Public Opinion on ICE and Presidential Priorities

Recent national polling and focus groups with swing voters in key states reveal a divided public opinion on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and a strong desire for the Trump administration to prioritize domestic economic concerns over foreign policy engagements.

Public Opinion on ICE Enforcement

Data from a recent NPR/PBS News/Marist poll shows a significant portion of the national public believes ICE enforcement has been excessive. According to the poll, 65% of Americans believe ICE has "gone too far," an 11-point increase since the previous summer. Nearly 60% of poll respondents believe ICE is making Americans less safe, and by a 59%-to-40% margin, more consider protests against ICE to be legitimate rather than unlawful.

However, views differ sharply along partisan lines. Approximately 75% of Republicans approve of ICE's job performance, with 77% believing the agency makes Americans safer. About 75% of Republicans view ICE's methods as "about right" (45%) or "not far enough" (28%).

The Marist poll indicates shifting views within parts of President Trump's coalition. For example, 70% of Latinos believe ICE has gone too far.

Swing Voter Perspectives in Key States

Focus groups with voters in Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Michigan who supported Joe Biden in 2020 and Donald Trump in 2024 provided more nuanced insights:

• Pennsylvania: Among 14 participants, opinions were split: six stated ICE has "gone too far," while eight believed it is "getting things about right." Regarding a fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis, blame was assigned variably to the agent, the individual shot, or both.
• Arizona: In a group of 14 voters, 12 expressed that ICE has "gone too far." Nine reported knowing someone who altered their daily routine due to ICE concerns. Participants described actions as "aggressive" and voiced worries about overreach, though none supported abolishing the agency. Proposed reforms included mandatory independent investigations and body cameras for agents.

Presidential Priorities and Foreign Policy

A consistent theme across both polling and focus groups is a voter preference for the administration to concentrate on the domestic economy.

• Economic Focus: All 14 Pennsylvania swing voters stated President Trump should prioritize economic issues over foreign affairs. In the national poll, a majority of voters prioritized the administration focusing on lowering prices. In Michigan, 11 out of 12 focus group participants reported increased economic anxiety since the election, with some linking it to foreign conflicts.

• Views on Specific Policies:

  • Greenland: According to the Marist poll, approximately 70% of Republicans supported the idea of the U.S. taking control of Greenland, while the proposal faced overwhelming opposition from independents and Democrats. All Pennsylvania focus group participants opposed using force for this goal.
  • Iran Conflict: In Michigan, nine out of 12 participants disapproved of current U.S. actions in Iran, aligning with the national poll finding that most Americans oppose military action there. Some voters connected the conflict to economic concerns like rising gas prices.
  • Tariffs: The Marist poll found 56% of respondents believe tariffs harm the economy, while 31% think they help.

Presidential Approval and Partisan Sentiment

President Trump's overall approval rating in the Marist poll stands at 39%, with 56% disapproving. The poll notes that 51% "strongly disapprove," the highest level recorded by Marist since 2017.

In the Pennsylvania focus group, eight of the 14 voters indicated disapproval of President Trump's job performance. Participants in that group also criticized Democrats, using terms such as "weak" and "broken."

Sources: NPR/PBS News/Marist national poll; NPR-observed Swing Voter Project focus groups conducted by Engagious/Sago in Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Michigan.