By Adam Pagnucco.
A new poll by Maryland pollster Gonzales Research has found that Maryland voters overwhelmingly support requiring local police departments to turn over illegal immigrants convicted of violent crimes to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The poll was commissioned by Marylanders United Slate, a slate of Republican state legislators. Gonzales is a well known pollster whose polls are commonly circulated by media in Maryland.
The poll contains this methodology statement:
This poll was conducted by Gonzales Research & Media Services, Inc. from August 24th through August 30th, 2024. A total of 820 registered voters in Maryland, who indicated they are likely to vote in the 2024 general election, were queried by live telephone interviews, utilizing both landline and cell phone numbers. A cross-section of interviews was conducted throughout the state, reflecting general election voting patterns.
The margin of error (MOE), per accepted statistical standards, is a range of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. If the entire population was surveyed, there is a 95% probability that the true numbers would fall within this range.
The sample was asked this question: “Do you support or oppose local law enforcement in Maryland being required to turn over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) any illegal immigrant who has been previously convicted of a violent crime, convicted gang member, or convicted of a sexual offense?”
Here is the polling memo’s breakout of sample components.
Gonzales comments:
Among Maryland voters, an overwhelming 84% support local law enforcement in the state being required to turn over to ICE any illegal immigrant who has been previously convicted of a violent crime, convicted gang member, or convicted of a sexual offense (69% “strongly” support and 15% “somewhat” support), while a scant 9% oppose requiring this (7% “strongly” oppose and 2% “somewhat” oppose).
Overpowering majorities within every demographic group in Maryland support requiring local law enforcement turn over to ICE any illegal immigrant who has been previously convicted of a violent crime, convicted gang member, or convicted of a sexual offense.
A caveat. The poll asked whether those “previously convicted of a violent crime, convicted gang member, or convicted of a sexual offense” should be turned over to ICE. It did not ask whether accused offenders should be transferred.
Maryland counties have a variety of policies on whether they will turn over violent criminals to ICE. In March, the Baltimore ICE office called Montgomery County “newly cooperative” after the county transferred two illegal immigrants accused of sexually abusing minors to ICE. The debate over these policies has been going on for years.
And this poll will further fuel it.