American voters are increasingly turning against Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with new polling revealing a clear majority now demanding an immediate cessation of ICE raids across the nation. The latest survey data indicates a significant shift in public sentiment following recent controversial enforcement actions.
Polling Reveals Widespread Opposition to ICE Operations
According to exclusive polling conducted by JL Partners for the Daily Mail, a substantial 53 percent of registered voters now believe that both ICE and Customs and Border Protection should end their raids and withdraw their presence from American cities. This represents a notable change in public opinion that crosses traditional political boundaries.
Even within the Republican Party, nearly one-fifth of voters – approximately 19 percent – agree that immigration raids should cease, although a larger 71 percent of GOP supporters continue to back the continuation of these enforcement operations. The data suggests growing unease about current immigration enforcement methods across the political spectrum.
Growing Calls for ICE Disbandment
The polling reveals an increasing number of Americans who believe ICE should be completely disbanded, with 47 percent now holding this view. This marks a noticeable increase from the 43 percent recorded in a previous Daily Mail poll conducted just days earlier, indicating rapidly evolving attitudes.
This perspective finds support across party lines, with 27 percent of Republicans, 66 percent of Democrats, and 46 percent of independent voters agreeing that the agency should be dissolved. The cross-party nature of this sentiment underscores its significance in the current political climate.
Impact of Recent Tragic Incident
The polling follows the tragic death of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti, who was shot and killed by several CBP agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Saturday. This incident has sparked widespread protests and forced President Donald Trump to recalibrate his administration's response.
President Trump has since called for a "very honorable and honest investigation" into Pretti's death, walking back comments from some of his deputies. The incident appears to have significantly influenced public perception of immigration enforcement agencies and their methods.
Political Consequences for the Administration
The actions of ICE and the broader immigration agenda have now become the primary driver of disapproval toward President Trump, according to the polling data. A substantial 28 percent of voters identified immigration enforcement as their top reason for disapproving of the president's performance.
This represents a dramatic 10-point increase from just days earlier, directly coinciding with the period before and after Pretti's death. The rapid shift suggests the incident has had immediate political consequences for the administration.
President Trump's approval ratings have been negatively impacted by association with ICE and CBP actions, standing at 45 percent in Monday's survey. This ties for the lowest rating recorded in the Daily Mail's tracking poll since he took office last January.
Comparative Views of Enforcement Agencies
Despite CBP agents being directly responsible for Pretti's death, the agency remains viewed more favorably than ICE among American voters. Thirty-eight percent hold a favorable view of CBP compared to 35 percent with an unfavorable opinion.
This contrasts sharply with perceptions of ICE, where 55 percent of voters now view the agency unfavorably while only 32 percent maintain a favorable opinion. The disparity is particularly striking given that ICE has received the bulk of public attention as President Trump implements his promised mass deportation plan.
The negative perception of ICE has grown substantially since November, when Daily Mail polling found 45 percent held an unfavorable view. Notably, even 23 percent of Republicans now view ICE unfavorably, indicating erosion of support within the president's traditional base.
Public Perception of the Pretti Incident
A clear majority of respondents, 54 percent, characterized Pretti's killing as unjustified and labeled it murder, compared to just 21 percent who believed it represented justified law enforcement action. This overwhelming sentiment has contributed to the shifting attitudes toward immigration enforcement.
Majorities of voters consider Pretti's death a watershed moment both for the country and personally. Fifty-seven percent called it a turning point in how America will think about immigration enforcement actions by the Trump administration, including 47 percent of Republicans.
Another 53 percent said it represented a personal turning point, with 39 percent of Republican voters acknowledging its personal significance. These figures suggest the incident has resonated deeply across political affiliations.
Broader Context of Disapproval
Beyond immigration enforcement, the polling identified inflation as the second most significant issue driving disapproval of President Trump's handling of national affairs. Sixteen percent of voters who disapprove of the president listed inflation as their top concern.
The comprehensive survey was conducted using a sample of 1,027 registered voters and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percent. The methodology ensures statistical reliability while capturing the nuanced shifts in American public opinion regarding immigration enforcement policies.
