Poll: Most Americans Oppose ICE's Tactics in Immigration Efforts

The survey shows growing disapproval of President Trump's handling of deportations and immigration enforcement.

Feb. 20, 2026 at 9:10pm

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A new Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll has found that 62% of Americans oppose the tactics used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in immigration enforcement efforts, while 58% disapprove of President Donald Trump's handling of deporting undocumented immigrants. The poll also shows that support for deporting all undocumented immigrants has dropped from 45% to 50% over the past year.

Why it matters

This poll reflects growing public concern over the aggressive tactics used by ICE and the Trump administration's immigration policies. As the 2020 election approaches, these findings could impact political debates and influence voter sentiment on immigration issues.

The details

The poll, conducted February 12-17, 2026 among 2,589 U.S. adults, found that 95% of Democrats disapprove of Trump's handling of immigration, while 16% of Republicans agree - up from 13% in October. Independents feel Trump has gone too far by 63%, up from 54% in October. The poll also found that 77% of Americans believe a warrant from a judge is necessary for ICE to enter a person's home, while only 20% believe an administrative warrant is enough.

  • The poll was conducted February 12-17, 2026.
  • In October, a poll showed 45% supported expanded ICE operations and 46% were opposed. Now, 53% oppose the expanded operations compared to 40% in support.

The players

President Donald Trump

The current President of the United States whose immigration policies and enforcement tactics have faced growing public disapproval.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws, whose tactics have been criticized by a majority of Americans according to the poll.

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The takeaway

This poll underscores the growing public backlash against the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement tactics and policies. As the 2020 election approaches, these findings could put increased pressure on political leaders to address concerns over ICE's methods and the President's handling of deportations.