New polls show declining confidence in ICE and Trump immigration approach after Minneapolis fatal federal shootings

Public opinion shifts after two high-profile Minneapolis deaths involving federal immigration enforcement

Americans’ support for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and for the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement approach has weakened in the weeks following two fatal shootings involving federal agents in Minneapolis, as new national polling records rising skepticism about official accounts and broad support for independent oversight.

The most recent flashpoint was the Jan. 24, 2026, killing of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old registered nurse, during a confrontation with federal agents amid protests tied to stepped-up immigration enforcement activity in the Twin Cities. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner ruled Pretti’s death a homicide caused by multiple gunshot wounds. Video of the encounter circulated widely, and polling indicates that public exposure to the footage has been high.

Quinnipiac: doubts about honesty and strong support for independent investigation

A Quinnipiac University survey found that roughly six in 10 registered voters said they do not believe the administration has been honest about the circumstances of Pretti’s death. The same poll found that about eight in 10 support an independent investigation into the shooting, reflecting a rare point of agreement across partisan lines even as views of the underlying incident remain sharply divided.

In the same set of findings, majorities supported operational changes aimed at accountability and identification during federal immigration enforcement actions. Support was especially strong for requiring body-worn cameras, and a majority opposed agents wearing masks or face coverings.

Broader attitudes: ICE favorability, funding and reform proposals

Other recent polling suggests the reaction extends beyond a single incident and is affecting perceptions of the agency itself. A YouGov survey found more Americans held an unfavorable view of ICE than a favorable one, and majorities supported significant changes to how the agency operates. The poll also showed the country divided on whether ICE should be eliminated entirely, with support for elimination higher among younger adults.

Separate polling has also tested budget preferences, with results showing substantial support—particularly among Democrats and independents—for reducing ICE funding, while Republicans were more likely to favor increased funding.

Context: a second Minneapolis shooting and intensified scrutiny

The polling comes amid continuing scrutiny of a separate Minneapolis case: the Jan. 7, 2026, fatal shooting of Renée Nicole Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident, by an ICE officer during an enforcement operation. Polling released in January found Americans more likely to describe that shooting as excessive rather than necessary, and confidence in the fairness of official investigations was limited.

• Key polling themes: skepticism about official narratives, demand for independent investigations, and support for body cameras.
• Key political divide: large differences by party in whether the shootings were justified and in support for changing ICE’s scope and funding.

Across multiple surveys conducted in January and early February 2026, the common throughline is a measurable decline in confidence in ICE paired with broad public support for external review of lethal-force incidents.

For policymakers, the data points to intensifying pressure to clarify rules of engagement, expand transparency tools, and define the boundaries of federal immigration enforcement actions—particularly when operations intersect with public protest and densely populated urban settings.