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ICE Favorability Ratings Rose Throughout 2026

Polls showed slight improvement in public perception of the agency despite ongoing enforcement-related violence.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Immigration

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Public favorability for ICE showed slight recovery throughout 2026, though the agency maintained a net negative rating amid ongoing national debate. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Public favorability for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency improved between January 2026 and August 2026. While ratings showed a slight recovery, the agency remained the only domestic institution with a net negative favorability rating throughout that period.

Why it matters

The shifts in public sentiment reflect ongoing national debates regarding immigration enforcement and the operational conduct of government agencies. Despite the slight improvement in polling, high-profile incidents continue to shape public perception of ICE.

ICE net favorability rose from -16% in January to -8% in August, peaking at -6% in April. The agency holds the lowest net favorability of any tracked domestic institution.

The players

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

This federal law enforcement agency is responsible for the investigation, detention, and deportation of individuals who violate immigration laws.

Harvard CAPS-Harris

This organization conducts frequent polling of registered voters to track public opinion on political issues and government institutions.

NBC News

This major American news outlet provides national coverage and conducts regular public opinion surveys on various social and political topics.

The details

ICE enforcement activities resulted in 14 shootings in 2026, four of which were fatal. One such incident occurred on September 20, 2026, when an agent shot a DoorDash driver in north Austin.

Timeline

  1. In January 2026, ICE recorded a net favorability rating of -16%.

  2. Net favorability for the agency reached a peak of -6% in April 2026.

  3. By August 2026, the agency held an unfavorable rating of 47% and a favorable rating of 39%.

  4. An ICE agent shot a DoorDash driver in Austin on September 20, 2026.

  5. A mid-September 2026 NBC News survey found that 51% of respondents held negative views of ICE.

Political Context

Opposition leaders and immigrant advocacy groups frequently cite enforcement-related fatalities as evidence of systemic overreach within the agency's current operational mandate. Critics argue that the agency's existing tactics contradict broader humanitarian goals and necessitate immediate legislative oversight.

Changes in agency favorability do not directly alter current federal immigration law, but they often influence the intensity of police patrols and local enforcement cooperation. Citizens may notice shifts in local policy or security measures based on the prevailing public sentiment toward federal enforcement agencies.

The takeaway

Public sentiment toward ICE remains deeply divided despite modest statistical improvements in favorability polling. Readers should monitor ongoing legislative discussions as political responses to enforcement-related incidents may influence future agency policies.

Further reading

For more on the national debate, visit Immigration.

Source note: This article includes information reported by KXAN.

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