State voters disapprove of ICE policies

Most respondents in California poll have strong reactions to enforcement tactics.

- BY ANDREA CASTILLO

U.S. BORDER Patrol in a show of force as Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks this month.

Most California voters strongly disapprove of the Trump administration's immigration enforcement policies and believe that raids in the state have unfairly targeted Latinos, according to a new poll.

The findings, released Sunday, reflected striking emotional reactions to immigration enforcement. When voters were asked to describe their feelings about news reports or videos of immigration raids, 64% chose rage or sadness “because what is happening is unfair.”

Among Democrats, 91% felt enraged or sad. Conversely, 65% of Republicans felt hopeful, “like justice is finally being served.”

Such divisions were consistent across 11 questions about the administration's overall immigration strategy and specific aspects of the way enforcement is playing out in the state, with divisions along partisan lines.

The UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll was conducted for the Los Angeles Times.

Democrats almost unanimously oppose President Trump's tactics on immigration, the poll showed.

Most Republicans support the president, though they are not as united as Democrats in their approval.

"It was essential to show the strength of feelings beDemocrats are strongly on the negative side of each of these policies," said Mark DiCamillo, director of the Berkeley IGS Poll.

"That struck me. I don't usually see that kind of extreme fervor on a poll response." The poll found that 69% of respondents disapprove of the way immigration enforcement is being carried out in the state.

Among Democrats, 95% disapprove, as well as 72% of voters with no party preference or others not affiliated with the two major parties, whereas 79% of Republicans approve.

The poll was completed online in English and Spanish from Aug. 11-17 by 4,950 registered voters in California.