TL;DR
A new national poll finds nearly two-thirds of Americans believe Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has gone too far in its current immigration crackdown, with most saying the tactics are making the country less safe.
Why This Matters
The latest poll offers a snapshot of how Americans view immigration enforcement at a time when images of armed, masked agents and fatal encounters are widely circulating. Public opinion on ICE and border enforcement has long been polarized, but the new numbers suggest growing discomfort beyond traditional partisan lines.
According to the survey, concern is rising not only over how aggressively laws are being enforced, but also over who is being targeted. The findings follow a series of high-profile incidents in Minneapolis, including the fatal shooting of U.S. citizens by federal immigration officials and the detention of a 5-year-old child, which have fueled large street protests and calls for reform.
The results also touch directly on national politics. Immigration is a central pillar of President Donald Trump’s second-term agenda, yet the poll indicates his enforcement policies may now be weighing on his broader approval rating and on his party’s prospects in upcoming midterm elections. For many Americans, the debate is no longer just about border security, but about civil liberties, public safety, and trust in federal law enforcement.
Key Facts & Quotes
The national survey, conducted with the Marist Institute for Public Opinion and public media partners, finds 60% of Americans disapprove of the job ICE is doing, while about 30% approve. Views are sharply partisan: 91% of Democrats and 66% of independents disapprove of ICE’s performance, compared with 73% of Republicans who approve.
Nearly two-thirds of respondents – 65% – say ICE has gone too far in enforcing immigration laws, up from 54% in a similar poll last June, when enhanced operations began in Los Angeles. Another 22% say enforcement is “about right,” while 12% believe ICE is not going far enough, down from 18% previously.
The poll was taken just after federal immigration officials fatally shot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, the second such fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen in the city this year. In response to public outcry, Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino was removed from his post and replaced by White House border adviser Tom Homan, who was sent to become the public face of the effort.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has ordered immigration agents in Minneapolis to wear body cameras, with the policy expected to expand. While the Department of Homeland Security says its focus is on removing “the worst of the worst” undocumented immigrants with criminal records, high-profile detentions – including that of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos – have intensified scrutiny.
Public perceptions of safety are also shifting: 62% say ICE’s actions are making Americans less safe, while 37% – including 77% of Republicans – say the country is safer. Poll director Lee Miringoff said the recent images of enforcement have created “questions in people’s minds as to whether this is a good policy.”
Striking from new Quinnipiac poll:
*Voters prefer legalization over deportations for most undocs by 59-34. Among independents 61-33
*Majority says Trump on immigration is making USA less safe
Again, there’s broad rejection of the whole project, not just ICE tactics (see below) https://t.co/Bbe5kdeDit pic.twitter.com/GHVRDWxDfj
— . (@GregTSargent) February 4, 2026
Some long-time Trump supporters are reconsidering. Oscar Gomez, a 34-year-old California resident who says he has voted for Trump three times, now regrets his vote. “It’s kind of sad how, even as a U.S. citizen, you can still fear for your life,” he said, arguing the administration is “dividing families” rather than focusing on criminals.
Meanwhile, tens of thousands have joined protests in Minneapolis and other cities. The poll finds 59% of Americans view the demonstrations as mostly legitimate, while 40% see them as mostly unlawful. About 75% of Republicans say protesters have gone too far.
Beyond ICE, the survey shows President Trump’s overall job approval at 39%, with 56% disapproving and 51% saying they strongly disapprove – a level last seen in the days after the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack, according to the same polling series. More Americans now want him to focus on the economy and prices rather than immigration enforcement. A majority also say his tariffs on imported goods mostly hurt the U.S. economy, while about 31% say they help.
What It Means for You
For many Americans, these findings reflect growing tension between demands for border security and concerns about how those policies are carried out in neighborhoods, workplaces, and local jails. If Congress responds to the poll and public protests, everyday changes could include wider use of body cameras, stricter identification rules for agents, and new requirements for judicial warrants before certain arrests or transfers from local custody.
In Washington, immigration enforcement is already shaping budget fights. Disagreements over limits on ICE and the Department of Homeland Security recently delayed a government funding bill, and DHS funding is set to expire again unless lawmakers agree on new guardrails. The outcome could affect how visible immigration agents are in communities, how local police cooperate with federal officers, and how resources are balanced between border control and other priorities such as the economy.
With midterm elections approaching, how voters feel about enforcement tactics, public safety, and economic pressures will likely influence which policies – and which candidates – move to the forefront.
What do you think is the right balance between strict immigration enforcement and protecting civil liberties and community trust?
Sources: National public media-Marist national poll and related interview remarks from the Marist Institute for Public Opinion, Feb. 5, 2026.
