In a stunning reversal, President Donald Trump's hardline approach to immigration has turned against him, with a new poll showing a dramatic drop in public approval for his policies. The NBC News Decision Desk Poll reveals three key numbers that spell trouble for the administration's immigration agenda.
Immigration Approval Converges with Overall Rating
Trump's approval on immigration and border security had long been a bright spot, even as his overall ratings sank. But that changed after a series of controversial incidents, including the fatal shooting of two American citizens by immigration officers in Minneapolis. Now, Trump's approval on immigration has dipped to 40% - essentially even with his overall approval at 39%.
Stronger Opposition Emerges
The poll also found a sharp increase in the intensity of opposition to Trump's immigration policies. The share of adults who "strongly disapprove" leaped by 11 points, with independent voters leading the charge. This suggests the public backlash is gaining momentum.
Calls for ICE Reform Grow Louder
Significantly, a large majority of respondents said they want to see changes to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the agency at the forefront of Trump's crackdown. According to Pew Research, 43% favor reforms to ICE, while 29% want to see the agency abolished entirely.
What this really means is that Trump's hardline immigration agenda has backfired, eroding his support even among key constituencies. The bigger picture here is that the public appears to be souring on the administration's heavy-handed tactics, setting the stage for a potential shift in U.S. immigration policy. As recent analysis has shown, this dynamic is already influencing the debate in Congress over funding for the Department of Homeland Security.