POLLING: Americans Support ‘Restricting, Restraining, and Reforming’ ICE

Washington, D.C. – Americans are increasingly alarmed by how Immigration and Customs Enforcement is operating inside the United States, prompting a shift in how midterm voters are evaluating both immigration enforcement and Donald Trump and the Republicans supporting unchecked authority for the agency.

A majority of voters disapprove of Trump’s immigration and deportation policies, reflecting discomfort with the tactics and lack of restraint associated with the domestic enforcement operations that resulted in the death of two Americans. This sentiment extends directly to ICE itself, which now has a net negative national image, with nearly six in ten voters holding an unfavorable opinion of the agency.

• 57% of voters disapprove of the policies and actions of the Trump administration in dealing with immigration and deportations, including 44% who strongly disapprove
• 63% of voters in the center of the electorate disapprove of the Trump administration’s immigration policies
• 59% of voters have an unfavorable opinion of ICE, including 46% who are strongly unfavorable

There is strong support for reforms to rein in abuses, enhance professionalism, and ensure that enforcement actions comply with the law. Voters express broad bipartisan support for concrete reform proposals, regardless of whether they are labeled as Democratic initiatives, including:

• Mandatory identification and body cameras for ICE agents
  • 78% favor (59% strongly favor)
• Improved recruitment standards and enhanced training
  • 76% favor (54% strongly favor)
• Restrictions on enforcement in sensitive locations (schools, hospitals, churches, courthouses, polling places)
  • 68% favor (52% strongly favor)
• Requirement for court-issued warrants before arrests
  • 65% favor (50% strongly favor)
• Strict limits on ICE’s ability to detain or deport U.S. citizens
  • 64% favor (47% strongly favor)

Importantly, when Democratic actions are clearly framed as efforts to force meaningful ICE reform — rather than as a general refusal to fund DHS — voters respond favorably.

• A majority of voters respond favorably (53% favorable / 37% unfavorable) to hearing Democrats will support DHS funding only if it includes major ICE reforms
• After hearing both criticisms of Democrats blocking DHS funding and a statement supporting Democrats, voters say by 57% to 43% they approve of Democrats demanding major ICE reforms
• 50% support to 39% oppose Democrats’ conditioning support on ICE reforms, even if it could result in a partial government shutdown.
• 54% of voters say they would blame President Trump and Republicans more than Democrats for a shutdown, due to their refusal to accept ICE reforms.

Indeed, one of the most significant findings is the movement in voter alignment over the course of the survey. At the beginning, voters are evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans on immigration and deportation issues. By the end, after hearing details about ICE reforms and Democratic positioning, voters side more strongly with  Democrats.

The largest shifts occur among moderates, non-MAGA Republicans, and key swing voters, indicating that voters increasingly view Donald Trump’s overreach on immigration and enforcement negatively, creating the potential to further erode voters’ trust in Republicans on the issue.

These findings are based on a Hart Research Associates survey of 1,209 likely midterm voters between January 20 and 22, assessing public attitudes toward ICE, immigration enforcement, and potential Democratic action on the Department of Homeland Security funding bill.