President Donald Trump asserted in a social media post that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers are “loved and respected in America.” This statement comes as recent polling indicates a complex and evolving public sentiment regarding immigration and its enforcement.
A Gallup poll released on July 9 found that nearly three-quarters of U.S. adults, 73%, view immigration as a positive force. This figure represents an increase from the 25-year average of 67% favorable views. While public opinion is divided on whether immigration levels should increase, decrease, or remain the same, support for hiring additional Border Patrol agents has seen a 10-point decline since 2025.
These trends suggest a public distinction between immigration as a concept and the methods used for immigration law enforcement. A Reuters-Ipsos poll conducted in January revealed that 7 in 10 Americans are closely monitoring federal efforts to manage unauthorized entries into the United States.
Simultaneously, calls for greater oversight and accountability of ICE have grown, amplified by protests in cities such as New York, Boston, and Los Angeles, as well as throughout Maine. A significant demand emerging from these protests is the mandatory use of body cameras, for which Congress appropriated $20 million earlier this year.