In brief
The new AP-NORC poll indicates that about 6 in 10 U.S. adults think President Trump has overstepped his authority with federal immigration operations in cities. While still receiving support from his base, Trump's approval rating on immigration among independents has significantly declined. He faces decreasing trust on handling immigration issues as the Republican advantage wanes due to rising concerns about enforcement tactics.
About 60% of U.S. adults believe President Donald Trump's immigration tactics have exceeded reasonable bounds, according to a new AP-NORC poll. The survey implies a shift in sentiment among political independents, who are expressing heightened discomfort with the administration's aggressive enforcement strategies.
Despite Trump's steady approval rating in handling immigration, which hovers around 40%, the Republican Party’s perceived advantage on this key issue has diminished since October. Currently, only 30% of surveyed Americans trust Republicans with immigration issues, a drop compared to previous months.
While Trump's staunch supporters largely back his approach, many independents are voicing concerns. Brenda Shaw, a 65-year-old from Michigan, lamented, They’re shooting U.S. citizens in the face and in the back,” criticizing federal actions as excessive and militarized.
The recent polling coincides with reports of significant Federal enforcement activity in Minneapolis targeting immigrants, which has led to violent confrontations, including fatalities. The poll results suggest a growing discomfort among the public regarding the use of federal law enforcement at protests and other civil settings, with 60% of Americans agreeing that these measures are too extreme.
Views on Trump vary widely along party lines; while a significant majority of Democrats and two-thirds of independents find his tactics excessive, only around a quarter of Republicans share this sentiment. Furthermore, Trump's immigration approval ratings among independents have seen a notable decline since spring last year, dropping from 37% to just 23%.
Most Americans display a negative view of ICE, with only about 30% expressing favorable opinions. This sentiment spans across party lines, as independents and Democrats are more critical compared to Republicans. Veteran Rick Kinnett remarked, This is not what we're supposed to do. This is not constitutional, emphasizing the potential consequences of current immigration enforcement practices.
Trump's overall approval remains low, around 36%, but his continued backing from party members shows little sign of wavering despite the deteriorating public opinion on immigration. As Trump's immigration policy becomes a contentious point heading into the midterm elections, narrowing advantages for Republicans raise questions about future strategies.
The recent AP-NORC poll surveyed 1,156 adults from February 5-8, with a margin of error of +/- 3.9 percentage points.
