Trump's Approval Rating Remains Low Amid Negative Views of ICE

Poll shows majority of Americans believe Trump administration has been too harsh in its treatment of undocumented immigrants

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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President Donald Trump's approval rating has remained historically low, hovering around 40% in recent polls, as a majority of Americans express negative views of the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the Trump administration. Several polls found that most respondents believe the Trump administration has been too harsh in its treatment of undocumented immigrants, with many disapproving of how ICE has been enforcing immigration laws.

Why it matters

Trump's low approval ratings and the public's negative perception of ICE's actions under his administration could have significant political implications, especially as the 2024 presidential election approaches. The data suggests Trump is struggling to maintain support, even among his base, on key issues like immigration that were central to his 2016 campaign and first term.

The details

Multiple polls this week found Trump's approval rating hovering around 40%, with a majority of respondents disapproving of his job performance. The Marist/PBS poll found 65% of Americans believe ICE has gone too far, while the Quinnipiac poll showed 60% believe the Trump administration is being too harsh in its treatment of undocumented immigrants. The Marquette Law School poll also found 60% disapprove of how ICE is enforcing immigration laws.

  • The Marist/PBS poll was conducted January 27-30, 2026.
  • The Quinnipiac University poll was conducted in mid-December 2025.
  • The Marquette Law School poll was conducted January 21-28, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States, who is currently serving his second term.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws in the United States.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.