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By Hollie Silverman
News Editor
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A CBS News/YouGov poll that was published on Sunday, when compared to a similar poll that was conducted in November, found a rise in the percentage of Americans who say U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) tactics are "too tough," following recent high-profile incidents in the country, including the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis earlier this month.
Why It Matters
Trump's second term has largely been characterized by his immigration and border security agenda—issues he emphasized heavily during his campaign in 2024—vowing to carry out the largest mass deportation effort in U.S. history when it comes to illegal migrants and criminals.
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This shift in public opinion comes amid heightened scrutiny of ICE after the death of Good, a 37-year-old mother and U.S. citizen, during an attempted arrest in Minneapolis earlier this month. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claimed Good tried to weaponize her vehicle against officers and was a "domestic terrorist," however some critics have disputed this, citing video that was taken at the scene that allegedly depicts her attempting to flee.
According to the poll from CBS News/YouGov, which was conducted between January 14-16, a slight majority now believes ICE is prioritizing broader targets, not just serious offenders, and most say communities are feeling less safe as a result of the agency's operations.
What To Know
According to Sunday's poll, 5 percent more of Americans said that ICE's operations are "too tough" in stopping and detaining people, bringing the total from 56 percent in November to 61 percent currently.
The poll, which has a nationally representative sample of 2,523 adults and a margin of error of 2.3 percent, found an increase in respondents (48 percent in November to 44 percent currently) who believe the agency is not focused on deporting dangerous criminals, but is instead prioritizing people who aren't dangerous criminals (52 percent in November to 56 percent currently).
In addition, 52 percent of Americans surveyed said they now view ICE as making communities "less safe" where it conducts operations while 31 percent said communities are "more safe." Meanwhile, 17 percent said there was "no change."
A YouGov/Economist poll conducted January 9-12 found 46 percent of Americans now support abolishing ICE, a dramatic jump from 27 percent in June 2025. Opposition fell from 45 to 43 percent in the same period. Among independent voters, support for abolition outpaces opposition by 12 points.
That same poll also found that Americans' views on the Minneapolis shooting fall along party lines, with 64 percent of Republicans saying the shooting was justified while Democrats and independents disagreed, at 83 percent and 55 percent respectively.
According to CBS News, Trump's approval ratings on immigration have also fallen to their lowest levels in his second term, continuing to trail his ratings on the economy and inflation. Meanwhile, a CNN/SSRS poll conducted between January 9-12 found Trump's overall job approval rating stands at 39 percent, with almost every pillar of his presidency scoring negatively with voters overall.
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What People Are Saying
Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, Democratic Senate candidate in Michigan, wrote on X last week: “I’ve worked alongside law enforcement to keep our communities safe. ICE is not law enforcement—it’s lawlessness in the name of Trump’s power. So like I said in 2018: Abolish ICE.”
Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, on X earlier this month: "Today, ICE officers in Minneapolis were conducting targeted operations when rioters began blocking ICE officers and one of these violent rioters weaponized her vehicle, attempting to run over our law enforcement officers in an attempt to kill them—an act of domestic terrorism. An ICE officer, fearing for his life, the lives of his fellow law enforcement and the safety of the public, fired defensive shots. He used his training and saved his own life and that of his fellow officers."
Representative Summer Lee, a Pennsylvania Democrat, on X earlier this month: “The Trump administration is inflaming rhetoric about a community and commissioning the endangerment of its citizens—and now ICE just killed a woman. They are increasingly out of control. Call this what it is: a police state. It’s past time to abolish ICE once and for all.”
What Happens Next
The ICE debate is expected to play a significant role in the lead-up to the 2026 midterms, especially as Democrats face increasing pressure from their base to adopt a harder stance against the agency.
Whether recent shifts in public opinion will translate into legislative change or altered enforcement priorities remains uncertain.
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