New polling shows overwhelming support for revoking visas of immigrants who promote terrorism, violence, or anti-American views.
As debates about immigration and national security intensify, Americans draw a sharp line between freedom of speech and what they see as abuse of the privilege to live in the U.S. on a visa.
WHY IT MATTERS
Since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, campus protests over Israel’s military response have roiled colleges and universities, and ignited a national debate over antisemitism in elite universities. Many participants in these protests have been foreign students in the United States on education visas – promoting questions about the limits of free speech for non-citizens.
With renewed focus on humanitarian situation in Gaza, and the fall semester beginning over the next few weeks, colleges are expected to be a continued hotbed of protest activity.
HOW TO USE THIS DATA
These findings show that visa enforcement tied to national allegiance and public safety resonates with voters—including many who are not yet fully aligned with the Trump administration or the GOP. However, the public is more divided when it comes to speech regarding Israel.
Click on the image below to read the full report…or read the summary below.
What We Tested
Respondents were asked whether immigrants in the U.S. on a legal visa should be deported or allowed to stay if they:
- Express anti-American views
- Support enemies of the U.S. or call for violence
- Support terrorist groups or engage in hate speech
- Publicly support Hamas and deny Israel’s right to exist
We also asked whether visa holders should have the same free speech rights as citizens.
Strong Support for Deportation in Most Scenarios
- Terrorist support or hate speech → 78% of voters say visa holders should be deported
- Backing enemies of the U.S. or calling for violence → 77% support deportation
- Expressing anti-American views → 63% support revoking visas
- Support is bipartisan and cuts across race, gender, and age—with Gen Z as the consistent outlier
Gen Z Stands Apart
Younger voters were far more likely than others to say visa holders should be allowed to stay—even in cases involving anti-American or pro-terrorist views.
- Only 28% of Gen Z support deporting visa holders who express anti-American views, compared to 63% of all voters
- Gen Z is the only group where support for deportation never reached a majority in any of the tested scenarios.
Views on Anti-Israel Sentiment Are More Divided
- When asked about deporting immigrants who support Hamas or deny Israel’s right to exist, voters were more split: 50% support deportation, 32% oppose, 17% unsure
- Younger voters, Democrats, and racial minorities were less likely to support deportation in this case