New Poll Shows ICE Net Favorability Dropping to -22 as Majority View Agency Unfavorably
ICE’s public reputation in the United States has slipped further into negative territory, with the latest nationally representative survey showing the agency’s net favorability at -22 — one of its lowest marks in recent tracking. According to a Navigator Research poll conducted Jan. 29 through Feb. 1, 2026, just 36% of registered voters view ICE favorably, while 58% view it unfavorably, marking a steady decline from previous waves.
This downward trend has accelerated since mid-2025, when net favorability was around -8 in June and -14 by December. The recent drop through January (-20) to February (-22) reflects growing public wariness.
Public perception of ICE’s role has been shaped by intense media coverage of high-profile enforcement actions, including fatal shootings involving federal immigration agents that have drawn national attention and concern. A separate poll finds that 62% of Americans believe ICE’s enforcement efforts have gone “too far,” highlighting widespread discomfort with the agency’s tactics.
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Notably, partisan divides remain: Republicans still tend to view ICE more favorably than Democrats and independents, but overall national sentiment is negative.
While some voters call for significant reforms rather than abolition, the unfavorable trend suggests increasing pressure on policymakers to address public concerns about immigration enforcement.
What happens next: As congressional debates over immigration policy and ICE’s role continue in 2026, follow-up polls this spring will test whether negative sentiment deepens or shifts.
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