Voters Back Democrats’ Push to Reform ICE, Republicans Risk Blame for DHS Shutdown

Voters overwhelmingly support Democratic efforts to reform Immigration and Customs Enforcement and would blame Republicans for a lapse in Department of Homeland Security funding, new polling from Senate Majority PAC found.

Additionally, Donald Trump’s deportation and domestic enforcement actions are so increasingly unpopular they have shifted voters’ views on which party they believe most aligns with their priorities on immigration and deportations – eroding the competitive advantage Republicans have held on the issue.

More voters (53%) say that Republicans in Congress are out of step with their views and priorities on immigration and deportations – an increase from Senate Majority PAC’s previous poll on ICE. By 44% to 42%, voters say they agree with Democrats in Congress more than with Trump and Republicans in Congress.

The survey of 1,201 likely 2026 midterm voters conducted by Hart Research between February 9 and 10 shows deep opposition to Trump’s immigration agenda and to ICE. Nearly six in ten voters disapprove of Trump’s deportation policies, while 60% hold an unfavorable view of ICE. Even among voters in the political center, opposition is strong: 61%disapprove of Trump on immigration, and nearly one-quarter of Republicans, including 42% of non-MAGA Republicans, now view ICE unfavorably.

Voters are also siding with Democrats in the current debate over DHS funding. By 54% to 40%, voters respond favorably when told Democrats are demanding reforms to ICE and are willing to block DHS funding until those reforms are enacted. In contrast, nearly 60% hold unfavorable views when told that Republicans refuse to accept those changes. Voters in the center electorate say by a 20-point marginthat Democrats should require major changes in ICE before agreeing to fund DHS.

Sixty-five percent of voters surveyed said they approve of the path Democrats are taking to reform ICE or would like the party to go further to ensure accountability for the agency and DHS.

Overwhelming majorities of Americans also support the reforms Democrats are demanding, including body cameras for DHS agents, a ban on racial profiling, humane standards for detention centers, limits on masked enforcement, independent investigations of officer-involved shootings, and restrictions on ICE operations near polling places, schools, and hospitals.

“The GOP is more committed to plunging our communities into chaos than accountability,” said Senate Majority PAC spokesperson Lauren French. “With DHS funding, Republicans had a clear chance to put common sense over an extreme, overreaching agenda. Instead, they chose to steamroll the majority of Americans who want to see an end to Donald Trump’s domestic enforcement and deportation policies.”