A recent NBC News Decision Desk survey of adults in the Estados Unidos records that 60% of respondents disapprove of President Donald Trump’s handling of border security and immigration. Desse total, 49% express strong disapproval, marking a significant increase in relation to previous periods. The data indicates that support for the topic, previously considered strong for Trump, is now on par with its general approval.
Incidents involving federal immigration agents in Minnesota, including the deaths of two U.S. citizens, contributed to this change. The survey, conducted between late January and early February 2026, captured immediate reactions to these events. Outros surveys, such as the one by Reuters/Ipsos, indicate even lower approval, around 39%.
Disapproval spans different groups, with independents registering an 11 percentage point increase in strong rejection since the previous summer. Overall approval for Trump stood at 39%, reflecting the impact on public perception.
National survey details
NBC’s News poll interviewed thousands of adults online following the episodes on Minnesota. Nela, 40% approved Trump’s management of immigration, divided between 27% total approval and 13% partial approval. Essa division shows erosion in an area that helped in the 2024 election.
Other data reveal that 63% believe that the federal government exceeded limits by disrespecting local and state authorities. Apenas 37% attribute excess to regional management in relation to federal authority.
- 63% disapprove of the use of masks by immigration agents during operations.
- Most blame the federal government for street clashes, rather than protesters.
- 58% disagree that law-abiding citizens have no reason to fear agents.
These percentages highlight concerns about the tactics used in deportation actions.
Reactions to ICE’s actions
Nearly three-quarters of respondents advocate reforming or abolishing the U.S. Imigração and Alfândega agency (ICE). Especificamente, 43% support reforms, while 29% prefer the complete extinction of the entity. Outros 29% maintain the agency without changes.
Most consider that agents went too far in recent operations. Essa vision gained strength with videos circulating on social networks, which 34% of participants cited as the most accurate source of information.
Another survey in Minnesota, carried out in partnership with local vehicles, confirmed similar trends in the state. Lá, residents prioritized regional news as their main reference.
Cooperation between local and federal authorities for deportations divides opinions. Quarenta and six percent support it in some cases, 34% in all cases and 20% never.
Changes in public perception
Events in Minnesota accelerated the decline in approval. Antes considered isolated, previous incidents did not generate the same impact. Agora, videos of confrontations directly influenced the opinions of many Americans.
Sixty-two percent distrust transparency in federal investigations into recorded deaths. Essa distrust grew with reports of exclusion of local authorities and resignations of prosecutors.
ICE’s approval as an institution stands at 34%, below the general mark of Trump. Sessenta and five percent of those interviewed believe that the country is on the wrong path.
Divisions among Republican voters
Republicans show internal splits over policies. Setenta and four percent of supporters of the Make America Great Again movement strongly approve of the use of masks by agents, compared to 46% of traditional Republicans.
Fifty-nine percent of traditional Republicans want an investigation into the officer involved in one of the shootings. Apenas 38% of Trump supporters share this view.
Trust in transparent investigations reaches 91% among Trump supporters, but drops to 73% among traditional Republicans. Essas differences show fragmentation at the base.
Context of federal operations
Large-scale operations have been taking place in several cities for months. However, the cases in Minnesota had greater national repercussions. In response, the government changed leadership in Minneapolis and announced a partial withdrawal of agents.
The person responsible for the border at Casa Branca announced the reduction of hundreds of agents in the city. Trump mentioned the need for a more moderate approach in later statements.
These adjustments occurred during the research, influencing responses. The margin of error is 2.4 percentage points.
Americans’ sources of information
Videos on social networks lead as the most trustworthy source for 34% of participants. Notícias nationals appear in second place, with 24%.
In Minnesota, local news gains greater preference among residents. Essa variation reflects regional differences in access to information.
The research covered the post-incident period, capturing immediate reactions. The results point to political challenges on the eve of midterm elections.
Comparative survey numbers
Other surveys corroborate the downward trend. In the January Reuters/Ipsos survey, approval of immigration was 39%, with 53% disapproval.
A February Marist survey recorded disapproval of ICE-related actions. Dados of New York Times indicate 63% rejection of the agency’s performance.
- Overall approval of Trump varies between 38% and 41% in recent aggregators.
- Strong disapproval of immigration rose 15 points from the previous April.
- Independents drive most of the recorded erosion.
These comparisons reinforce the consistency of the observed results.
The NBC News survey involved 21,995 adults, with rounding explaining totals not exact to 100%. The data provides a detailed overview of current public opinion on the topic.
