A recent survey conducted by Marquette Law School reveals that only 40% of adults across the United States express approval for the performance of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), while a significant 60% disapprove of its actions. This poll has sparked considerable discussion about public sentiment towards immigration enforcement in the country, particularly in light of recent events.
But here's where it gets controversial: the poll was executed in the aftermath of the tragic shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis, although most responses were gathered prior to the incident involving Alex Pretti on January 24. Amaad Rivera-Wagner, a Democratic representative from Wisconsin's 90th Assembly District, interprets these poll results as indicative of a unified disapproval across political lines. "The way I read that poll was, it's actually not that divided, right? We're talking about more than 60% of the general public does not agree with the way that enforcement is happening... opposition to the way that ICE has been operating is not only bipartisan. It's bicoastal. It's red states, it's blue states, it's local officials who operate in non-partisan ways," he stated, highlighting the widespread concern regarding ICE's operations.
The survey, which took place between January 21 and 28, involved 1,003 adults nationwide, boasting a margin of error of +/-3.4 percentage points. Among registered voters, the sample consisted of 869 individuals, with a margin of error of +/-3.6, while for likely voters, 577 respondents were surveyed, yielding a margin of error of +/-4.4 percentage points.
If you want to dive deeper into the findings, you can check the full survey results online.
Some additional noteworthy insights from the survey indicate that 37% of participants believe the shooting of Renee Good was justified, whereas a substantial 62% disagree with that notion. Interestingly, support for deportations remains relatively unchanged, with 56% of respondents favoring the deportation of individuals residing in the U.S. illegally. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump's overall approval rating stands at 42%, reflecting a gradual decline over time, although opinions about the economy appear to have improved since November.
In the wake of the survey results, border czar Tom Homan announced that 700 federal troops would be withdrawn from Minneapolis, prompting reactions from Wisconsin's Republican lawmakers. Some acknowledged that enhancing ICE's training could yield positive changes. Representative Glenn Grothman, representing the 6th District, suggested, "I think a little more training wouldn’t hurt. I think we cannot give up, though, on removing people who are here illegally. You’ve got to remember eight million people came here under the Biden administration who shouldn’t be here, and we obviously can’t just throw up our hands and let them go."
On a related note, Rep. Tony Wied from the 8th District emphasized the need for continuous improvement. "I think there’s always room for improvement in anything that we do. I think [Department of Homeland Security] Secretary [Kristi] Noem, in talking about body cams -- we provided the funding for body cameras, and those are going to be implemented. Just continuing to find best practices and making sure they have the tools they need in order to do their law enforcement," he added.
The public stance on deportations has remained stable since November; currently, 56% support deporting immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, compared to 44% who oppose this action. In the previous November poll, the figures were quite similar, with 58% in favor and 42% against.
Among supporters of deportation, approximately one-third (35%) express disapproval of ICE's enforcement methods, while 65% approve of the agency's conduct. Conversely, among those opposed to deportation, an overwhelming 96% disapprove of ICE. When specifically asked about deporting individuals who have resided in the U.S. for several years, hold jobs, and possess no criminal records, support drops to 44%, with 56% opposing such actions, a trend consistent with results from November.
Supporters of deporting longtime residents without criminal records tend to have a favorable view of ICE, with an approval rate of 78%. However, 89% of those against deporting such residents disapprove of ICE's actions. Furthermore, 52% of respondents believe that deportations predominantly target immigrants without criminal records, while 47% think that most deportees have criminal histories. Among Republicans, a striking 83% believe most deportees have criminal records, while 57% of independents and 86% of Democrats contend that most deportees lack criminal records.
When examining opinions on President Trump’s immigration policies, approval stands at 44%, with 56% expressing disapproval. This marks a slight decrease from November when 45% approved and 55% disapproved of his handling of immigration matters. Notably, Trump's net approval rating has fallen from 50% in May, now resting at -12 percentage points.
As you ponder these survey results, consider this: What do you think about ICE's performance and the broader implications of these findings on immigration policy? Are the public’s opinions shifting in a way that reflects deeper societal concerns? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!
