Public Opinion Shifts as Americans Reevaluate ICE After Minnesota Shooting
US public opinion on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is changing. A new national poll reveals more Americans favor dismantling the agency than preserving it. After the Minneapolis shooting and immigration enforcement protests, this change comes at a critical time.
The weekend YouGov polling recorded responses during a moment of high public attention. Minnesota immigration enforcement has intensified in recent weeks, sparking Twin Cities rallies. A U.S. Border Patrol agent shot and killed 37-year-old intensive care nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, raising public outrage. The Border Patrol officer was not ICE, yet the incident shaped public opinion about federal immigration agencies.
The initial poll found that nearly half of U.S. adults supported ICE abolition. This group barely outnumbered anti-agency shutdown protesters. The data also demonstrates broad unhappiness with ICE’s performance. A majority of Americans disapprove of the agency’s work, while a minority approves.
Political affiliation shaped opinions. Democrats disapproved of ICE’s conduct most, followed by independents. Republicans were much more likely to approve of the agency’s performance. The large split shows that immigration enforcement remains one of the most divisive subjects in American politics.
The poll also examined Americans’ views on ICE’s tactics. Most respondents now think the agency is too aggressive, up from earlier in the month. About a quarter of Americans think ICE is firm enough, while a minority disagree. These opinions show widespread discontent with enforcement, especially during large-scale operations.
Public support for Minnesota protests is uneven but marginally positive. Nearly half of respondents approved of the protests, while just over 40% disapproved. Democratic and independent support was highest, while most Republicans opposed the protests. There are deeper differences regarding how communities should respond to government enforcement and force.
A second YouGov poll addressed the Minneapolis shooting. Nearly half of respondents think the killing was unjustified, while a smaller percentage did. Video evidence increased outrage to the shooting among Americans. This shows that visual evidence strongly influenced event judgment.
The Border Patrol debate was more evenly split. The agency’s popularity was split roughly evenly among Americans. This discrepancy illustrates that while ICE discontent is rising, sentiments toward other immigration authorities are more complex.
President Donald Trump publicly defended the federal officer but did not address the shooting’s legality. My administration is reviewing the case and will decide after considering all the facts. The president also said his border czar, Tom Homan, will review the situation in Minnesota and report back to him.
The polls polled hundreds of adults countrywide and have a narrow margin of error, providing a strong snapshot of public mood. The findings suggest that Americans are reassessing immigration enforcement in a time of high tension, including safety, accountability, and the role of federal agencies.
Sources:
YouGov
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
