Two recent national polls conducted by Quinnipiac University indicate varying public sentiment regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, a fatal shooting involving an ICE agent in Minneapolis, and the performance of Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. The polls, conducted in early and late January, reveal shifts in voter perspectives on immigration policies and the justification of the agent's actions, along with approval ratings for President Donald Trump and his administration's handling of immigration.
Poll Methodology
A Quinnipiac University national poll of 1,133 self-identified registered voters was conducted from January 8th to 12th, with a margin of error of +/- 3.7 percentage points.
A subsequent poll surveyed 1,191 self-identified registered voters nationwide between January 29th and February 2nd, carrying a margin of error of +/- 3.6 percentage points.
Perception of ICE Agent Shooting Incident
Following an incident in which an ICE agent fatally shot Alex Pretti, a Minneapolis woman, public perception evolved:
- The January 8-12 poll found that 82 percent of voters reported having seen a video of the shooting.
- In that same poll, 53 percent of voters considered the shooting not justified, while 35 percent considered it justified. Opinions varied significantly by political affiliation and gender:
- Republicans: 77 percent believed the shooting was justified.
- Democrats: 92 percent believed it was not justified.
- Independents: 59 percent believed it was not justified.
- Men: 42 percent believed it was justified.
- Women: 61 percent believed it was not justified.
The January 29-February 2 poll indicated that 78 percent of voters reported having seen video of the shooting. When asked about justification, 62 percent of voters believed the shooting was not justified, while 22 percent believed it was.
- The later poll also found that 61 percent of registered voters believed the Trump administration had not provided an honest account of the shooting, with 25 percent believing the account was honest. This sentiment was divided along party lines, with 93 percent of Democrats and 65 percent of independents expressing doubt, while 60 percent of Republicans believed the account was honest.
- A significant majority of voters (80 percent) supported an independent investigation into the shooting, compared to 15 percent who did not.
Public Opinion on ICE Operations and Enforcement
Voter approval for how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is enforcing immigration laws showed a notable shift:
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In the January 8-12 poll, 40 percent of voters approved and 57 percent disapproved, a minimal change from a July 16, 2025, Quinnipiac University poll.
- Approval varied starkly by political affiliation: 84 percent of Republicans approved, compared to 4 percent of Democrats. 94 percent of Democrats and 64 percent of Independents disapproved.
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The January 29-February 2 poll recorded 34 percent approval and 63 percent disapproval for ICE's enforcement, marking a decrease from the earlier January 13, 2026, poll where approval was 40 percent and disapproval was 57 percent.
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The later poll also found that 59 percent of voters perceived recent ICE-involved shootings in Minneapolis as indicative of broader systemic issues within the agency, whereas 32 percent considered them isolated incidents.
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Regarding ICE's presence in Minneapolis, 60 percent of voters believed ICE should withdraw from the city, while 36 percent supported its continued operations.
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On the topic of ICE funding, 51 percent of voters advocated for less federal funding for ICE, 30 percent preferred current funding levels, and 14 percent desired more funding.
A majority of voters (92 percent) believed ICE agents should be required to wear body cameras, compared to 5 percent who disagreed. Additionally, 61 percent of voters thought ICE agents should not be permitted to wear masks or other face coverings, while 35 percent believed they should be.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem
Voter opinions on Kristi Noem's performance as Secretary of Homeland Security:
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In the January 8-12 poll, 36 percent approved, 52 percent disapproved, and 12 percent did not offer an opinion. These figures were comparable to the July 16, 2025, poll, where 39 percent approved, 50 percent disapproved.
- Approval rates by political party were 77 percent for Republicans, 4 percent for Democrats, and 30 percent for Independents.
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The January 29-February 2 poll found that 58 percent of voters suggested she should be removed from her position, compared to 34 percent who thought she should remain.
Broader Immigration Policy and President Trump's Approval (January 29-February 2 Poll)
The later poll also included broader assessments of the Trump administration and immigration policies:
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President Donald Trump's overall job approval rating stood at 37 percent approve and 56 percent disapprove, reflecting a slight decrease from a January 14, 2026, poll which reported 40 percent approval and 54 percent disapproval.
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Approval ratings for specific areas included:
- Economy: 39 percent approve, 56 percent disapprove (down from 42 percent approve, 53 percent disapprove on Jan 14).
- Immigration: 38 percent approve, 59 percent disapprove (down from 44 percent approve, 54 percent disapprove on Dec 17, 2025).
- Foreign Policy: 37 percent approve, 58 percent disapprove (down from 41 percent approve, 56 percent disapprove on Jan 14).
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Regarding the Trump administration's treatment of undocumented immigrants, 60 percent of voters believed it was too harsh, 30 percent considered it about right, and 7 percent thought it was too lenient.
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51 percent of voters believed the administration's approach to immigration made the country less safe, 35 percent believed it made it more safe, and 12 percent thought it had no effect.
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Concerning the legal status of undocumented immigrants, 59 percent of voters would prefer a pathway to legal status, whereas 34 percent would prefer deportation.
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47 percent of voters reported knowing someone living in fear due to the Trump administration's deportation policies.