A recent survey conducted by Marquette Law School reveals that only 40% of adults across the United States express approval for the performance of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), while a significant 60% disapprove. This stark divide in public opinion is noteworthy, especially considering it was conducted in the aftermath of the tragic shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis, although most interviews were completed before the subsequent shooting of Alex Pretti on January 24.
Amaad Rivera-Wagner, a Democratic representative from Wisconsin's 90th Assembly District, interprets these findings as indicative of a broader consensus against ICE’s operational methods. He points out that more than 60% of the general populace appears to oppose how ice enforcement is being carried out, highlighting that this disapproval transcends party lines and geographical boundaries, affecting both red and blue states alike. The survey itself, which was conducted between January 21 and January 28, involved 1,003 adults nationwide and boasts a margin of error of +/-3.4 percentage points. Among registered voters, the sample size was 869 with a margin of error of +/-3.6, while likely voters comprised 577 of the respondents, yielding a margin of error of +/-4.4.
For those curious about the full results of the survey, they can be accessed here.
The poll also unveiled some intriguing additional insights:
- 37% of respondents believe the shooting of Renee Good was justified, whereas 62% deem it unjustified.
- Support for deportations remains relatively stable, with 56% of individuals in favor of deporting undocumented immigrants.
- President Donald Trump’s overall approval rating has dipped to 42%, marking a steady decline over time.
- Public sentiment regarding the economy has seen improvement since November.
In light of the results, Republican legislators from Wisconsin have acknowledged that reforms to ICE practices may be beneficial. Representative Glenn Grothman suggested that enhanced training could be advantageous, though he emphasized the importance of continuing efforts to remove individuals residing in the country illegally. He pointed to the influx of eight million individuals who arrived under the Biden administration, asserting that the situation cannot simply be ignored.
Similarly, Rep. Tony Wied remarked on the importance of ongoing improvements in law enforcement practices, noting the implementation of body cameras as a step toward enhancing accountability and effectiveness within the Department of Homeland Security.
The public's stance on deportations has not shifted dramatically since November; currently, 56% support the removal of those living in the U.S. illegally, with 44% opposed. Notably, among those who favor deportations, approximately one-third (35%) disapprove of ICE's enforcement tactics, contrasting with 65% who approve. Conversely, 96% of those opposing deportations are likewise critical of ICE, with only 4% expressing approval.
When discussing the deportation of long-term residents with jobs and no criminal records, support drops to 44%, with 56% against such actions, remaining unchanged since November. Interestingly, those who support deporting long-term, law-abiding residents tend to view ICE more favorably, with a 78% approval rating, compared to only 22% disapproving. On the other hand, 89% of those opposed to deporting such residents disapprove of ICE, indicating a stark contrast in perspectives.
The perception of deportations also varies, with 52% believing that most deported individuals lack criminal records, while 47% think they do have criminal backgrounds. Notably, a strong majority of Republicans (83%) assert that most deportees have criminal histories, while 57% of independents and 86% of Democrats believe the opposite.
Regarding Trump's handling of immigration, approval sits at 44%, with 56% disapproving. This reflects a slight decline from November when the figures were 45% in favor and 55% against. Approval ratings for his immigration policies have decreased from 50% in May, resulting in a net approval rating of -12 percentage points.
