Most Americans Disapprove of ICE Tactics as Poll Shows Broad Concern Over Excessive Force and Wrongful Arrests

A majority of Americans disapprove of how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is conducting its work, according to new YouGov polling.

Overall, 53% of respondents somewhat or strongly disapprove of ICE's performance, while 39% approve. The findings come as the Trump administration continues to expand funding and personnel for the agency, which has promoted what it describes as "record-breaking immigration enforcement in the US interior."

The polling shows that public unease extends far beyond general impressions of the agency. About half of Americans say ICE's tactics are too forceful, and nearly the same share—46%—are concerned that someone they know could be mistreated.

Most respondents believe ICE wrongfully arrests U.S. citizens and authorized immigrants who have committed no violations, and similar numbers say wrongful deportations occur. Fifty-nine percent say ICE uses unnecessary physical force against U.S. citizens; 60% say the same about authorized immigrants; and 64% about unauthorized immigrants.

These views cut sharply along partisan lines. 85% percent of Democrats and 62% of Independents disapprove of ICE's performance, compared with 13% of Republicans. While most Republicans say the agency's tactics are appropriate, large majorities of Democrats and a majority of Independents say they are too forceful.

Concern about mistreatment is highest among Hispanic and Black Americans—72% and 65% respectively—compared with 38% of white Americans. The survey also found that Americans are more likely to approve than disapprove of protests against ICE actions (48% vs. 39%), with support strongest among Democrats and Independents.

A methodological experiment within the poll suggests that public opinion may shift depending on which aspects of ICE's work are most salient. Respondents who were first asked about ICE's treatment of U.S. citizens were seven points more likely to disapprove of the agency than those asked first about its treatment of authorized immigrants. The researchers note that no new information was provided to respondents, indicating that reminders of ICE's encounters with citizens alone can significantly affect attitudes.

Concerns about immigration enforcement also align with broader unease reflected in surveys of Latino and multicultural voters published last week. A report from the Intelligence Center of My Code found that 55% of Latino voters disapprove of the administration's handling of immigration, including deportations, and 38% of multicultural voters know someone personally affected by recent enforcement actions.

Additional polling from UnidosUS and Axios–Ipsos/Noticias Telemundo indicates growing dissatisfaction among Latino voters, many of whom cite both economic pressures and immigration enforcement as key issues heading into the 2026 midterms.