Most Americans support ICE border control activities

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A recent poll conducted for The Economist magazine reveals that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) maintains substantial public support, with 53 percent of American voters expressing approval for the agency, including 50 percent of Latino voters.

The survey, conducted from February 2-4, also showed significant opposition, with 19 percent of voters strongly disapproving of ICE’s activities. An additional segment of voters brings the total unfavorable view to 27 percent.

These polling figures carry particular significance as they influence ICE’s capacity to navigate challenges from various opposition groups, including Democratic lawmakers, protesters, municipal officials, and business-backed immigration advocacy organizations.

Tom Homan, Trump’s enforcement leader, acknowledged the importance of public perception, telling Breitbart News in November, “We need to control the narrative so we keep the trust of American people.” He added, “Sometimes you’ve got to slow roll it, but other times, I think, the shock of it will move people” to return to their home countries, he said. “It’s going to be well-planned, humane operations.”

ICE raided apartment complexes in Aurora, CO today and arrested Tren de Aragua gang members. The same complexes which the gang took control over and the Governor and media said is a conspiracy and a figment of our imagination.pic.twitter.com/PgNbsXiwPm

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) February 6, 2025

The data reveals varying levels of opposition across different demographic groups. Among Kamala Harris supporters, 29 percent hold a “very unfavorable” view of ICE, while this figure reaches 38 percent among liberals, 31 percent among Democrats, 25 percent among Latinos, and 21 percent among women.

However, these opposition numbers are counterbalanced by robust support for immigration enforcement. The poll indicates that 28 percent of Americans view ICE “very favorably,” including half of Trump voters and 35 percent of males.

Combined favorable ratings reach 50 percent overall, encompassing 77 percent of Trump supporters and 27 percent of Harris voters. Gender differences are notable, with 57 percent of men viewing ICE favorably compared to 44 percent of women. Age also factors in, as 41 percent of those under 30 support ICE, while 57 percent of retirement-age individuals express approval.

Immigration advocates continue highlighting emotional migrant stories to influence public opinion, particularly targeting Americans who feel conflicted about immigration policies.

BREAKING REPORT: Homan reveals he has FOUND OUT how ICE operation in Colorado got leaked, vows to put them in cuffs..

"We've already identified how this operation got leaked, I'll deal with that today!"pic.twitter.com/aGp5C0Nz2B

— Chuck Callesto (@ChuckCallesto) February 6, 2025

The current situation stems from President Biden’s policies, which attracted millions of economic migrants despite existing immigration laws and public resistance to such migration policies.

The consequences of these policies are evident in testimonies like that of Venezuelan migrant Yuleidi Moreno, who told Reuters in December: “I cry every day. I want to go back to my country. I don’t want to stay here anymore. I suffer a lot. Men treat us badly and it’s hard. They sometimes mistreat us. Sometimes people die; there is a lot of sexual abuse, women are mistreated because they don’t have money. It’s horrible, this is horrible.”

While Trump’s administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, emphasizes the negative impact of extraction migration on migrants’ home countries, ICE supporters also document the effects of current immigration policies on American communities through their own documentation of affected citizens.