A recent AP-NORC poll has revealed a stark divide in public opinion regarding President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement policies. The survey, conducted amidst the human crisis unfolding in Minneapolis, highlights a growing discomfort among political independents with Trump's tactics.
While approximately 4 in 10 Americans approve of Trump's approach to immigration, a significant 6 in 10 believe he has "gone too far" in deploying federal immigration agents into American cities. This sentiment is shared across party lines, with Democrats and independents overwhelmingly disapproving of Trump's actions.
However, Republicans remain steadfast in their support for the president's immigration agenda. Despite the chaos in Minneapolis and the violent clashes with protesters, only about a quarter of Republicans agree that Trump has overstepped his bounds.
"I'm pleased with Trump's leadership on immigration," said Teviss Crawford, a Republican student from Louisiana. "But I wish he could find a way to deport more immigrants who are here illegally. If you crossed the border illegally, it's not right. You're taking things away from those born here."
The poll also reveals a significant partisan gap in trust for handling immigration. While roughly 3 in 10 Americans trust Republicans, a similar share trust Democrats, and an additional 3 in 10 believe neither party would do a better job.
Independents, who have traditionally been a key voting bloc, are increasingly disapproving of Trump's immigration enforcement approach. Their support for Trump on this issue has fallen from 37% in March 2025 to 23% in the recent poll.
"Having the border shut is one thing," said Rick Kinnett, an independent Navy veteran. "But Trump's actions with ICE and Homeland Security are unacceptable. You don't go shooting people or yanking them out of cars. This is not constitutional."
Despite the controversy, Trump's overall approval rating on immigration has remained steady since January, with 38% of Americans approving of his handling of the issue. His approval ratings on the economy and foreign policy are similarly unchanged.
The narrowing of the Republican Party's advantage on immigration is a warning sign for Trump's party, indicating a potential shift in public sentiment.
"What Trump is doing with ICE is the worst thing right now," said Brenda Shaw, an independent human resources manager. "The economy is a close second. I'm worried about my retirement. But at least I don't have to hide because of my skin color."
The AP-NORC poll, conducted in February 2025, surveyed 1,156 adults and has a margin of error of +/- 3.9 percentage points.
