Results of a Recent Poll on the Temporary Ban on Entry of Citizens from Seven Countries

A recent poll by Reuters/Ipsos shows that more Americans support Donald Trump's executive order banning the temporary issuance of visas for citizens from seven predominantly Muslim countries and the temporary ban on some refugees than oppose it. Trump's executive order does not apply to all refugees and excludes religious minorities from these countries. Criticism has been raised by some politicians and civil society groups regarding this order. The President of the United States emphasized that this order is temporary and aims to protect the security of America and its people. According to The Guardian, two credible polls have been conducted regarding the order banning the entry of citizens from Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Iraq, Yemen, Libya, and Syria into the U.S. Both polls indicate that American adults are more in agreement with this plan than opposed to it. In one poll conducted by Reuters/Ipsos on January 30 and 31, just a few days after the announcement of this executive order, 1,201 Americans responded to the question of whether they agree or disagree with Trump's executive order that prevents the entry of refugees and individuals from the seven predominantly Muslim countries into the U.S. 48% said they support the order, while 41% said they oppose it. This group included independents and nearly equal numbers of Republican and Democratic voters. In another poll conducted by Rasmussen Reports a few days before the announcement of the order, 1,000 respondents answered the question, "Do you agree or disagree with the temporary ban on the entry of refugees from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen until the federal government increases its ability to identify potential terrorists coming to the U.S.?" 57% of these individuals said they support the order, while 33% said they oppose it, and 10% said they have no opinion. However, criticisms have been directed at Rasmussen Reports' poll, claiming that their question implies that the federal government is currently not vetting these individuals. Refugees entering the U.S. must be vetted by four different government agencies and go through various identity verification and background check processes. The executive order was issued last Friday and will be in effect for three months for citizens of the seven countries. The U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security has stated that some countries on this list may remain on it even after the three months. In this context, Rasmussen Reports' poll of American citizens regarding the entry ban has faced criticism from some American artists and researchers regarding the temporary visa issuance ban. The status of dual citizens and green card holders from the United Arab Emirates has been defended against Trump's order to temporarily ban the entry of citizens from the seven countries to the U.S. The UN Secretary-General has called for the immediate lifting of the entry ban on citizens from the seven countries.