Poll: 59% of Voters Find ICE Enforcement Methods Overly Aggressive, 10-Point Increase Since July

In a dramatic shift of public opinion, a new Fox News survey reveals growing concerns about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) tactics, even as President Trump maintains relatively strong approval ratings on border security.

The poll, conducted between January 23-26, 2026, shows that 59 percent of registered voters now view ICE enforcement methods as “too aggressive” – a substantial 10-point increase since July 2025. This sentiment has spread significantly among key demographics, including a 14-point rise among whites without college degrees, a 19-point jump among political moderates, and a striking 22-point increase among independent voters.

Perhaps more surprising is the growing concern among traditionally conservative groups. The perception of ICE as too aggressive has increased by 9 points among Trump voters, 14 points among Republican women, and a remarkable 23 points among Republicans who don’t identify with the MAGA movement.

When asked to specify their concerns about ICE, respondents pointed more to tactics than targets, with 44 percent citing “using too much force,” while 23 percent believed the agency was “targeting the wrong people.” Another 29 percent volunteered that both issues were problematic.

The timing of the survey is notable, as it was conducted during a weekend when federal agents fatally shot Alex Pretti during a Minneapolis protest, potentially influencing some respondents’ views.

Despite these concerns, border security remains President Trump’s strongest policy area, with 52 percent of voters approving of his performance – the only issue where he receives net positive ratings. This represents a slight increase from December’s 51 percent, though down from his record high of 57 percent approval in September.

The distinction between border security and immigration policy is clear in the polling data. While Trump maintains majority approval on border security, only 45 percent approve of his handling of immigration more broadly, with 55 percent disapproving. These immigration numbers have remained unchanged since last month.

“This poll demonstrates something we’ve noted for a long time — border security and immigration are often distinct issues,” explains Republican pollster Daron Shaw, who conducts the Fox News Poll alongside Democratic counterpart Chris Anderson. “Republicans in general, and the president in particular, are seen as effective when it comes to border security. But public sentiment is more complicated when it comes to handling immigrants in the U.S. illegally.”

The survey also reveals mixed perceptions about ICE’s adherence to its stated mission. Only 29 percent of voters believe ICE’s enforcement practices “almost always” reflect Trump’s pledge to focus on illegal immigrants with criminal records. Another 25 percent think that happens “most of the time,” while 19 percent say “sometimes,” and 27 percent believe it occurs “not very often.”

There’s a notable partisan divide in these perceptions, with 45 percent of Republicans believing ICE “almost always” keeps this pledge, compared to just 17 percent of Democrats and 15 percent of independents.

Support for abolishing ICE has doubled since 2018, rising from 18 percent to 36 percent. This increase is particularly pronounced among white voters (+20 points), women (+21), independents (+22), and Democrats (+34). Opposition to abolishing the agency has held steady at 42 percent.

The nation remains deeply divided on whether local governments should be required to collaborate with ICE, with 49 percent favoring mandatory cooperation and 50 percent opposing it. This split follows stark partisan lines, with 85 percent of Republicans supporting required cooperation, matched by 83 percent of Democrats opposing it. Independents reject mandatory collaboration by a significant 30-point margin.

President Trump’s overall job approval remains unchanged from December, with 44 percent approving and 56 percent disapproving of his performance.

The Fox News survey included interviews with 1,005 registered voters randomly selected from a national voter file, with a margin of sampling error of ±3 percentage points.