ICE's Favorability Plummets in New Poll

Agency trails China, Russia, and Hamas in public approval

Feb. 7, 2026 at 7:39am

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A new Harvard/Harris poll reveals that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has a dismal 34% favorability rating, trailing even China, Russia, and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in public approval. The poll was conducted in the aftermath of the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis, which has further eroded trust in the agency.

Why it matters

The plummeting favorability of ICE reflects growing public concern over the agency's tactics and treatment of immigrants, particularly in the wake of high-profile incidents like the Pretti shooting. This could put pressure on policymakers to reevaluate the agency's role and practices.

The details

According to the poll, ICE has a 50% unfavorability rating, well below other federal agencies like the Department of Homeland Security (43% favorability), the Department of Justice (45%), and the FBI (50%). Even private companies like Tesla (38%) and X (35%) are viewed more favorably than ICE. The agency's approval rating is also lower than that of Israel (39%), the Supreme Court (45%), and NATO (49%). Russia, which is engaged in a brutal war in Ukraine, has a 13% favorability, while the Palestinian militant group Hamas has the lowest rating at 10%.

  • The poll was conducted on January 28-29, 2026, four days after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis.

The players

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

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

China

A global superpower and growing adversary of the United States.

Russia

A country currently engaged in a war with Ukraine.

Hamas

A Palestinian militant group.

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The takeaway

The low favorability ratings for ICE, compared to other federal agencies and even adversaries like China and Russia, suggest a significant erosion of public trust in the agency. This could lead to increased scrutiny and potential reforms, as policymakers and the public grapple with the agency's role and practices.