More Than Half of Americans Oppose Trump's Immigration Agenda

New survey finds majority see ICE presence as making cities less safe

Apr. 19, 2026 at 12:07am

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A photorealistic painting of a parked ICE enforcement vehicle on a dimly lit urban street, with warm diagonal sunlight and deep shadows creating a sense of unease and the erosion of community trust.As public concern over aggressive immigration enforcement tactics grows, the presence of federal agencies like ICE in local communities has become a divisive political issue.Panama City Today

A new national survey has found that 51% of Americans believe the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers makes cities more dangerous, with a majority also saying the Trump administration's immigration policies have been 'too aggressive'.

Why it matters

The findings reflect growing public concern over the Trump administration's hardline immigration enforcement tactics and the role of federal agencies like ICE in local communities. As the 2024 presidential election approaches, the survey results could shape the political debate around immigration reform and the future of federal immigration policy.

The details

The survey, conducted by a nonpartisan research organization, polled a nationally representative sample of over 2,000 U.S. adults. In addition to the 51% who said ICE makes cities more dangerous, 54% described the Trump administration's overall immigration agenda as 'too aggressive'. The results cut across party lines, with a majority of both Democrats and Independents holding these views.

  • The survey was conducted in March 2026.

The players

Trump administration

The former presidential administration of Donald Trump, which pursued restrictive immigration policies and expanded the role of federal agencies like ICE.

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What they’re saying

“The public is clearly concerned about the impact of aggressive immigration enforcement on community safety and wellbeing.”

— Dr. Sarah Binder, Senior Researcher

The takeaway

As the 2024 election approaches, these survey results suggest the Trump administration's hardline immigration policies could become a major political liability, with a majority of Americans opposing the aggressive tactics of federal agencies like ICE. The findings underscore the need for a more balanced and humane approach to immigration reform.