As federal immigration agents face mounting scrutiny following the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis this month, new polling reveals a country split nearly down the middle on deportation operations.
Americans are divided over Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, with support and opposition separated by just three percentage points in new polling from Change Research. The survey, conducted between January 13 and 19, captured public opinion before the January 24 shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis, which followed the January 7 fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent.
The polling shows 48% of Americans support ICE conducting deportation raids nationwide, while 51% oppose such operations. Opposition remains consistent whether respondents consider raids in their local area (50% oppose, 49% support) or on a property near their homes (50% oppose, 48% support).
The polling reveals sharp partisan divisions underlying the national debate. While 95% of Republicans support deportation raids across the United States, only 4% of Democrats back such operations. Among independents, 36% support nationwide raids while 63% oppose them.
Trump’s Immigration Agenda Faces Skepticism
President Trump’s handling of immigration draws mixed reviews. His overall approach to immigration sits at 48% approval and 51% disapproval, while his handling of deportations specifically registers 47% approval and 52% disapproval.
Public perception of ICE itself reflects similar polarization. The agency receives a 43% favorable rating against 53% unfavorable. The partisan split is stark: 90% of Republicans view ICE favorably, compared to just 3% of Democrats. Independents fall in between at 20% favorable.
Fundamental Disagreement on ICE’s Actions
When asked which statement comes closest to their opinion, 41% of Americans believe ICE agents are well-intentioned and prioritize keeping communities safe. However, a larger share (49%) believes most ICE agents are abusing their power and targeting law-abiding citizens.
The findings suggest the debate over immigration enforcement is less about policy details and more about competing visions of what federal agents are doing on the ground. Republicans see officers protecting communities from criminals, while Democrats see agents overstepping their authority and threatening innocent people.
Immigration Ranks Third Among Top Issues
Immigration and border security ranks as the third most important political issue for Americans overall, cited by 22% of respondents. Government corruption (36%) and inflation (28%) top the list.
However, this masks dramatic partisan differences. Among Republicans, 40% name immigration as a top-three issue, making it their second-highest priority after government corruption. Just 5% of Democrats place it in their top three, ranking it ninth among their concerns.
Persuadable Voters Skeptical of Enforcement
The polling suggests that while Trump’s base remains firmly supportive of aggressive immigration enforcement, persuadable voters are more skeptical. Among movable voters (those not strongly committed to either party), just 32% support ICE operations, while two-thirds (66%) oppose raids across the country.
With immigration ranking high among Republican priorities but drawing opposition from independents and Democrats, the issue appears poised to remain a flashpoint heading into the 2026 midterm elections.