Trump Immigration Approval Drops Among Independents

Poll shows most independents say Trump has gone too far with deportations and sending federal agents to cities.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A new AP-NORC poll shows a decline in approval of President Trump's immigration policies among independent voters, with most saying he has overstepped with deportations and sending federal agents to cities. The poll found 60% of Americans believe Trump has 'gone too far' with his deportation agenda, and independents have a largely negative view of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Why it matters

The shift in independent voter sentiment on immigration could have significant political implications, as independents are a crucial voting bloc. The findings also highlight growing public concerns over Trump administration immigration enforcement tactics, which have faced pushback from lawmakers and local officials.

The details

The poll found 23% of respondents approve of Trump's handling of immigration, down 14 points since March 2025. Six in 10 independents say the president's deportations of immigrants living legally in the U.S. has 'gone too far,' with 7 in 10 independents also saying Trump has 'gone too far' with sending federal immigration enforcement officers to U.S. cities. Overall, 60% of Americans say Trump has 'gone too far' with sending federal officers to U.S. cities to carry out his deportation agenda.

  • The AP-NORC survey was conducted February 5-8, 2026.

The players

President Trump

The current President of the United States whose immigration policies and enforcement tactics have faced growing criticism, particularly among independent voters.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal law enforcement agency that has carried out deportations and other immigration enforcement actions under the Trump administration, which has faced increasing public scrutiny and opposition.

Rick Kinnett

An independent voter from Crawfordsville, Indiana who expressed concerns about the Trump administration's immigration enforcement tactics, saying 'This is not what I signed up for. This is not what we're supposed to do. This is not constitutional.'

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What they’re saying

“Having the border shut, that's OK. But what Trump is doing with ICE and Homeland Security? You don't go yanking people out of cars. You don't go shooting people.”

— Rick Kinnett, Independent voter (The Associated Press)

“I spent eight years in the military. This is not what I signed up for. This is not what we're supposed to do. This is not constitutional.”

— Rick Kinnett, Independent voter (The Associated Press)

What’s next

Senate Democrats have blocked a measure to fund the Department of Homeland Security, inching the federal government closer to a partial government shutdown. This comes after lawmakers agreed to set aside DHS funding as part of a larger spending package for several departments and agencies, resulting in a partial shutdown.

The takeaway

The decline in independent voter approval of Trump's immigration policies highlights growing public concerns over the administration's aggressive deportation tactics and use of federal agents in U.S. cities. This shift could have significant political implications, as independents are a crucial voting bloc, and the findings underscore the need for a re-evaluation of immigration enforcement practices.