Most Americans Back Trump's Deportation Goals, But Not Tactics

Reuters/Ipsos poll finds broad support for deporting unauthorized immigrants, but widespread disapproval of administration's hard-line methods.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A new Reuters/Ipsos poll found that while most Americans, including 92% of Republicans, support deporting unauthorized immigrants, 60% think immigration agents have gone too far in their tactics, including the use of masked agents in tactical gear. The poll results illustrate the broad appeal of Trump's focus on immigration enforcement, but also the widespread disapproval of his administration's hard-line methods, which could impact the Republican Party in the upcoming midterm elections.

Why it matters

The poll results highlight the political tensions surrounding the Trump administration's immigration enforcement policies, with broad support for the overall goal of deporting unauthorized immigrants but significant opposition to the aggressive tactics used to achieve that goal. This could be a key issue in the upcoming midterm elections, as independent voters who disapprove of the administration's tactics could be a critical swing group.

The details

The Reuters/Ipsos poll, conducted over six days and concluding on Monday, found that 61% of respondents support deporting unauthorized immigrants, including 92% of Republicans and 35% of Democrats. However, 60% of Americans, including a fifth of Republicans and 90% of Democrats, think immigration agents have gone too far in their tactics. The disapproval is particularly high among Black and Hispanic Americans, with 74% of Black respondents and 72% of Hispanics saying they don't like how the administration is handling deportations, compared to 51% of white respondents.

  • The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted over six days and concluded on Monday, February 26, 2026.
  • The poll results were released ahead of President Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday, February 27, 2026.

The players

President Donald Trump

The current President of the United States, who has made immigration enforcement a key focus of his administration.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws, which has been the subject of controversy over its tactics.

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What they’re saying

“We're getting them the hell out of here fast.”

— President Donald Trump (State of the Union address)

What’s next

The poll results could be a significant factor in the upcoming November 3, 2026 congressional midterm elections, as independent voters who disapprove of the administration's immigration tactics could be a critical swing group.

The takeaway

The poll findings highlight the political complexities of the immigration issue, with broad support for the goal of deporting unauthorized immigrants but significant opposition to the aggressive tactics used to achieve that goal. This could be a challenging issue for the Republican Party as it seeks to maintain its majorities in Congress in the upcoming midterm elections.