Tucson Residents Grapple With Impact of Immigration Enforcement

Shifting public sentiment on immigration policy poses challenges for both parties ahead of 2026 midterms

Apr. 18, 2026 at 11:00am

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A photorealistic painting of a lone immigration enforcement vehicle parked on a deserted Tucson street, with warm sunlight and deep shadows creating a sense of quiet contemplation.The visible presence of immigration enforcement in Tucson communities has fueled a complex and shifting public sentiment on the issue.Tucson Today

The messy politics of immigration reform have shifted dramatically since former President Trump returned to office, with polls showing a majority of Americans now want to abolish ICE, the deportation force Trump has empowered. But the issue remains complex, with both parties struggling to find the right approach as the 2026 midterm elections approach.

Why it matters

Immigration has been a divisive and politically charged issue for years, with Trump's hardline stance driving his victories in 2016 and 2024. However, the public's views appear to have shifted, creating new challenges for both Democrats and Republicans as they navigate the issue ahead of the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential race.

The details

Gallup found last year that the share of Americans who want immigration reduced had dropped significantly, from 55% in 2024 to 30% today. The same poll also found a record-high 79% of US adults say immigration is a good thing for the country, suggesting that Trump's enforcement actions have had the opposite effect on the electorate. 'When I was covering the election in 2024, the concerns about border security and people's feelings about what was happening were really big, emotional talking points. But I think some of the enforcement in the Tucson-area communities is a lot less abstract,' said Yana Kuchinoff, a reporter with Arizona Luminaria.

  • Gallup conducted the poll last year, finding a dramatic shift in public sentiment on immigration.

The players

Yana Kuchinoff

A reporter with Arizona Luminaria and corps member with Report for America, Kuchinoff has followed how Trump's immigration actions have impacted local communities in the Tucson area.

Caitlin Dickerson

A Pulitzer-Prize winning reporter at The Atlantic, Dickerson has reported on how both parties have helped build the immigration system that they now agree is broken.

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What they’re saying

“When I was covering the election in 2024, the concerns about border security and people's feelings about what was happening were really big, emotional talking points. But I think some of the enforcement in the Tucson-area communities is a lot less abstract.”

— Yana Kuchinoff, Reporter, Arizona Luminaria

“Obviously there's a lot that is novel that Donald Trump is doing on interior enforcement of our immigration laws right now. But if I think about your question, most of what we're seeing and most of the issues, frankly, that the public is taking with the current system come from many, many presidents ago.”

— Caitlin Dickerson, Reporter, The Atlantic

What’s next

The shift in sentiment on immigration has already impacted the landscape for this year's midterm elections, with Trump's approval rating among Latino voters cratering since his return to office. The biggest tests for both parties on the issue will likely come next year, as the presidential race begins in earnest.

The takeaway

The messy politics of immigration reform have created new challenges for both Democrats and Republicans, as they navigate an electorate that has often agreed with Trump's diagnosis of the problem while rejecting his proposed solutions. Finding a middle ground on issues like enforcement, legal pathways, and comprehensive reform will be crucial for both parties as they head into the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential race.