New Poll Shows Americans Split on Trump’s Immigration Enforcement Methods

A recent Reuters/Ipsos survey reveals that while most Americans agree with deporting unauthorized immigrants, 60% believe immigration agents have used excessive tactics. The poll shows Trump's approval ratings declining among minority voters following controversial enforcement actions.

A new nationwide survey shows Americans hold conflicting views about President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement approach, supporting the goal of removing unauthorized immigrants while criticizing the methods being used.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll, which wrapped up this Monday after six days of questioning, found that 61% of Americans back deporting people living in the country without legal status. This includes an overwhelming 92% of Republican respondents and 35% of Democrats who expressed support for removals.

However, the same survey revealed widespread concern about how these deportations are being carried out. Approximately 60% of those polled believe immigration enforcement has become too aggressive, including one-fifth of Republicans and nearly all Democrats surveyed.

The polling data highlights potential political challenges for Trump’s party as they work to maintain control of both chambers of Congress in the upcoming November elections. Independent voters, who often decide close races, showed particular disapproval with 65% saying authorities have overstepped boundaries.

During his State of the Union speech Tuesday, Trump addressed growing criticism of enforcement tactics that have included confrontations between masked agents and American citizens, family separations, and fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens. The president emphasized targeting criminals specifically, stating: “We’re getting them the hell out of here fast.”

The survey shows Trump’s immigration stance, which helped secure his 2024 election victory as he criticized Democrats for supporting “open borders,” remains popular in principle but faces implementation concerns.

Minority communities have shown the strongest opposition to current enforcement methods. Nearly three-quarters of Black respondents (74%) and Hispanic respondents (72%) disapproved of how the administration handles deportations, compared to roughly half (51%) of white Americans.

These concerns appear to be affecting Trump’s standing with minority voters. Since February 2025, his approval rating dropped 7 points among Hispanic Americans to 29%, fell 2 points among Black Americans to 14%, and declined 4 points among white Americans to 49%.

The immigration issue has created divisions within both major parties. Nearly a quarter (23%) of Republicans who support deportations expressed discomfort with current enforcement tactics. Democrats face their own splits, disagreeing both on deportation policy generally and on whether to eliminate Immigration and Customs Enforcement entirely.

Support for abolishing ICE has grown significantly among Democrats, with 63% now favoring dissolution compared to 44% in a 2018 survey. However, only 30% of Democratic voters oppose this idea, while independents remain largely unchanged with just one-third supporting ICE elimination.

Despite this Democratic sentiment, few congressional candidates have publicly called for ending the agency. Centrist organizations like Third Way have cautioned that embracing such positions could hurt Democratic candidates in November elections.

The online survey collected responses from 4,638 American adults nationwide and carries a margin of error of two percentage points.