In the wake of two high-profile killings by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis this January, public opinion on President Donald Trump’s immigration policies has taken a sharp turn, with new polls showing a significant drop in approval ratings and a surge in calls for reform. The deaths of Renee Good on January 7 and Alex Pretti on January 24, both at the hands of immigration enforcement officers, have ignited a nationwide debate and pushed the issue of immigration enforcement tactics squarely into the political spotlight.
According to a comprehensive NBC News survey conducted between January 27 and February 6, 2026, the American public’s patience with Trump’s approach to immigration appears to be wearing thin. The poll, which surveyed nearly 22,000 adults, found that 49 percent of respondents now strongly disapprove of how the president has handled border security and immigration. This marks a dramatic increase from 38 percent last summer and just 34 percent in April 2025. The same survey revealed that only 27 percent now strongly approve of Trump’s immigration policies—a notable drop from the 31 to 34 percent range seen throughout 2025 (USA Today).
The erosion in support is most pronounced among independents, who have long been considered a crucial swing demographic in American politics. NBC News highlighted that there was an 11-point jump since August in independents who said they "strongly disapprove" of Trump’s immigration stance. Political analyst Steve Kornacki explained on NBC News that, “A large number of independents strongly disapprove of Trump’s immigration agenda,” underscoring how the recent enforcement actions have shifted the political landscape.
These polling numbers nearly mirror Trump’s overall job approval ratings. As reported by Silver Bulletin, Trump’s net job-approval rating slipped from minus-12.2 percent on January 6 to minus-14.6 percent by the end of the month, with only a slight rebound to minus-14.4 percent by February 11. The percentage of Americans strongly disapproving of Trump’s job performance climbed to a second-term high of 46.2 percent, while strong approval hovered near a second-term low at 24.1 percent. Different pollsters have offered varying snapshots, with Insider Advantage showing a net job-approval of 1 percent on February 1, contrasted by Pew Research’s minus-24 percent as of January 26. Rasmussen Reports, a favorite among Trump’s supporters, showed a net approval dipping to minus-16 percent on February 5 before recovering slightly to minus-9 percent by February 11.
But it’s the issue-specific numbers that reveal just how much the recent events have dented Trump’s standing. Silver Bulletin’s averages show Trump’s net job approval on immigration plunging from minus-3.8 percent in early December to minus-12.4 percent by January 26, and settling at minus-11.1 percent in early February. On the economy, his net approval stands at minus-16.7 percent, and on inflation, minus-25.2 percent—though both were even worse at the end of 2025.
The NBC News survey and other recent polls suggest that the public’s discontent is rooted in more than just numbers. Respondents were asked about the tactics used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol agents in the wake of the Minneapolis shootings. An overwhelming 67 percent said these tactics have gone "too far." Nearly three-quarters of those surveyed want ICE either reformed (43 percent) or abolished entirely (29 percent). Only a third believe the agency should continue as is. These findings echo the results of a February 2 Economist/YouGov poll, which found that 50 percent of Americans now view Trump’s approach to immigration as "too harsh," compared to just 8 percent who think it is "too soft" and 36 percent who say it’s "about right." The sentiment is even stronger among Hispanics (58 percent) and independents (54 percent), reflecting growing unease across demographic lines.
Public opinion is also shifting on the question of deportations. The NBC News poll found that 67 percent of Americans now believe undocumented immigrants who have lived in the country for many years without committing crimes should be offered a chance to apply for legal status, while only 33 percent favor deportation. This is consistent with earlier findings from the Economist/YouGov survey, where 63 percent of Americans—and even 35 percent of Republicans—opposed mass deportations of long-term, non-criminal undocumented residents.
The fallout from the killing of Alex Pretti has been particularly acute. According to the Economist/YouGov survey, 53 percent of respondents agreed with the statement that Pretti was “wrongfully executed by immigration agents,” while just 24 percent disagreed. A February 2 Quinnipiac poll found that 62 percent of registered voters viewed the shooting as unjustified, compared to 22 percent who called it justified. More broadly, 63 percent of registered voters disapprove of how ICE is enforcing immigration laws, while only 34 percent approve.
Critics of the administration have seized on these numbers as evidence that the White House is out of step with public sentiment. Democratic lawmakers have been especially vocal, with a February 9 GBAO poll showing that 52 percent of respondents support withholding Department of Homeland Security funding until ICE is reformed. Specific reform proposals, such as allowing private lawsuits against ICE agents or requiring ICE participation in state and local investigations into rights violations, enjoy support ranging from 63 to 75 percent.
Not all the blame is being directed at the federal government, however. The NBC News poll found that while 63 percent of respondents believe the federal government has gone "too far" in disregarding local and state governments, 37 percent blame state and local authorities for not respecting federal authority. When it comes to street clashes over protests and undocumented immigrants, 57 percent place responsibility on the administration, while the remainder point to other actors.
Underlying all these numbers is a growing sense of anxiety about the power and reach of immigration authorities. In the same NBC News survey, 58 percent of Americans disagreed with the statement that “regular, law-abiding citizens have nothing to fear from immigration agents.” This suggests a deepening mistrust of federal enforcement agencies and a fear that their actions may not be limited to undocumented immigrants alone.
As the dust settles from the Minneapolis incidents, it remains to be seen how the Trump administration will respond to this groundswell of public opinion. The president’s once-strong advantage on immigration has eroded, and the American public—across party lines—appears to be demanding change. Whether that change comes from within the administration or through congressional action, one thing is clear: the events of January 2026 have left a lasting mark on the national conversation about immigration, enforcement, and the balance of power between the government and the people.