.
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) June 18, 2018
“We need to look at the role of parental responsibility when an adult is approaching our border … conducting illegal activity with a child.”
– Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, via Arizona Public Media
“Ensuring the safety and security of young children is a longstanding priority of the American legal system. In asylum cases, it is especially important to keep families together when neither the child nor the parent has violated any laws.”
– Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Arizona, via statement
“I can’t imagine the anguish that these parents experience when their children are ripped from their arms, and the abject fear and trauma these children are subjected to when they realize they have been taken away from their moms and dads. This isn’t who we are as a nation, and the Trump administration must be stopped.”
– Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Phoenix, via Facebook
“When seeking asylum, no parent should ever have their child ripped from their arms with no indication they will be reunited again. There is no law that requires this. It is appalling that families seeking entry through legal channels are being torn apart, with parents being deported while their children sit alone in unknown facilities in U.S. custody. It goes against our values as a nation. Congress must take immediate legislative action to end this humanitarian crisis now.”
– Rep. Tom O’Halleran, D-Sedona, via Facebook
“Let’s be clear about the tragedy at the border: It is completely manufactured by Trump and is a direct consequence of HIS policies. #FactCheck: There is no law that requires family separation at the border. Donald Trump can end this now by simply reversing this disastrous policy that has separated over 2000 children from their parents and inflicted immeasurable trauma on families seeking asylum. #FamiliesBelongTogether”
– Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Tucson, via Facebook
“This is wrong. The administration is choosing to separate families at the border; they should stop immediately. As always, I stand ready to work with anyone to fix our broken immigration system, secure our border, and protect our communities. I call on my colleagues and the administration to stop playing politics and work together.”
– Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Phoenix, via Facebook
“When you play the sound of crying, and as you and I have a little person, it always eats at your heart; we can fix that. We really need to step up and find a way to fix it so it just doesn’t happen anymore.”
– Rep. David Schweikert, R-Fountain Hills, via interview with KTAR
“Innocent children and families are not bargaining chips for a wall. Not only is this cruel and immoral with long-lasting, devastating impacts on kids and their families; it hurts America’s standing in the world. We must hold this Administration accountable. #KeepFamiliesTogether”
– Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, via Twitter