A new poll indicates that a significant majority, 68%, of Cubans and Cuban Americans residing in South Florida disapprove of the Trump administration's increased deportations of undocumented Cuban nationals without criminal records. The survey highlights a growing divergence in immigration policy sentiment within a key demographic often seen as a strong base of support for the former president. This finding signals a potential rift between the community and the administration's aggressive stance on immigration from the island nation.
The poll, conducted from April 6-10 by Bendixen & Amandi International and The Tarrance Group for the Miami Herald, surveyed 800 randomly selected Cubans and Cuban Americans across South Florida. Roughly three-quarters of the respondents were born in Cuba, while the remainder were U.S.-born. The survey carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points, providing a clear snapshot of community opinion.
Beyond deportations, the survey also found overwhelming support for legal immigration, with 81% of respondents believing the administration should allow Cubans to immigrate legally to the U.S. Additionally, 76% stated that the processing of immigration benefits for Cuban nationals already living in the United States should be resumed. These figures underscore a desire for more compassionate and efficient immigration pathways.
The Trump administration has implemented several stringent measures against Cuba, including redesignating the country as a state sponsor of terrorism and imposing new visa restrictions. These actions have also included revoking protected status that previously shielded some Cubans from deportation. An analysis by the Cato Institute revealed that nearly a million applications from Cuban migrants have been affected by a federal benefits freeze, including tens of thousands seeking naturalization.
These policy shifts occur amid simmering tensions between the U.S. and Cuba, exacerbated by an economic and energy crisis on the island. The U.S. has pursued a strategy of leveraging economic pressure to encourage political reform in Cuba. Despite the broad disapproval of deportation policies, 67% of respondents still expressed support for Trump's overall handling of Cuba policy, indicating a complex political landscape within the community.
