The recent polling data reveals a troubling decline in public support for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following the tragic shooting of Veterans Administration nurse Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis. In the wake of this incident, a significant number of voters are calling for the removal of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, with nearly half of respondents indicating they know someone who lives in fear due to the deportation policies of the Trump administration.
According to a Quinnipiac poll released on Wednesday, a staggering 63% of voters express disapproval regarding ICE's enforcement of immigration laws, while only 34% approve of their actions. This marks a notable drop in approval from earlier this year, when 57% disapproved and 40% were in favor of ICE's approach.
Additionally, an Ipsos poll published earlier this week found that 62% of Americans believe that the current measures taken by ICE against unauthorized immigration go "too far," showing an increase from 58% who felt similarly in a previous Reuters/Ipsos survey. Interestingly, the percentage of Republican respondents who believe that ICE's efforts are excessive has risen significantly, climbing from 20% to 30%.
The Quinnipiac poll also highlights that 58% of voters think Secretary Noem should be dismissed from her position, and 60% want ICE to withdraw from Minneapolis altogether. These surveys were conducted prior to the announcement by border czar Tom Homan about the reduction of 700 federal agents in Minnesota.
Moreover, 47% of participants reported knowing someone who is living in fear because of the deportation policies enacted under the Trump administration.
When it comes to the response to Pretti’s shooting, a considerable 62% of voters in the Quinnipiac poll deemed the shooting "not justified," with 61% believing that the Trump administration is not providing an honest account of what transpired. Following the incident, both Noem and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller accused Pretti of domestic terrorism without citing any evidence or conducting a thorough investigation—comments from which Trump later distanced himself. When questioned by ABC News' Senior Political Correspondent Rachel Scott, Trump claimed he was unaware of his advisors labeling Pretti as a "domestic terrorist" but expressed discomfort regarding the presence of loaded firearms.
The Ipsos poll indicated that 55% of Americans view Pretti’s death as an excessive use of force, while only 16% felt it was necessary. Among Democrats, a striking 88% categorized it as excessive, whereas opinions among Republicans varied: 33% considered it a necessary action, 24% viewed it as excessive, and 43% remained uncertain.
Furthermore, about 60% of voters believe the Trump administration has failed to provide an honest account of Pretti’s shooting, including majorities among Democrats and independents, with approximately 20% of Republicans sharing this sentiment. A resounding 80% of respondents called for an independent investigation into the shooting incident.
Pretti's shooting occurred just 17 days after the tragic death of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three who was also killed by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis last month.
In terms of the implications of these recent ICE-related shootings, 59% of voters view them as indicative of broader issues within the agency, while only 32% perceive them as isolated events. A remarkable 90% of voters believe that ICE agents should be mandated to wear body cameras, while around 60% oppose allowing ICE personnel to wear masks or other facial coverings.
Regarding Trump’s immigration policies, the Quinnipiac poll shows that 59% of voters disapprove of his handling of immigration matters, with only 38% approving—this represents a shift from December's results where 54% disapproved and 44% approved.
Moreover, 56% of voters feel that the deployment of ICE agents in Minneapolis is politically motivated rather than a genuine law enforcement effort, with 60% stating that the administration's treatment of undocumented immigrants is excessively harsh. Only 30% believe the administration's approach is appropriate, and a mere 7% assert it is too lenient.
Roughly half of the respondents, 51%, argue that the Trump administration’s immigration strategy is making the country less safe, compared to 35% who believe it enhances safety.
Lastly, the Quinnipiac poll reveals that approximately 59% of voters favor providing a pathway to legal status for most undocumented immigrants currently residing in the U.S., whereas 34% advocate for deporting them.
These surveys highlight the shifting perspectives on immigration enforcement and the impact of high-profile incidents on public opinion. The Quinnipiac poll was conducted between January 29 and February 2, surveying 1,191 registered voters nationwide, with a margin of error of +/- 3.6 percentage points. The Ipsos poll, on the other hand, took place from January 30 to February 1, encompassing 1,020 U.S. adults nationally, with a margin of error of +/- 3.7 percentage points.
