Approval of Trump's immigration policies tumbles in new poll

Weeks of conflictand outrage over the administration's law enforcement operations in Minneapolis are contributing to a significant dip in Americans' attitudes toward President Donald Trump's immigration policies, a new poll shows.

According to a new survey from NBC News out Feb. 11, the president's popularity has taken a hit on what has long been one of his marquee issues − immigration − amid ongoing turmoil after federal immigration agents shot and killed two American citizens in the Twin Cities last month. Respondents were surveyed the week after the death of Alex Pretti in Minnesota.

Disapproval of how Trump has handled border security and immigration edged up by double digits compared to last summer and spring, with 49% strongly disapproving of his actions. In an August survey, that number was 38%, and stood at 34% in two separate polls released in April and June. Those who said they strongly approve of Trump's policy positions on the border and immigration have also dropped by several points, to 27%. Previous polls from 2025 showed between a 31% and 34% "strong" approval.

Self-identified independents drove the erosion in the numbers, the pollster said, illustrated by an 11-point bump since August of independents who said they "strongly disapprove" of Trump's immigration stance.

In all, 60% of those surveyed either somewhat or strongly disapproved of Trump's immigration policies. Another 40% approved. The numbers nearly mirror the president's overall job approval rating from the poll, which stands at a 61% disapproval and a 39% approval.

The poll surveyed 21,995 U.S. adults between Jan. 27 and Feb. 6, 2025. The margin of error estimate is ±2.4 percentage points.

Trump wasn't the only focal point for respondents' disapproval. Nearly three-quarters said they want the Immigration and Customs Enforcement to be reformed or abolished: 43% said they want the agency reformed, and 29% want it abolished.

More than two-thirds, 67%, said ICE and Border Patrol agents' tactics have gone "too far," and held similar sentiments toward the federal government. More than a majority, 63%, said the federal government has gone "too far" in its disregard of local and state governments. Conversely, 37% blamed state and local governments for going too far in disregard for federal authority.

They also largely blamed street clashes on the administration (at 57%), over protestors and undocumented immigrants. Additionally, more than half signaled they think immigration officials could pose a threat, as 58% disagreed when they were asked if they thought regular, law-abiding citizens had "nothing to fear" from immigration agents.

Respondents were also asked about their opinions on deportations. Roughly two-thirds, 67%, said they think undocumented immigrants in the country should be offered a chance to apply for legal status. Another 33% said they ought to be deported to their country of origin.

Kathryn Palmer is a politics reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at[email protected] and on X @KathrynPlmr. Sign up for her daily politics newsletterhere.