WASHINGTON, D.C. — A recent Fox News poll reveals a significant shift in public opinion toward the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, with 59% of voters now describing ICE’s enforcement approach as “too aggressive.” This marks a notable 10-point increase since July 2025, signaling rising concerns about the agency’s tactics even among traditionally supportive constituencies.
The poll highlights a complex landscape in which voters broadly approve of President Donald Trump’s border security efforts but express dissatisfaction with his handling of immigration overall. Specifically, 52% of respondents approve of Trump’s border security policies, while 55% disapprove of his broader immigration strategy.
ICE’s core mission—to prioritize the removal of illegal immigrants with criminal records—appears to be a point of contention. Only 29% of voters believe ICE “almost always” fulfills this pledge, with 25% saying it happens “most of the time.” However, 27% feel the agency meets this goal “not very often,” reflecting skepticism about how well ICE targets its enforcement.
Partisan divides emerge clearly in the poll. Nearly half of Republicans (45%) believe ICE consistently focuses on criminal immigrants, compared to just 17% of Democrats and 15% of independents. Yet, the agency’s perceived aggressiveness is a concern cutting across party lines. Even among Trump voters, the sentiment that ICE is “too aggressive” has grown, underscoring a broader unease with enforcement methods.
These findings come amid ongoing debates over immigration policy and enforcement practices. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency operates under the umbrella of the Department of Homeland Security, which has faced scrutiny from both lawmakers and advocacy groups regarding the balance between security and civil rights.
Data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows continued challenges at the southern border, fueling political pressure to address immigration comprehensively. Meanwhile, organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union have criticized ICE’s tactics as overly harsh, calling for reforms to protect immigrant communities.
The poll’s results suggest that while border security remains a priority for many Americans, the methods employed by ICE are increasingly under the microscope. As the 2026 election cycle intensifies, immigration enforcement will likely remain a contentious issue shaping voter attitudes and political strategies.
