A Dramatic Turn in Approval Ratings (Image Credits: Unsplash)
Public backing for President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement has eroded sharply, according to a recent national survey that highlights fallout from deadly confrontations in Minneapolis.
A Dramatic Turn in Approval Ratings
Results from the NBC News Decision Desk Poll powered by SurveyMonkey captured a double-digit surge in disapproval of Trump’s handling of border security and immigration.[1][2]
The survey, conducted online with nearly 22,000 adults from January 27 to February 6, showed 60 percent of respondents disapproving of his approach, including 49 percent who strongly disapproved – a jump from 38 percent last summer and 34 percent in April.[1]
Approval stood at 40 percent overall, aligning closely with Trump’s job approval rating of 39 percent. Immigration had long ranked as one of his strongest areas, but those numbers now mirror his broader standing.
Senior elections analyst Marc Trussler noted the shift among independents, whose strong disapproval rose 11 points since August. “In these elections that are won on the margins, particularly in the swing states, independents are a really critical group,” Trussler said. “To see them shift so heavily on one of the president’s key priorities is really telling.”[1]
Fatal Shootings Ignite Nationwide Backlash
Federal immigration agents shot and killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis last month, events that poll respondents cited as pivotal in souring views on enforcement tactics.[3][4]
On January 7, ICE officer Jonathan Ross fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, a mother of three and poet, as she sat in her vehicle. Authorities claimed she tried to run over the agent, though bystander videos raised questions about the account.
Seventeen days later, on January 24, Customs and Border Protection agents killed 37-year-old Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse at a veterans hospital, during an anti-ICE protest. Video showed him attempting to aid a woman on the ground before agents tackled and shot him.[3]
These incidents, part of a broader surge in shootings linked to Trump’s mass deportation push, prompted protests across cities and leadership changes in Minneapolis operations. The White House border czar announced a pullout of hundreds of agents from the area.
Overwhelming Push for ICE Changes
Nearly three-quarters of Americans now favor reforming or abolishing ICE, with 43 percent calling for reform and 29 percent for abolition.[1][2]
- 66 percent disapprove of ICE’s overall job performance.
- 67 percent say agent tactics have gone too far.
- 63 percent oppose immigration officers wearing masks during operations.
- 62 percent lack trust in federal probes of the Minneapolis shootings.
Trump acknowledged the tension in a recent interview, suggesting his administration might adopt “a little bit of a softer touch” while insisting it must remain tough.[2]
| Issue | Approve | Disapprove |
|---|---|---|
| Trump on Immigration | 40% | 60% |
| ICE Performance | 34% | 66% |
| Agent Tactics | 33% | 67% |
GOP Base Shows Cracks
Even among Republicans, divisions surfaced. Traditional Republicans proved more critical of agent masks and shootings than MAGA supporters, with 59 percent of the former favoring probes into Pretti’s killer compared to 38 percent of the latter.[1]
While 71 percent of Republicans want ICE unchanged, independents and Democrats overwhelmingly backed reforms, amplifying the poll’s signal ahead of congressional funding debates.
Key Takeaways
- Strong disapproval of Trump’s immigration handling doubled since spring 2025.
- Minneapolis fatalities drove the poll’s stark findings via social media videos.
- 73 percent seek major ICE changes amid rising enforcement scrutiny.
As Congress weighs DHS funding with reform demands looming, this poll underscores a pivotal challenge for Trump’s agenda. The erosion on immigration, once a cornerstone strength, raises questions about sustaining momentum. What do you think about these shifting views? Tell us in the comments.
