President Donald Trump faces a significant decline in his immigration approval rating, which has fallen to just 39%, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll. This marks a stark shift from earlier sentiments, with 53% of Americans now disapproving of his handling of immigration-related issues. Furthermore, 58% of respondents believe that federal agents have exceeded appropriate limits in their enforcement actions.
The poll, conducted from March 10 to March 12, 2023, coincided with heightened tensions following the shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, by Border Patrol agents during immigration operations in Minneapolis. This incident has reignited protests across the nation and intensified scrutiny of the administration’s hardline deportation policies.
Detailed Public Reaction and Political Implications
In February, just a year after his second inauguration, Trump enjoyed a more favorable 50% approval rating on immigration issues. The recent shift represents an 11-point swing against him, suggesting a growing discontent among voters. As Larry Jacobs, a public affairs expert at the University of Minnesota, pointed out, “The approval for Donald Trump on an issue that worked for him, immigration, is down and going down further.”
The poll surveyed 1,139 U.S. adults, with a margin of error of about three percentage points. Political divisions are stark; approximately 90% of Democrats and 60% of independents believe federal agents have gone too far, while only 20% of Republicans share this view.
Following the shooting incident, officials from the Department of Homeland Security claimed that Pretti approached agents with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun and resisted attempts to disarm him. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem characterized his actions as “domestic terrorism” and alleged that he intended to inflict serious harm. Yet, videos from the scene depict a different narrative; multiple angles show Pretti holding his mobile phone while recording the officers minutes before he was shot, contradicting claims that he was armed.
In a statement, Pretti’s family emphasized, “Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by Trump’s murdering and cowardly ICE thugs.” They asserted that he was attempting to protect a woman who had been pushed down by agents while he was being pepper-sprayed.
Broader Context and Future Consequences
The ramifications of these incidents extend beyond public opinion. A veteran Republican strategist expressed concern that enforcement missteps have turned immigration into “either a neutral issue or a net negative at best” for the Republican Party. Trump’s overall approval rating has also dropped to 38%, matching the lowest point of his current term.
Despite this decline in confidence, the poll indicates that Americans still trust Republicans slightly more than Democrats on immigration matters, with 37% supporting the former compared to 32% for the latter. The deaths of Pretti and Renee Good, another 37-year-old U.S. citizen shot by an ICE agent just weeks prior, have sparked nationwide demonstrations and drawn significant media attention.
In response to the unrest, Trump announced plans to send border czar Tom Homan to Minneapolis to meet with Mayor Jacob Frey. Frey confirmed that some federal agents would begin leaving the city, although he has called for their complete withdrawal.
As the congressional midterm elections approach, the current climate surrounding immigration enforcement poses potential risks for Republican candidates. The disparity between official accounts and bystander videos has eroded public trust in government narratives, raising questions about whether current tactics align with professional standards for law enforcement.
The Reuters/Ipsos data underscores a critical distinction among voters: while many desire border security, they do not necessarily support the methods employed to achieve it. This divide could reshape immigration politics as the midterms draw nearer, potentially transforming Trump’s once formidable electoral advantage into a significant vulnerability.
