Politics February 17, 2026

Public Support for Trump's Immigration Agenda Falls to New Low, Poll Finds

Approval on immigration slides as male backing weakens and an administration halt follows deadly enforcement incidents

By Nina Shah
Public Support for Trump's Immigration Agenda Falls to New Low, Poll Finds

A recent Reuters/Ipsos nationwide online survey found U.S. approval of President Donald Trump's immigration policies at 38%, the lowest level since his return to the White House. The four-day poll, which closed on Monday, shows declines in support among male and female respondents and comes after the administration agreed to suspend a contested deportation surge in Minnesota following fatal shootings involving immigration agents.

Key Points

  • A Reuters/Ipsos four-day online poll ending Monday found 38% of respondents approve of Trump's handling of immigration, down from 39% in January and well below initial post-return highs of about 50% - impacts political risk assessments for investors.
  • Support for the administration's immigration policies has fallen notably among men, with 41% now expressing approval; women’s approval slipped to 35% - shifts in voter sentiment may influence election-related market signals and policy expectations.
  • The administration agreed to end a contested deportation surge in Minnesota after immigration agents fatally shot two U.S. citizens; enforcement tactics and public reaction could affect government agencies and sectors tied to public safety and legal services.

Approval of President Donald Trump's handling of immigration dropped to 38% in a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll, marking the lowest level recorded since his return to the White House. The four-day nationwide online survey, which concluded on Monday, revealed a slight decline from a January Reuters/Ipsos reading of 39% and is well below the roughly 50% approval the president registered in the months immediately after taking office.

Immigration has been a central policy priority for the administration. During his 2024 re-election campaign, Mr. Trump pledged what he described as the largest deportation effort in decades. The administration moved quickly after his January 2025 return to office, ordering broad immigration raids and deploying agents in tactical gear. Images of masked officers have become more common in U.S. public spaces, and immigration agents have at times clashed violently with protesters and activists.

The poll indicates the erosion of support on immigration has been particularly pronounced among men. Male voters, who were a decisive factor in the 2024 election outcome, had largely maintained approval near 50% through much of 2025. The latest survey shows that 41% of men now approve of the president's immigration approach. Support among women has also declined, from around 40% for much of 2025 to 35% in the newest results.

Last week the administration announced it had agreed to stop a highly contested deportation surge in Minnesota. That decision followed the fatal shooting of two U.S. citizens by immigration agents during the enforcement operation, incidents that drew widespread protests and heightened scrutiny of the tactics used by federal officers.

Beyond immigration specifically, the president's overall job approval remains low by his standards. He began the term with a 47% approval rating, but in recent weeks his overall rating has held near the troughs seen during his presidency. The latest poll reported 38% of respondents approve of his overall performance, the same figure recorded in a January 23-25 survey.

The online poll gathered responses from 1,117 U.S. adults and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. The results offer a snapshot of public sentiment on a key administration priority at a moment of intense enforcement activity and political controversy.

Risks

  • Political and policy uncertainty tied to declining public approval on immigration - could elevate political risk premiums for sensitive sectors.
  • Escalation of enforcement actions and violent clashes between agents and protesters - poses reputational and operational risks for federal enforcement agencies and related contractors.
  • Shifts in voter support among key demographics, particularly men, introduce unpredictability ahead of future political contests - may influence investor sentiment in politically exposed industries.

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