Poll: Half of American voters back Trump's Muslim ban

A new poll shows that 50 percent of all American voters support a temporary ban on Muslims traveling to the U.S. — an idea originally proposed by GOP presidential front-runner Donald TrumpDonald John TrumpKobach agrees to recuse himself from vote counting in Kansas GOP primary NFL players kneel during national anthem before first preseason game Schiff blasts GOP for Russia probe conduct: 'That's how you obstruct an investigation, not how you conduct one' MORE.  

While 71 percent of Republican voters supported the ban, 34 percent of likely Democratic voters and 49 percent of independents also did, according to the new poll by Morning Consult. 

Although support for the ban is highest among Trump's supporters, at 84 percent, there is also support for a ban among those who support fellow GOP candidates Ted CruzRafael (Ted) Edward CruzElection Countdown: Takeaways from too-close-to-call Ohio special election | Trump endorsements cement power but come with risks | GOP leader's race now rated as 'toss-up' | Record numbers of women nominated | Latino candidates get prominent role in 2020 The Hill's Morning Report — Signs of trouble for Republicans in House special election Latino candidates set to play most prominent role ever in presidential race MORE and John Kasich — at 65 percent and 48 percent, respectively.

Among Democrats, more Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonAvenatti: 'I’m exploring a run for the presidency' GOP chairman readies Steele dossier subpoenas The handwritten notes exposing what Fusion GPS told DOJ about Trump MORE supporters agreed with the travel ban, at 37 percent, versus 27 percent of Bernie SandersBernard (Bernie) SandersAvenatti: 'I’m exploring a run for the presidency' Corey Stewart called Michigan gubernatorial candidate 'ISIS commie' in since-deleted tweet GOP leaders: No talk of inviting Russia delegation to Capitol MORE's supporters.  

A "virtual majority" of American voters — 49 percent — also agrees with Cruz's call for additional law enforcement patrols of Muslim neighborhoods in the U.S., the poll showed. 

Seventy percent of Republicans agreed with increased patrols, compared with 35 percent of Democrats and 46 percent of independents. 

Almost half of voters — 45 percent — also said they support the use of enhanced interrogation techniques, such as waterboarding, against suspected terrorists in order to defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) — another idea touted by Trump. 

However, 34 percent said the U.S. could win the fight against ISIS without using enhanced interrogation techniques, including torture. About 21 percent didn't know or had no opinion. Trump's call for the use of torture has been criticized by current and retired military leaders who say it would violate the Geneva Convention. 

The new poll follows one published Monday by the Morning Consult that showed that after last week's terrorists attacks in Brussels, more American voters said security issues are their top concern in the 2016 presidential election. 

Tuesday's poll also showed that an overwhelming majority of voters support requiring tech companies such as Apple, Google and Facebook to give the government access to their personal data to support U.S. national security interests. 

Seventy-six percent also thought companies should help the government in investigations related to terrorism and in monitoring the accounts of people suspected of being terrorists. 

Two-thirds of voters thought companies should turn over personal data to the government in order to help identify people who may be terrorists.  

Voters also backed increasing security at airports and are not opposed to paying more out of their pockets to do so.

Large majorities also said they support adding a layer of security outside of airports (78 percent); increasing federal funding for the Transportation Security Administration (75 percent); and increasing the training TSA agents receive (84 percent). 

Large majorities also said they would increase federal funding for background checks on airports (81 percent) and increase federal funding for additional security on the perimeters of airports, such as higher fences and regular patrols. 

The Morning Consult tracking poll, which surveyed 2,071 registered voters between March 24 and 26, has a margin of error of  2 percentage points.