Washington, DC — Public opinion toward U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has shifted sharply over the past year, with new polling showing more Americans now support abolishing the agency than at any point since its creation in 2003.
Data from Civiqs indicates that 42 percent of Americans support abolishing ICE, while 50 percent oppose it, narrowing the gap to just eight points. This marks a significant change from early 2025, when opposition to abolishing the agency outweighed support by more than 30 points. The shift coincides with the Trump administration’s expanded use of ICE in large-scale deportation efforts and heightened enforcement actions in major U.S. cities.
Additional polling suggests broader dissatisfaction with the administration’s immigration approach. An AP-NORC survey conducted in December found that only 38 percent of Americans approve of President Donald Trump’s handling of immigration, while 60 percent disapprove. Pew Research has similarly reported that a majority of respondents believe deportations are occurring at an excessive rate rather than at an appropriate level.
Public reaction intensified following the fatal shooting of Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent during a protest earlier this month. A YouGov snap poll taken the day of the incident found 52 percent of Americans disapproved of ICE, compared with 39 percent who approved. Another YouGov survey showed that a majority believe ICE’s enforcement tactics are too forceful.
Polling analyst G. Elliott Morris has attributed the trend to increased public exposure to ICE operations, noting that visibility into enforcement practices has driven growing skepticism across the political spectrum.
Sources:
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Associated Press / AP-NORC Poll – MBFC Rating
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