American Turns On Trump’s ICE
Nearly two-thirds of Americans now believe federal immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far, according to a new national poll released Tuesday, highlighting a noticeable shift in public sentiment amid weeks of intense political and media attention.
The survey, conducted late last week by Ipsos, found that 62 percent of U.S. adults say Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has exceeded appropriate limits in its enforcement of immigration laws. By contrast, just 13 percent believe enforcement has not gone far enough, while 23 percent say current efforts are about right.
That represents a four-point increase from a similar poll taken only a week earlier, suggesting opinions are continuing to move as immigration remains at the center of the national debate.
Recent Incidents Drive Media Focus
The change in public mood comes as the Trump administration continues to defend its immigration strategy following two deadly incidents involving federal officers last month.
President Donald Trump and senior officials have described the shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti as acts of self-defense during dangerous encounters, warning about escalating threats tied to domestic extremism and attacks on law enforcement.
Democrats, however, have sharply criticized the Department of Homeland Security, citing video footage they argue contradicts official explanations and using the incidents to push for sweeping changes to immigration enforcement practices.
In the Pretti case, the poll found that 55 percent of respondents believed the use of force by a Border Patrol agent was excessive. Sixteen percent said it was necessary, while 28 percent were unsure.
Republicans Still Prioritize Enforcement
While overall concern has increased, the survey also shows clear partisan differences. Among Republicans, there was a 10-point increase in those who say ICE has gone too far compared to last week.
Even so, fewer than one-third of Republicans agreed with that statement. By comparison, 92 percent of Democrats and 65 percent of independents said enforcement efforts have crossed the line.
Despite disagreements over tactics, Americans across the political spectrum expressed broad agreement on several key principles.
Most respondents said proper training, clear rules of conduct, and accountability for immigration officers are important. At the same time, a majority emphasized the need for secure borders and enforcement of existing immigration laws.
Americans Want Order — and Fairness
The poll also found support for a legal pathway for certain undocumented immigrants already living in the U.S., provided they are working, have no criminal record, and contribute to their communities.
Republicans were significantly more likely to prioritize border security and enforcement first, while Democrats placed greater importance on legalization measures — a divide that continues to shape Washington’s immigration battles.
Similar findings appeared in a Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll released the same day, which showed just over half of voters disapprove of how ICE and Customs and Border Protection are enforcing immigration laws in major U.S. cities. Forty percent said they strongly disapprove.
Transparency Emerges as a Unifying Issue
One area of overwhelming agreement involved transparency. A strong majority of voters said federal immigration officers should clearly identify themselves and be required to wear body cameras during enforcement operations.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Monday that all federal immigration officers operating in Minneapolis will immediately begin using body cameras in the field.
According to the Harvard poll, several senior officials tied to immigration enforcement currently hold net-negative approval ratings. One notable exception was Border Czar Tom Homan, who maintained a net-positive favorability score among voters.
The Ipsos poll was conducted from January 30 through February 1 among 1,020 U.S. adults and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3.7 percentage points.
