Half of Americans Back Abolishing ICE Amid Trump Crackdown, Poll Finds
A new YouGov poll has revealed that exactly half of Americans now support abolishing the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, marking a significant shift in public opinion as opposition to Donald Trump's aggressive federal immigration crackdown continues to intensify. The analysis shows 50% of respondents "strongly or somewhat" want to see the agency dismantled, a 5% increase from a January poll conducted between the deaths of U.S. citizen protesters Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota.
Growing Opposition and Political Divisions
Only 39% of Americans currently oppose abolishing ICE, a notable drop from January when those for and against were evenly split at 45%. This latest poll represents the first time that the number of Americans calling for scrapping the agency, a frequent demand of left-wing Democrats, has reached the 50% threshold. The findings mirror an NBC poll last month that showed 49% disapproval of Trump's handling of border security and immigration, traditionally a strong issue for his Republican base.
A detailed breakdown of the YouGov poll reveals stark political divisions: 77% of Democrats and 52% of independents support abolishing ICE. While 68% of Republicans continue to oppose abolition, the number in favor has grown to 23%, which YouGov describes as a "high point" for Republican support of this position.
Protests and Government Shutdown Context
The poll results emerge amid ongoing protests against immigration enforcement policies, including demonstrations in Roxbury, New Jersey, where people gathered on February 16, 2026, to protest plans to convert a warehouse into an ICE detention center. The revelation also comes during a partial government shutdown over funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which implements the Trump administration's often controversial detention and deportation policies.
Noem's Controversial Testimony and Ongoing Investigations
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faced intense scrutiny during a rocky appearance before Congress on Tuesday, where she was challenged by representatives from both parties on her handling of immigration matters. Noem refused to retract her statements labeling the unarmed protesters Good and Pretti as "domestic terrorists," despite presenting no evidence to support this assertion.
Democratic Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, ranking member of the judiciary committee, directly challenged Noem: "Is it so hard to say you were wrong?" after pointing out that ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials testified last month that they provided no information suggesting Pretti was a domestic terrorist. Noem defended her position by stating she was "getting reports from the ground, from agents at the scene" during what she described as "a chaotic scene."
Ongoing Immigration Operations and Leadership Changes
The controversy follows Trump's so-called border czar Tom Homan announcing last month that controversial immigration operations in Minnesota would "conclude." Homan was sent to Minneapolis to calm tensions following the removal of senior border patrol official Gregory Bovino, the public face of "Operation Metro Surge" who was often photographed directing agents while dressed in a German military-style overcoat.
Despite Homan's announcement, close to 650 federal agents remain in Minnesota according to Wednesday's Minnesota Star Tribune report. Bovino is now the subject of a state investigation for misconduct by federal officers during the operation, plus a separate Department of Homeland Security inquiry into allegedly disparaging remarks he made about Daniel Rosen, the Jewish U.S. attorney for the district of Minnesota.
Noem's overall performance has reportedly come under scrutiny by Trump himself, who has on several occasions appeared to soften his administration's hardline stance on immigration in an effort to win back public support ahead of November's midterm elections. The growing public opposition to ICE and immigration enforcement policies suggests this political calculation may be increasingly necessary as American attitudes continue to evolve.
